New Mexico Conference of Churches

Public Policy Position Enviromental Quality and Natural Resources

Background

Environmental quality/natural resources embrace a range of issues and concerns including air and water quality, soil conservation and land use, transportation and disposition of hazardous and toxic wastes, protection of recreational and scenic sites, and others.

New Mexico is particularly blessed with clean air, pure water, mineral resources, and the scenic quality of its mountains, deserts, canyons, rivers and other natural formations. These factors contribute greatly to the quality of human life and to economic opportunity in this State.

It is also true that we partake of the generally fragile nature of the Southwestern environment with the result that damage inflicted on this environment is often irreversible. Consequently careful planning and monitoring, in terms of conservation and environmental protection on the one hand and economic growth on the other, are critical to improving and maintaining the quality of life in New Mexico for pour own and future generations.

Included in such planning should be consideration of the impact of long and short term relationships and the maintenance of balanced resource use policies between the following environmentally-based activities: agriculture, forestry, mining, grazing, recreation, tourism, industrial and residential building and wildlife survival.

Current Pressing Issues And Needs

A. Hazardous and Toxic Wastes

  • Hazardous waste - Disposal and transfer of small and large quantities.
  • Transportation - Notification of appropriate state agencies re: schedule, quantities, type of waste being transported within or through New Mexico.
  • 1983 Emergency Management Act - Adequate implementation for statewide response to hazardous waste emergencies and training of response personnel. Funding level.
  • Oil and gas extraction - Greater enforcement of existing laws re: refining and lining of storage pits.
  • High Tech Industries - Strict planning and siting of new plants.

B. Water Quality

  • Adequacy of ground water regulations. A non-degradation water policy.
  • Protection of New Mexico Water Quality Act.
  • Expansion of definition of beneficial use of in-stream water to include propagation of fish and wildlife.
  • Conservation of water supply and prevention of pollution. Impact of future development on long term availability of water.

C. Air Quality

  • State-wide auto emissions controls.
  • Adequacy of federal clean air act and regulations. Maintenance of New Mexico clean air regulations (which are stronger then federal regulations).
  • Nitrous emissions control. Impact of many new power plants.
  • Regulation of smoking in public places.

D. Conservation

  • Preservation of agricultural land. Trend to soil depletion. Diversion of agricultural land to non- agricultural uses.
  • Incentives to home building with conservation of energy and weatherization.
  • Balanced use of land for appropriate and diverse uses; agriculture, forestry,, mining, grazing, wildlife, recreation and wilderness.

E. WIPP

  • Possible expansion of the use of WIPP beyond low level waste disposal.
  • State emergency preparedness - trained personnel down to local level.

Policy Position

The New Mexico Conference of Churches believes that the natural environment and natural resources of the state of New Mexico are God-given gifts entrusted by the Creator to humankind for enjoyment and fulfillment. We are concerned that, as population grows and economic development proceeds, the rather fragile environment of New Mexico is threatened in a variety of ways. NMCC will support legislation designed to provide for extensive environmental planning, protection of environmental quality and natural resources, and enforcement of environmental regulations. This will include, as timely and appropriate, support of legislation to deal with the needs, problems, and issues listed in the "Current Pressing Issues and Needs" section of this statement.