Public invited to learn about clean-up, next steps

SILVER CITY – The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED), the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) invite members of the public to a community meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022 at the Grant County Veterans Memorial Business and Conference Center, 3031 Highway 180 East in Silver City.

All interested members of the public are encouraged to attend and learn about the current state of the clean-up, information about the material that was released, anticipated restoration plans, and enforcement measures.

Community members will be encouraged to ask questions during the meeting or may provide their questions in advance via the NMED Public Comment Portal.

NMED's Surface Water Quality Bureau is overseeing clean-up of the spill site where approximately 2,000 gallons of asphalt emulsion were released into Jaybird Canyon on Monday, Sept. 26, after a truck owned by R. Marley, LLC overturned on State Highway 15 in the Gila National Forest. Because the spill occurred in the Gila National Forest, NMED is coordinating efforts with the USFS.

The format for the community meeting will consist of updates from NMED, USFS, and EPA staff, followed by a question-and-answer session.

Persons who need language services (e.g., assistance from an interpreter) or persons with disabilities who need services to participate in this public process should contact:

Abe Franklin, Program Manager
NMED Surface Water Quality Bureau
PO Box 5469
Santa Fe, NM 87502
(505) 946-8952
wpsprogram.manger@env.nm.gov
TDD or TTY users please access the number via the New Mexico Relay Network, 1-800-659-1779 (voice); TTY users: 1-800-659-8331.

WHAT: Community Meeting
WHEN: Thursday, November 3, 2022, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
WHERE: Grant County Veterans Memorial Business and Conference Center
3031 Highway 180 East
Silver City, NM 88061