Rio Chama TMDL and public meeting
NM Environment Department is inviting the public to comment on the draft “total maximum daily load” (TMDL) document for the Rio Chama Watershed. The 30-day comment period opens February 23, 2011 and will close March 28, 2011. NMED's Surface Water Quality Bureau (SWQB) plans to request approval of the draft final TMDLs at the Water Quality Control Commission meeting on May 10, 2011.
The SWQB is inviting the public to comment on the draft “total maximum daily load” (TMDL) document for the Rio Chama Watershed. Draft TMDLs in this document include:
- Canjilon Creek (perennial portions Abiquiu Rsrv to headwaters) - specific conductance, temperature
- Rio Capulin (Rio Gallina to headwaters) - E.coli
- Rio Chama (El Vado Reservoir to Rio Brazos) - E.coli, nutrients, temperature
- Rio Chama (Little Willow Creek to CO border) - E.coli, temperature
- Rio Chama (Rio Brazos to Little Willow Creek)- E.coli, nutrients
- Rio Chamita (Rio Chama to CO border)- E.coli, nutrients
- Rio Puerco de Chama (Abiquiu Reservoir to Hwy 96) - E.coli, temperature
- Rio Tusas (Rio Vallecitos to headwaters) - nutrients
A TMDL is a planning document that establishes specific goals to meet water quality standards in waterbodies where 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 waterbody. The TMDL and Public Notice are available online: http://www.nmenv.state.nm.us/swqb/index.html
The 30-day comment period on this document will open February 23, 2011 and will close March 28, 2011 at 4:00 p.m. MDT. The SWQB plans to request approval of the draft final TMDLs at the Water Quality Control Commission’s (WQCC) regularly scheduled meeting on May 10, 2011.
Additionally, the Rio Chama Water Quality Survey Summary is available online at: ftp://ftp.nmenv.state.nm.us/www/swqb/MAS/Surveys/Chama2007.pdf
A public meeting is planned for March 7 in Tierra Amarilla; see attached meeting flyer. Please contact Heidi Henderson 505-827-2901 or heidi.henderson@state.nm.us with additional questions.
Thank you,
Heidi Henderson
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Heidi Henderson, TMDL Coordinator
Surface Water Quality Bureau
New Mexico Environment Department
1190 St. Francis Drive
P.O. Box 5469
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87502
505.827.2901 Santa Fe/ 505.222.9571 Albuquerque
505.827.0160 fax
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