NMED News:
SANTA FE — In 1972, growing public awareness of the importance of water quality led to sweeping amendments to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.
The amended law became known as the Clean Water Act. This Act established a goal of restoring and maintaining the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation’s waters for the use and benefit of every American. These goals have helped achieve a dramatic decrease in the levels of pollution in waters of New Mexico.
In October, the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED)’s Surface Water Quality Bureau (SWQB) will host a “Month of Clean Water” conversations and activities in New Mexico to remember the waters of the past, highlight how surface water quality is currently valued and protected, and prepare for the future.
As part of this celebration, the New Mexico Environment Department asks members of the public to share their stories about a special stream, river, lake, or wetland in the NMED public comment portal. These authored or anonymous stories may be showcased during the “Month of Clean Water” or highlighted in SWQB’s Special Winter Edition of the “Clearing the Waters” newsletter.
“Over the past 50 years, together, we have made great strides towards achieving a vision of abundant clean water for people to use and to protect the environment to sustain New Mexico’s future, but we need to do more,” said Surface Water Quality Bureau Chief Shelly Lemon. “As we reflect on many accomplishments, we know that we need to work together to prepare for the challenges of the future and protect our most precious resource.”
In the fiscal year that ended in June, SWQB reduced sediment runoff into rivers and streams by over 800,000 pounds, more than double the target of 400,000 pounds. View additional fiscal year-end performance data here.
All New Mexicans are invited to celebrate 50 years of Clean Water Act achievements and challenged to expand upon their clean water goals for the next 50 years. Learn more about the 50th anniversary of Clean Water Act here. NMED events celebrating the anniversary will be posted to the NMED Event Calendar as they are finalized.
For more information, contact Surface Water Quality Bureau Chief, Shelly Lemon, at 505.470.5018 or Shelly.Lemon@state.nm.us.