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.167171.1
SENATE MEMORIAL 24
48
TH LEGISLATURE
- STATE OF NEW MEXICO -
FIRST SESSION
, 2007
INTRODUCED BY
Kent L. Cravens
A MEMORIAL
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 has required New Mexicans to
spend approximately six hundred fifty thousand dollars
($650,000) to date, but it is estimated that one hundred
thirty-five million dollars ($135,000,000) is needed to rebuild
water treatment facilities and that approximately twenty
million dollars ($20,000,000) will be needed annually in
additional operating expenses; and
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.167171.1
WHEREAS, seventy-seven million five hundred thousand
dollars ($77,500,000) has been submitted this year in capital
outlay requests for arsenic removal upgrades to water treatment
systems; 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;
and
WHEREAS, in 2002, the New Mexico legislature requested the
environmental protection agency to relax the arsenic standard
with no result;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE
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.167171.1
OF NEW MEXICO that congress and the president be requested to
rescind 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 New Mexico congressional delegation and to
the president.
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