Since 1987, the Law Center has worked every day to protect
New Mexico's water, land and air from toxic pollution; and to assist its many and diverse communities protect their environment.
Remembering the Largest Radioactive Spill in US History
The Multicultural Alliance for a Safe Environment (MASE) - a coalition of community groups affected by uranium mining and committed to renewable energy development - announces the Commemoration of the Church Rock Uranium Tailings Spill on July 16, 2009 in Church Rock, NM starting at 7 am.
Please join us as we remember and honor the Diné communities that were affected by the largest release of radioactive waste in U.S. history, and to reaffirm the Navajo Nation’s ban on uranium mining and processing, as set forth in the Diné Natural Resources Protection Act (DNRPA) of 2005.
For more details, please visit our Events Page, or download a PDF of Flyer.
Become a Member of the New Mexico Environmental Law Center
Did you know that you can become a member of the NMELC for only $35? You can even sign up for monthly recurring donations. For more options and more information see our Donation page.
Your tax deductible donation will help protect the natural environment and communities of New Mexico. We couldn’t do it without you!
Lease Application Hearing Scheduled for July 28th in Rio Bonito Water Rights Case
The hearing is about an application by the Villages of Ruidoso and Capitan to lease water rights from Capitan to Ruidoso. Our client, Rio Bonito Preserve, opposes the transfer because it will cause depletion of flows in the Rio Bonito and impair the water rights of Acequias.
For more details visit the Rio Bonito Water Rights case page
NM Business Weekly Honors the Law Center in “Best of the Bar” Awards
New Mexico Business Weekly awards the New Mexico Environmental Law Center with the Best of the Bar.
“It is a fact in this state that environmental pollution and contamination have disproportionately impacted communities of color. And people couldn’t participate effectively without lawyers - and if we didn’t work with these communities, they wouldn’t have lawyers.“ Douglas Meiklejohn, Executive Director.
More info on our Events Page.
NRC ups review of new in situ uranium mines
Associated Press - “The Nuclear Regulatory Commission will require more detailed environmental studies of proposed new in-situ uranium mines in the western United States.“
“...one has to take wait and see attitude because you’re dealing with an agency that has a very bad history in terms of handling these kinds of matters.“ Jonathan Block, Law Center Staff Attorney.
The NRC Announces Change in Review Approach
The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued a press release today announcing the publication of the final Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) for in situ leach uranium recovery (ISR) operations. It states that the agency has decided to issue full Supplemental Environmental Impact Statements (SEIS) for new recovery operations, instead of Environmental Assessments as originally planned.
“The NRC’s decision to require site specific EISs for in situ leach uranium mining would not have occurred without the tremendous effort of hundreds of community groups, individuals and organizations, plus concerted efforts by tribes, tribal members and states.
This victory is a small first step to getting the NRC to listen and respond to the serious concerns of the people most affected by uranium mining and those living with the legacy of the environmental and health dangers of previous uranium mining.“ Jonathan Block, Law Center Staff Attorney