ONRT seeks public comment on a draft addendum to Restoration Plans for two Albuquerque Superfund sites

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Press Release
Press Release [Spanish]

Public Comment Period:

The public comment period for the draft addendum and proposed Southside Wastewater Reclamation Plant Outfall Restoration Project is open from August 29, 2022 to October 21, 2022. Public comment can be submitted electronically through the Public Comment Portal or by email to nm.onrt@state.nm.us. Comments can also be mailed to: New Mexico Office of Natural Resources Trustee, 121 Tijeras NE, Suite 1000, Albuquerque, NM 87102.

Proposed Restoration Project:

The Southside Wastewater Reclamation Plant Outfall Restoration Project has been identified by the Office of Natural Resources Trustee (ONRT) for implementation. Details about the proposed project can be found in the Draft Addendum to the Restoration Plans for the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe (AT&SF) Tie-Treater and South Valley Superfund Sites [ Plan de Restauración ]. The draft addendum includes a description of this proposed project and the results of ONRT’s evaluation of the project. The proposed project would provide groundwater and habitat benefits along the Bosque and enhance existing riparian habitat. The project would also enhance public use of the area through new trails.

History:

The AT&SF Tie Treater site is in Albuquerque near Rio Grande State Park. The site operated as a railroad tie treating plant from 1908 to 1972. The use of wood treatment products led to the release of hazardous substances, which injured groundwater and wildlife habitat resources. The South Valley Superfund site is also in Albuquerque and spans approximately two square miles in the South Valley area. This site was used for industrial operations beginning in the 1950s. Hazardous substance releases led to the contamination of soil and groundwater resources.

In the early 2000s, ONRT reached settlements in two natural resource injury cases that provided approximately $5,847,000 for groundwater quality and habitat restoration projects. After implementing the restoration projects selected in the original publicly-noticed Restoration Plans, approximately $566,000 in restoration funding remains to be used for additional restoration projects. The draft addendum describes ONRT’s proposed restoration project that if implemented, would expend the remaining restoration funds.