Tijeras Arroyo Use Attainability Analysis

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 would change, removing Primary Human Contact and Marginal Warmwater Aquatic Life and adding Secondary Human Contact and Limited Aquatic Life. The WQCC Chairman will finalize this action upon signature of the Final Order and Statement of Reasons. NMED will then file the amended rule with the State Records Center and Archives and publish it in the New Mexico Register. Once published and effective for state purposes, 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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