ABOUT PARTNERS FOR A CLEAN NEW MEXICO

Every New Mexican is directly and/or indirectly affected by illegal dumping.  It causes significant negative impacts to public health and safety, the environment, water quality, aesthetics, and our economy. 

I.  The Plan

Organizations and individuals joined together to develop a strategic plan to prevent illegal dumping; the group adopted the name Partners for a Clean New Mexico.  The intent of the Partners is to increase effectiveness in addressing illegal dumping, to produce measurable results, and to encourage changes in attitude and behavior.

The vision of the Partners for a Clean New Mexico is:

New Mexico residents and visitors value and respect the State’s natural environment.  We are joining together to protect the land from illegal dumping by providing education on proper waste disposal and recycling methods.

This plan addresses all lands within the state of New Mexico.  Privately-owned, tribal/pueblo, municipal, county, state and federal lands all have the potential to benefit from the goals, objectives and projects identified in the plan.  By including lands of all ownerships, there is no intent to exert jurisdiction, but simply recognition that illegal dumping is affecting all landowners in the state.  By acting in concert, illegal dumping and its negative consequences can be reduced. 

Plan Preparation and Public Involvement

The Partners for a Clean New Mexico met to discuss the issues affecting their organizations.  Goals and objectives that support the vision were developed, but we want community input on the programs and activities for each of the goals. 

Public meetings were held in the following communities:

• Albuquerque, Monday, October 22, 2008

• Farmington, Tuesday, October 23, 2008

• Espanola, Wednesday, October 24, 2008

• Grants, Tuesday, November 13, 2008

• Las Cruces, Wednesday, November 14, 2008

• Carlsbad, Thursday, November 15, 2008

The purpose of the meetings is three-fold; present the draft plan goals and objectives, gather input and ideas for projects from attendees, and build support to move forward with the plan and projects in the plan.

Attendance at the meetings will be encouraged through news releases, phone calls, and personal invitations.  Following the public meetings, input will be documented and summarized.  The Partners will meet to discuss the input received and the final plan will be prepared incorporating the input received at the meetings.