Enforcement and Compliance Assurance in New Mexico
On this page
- Enforcement in New Mexico
- Air Enforcement in New Mexico
- Water Enforcement in New Mexico
- Waste Enforcement in New Mexico
- Underground Storage Tanks Program in New Mexico
- Pesticide Enforcement in New Mexico
Enforcement in New Mexico
Our vision in New Mexico is to make environmental compliance commonplace to achieve clean air, water, and land. Our mission is to protect and sustain human health and the environment by ensuring compliance with Federal environmental laws in partnership with the states and tribes.
Air, hazardous waste and water enforcement programs and issues in the State are the responsibility of New Mexico Environment Department.
Air Enforcement in New Mexico
Objectives and Goals for New Mexico
The Air Enforcement Branch serves as the principal point of contact among all stakeholders on New Mexico air pollution enforcement issues. Members of our staff:
- inspect active New Mexico facilities,
- review records and data to assess compliance strategies,
- investigate potential noncompliance activities,
- actively participate in negotiations for new enforcement orders,
- manage existing enforcement orders,
- respond to numerous and varied requests for Applicability Determination, Alternative Monitoring, and Compliance Assistance Projects,
- Delegation Documents for State of New Mexico, and
- Status of Delegations in State of New Mexico by specific Rule/Subpart
Important Notice Regarding Submissions to EPA Region 6 Air Enforcement-Transition to 100% Electronic Recordkeeping
In accordance with a directive from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), https://www.archives.gov/records-mgmt/memos/ac-12-2023, EPA Region 6 Air Enforcement has initiated a transition to 100% electronic recordkeeping. This means we will soon no longer accept any paper mailed documents for any purpose (i.e. reporting, notification or other correspondence). This includes CDs and USB drives, which our IT protocols no longer allow to prevent computer malware. Additionally, our email server has limited capacity, so email options are restricted to specific document types only (e.g. administrative order required reports), Alternate Submission Options (pdf) (41.31 KB) . Region 6 Air Enforcement strongly urges facilities and organizations to submit reports and notifications to EPA for federal rules and courtesy notifications for state requirements via the Compliance and Emissions Data Reporting Interface (CEDRI), https://www.epa.gov/electronic-reporting-air-emissions/cedri, which is located on EPA's Central Data Exchange (CDX), https://cdx.epa.gov/. Guidance for submission of Other Type reports not specifically listed for CEDRI can be found in CEDRI Submission for Rules Not Listed (pdf) (1.91 MB) and CEDRI Create Reports Job Aide (pdf) (1.66 MB) . If your state or EPA issued air permit includes permit conditions which require mailed paper copies of compliance documents to EPA, by this notification EPA waives such requirements. In this regard, Region 6 Air Enforcement anticipates refusing all hard copy paper mail beginning no later than September 30, 2023, after which mailed documents will be returned to sender unopened and unacknowledged. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation with this important change.
Water Enforcement in New Mexico
Drinking Water Enforcement in New Mexico
The Safe Drinking Water Act Enforcement program performs technical, scientific and administrative review and evaluation necessary for the enforcement of the Public Water Supply and Underground Injection Control programs under this Act for the State of New Mexico. The adequacy and validity of economic, technical and scientific data and findings are assured while developing and issuing administrative orders, administrative penalty orders, and in initiating and developing enforcement litigation referrals. These enforcement actions are handled in coordination with the New Mexico Environment Department.
Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System
Storm Water Management Program
The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System permit requires, permittees to develop and implement a comprehensive Storm Water Management Program that must include pollution prevention measures, treatment or removal techniques, monitoring, use of legal authority, and other appropriate measures to control the quality of storm water discharged to the storm drains and thence to waters of the United States. If you are a permitted Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System that has recently received a letter from EPA to participate in the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System Self-Assessment, you should download all the Modules, that apply to the programs you have implemented.
Drinking Water Provider Compliance Information
Looking for compliance information about your drinking water system? These useful web pages can help you learn how your drinking water provider is meeting federal and state requirements. Enter your providers name and search for results.
Waste Enforcement in New Mexico
Waste Enforcement in New Mexico
New Mexico is authorized to administer the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act hazardous waste program under EPA oversight. The Waste Enforcement Branch, with the State, is responsible for enforcing these regulations. The Branch conducts inspections, reviews and data analysis to assess compliance. The Branch takes enforcement actions and assess the nature and extent of contamination and clean up.
Enforcement of Lead-Based Paint Requirements in New Mexico
The Waste Enforcement Branch is responsible for enforcing the provisions of the Toxic Substances Control Act for lead-based paint. The Branch conducts inspections and takes enforcement actions to address violations and require compliance with Toxic Substances Control Act requirements.
Underground Storage Tanks Program in New Mexico
The Pesticides, Toxics and Underground Storage Tank Branch of the US Environmental Protection Agency works with the New Mexico Environment Department and provides oversight for the New Mexico Underground Storage Tank Program and Leaking UST Program. New Mexico Environment Department takes enforcement actions for violations of state regulations, which are required to be at least as stringent as EPA’s regulations. EPA implements the Underground Storage Tank Program program in Indian country and is responsible for conducting Underground Storage Tank Program inspections and enforcement actions.
Pesticide Enforcement in New Mexico
The Waste Enforcement Branch works with the New Mexico Department of Agriculture to enforce the provisions of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. The EPA is responsible for enforcement of provisions regulating the registration, labelling, production, and importation of pesticides and pesticidal devices. The New Mexico Department of Agriculture has primary responsibility for enforcement of provisions regulating the proper use and handling of pesticides.
Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Documents for New Mexico: Inspection reports, enforcement actions and documents related to the agency's review of environmental impact statements under the National Environmental Policy Act are available to the public using our online, searchable database
Learn more about Compliance and Enforcement.
Click here to view a map that shows the locations and names of the facilities with observed emissions, along with a video of the emissions captured by the OGI camera for that location.
From July 12 through August 15, 2022, a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency contractor flew over oil and gas facilities in the Permian Basin in Texas and New Mexico using a helicopter equipped with an Optical Gas Imaging video camera. The camera is able to capture volatile organic compound emissions from sources such as unlit flares, tanks, other equipment. EPA is using this information to identify and take enforcement actions to address unauthorized emissions.