Santa Fe – The second regular meeting of the Citizen's Advisory Committee for the Gold King Mine Spill's Long-Term Impact Review Team will be held on Monday from 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. at the Cultural Center, Room 77200 at San Juan College.
In concert with five other state agencies (Health, Homeland Security, Agriculture, Game and Fish, Office of the State Engineer) the New Mexico Environment Department launched, in December, the Gold King Mine Spill's Citizens' Advisory Committee (CAC). The CAC will interface with New Mexico's Long-Term Impact Review Team who scientifically monitor the Gold King Mine spill's effects on behalf of the public. Members of the public are invited to attend regular CAC meetings.
The committee comprises volunteers who are concerned about the effects of the August 5, 2015 Gold King Mine Spill, caused by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which released three million gallons of water laced with heavy metals into the Animas River. CAC members from the affected areas are volunteering their time to work with the Long-Term Impact Review Team created by New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez.
During the Committee's inaugural meeting last month, San Juan County resident James Spence was voted acting Chair, Rich Dembowski acting co-Chair, and Susan Palko-Schraa acting Secretary. The committee opened with a public comment period before moving to business items. The goal of the CAC is to serve as a conduit for information, concerns, and updates between fellow citizens and the technical groups who are working to monitor and ensure continued safety of the Animas and San Juan River Basins.
For more information on the Long-Term Monitoring Plan and activities of the Long-Term Impact Review Team please visit www.NMEDRiverWaterSafety.org or send an email to NMENV-Outreach@state.nm.us.