NEW MEXICO ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT, SURFACE WATER QUALITY BUREAU PROPOSES TOTAL MAXIMUM DAILY LOADS (TMDLs) FOR THE RIO RUIDOSO WATERSHED

Surface Water Quality Bureau Total Maximum Daily Loads ________________________________________ NEW MEXICO ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT, SURFACE WATER QUALITY BUREAU PROPOSES TOTAL MAXIMUM DAILY LOADS (TMDLs) FOR THE RIO RUIDOSO WATERSHED NOTICE OF A 30-DAY PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD AND COMMUNITY MEETING The New Mexico Environment Department’s (NMED) Surface Water Quality Bureau (SWQB) is inviting the public to comment on the draft “Total Maximum Daily Load” (TMDL) document for the Rio Ruidoso watershed. The draft TMDL is available online at: https://www.env.nm.gov/swqb/index.html. A TMDL is a planning document that establishes specific goals to meet water quality standards in waterbodies where pollutant limits are exceeded. It includes current pollution loadings, reduction estimates for pollutants, information on probable sources of pollution, and suggestions to restore or protect the health of the waterbody. The 30-day comment period on this document will open August 22, 2016 and will close September 22, 2016 at 4:00 p.m. MDT. Formal comments for inclusion in the public record must be submitted in writing to Heidi Henderson, mailing address NMED SWQB, P.O. Box 5469, Santa Fe, NM, 87502; voice: 505-827-2901; fax number (505) 827-0160; or mailto:heidi.henderson@state.nm.us (if possible, please submit an electronic copy in addition to paper). A public meeting will be held to summarize the information and to provide a forum for interested parties to ask questions and provide comments; the meeting date will allow the public time to review the document. The meeting will be held in Ruidoso on Wednesday, September 14 from 6-8pm at the Village of Ruidoso Council Chambers, 313 Cree Meadows Drive. Following the close of the comment period, copies of the Response to Comments will be: • Mailed to all persons who submitted written comments during the public comment period; and • Available electronically on the bureau’s website or by contacting the bureau at the address above. The SWQB plans to request approval of the draft final TMDLs at the Water Quality Control Commission’s (WQCC) regularly scheduled meeting on November 8, 2016. WQCC agendas are available at: http://www.nmenv.state.nm.us/wqcc/index.html. Persons having a disability and needing help in being a part of this process should contact Vince Velarde at least 10 days before the event, at the NMED, Human Resources Bureau, P.O. Box 5469, 1190 St. Francis Drive, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 87502, telephone 505-383-2058. TDY users please access his number via the New Mexico Relay Network at 1-800-659-8331. For more information, please contact Heidi Henderson at the address or phone number provided above. Back to top ________________________________________ TMDL and Assessment Team: Meghan Bell Meghan.bell@state.nm.us 505-827-0669 https://www.env.nm.gov/swqb/