Signed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes the Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Act in New Mexico.

Highlights:

• Requires the Water Quality Control Commission to adopt water quality standards based on credible scientific data (Sec. 2).

• Establishes the Neglected and Contaminated Sites Fund to respond to and remediate contamination (Sec. 8).

• Authorizes the Department of Environment to issue permits for discharges into U.S. waters (Sec. 12).

• Prohibits discharges that would exceed state or federal water quality standards (Sec. 5).

• Defines "water contaminant" as a substance that could alter the physical, chemical, biological, or radiological qualities of water if discharged or spilled (Sec. 11).

• Increases public participation in the permitting process through required notices, hearings, and appeals to the Water Quality Control Commission (Sec. 17-18).

• Specifies the responsibilities of the Department of Environment regarding monitoring and enforcement of water quality violations, as well as the treatment of domestic wastewater for potable use (Sec. 2, 14).

• Expands the scope of enforcement actions available to the department for violations of this Act, including cease and desist notices, compliance orders,  and civil action (Sec. 15-16).

• Repeals previous provisions that conflict with current water quality management practices (Sec. 19).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes the Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Act in New Mexico.

Highlights:

• Requires the Water Quality Control Commission to adopt water quality standards based on credible scientific data (Sec. 2).

• Establishes the Neglected and Contaminated Sites Fund to respond to and remediate contamination (Sec. 8).

• Authorizes the Department of Environment to issue permits for discharges into U.S. waters (Sec. 12).

• Prohibits discharges that would exceed state or federal water quality standards (Sec. 5).

• Defines "water contaminant" as a substance that could alter the physical, chemical, biological, or radiological qualities of water if discharged or spilled (Sec. 11).

• Increases public participation in the permitting process through required notices, hearings, and appeals to the Water Quality Control Commission (Sec. 17-18).

• Specifies the responsibilities of the Department of Environment regarding monitoring and enforcement of water quality violations, as well as the treatment of domestic wastewater for potable use (Sec. 2, 14).

• Expands the scope of enforcement actions available to the department for violations of this Act, including cease and desist notices, compliance orders,  and civil action (Sec. 15-16).

• Repeals previous provisions that conflict with current water quality management practices (Sec. 19).

Full Bill Text