SENATE MEMORIAL 110

54th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2019

INTRODUCED BY

Elizabeth “Liz” Stefanics

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND SANTA FE COUNTY TO ENTER INTO A FORMAL PARTNERSHIP FOR FURTHER STUDY AND PLANNING FOR REMEDIATION OF THE MT. CHALCHIHUITL PROPERTY.

     WHEREAS, the tricultural heritage of the Cerrillos hills reflects and honors more than five centuries of intertwined history among Native Americans, Hispanics and Anglos, making the Cerrillos hills one of New Mexico's most important historic and prehistoric cultural landscapes; and

     WHEREAS, Mt. Chalchihuitl, included in the New Mexico state register of cultural properties, is the largest and most significant prehistoric turquoise mine in North America, dating from around 1000 A.D., with turquoise artifacts found from the site at Chaco canyon and in places in Mexico, and the turquoise mine is indisputably the most significant historical feature in all of the Cerrillos hills; and

     WHEREAS, on June 12, 2001, the board of county commissioners of Santa Fe county approved the acquisition of the Mt. Chalchihuitl property to protect this internationally significant cultural site; and

     WHEREAS, Santa Fe county has long completed the due diligence necessary to acquire this real property, and the property requires remediation of legacy environmental issues stemming from the tailings of a long-closed mine, the cash entry, located east of the Mt. Chalchihuitl site; and

     WHEREAS, sampling has determined that remediation is needed to stem contamination that has spread down through an adjacent property, Cerrillos gravel products, a gravel mine that has suspended its operations; and

     WHEREAS, Santa Fe county has resolved to acquire the Cerrillos gravel products property for remediation; and

     WHEREAS, further sampling is needed to determine if the contaminants have reached the Cerrillos hills state park, which is Santa Fe county open space, the water table and beyond; and

     WHEREAS, the ground water quality bureau of the department of environment oversees the voluntary remediation program; and

     WHEREAS, under the voluntary remediation program, a prospective owner of a contaminated site, such as Santa Fe county, may be released from certain environmental liabilities by remediating the site after acquisition in accordance with a voluntary remediation agreement with the department of environment; and

     WHEREAS, both Santa Fe county and the department of environment have spent considerable time and money in planning for a remediation plan, and negotiations are ongoing with the adjacent land owner;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that for the public health and welfare, the department of environment and Santa Fe county be requested to enter into a formal partnership for further study and planning for remediation of the Mt. Chalchihuitl property; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department of environment be requested to release Santa Fe county from certain environmental liabilities by remediating the site after acquisition, in accordance with a voluntary remediation agreement with the department; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the board of county commissioners of Santa Fe county and the secretary of environment.

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