SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – An important role of the New Mexico Department of Environment is to check businesses and permit holders for potential environmental violations. The department said it added 99 potential violations to its ongoing list last month.
This list is called “enforcement monitoring.” This allows the public to see the Ministry of the Environment’s ongoing investigations.
In December 2023, the department added 86 notices regarding potential violations related to drinking water, and a small number of notices regarding other environmental issues such as air quality. The department is also keeping an eye on job security at local businesses, issuing seven notices for possible violations related to occupational matters in December.
The end goal is to correct code violations or dangerous issues around New Mexico. For example, in December, the department closed a lawsuit against Robert Medina & Sons Concrete and Sand Co., saying the company paid more than $100,000 in penalties. In December, the ministry said it had also resolved the issue with Lotus LLC over permits to export naturally occurring radioactive waste.
“The transparency that enforcement oversight provides allows New Mexicans to take ownership of resolving compliance issues, not just violators,” Bruce Beisel, New Mexico Department of the Environment Director of Compliance and Enforcement, said in a press release. People who are there can also see it.” “We are working with companies like Lotus LLC to work with the Radiation Control Bureau to ensure that regulated naturally occurring radioactive waste is disposed of by properly licensed companies in permitted hazardous waste treatment facilities. I praise you.”