National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC (NTESS), operator of Sandia National Laboratory under contract with Department of Energy (collectively referred to as “the Petitioners”) petitioned the New Mexico Water Quality Control Commission (WQCC) for a rulemaking to amend Water Quality Standards. The petitioners conducted a Use Attainability Analysis (UAA) and proposed to amend 20.6.4.97 NMAC to establish Tijeras Arroyo, Rio Grande to Four Hills Bridge (AU NM-9000.A_070) as ephemeral. The WQCC granted a request for a hearing on this matter that was originally scheduled for October 14, 2025 and subsequently rescheduled for December 9, 2025. The WQCC deliberated at the close of the hearing record and voted to adopt the proposed amendment. The designated uses for this stretch changed from Primary Human Contact and Marginal Warmwater Aquatic Life (see 20.6.4.98 NMAC), to Secondary Human Contact and Limited Aquatic Life under 20.6.4.97 NMAC.
The WQCC Chairman finalized this action upon signature of the Final Order and Statement of Reasons on February 6, 2026. NMED filed the amended rule with the State Records Center and Archives for publishing in the New Mexico Register on February 24, 2026. The rule will be effective for state purposes on March 14, 2026. Thereafter, NMED will submit the amended rule to EPA for review and approval under the federal Clean Water Act. Please see the links below for details of the hearing and supporting information.
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