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EPA enforcement actions in New Mexico cut pollution, restore environment

Release Date: 11/15/2006
Contact Information: Dave Bary or Tressa Tillman at 214-665-2200 or r6press@epa.gov

(Dallas, Texas – November 15, 2006) More than $4.9 billion in environmental improvements were secured and more than 890 million pounds of pollution were reduced as a result of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency enforcement activities this year.

A total of $1.3 billion in environmental improvements and 181 million pounds in pollution reductions were realized across the region comprising Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.

“We could not have achieved this successful level of results without the teamwork of our state environmental departments,” EPA Regional Administrator Richard E. Greene said. “Our enforcement professionals work very closely and very effectively with their state counterparts to ensure a cleaner environment and healthier communities.”

EPA’s enforcement numbers were released today by its Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance as part of its end-of-year report for fiscal year 2006, which ended September 30.

Among the Agency’s enforcement achievements for New Mexico is working with confined animal feeding operations to reduce nitrate levels in the lower Rio Grande watershed. EPA and the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) developed strategies to address surface and ground water contamination deposited in the watershed from nearby dairies. A total of 14 dairy operations have committed to cutting the amount of pollution that enters the watershed.

EPA also helped the state achieve improvements in its air quality by addressing toxic emissions from oil and natural gas production facilities. EPA and NMED are working together to identify, assess and reduce emissions from these facilities.

In addition to enforcement actions, EPA provided help to more than 7,228 regional businesses and individuals in understanding and complying with environmental responsibilities during the past year.

The EPA enforcement program is a vital tool in ensuring compliance with the nation’s environmental laws and inspiring businesses, governments, and others to focus on pollution prevention. More information on the EPA FY2006 enforcement and compliance program is available at https://www.epa.gov/region6/6en/06-axn-highlights.html#nm.

For more information about activities in EPA Region 6, please visit https://www.epa.gov/region6.