The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) is currently reviewing a Stage 1 Abatement Plan aimed at addressing chloride and manganese contamination at a former landfill site in Elephant Butte. The site, located southwest of the Sierra de Rio Golf Course and west of Clubhouse Road, was used as a municipal solid waste landfill until its closure in 1974.
Environmental Consultants Parkhill submitted the plan on behalf of the City of Truth or Consequences on May 28, 2025. The plan seeks to continue assessing environmental contamination resulting from over a decade of landfill operations. It proposes collecting additional soil and groundwater data to establish current contamination conditions and includes contingencies for expanding the site's monitoring network if necessary.
NMED is actively reviewing the plan and will decide whether to approve it or require revisions from Parkhill. Once sufficient information is gathered to determine the source and extent of contamination, Parkhill will submit a Stage 2 Abatement Plan outlining the preferred cleanup strategy.
For further details on the plan, Noel Hernandez from the State Cleanup Program can be contacted at (505) 660-8497 or noel.hernandez@env.nm.gov.
NMED emphasizes its commitment to non-discrimination in its programs and activities, adhering to applicable laws such as Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Questions regarding non-discrimination policies can be directed to Kate Cardenas, NMED's Non-Discrimination Coordinator.
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