(Santa Fe, NM)-The New Mexico Office of the State Engineer is moving the home of the Dam Safety Bureau from Santa Fe to the District I-Albuquerque office location at 5550 San Antonio Dr NE. The move is effective February 18 and is expected to improve communication and service to its New Mexico clients.
"We are increasing our efficiency and service by transferring this bureau to be near the majority of our dam safety clients, thereby increasing effectiveness,” said State Engineer Scott Verhines. “We want to make sure our agency is supporting New Mexico businesses and ensuring a high standard of dam safety."
"Our move to Albuquerque contributes to our overall goal of shortening review times and improving cooperation and coordination for dam projects," said Dam Safety Bureau Chief Charles Thompson, P.E. "Also, we anticipate being able to tap into the largest pool of professional engineers in New Mexico as we begin to fill our vacancies."
The responsibilities of the Dam Safety Bureau include:
- Inspection of existing dams to verify they are operated and maintained as safely as possible;
- Ensuring that dams in New Mexico are designed, constructed, operated and maintained to prevent dam failures;
- Review of plans and specifications for new dams and modifications and repairs to existing dams to ensure compliance with modern engineering practices and Office of the State Engineer criteria; and
- Construction inspections to verify dams are built or repaired in accordance with the approved plans on file with the Office of the State Engineer.
The Office of the State Engineer is charged with administering the state's water resources. The State Engineer has power over the supervision, measurement, appropriation, and distribution of all surface and groundwater in New Mexico, including streams and rivers that cross state boundaries. The State Engineer is also Secretary of the Interstate Stream Commission and oversees its staff.