The New Mexico Environment Department’s (NMED) Surface Water Quality Bureau (SWQB) is seeking public comment on the draft Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) document for the Lower Pecos watershed.
Draft TMDLs in this document include:
• Pecos River (Texas border to Black River) – E. coli
• Pecos River (Black River to Six Mile Dam Lake) – E. coli
A TMDL is a planning document that establishes specific goals to meet water quality standards in water bodies were 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 water body.
The 30-day comment period will close at 4 p.m. Aug. 15. Formal comments for inclusion in the public record must be submitted in writing to Rachel Jankowitz, NMED SWQB, P.O. Box 5469, Santa Fe, N.M., 87502; by voicemail to 505-827-0417; by fax to 505-827-0160; or by email to rjankowitz@state.nm.us (if possible, submit an electronic copy in addition to paper).
A public meeting to summarize the information and provide a forum for interested parties to ask questions and provide comment will be held from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, July 27, at the Riverwalk Recreation Center, 400 Riverwalk Drive, Carlsbad.
The SWQB plans to request approval of the draft final TMDLs at the Water Quality Control Commission’s regularly scheduled meeting Oct. 11.
