45th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2002

REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR AND THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT TO PROTEST THE UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY'S NEW ARSENIC STANDARD.

WHEREAS, the United States environmental protection agency has changed the standard for the allowable level of arsenic in drinking water from fifty parts per billion to ten parts per billion; and

WHEREAS, the new standard will require New Mexicans to spend approximately four hundred million dollars ($400,000,000) to rebuild water treatment facilities plus approximately twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) annually in additional operating expenses; and

WHEREAS, water bills to consumers in the affected areas will increase between forty dollars ($40.00) and one hundred dollars ($100) per month; and

WHEREAS, the environmental protection agency bases the new standard on foreign studies that related high arsenic levels in the range of several hundred parts per billion to adverse health effects; and

WHEREAS, the environmental protection agency cannot produce data to demonstrate adverse health effects of the current arsenic levels in New Mexico water; and

WHEREAS, on the contrary, a study in Utah demonstrates that background levels of arsenic found in the American west have no adverse health effects; and

WHEREAS, the source of arsenic in New Mexico water is volcanic soils, and arsenic has always been present in the water with no demonstrable adverse effects on public health;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the governor and the department of environment be requested to vigorously protest and appeal the decision by the environmental protection agency to lower the arsenic standard; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the governor and to the secretary of environment.