NMED NEWS RELEASE
THE EPA’s public notice and associated federal comment period have been opened for the draft NPDES permit NM0020133 for Los Alamos County White Rock Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP).
Additionally, NMED has opened the simultaneous comment period for the Clean Water Act Section 401 Certification of the draft NPDES permit.
When EPA Region 6 drafts a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for a discharge into one of New Mexico’s surface waters, NMED has an opportunity to assure that the discharge will not negatively affect the receiving waterbodies. This is documented through the 401 Certification and is required in accordance with state regulations at 20.6.2.2001 NMAC. NMED can make the draft permit more stringent if based on state law or can make comments to EPA for consideration in the final permit. NMED also has the authority to deny certification if the permitting circumstances will not guarantee that the discharge will meet water quality standards.
The draft permit, draft fact sheet/statement of basis and other associated information can be found at the following websites: https://www.env.nm.gov/public-notices/ and/or https://www.epa.gov/publicnotices/notices-search/location/New%20Mexico.
For this facility, if you have comments that you would like NMED to consider as the Clean Water Act Section 401 Certification is drafted, please send them to:
Susan A. Lucas Kamat, Program Manager
NMED SWQB Point Source Regulation Section
PO Box 5469, Santa Fe, NM 87502
telephone: 505-946-8924
email: susan.lucaskamat@state.nm.us
For more information on the draft permit, contact the following assigned staff contact:
Barbara Cooney, Permit Lead
NMED SWQB Point Source Regulation Section
PO Box 5469, Santa Fe, NM 87502
telephone: (505) 946-0160
email: barbara.cooney@state.nm.us
NMED SWQB will accept written comments until the end of the business day (5pm) on Tuesday, January 11, 2022.
Persons who need language services (e.g., assistance for an interpreter) or persons with disabilities who need services to participate in this public process should contact:
Susan A. Lucas Kamat
PO Box 5469
Santa Fe, NM 87502
telephone: (505) 946-8924
email: susan.lucaskamat@state.nm.us
TDD or TTY users please access the number via the New Mexico Relay Network, 1-800-659-1779 (voice); TTY users: 1-800-659-8331.
The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age or sex in the administration of its programs or activities, as required by applicable laws and regulations. If you have any questions about any of the NMED’s non-discrimination programs, policies or procedures, you may contact:
Kathryn Becker, NMED’s Non-Discrimination Coordinator
1190 St. Francis Dr., Suite N4050
P.O. Box 5469
Santa Fe, NM 87502
telephone: (505) 827-2855email: nd.coordinator@state.nm.us
If you believe that you have been discriminated against with respect to a NMED program or activity, you may contact the Non-Discrimination Coordinator identified above or visit our website at https://www.env.nm.gov/general/environmental-justice-in-new-mexico/ to learn how and where to file a complaint of discrimination.