The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) recorded a decline in enforcement cases in February, with 226 new environmental and safety violation cases added to its Enforcement Watch transparency database, down from 235 cases recorded in January, according to officials.
However, the number of cases resolved by the department also declined during the month. It resolved 38 cases in February, a slight decline from 41 cases in January.
The monthly update, released by the department’s Compliance and Enforcement Division, allows the public to access enforcement actions regarding environmental protection, public health, and worker safety across the state.
Enforcement Watch, launched in May 2023, publishes updates on two cases classified as Active Matters and Resolved Matters. The former looked into alleged violations under investigation or pending resolution, and the latter includes cases that have been settled administratively or resolved in court with penalties fully paid.
Emergency response bureau highlighted
The NMED February report highlighted the accomplishment of the Emergency Operations and Response Bureau (EORB). The bureau was created in July 2025 under the Compliance and Enforcement Division to strengthen New Mexico’s emergency response capability.
The bureau operates 24 hours a day. It coordinates responses to environmental emergencies, including hazardous material spills, wildfires, and flooding. It also manages the Environmental Notification Tracking System, allowing residents to report environmental concerns and enabling authorities to monitor response and recovery efforts in real time. The system, a public reporting platform launched in 2006, has recently recorded its 20,000th incident report.
“Whether it’s a wildfire, a flood, or an accident involving the shipment of hazardous waste, the Emergency Operations and Response Bureau is ready to respond and rapidly assist with cleanup,” EORB Bureau Chief Russell Lashley, in a statement released on March 5, said.
The bureau also oversees the Environmental Crimes Task Force, working along with state, federal, and local partners. Its task is to investigate and prosecute serious environmental violations, namely: illegal dumping, improper hazardous waste disposal, and air or water pollution.
Winter storm response
The bureau’s operations commenced in January 2026 during winter storm warnings across the state. At the time, it opened the Emergency Operations Center to monitor potential environmental impacts.
During the storm response, the bureau coordinated the cleanup of a 3,000-gallon fuel tanker spill. At the same time, it monitored public water systems to ensure assistance was available if needed.
February enforcement actions
The 226 new cases added to Enforcement Watch in February include 148 notices of violation issued by the Water Protection Compliance and Enforcement Bureau, and 34 notices issued by the Food Safety Program to retail food establishments.
Some 23 notices of violation were issued by the Resource Protection Compliance and Enforcement Bureau, and 15 notices from the Occupational Health and Safety Bureau.
The Environmental Protection Compliance and Enforcement Bureau issued the remaining six notices of violation.
Meanwhile, NMED resolved 38 cases, including 19 in the Environmental Protection Compliance and Enforcement Bureau, 17 in the Resource Protection Compliance and Enforcement Bureau, and both the Water Protection Compliance and Occupational Health and Safety bureaus reported one case each.
Major violations cited
One of the significant enforcement actions by the NMED was the issuance of the Administrative Compliance Order to the U.S. Department of Energy for violations of the New Mexico Water Quality Control Act at Los Alamos National Laboratory linked to chromium contamination in groundwater.
NMED issued an assessment of $9.76 million in penalties and almost $20,000 in administrative compliance costs to DOE.
In another case, the Environmental Protection Compliance and Enforcement Bureau issued a notice of violation to Primal Crushing LLC of Fort Worth, Texas. The firm failed to pay the required New Source Review permit fees for a portable crusher in south of Dayton. The unpaid fees from 2022 to 2025 has reached $9,431.
The officials also cited Barcelona Mobile Home Park in Albuquerque for failing to correct 14 deficiencies identified in a sanitary survey last June 2025. The park is required to notify residents of the violations within 30 days and must continue to do so until the issues are fixed.
Meanwhile, the Resource Protection Compliance and Enforcement Bureau issued a notice of violation to the City of Socorro Landfill over improper storage of recyclable materials. It also failed to keep and manage records in scrap tires under the state’s recycling and illegal dumping rules.
The Occupational Health and Safety Bureau also penalized Central New Mexico Co-Op, amounting to $33,110. An investigation into a utility pole replacement incident showed that workers were operating on energized power lines without sufficient safety controls, resulting in a severe injury.
Transparency and compliance
Enforcement Watch, according to NMED, allows the public, businesses, and environmental organizations to monitor alleged regulatory violations and their resolution. The cited organizations will remain on the platform’s list until they correct the violations.
The agency said companies have to comply with environmental and safety regulations to avoid appearing on Enforcement Watch. It advised all businesses to consult industry experts and conduct third-party compliance audits.