NMED News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) released its third quarter (Q3) performance assessment report for fiscal year 2025 (FY25) that offers the public, stakeholders, and legislators the opportunity to track the department’s progress in protecting public health and the environment between Jan. 1 and March 31.

The report also provides insights on budget and staffing challenges impacting performance, community investments made, and other notable accomplishments by NMED staff. 

Third quarter accomplishments highlighted in the report include:

• Drafting and helping legislators pass four historic bills aimed at protecting New Mexico’s water, promoting recycling projects, and eliminating toxic PFAS.
• Reaching a historic agreement with HollyFrontier-Sinclair Navajo Refining for $35 million.
• Conducting statewide public meetings for the Climate Action Plan.
• Securing funds to replace a failed sewer line in Santa Rosa.

NMED also saw a 2.6% increase in its number of filled positions, from 605 to 621. This marks the lowest vacancy rate in department history, reflecting the department’s reputation as an ambitious, well-paying, and rewarding workplace — as shown in our annual employee engagement survey. 

For FY25, NMED received recurring appropriations totaling $198.5 million to protect public health and the environment. This included $33.3 million in general funds, $67.9 million in special revenue funds (e.g., permit fees), and $97.3 million in federal funds. NMED also received $22.7 million in one-time appropriations for earmarked purposes.

The performance report, developed by NMED’s Office of Strategic Initiatives, provides data on 56 performance measures over five broad categories for FY25 as follows:

•  Seven Public Health Measures.
• 10 Environmental Protection Measures.
• 32 Compliance Measures.
• Four Economic Investment Measures.
• Three Operational Measures.

Our enforcement efforts resulted in five programs beating their quarterly compliance targets: 

• Solid & Infectious Waste Program: 100% in compliance, 15% above fiscal year goal.
• Cannabis & Hemp Program: 100% in compliance, 10% above fiscal year goal.
• Radiation Control Program: 100% in compliance, 10% above fiscal year goal.
• Ground Water Quality Program: 100% in compliance, 8% above fiscal year goal.
• Liquid Waste Program: 99.1% in compliance, 14.1% above fiscal year goal.

View the entire FY25 Q3 Performance Assessment here.