NORTH CENTRAL NEW MEXICO WATER QUALITY PLAN

In October 1998, Senators Pete Domenici and Jeff Bingaman convened a special Senate Field Hearing in Espanola, New Mexico. Panels of residents, local water users associations, tribal officials and local government representatives testified about health risks, the rising cost of delivering potable water and the need to keep scarce water resources clean for future generations.

From this meeting grew a project to study the extent of the problem, to propose technical solutions for groundwater contamination and to propose a regional water quality management structure in which tribal governments, units of local government, mutual domestic water associations and traditional water users could come together to protect this precious resource.

A Steering Committee composed of regional representatives came together to direct the effort. The North Central New Mexico Economic Development District was asked to serve as fiscal agent. Funds were obtained from the Economic Development Administration, the Regional Developement Corporation and the Environmental Protection Agency to prepare both a technical study and a study to outline legal and organizational issues.

FINAL WATER QUALITY PLAN FOR PUBLIC REVIEW AND COMMENT

The technical study by Leedshill-Herkenhoff, Inc., now known as ASCG Incorporated of New Mexico, is available for review and comment. Public meetings on its contents were held between December 2000 and November 2001. The public will continue to be involved as the work continues. To access this document and other additional information, please use the table of contents below.

Comments and questions may be e-mailed to bdeaux@nm.net or angelab@nm.net