Air Quality Bureau

Nonattainment Areas in New Mexico

Ozone Maintenance Area in Sunland Park

The U.S. EPA designated this area as a marginal nonattaiment for ozone in July 1995. The nearby urban areas of El Paso, TX and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico are suspected of being the source of much of the air pollution in this area. Due to the revocation of the 1-hour ozone standard by EPA in 2004, Sunland Park was redesignated to maintenance status for the 8-hour ozone standard. The maintenance area is bounded by the New Mexico-Texas State line on the east, the New Mexico- Mexico international line on the south, the Range 3E-Range 2E line on the west, and the N3200 latitude line on the north. Click here for a map. Click here to see the Sunland Park ozone maintenance plan.  

PM10 Nonattainment Area in Anthony

The State of NM submitted the Anthony PM10 SIP to the regional U.S. EPA headquarters in November 8, 1991. The nonattainment area is bounded by Anthony Quadrangle, Anthony, New Mexico - Texas. SE/4 La Mesa 15' Quadrangle, N32 00 - W106 30/7.5, Township 26S, Range 3E, Sections 35 and 36 as limited by the New Mexico/Texas State line on the south. A maintenance plan has not been developed at this time. The site is located in Doña Ana County, which submitted a Natural Events Action Plan for PM10 exceedances to the U.S. EPA in December of 2000. The U.S. EPA has not redesignated the State's PM10 nonattainment area at this time. The EPA has not indicated its plans to do so. Click here for a map. Click here to see the Anthony nonattainment plan.  

SO2 Maintenance Area in Grant County

This maintenance area is located at the Phelps Dodge Chino Copper Smelter in Grant County. The maintenance area is defined as a 3.5-mile radius region around the smelter. The maintenance area also includes high elevation areas within an 8-mile radius. The state submitted a State Implementation Plan (SIP) to the regional EPA headquarters in August 1978. The Bureau submitted a redesignation plan to the EPA in February of 2003. Note that Gail Cooke's phone number is now (505) 476-4319. The redesignation plan was approved by EPA in September 2003. Click here for a map.

The Doña Ana County Natural Events Action Plan (NEAP) for PM10

In December 2000, the Air Quality Bureau submitted a Natural Events Action Plan (NEAP) for Doña Ana County. EPA will excuse those PM10 exceedances caused by uncontrollable natural events, if adequate dust control plans are in place. For Doña Ana County, getting these exceedances excused would keep the area from being designated nonattainment.

Luna County Natural Events Action Plan (NEAP) for PM10

In October 2004, the Air Quality Bureau submitted a Natural Events Action Plan (NEAP) for Luna County. EPA will excuse those PM10 exceedances caused by uncontrollable natural events, if adequate dust control plans are in place. For Luna County, getting these exceedances excused would keep the area from being designated nonattainment.