NM Water Quality Control Commission Hears Dairy Regulation Proposals

June 9, 2010 – Santa Fe: New Mexico’s highest regulatory water quality authority, the Water Quality Control Commission (WQCC) is considering the State’s first industry specific groundwater discharge regulations as proposed by NMED, and the stronger regulations proposed by the Citizens Coalition of Caballo Concerned Citizens, the Rio Grande Chapter, Amigos Bravos and Food & Water Watch with the New Mexico Environmental Law Center’s legal support.

The Commission will also consider regulations proposed by the Dairy Industry Group for a Clean Environment (DIGCE) who represent this highly polluting industry in New Mexico and whose idea of regulations is very little more than regulatory permission to abuse our precious groundwater. DIGCE’s proposal is a far cry from the regulatory protection needed in a state where 2/3rds of dairies have groundwater beneath and around them that is unfit to drink, exceeding acceptable pollution levels described in state and federal water quality standards.

In 2009, legislation devised by the dairy industry mandated new industry specific Groundwater Discharge Permit rules. Since then they have recognized that their vision of codifying very weak regulations is at risk and they are fighting to keep the regulation weak. Legislation nullifying the new rule is expected if meaningfully protective regulations are adopted by the Commission.

The Rio Grande Chapter, with our coalition partners, is a party to the proceedings and an active participant in the Hearing along with members giving non-technical public comments. Please contact me for more information on this important rule-making procedure.

-Dan Lorimier
575-740-2927
daniel.lorimier@sierraclub.org