The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) released its first quarter performance assessment report for fiscal year 2025 (FY25) that offers the public, stakeholders, and legislators the opportunity to track the department’s progress in protecting public health and the environment between July 1 and September 30, 2024. The beginning of the FY25 saw a diverse range of achievements for NMED, with innovative and essential PFAS initiatives taking center stage. The department also took decisive action against out-of-compliance drinking water systems throughout the state and launched a program to assist rural New Mexicans in fixing failing septic systems.
First quarter accomplishments highlighted in the report include: • Providing free NMED-funded blood testing for PFAS in the Clovis area to 500 residents in affected communities. In response to overwhelming community interest, NMED and the New Mexico Department of Health (NMHealth) offered an additional 250 blood tests for PFAS exposure.
Amending New Mexico’s lawsuit against the United States regarding per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination in and around military communities. The amended lawsuit utilizes a newly finalized U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that went into effect on July 8, 2024, that allows the state to recover the costs of clean-up actions and monetary damages for natural resources.