Environmental Justice Web Page
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What is Environmental Justice?
Environmental Justice at the New Mexico Environment Department is the fair treatment and meaningful opportunities for involvement of all New Mexicans regarding the development and enforcement of environmental laws and regulations.
Environmental Justice in New Mexico
The State of New Mexico is committed to affording all New Mexicans, including people of color and low-income communities, fair treatment and meaningful opportunities for involvement in the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws and regulations regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, gender, disability, religious or political affiliation, income or educational level.
Environmental Justice at the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) began in January 2004 with the creation of a public participation process to ascertain the extent and nature of unique and differing Environmental Justice issues and concerns in NMED’s five state-wide districts. The listening sessions culminated in the Report on Environmental Justice in New Mexico.
The result of listening sessions was the New Mexico Environmental Justice Executive Order 2205-056 signed by Governor Bill Richardson on November 18, 2005, the creation of the New Mexico Environmental Justice Task Force, extensive community outreach, increased notice and participation in permitting activities and public hearings, and The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 2008 EJ National Achievement Award.
Environmental Justice Liaisons
The New Mexico Environment Department established two Environmental Justice Liaisons to work with New Mexicans and New Mexico Communities on environmental justice concerns and issues.
The Border Environmental Justice Liaison works with border communities in southern New Mexico and acts as the main point of contact for border environmental justice issues including Border 2012, the U.S.-Mexico Environmental Program focusing on reducing air pollution, providing safe drinking water, reducing the risk of exposure to hazardous waste, and ensuring emergency preparedness along the U.S.-Mexico border.
The New Mexico Border Environmental Justice Liaison is:
| Mr. Thomas Ruiz New Mexico Environment Department Office of the Secretary 1170 N. Solano Dr. Suite M Las Cruces, NM 88001 Office: (575) 528-6029 thomas.ruiz@state.nm.us |
The Environmental Justice Tribal Liaison works on statewide environmental justice issues and with New Mexico’s 22 Indian Nations, Pueblos and Tribes. Issues include air quality, ground, surface and drinking water quality, solid waste, hazardous waste, training, and outreach.
The New Mexico Environmental Justice Tribal Liaison is:
| Mr. Milton Bluehouse, Jr. New Mexico Environment Department Office of the Secretary 1190 St. Francis Dr. Santa Fe, NM 87502 Office: (505) 827-0990 milton.bluehouse@state.nm.us |
Public Input and Reporting Environmental Concern
The New Mexico Environment Department seeks public input and comment on environmental concerns in your community. Topics may include Permitting and Public Participation, Enforcement and Supplemental Environmental Projects, New Mexico-Mexico Border Issues, Land Grants, Uranium Mining, Sacred and Religious Sites, Pesticides and Farm Workers, or Water/Wastewater Treatment Infrastructure.
Reporting Environmental Concerns
NMED now provides a way for you to report on a non-emergency environmental concern on-line with NMED’s Environmental Notification Reporting. Please provide as much information as possible. The more information you provide, the better we can work to address your concern or problem. You can report your concern anonymously, but it may be more difficult to adequately investigate your concern or comment.
You may also contact the NMED Environmental Justice Liaisons with your concerns.
Environmental Justice Links*
- NMED Bordering New Mexico
- Southwest Network for Environmental & Economic Justice SNEEJ
- SLAAPs: A Guide for Community Residents and Environmental Justice Activists
- Sierra Club’s Environmental Justice Webpage
- The Southwest Research and Information Center’s “Environmental Justice in New Mexico: Renewed Push for Change"
- New Mexico Environmental Law Center’s “Environmental Justice Issues"
- Environmental Justice Annotated Bibliography, Clark Atlanta University
- Environmental Justice & Community-Based Participatory Research, The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
- Environmental Justice Approach to Federal Facilities Cleanup, The Alliance for Transportation Research Institute
- Albuquerque's Environmental Story: Educating For a Sustainable Community
- Environmental Justice Definitions, The New Mexico Department of Health
The U.S. Enviornmental Protection Agency
- US EPA Environmental Justice Homepage
- Environmental Justice Fact Sheets
- Environmental Justice Frequently Asked Questions
- Environmental Justice Information Resources
- NEJAC Report on Integration of Environmental Justice in Federal Programs
The Federal Highway Administration - Federal Transit Administration
The U.S. Department of Interior
* These links are provided as a public service and for informational purposes only. It does not in any way imply endorsement by NMED
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