REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, THE CITY OF LAS CRUCES AND THE COUNTY OF DONA ANA TO INVESTIGATE OPTIONS FOR FUNDING THE CLEANUP OF THE WALNUT/GRIGGS SUPERFUND SITE IN THE CITY OF LAS CRUCES.

WHEREAS, groundwater pollution by organic solvents has occurred within the city of Las Cruces in the Walnut/Griggs area; and

WHEREAS, the human health risk posed by the groundwater pollution is significant enough that the city of Las Cruces has had to shut down one drinking water well and others are threatened; and

WHEREAS, the groundwater pollution may have a negative impact on property owned by the county of Dona Ana, the city of Las Cruces and private citizens; and

WHEREAS, the department of environment, the city of Las Cruces and the county of Dona Ana have cooperatively worked to investigate the source of this groundwater pollution; and

WHEREAS, the department of environment, the city of Las Cruces and the county of Dona Ana have jointly supported and had the site proposed as a federal superfund site; and

WHEREAS, the superfund legislation requires financial commitment by entities other than the federal government;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the department of environment be directed to work cooperatively with the city of Las Cruces and the county of Dona Ana to investigate all feasible options for funding any non-federal share of the necessary cleanup of this significant groundwater pollution at the Walnut/Griggs superfund site; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of environment, the mayor of the city of Las Cruces and the chairman of the board of commissioners of the county of Dona Ana.