Hazardous Substance Research Centers/South & Southwest

Organizations requesting assistance

Mora County Commission

Summary of TAB interaction with community

TOSC was contacted on February 10, 2003 by the county commission in Mora County, NM for TOSC assistance with a closed landfill in their district. The county is concerned abouth the nearby community and possible ground water contamination from the site. After initial conversations with the county, TOSC/TAB staff agreed to investigate possible ways to assist with this site.

TAB contacted the New Mexico Department of Environmental Quality (NMDEQ). The solid waste division is seeking a proper closure for the site. When asked about possible brownfields assistance from NMED, the Department indicated that brownfields assessment funds may not be appropriate for this site, since monitoring wells are already in place, and that perhaps a Brownfields Cleanup Revolving Loan Fund (BCRLF) is an avenue to be investigated by Mora County. TAB plans to keep in touch with the county commission about this effort.

In April of 2003 the Solid Waste & Groundwater Divisions had local drinking water sampled and analyzed from five taps in the nearby community. Results are pending, and the HSRC outreach team will maintain contact with all involved parties to date. We anticipate that TOSC assistance may be provided at some point, with TAB assistance as a possibility later in the year.