The New Mexico Environmental Law Center kicks off the celebration of its 25th Anniversary with the short original film "A Big Damn Deal," created by Emmy-award winning filmmaker Debra Anderson (director and producer of the documentary "Split Estate"). Ms. Anderson has done an extraordinary job of capturing a few of the compelling stories from the communities where we work.
Confused about the litigation happening around the New Mexico carbon pollution cap laws? We'll try to clear things up ...
Christine's Fight Against Uranium Mining from Law Center on Vimeo.
For years, Christine and other members of the activist group Eastern Navajo Diné Against Uranium Mining have had a tough fight to prevent uranium mining in their communities.
Her water is in danger. Her air is in danger. And the government is trying to fast track the mines... but you can help keep these mines at bay.
New Mexico's KRQE TV announces petition filed with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights asking them to intervene with the United States to stop uranium mining on Navajo community lands. Aired on May 16, 2011 at noon.
Video of press conference held on Monday, May 16th 2011 following the filing with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights asking them to intervene with the United States to stop uranium mining within the Navajo Nation
A press conference was held on May 16th, 2011 following the filing with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights asking them to intervene with the United States to stop uranium mining within the Navajo Nation.
On May 13, 2011, the New Mexico Environmental Law Center (NMELC) and its client, Eastern Navajo Diné Against Uranium Mining (ENDAUM), filed a petition with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights seeking to halt a uranium mining operation in the Navajo villages of Church Rock and Crownpoint, N.M.
NMELC's 2010 Year In Review.
The Forest Service could issue its approval this year, the newspaper reports… And once that happens, hoo-boy, is New Mexico in for an economic bonanza — the likes of which DeJoia can’t even describe to a reporter:
“I won’t run you through all the economics on that, but you can rest assured there is an awful lot of income tax paid on that,” he said. “There are a lot of New Mexico taxes in there.”
Thanks for sparing us the numbers. Nobody wants to be thinking hard when we could just be mindlessly digging for short-term profits. Grist.org
Go to Grist.org for full story.
But a coalition of organizations, including several Native American groups and an organization of former uranium miners, contends that a mining operation would imperil the area’s water supply and its quality. The group also believes it would severely impact an area designated by the Forest Service as a traditional cultural property that has great spiritual significance for indigenous people across the Southwest…
[Staff Attorney] Jantz said water pumped from the mine could result in significant drawdowns of surface water and springs. There is also concern that waste piles and toxic heavy-metal materials could make their way into ground and surface water, he said. Alamogordo Daily News
Go to Alamogordo Daily News for full story.
SANTA FE, N.M. - Today, the New Mexico Environmental Law Center (NMELC) filed a request for a public hearing regarding a proposed permit revision to put the Mt. Taylor uranium mine on active status. The mine, near Grants, NM, has been inactive (on “standby” status) without cleanup for 23 years. The mine’s owner, Rio Grande Resources, received a fourth renewal for the standby permit in January 2012, but on April 12, 2013 it notified the public it was seeking a revision to change the mine’s status to “active”. The NMELC filed the hearing request on behalf of its clients, Amigos Bravos and the Multicultural Alliance for a Safe Environment (MASE).
Go to case page.
SANTA FE, N.M. - The New Mexico Court of Appeals struck down an effort by the Martinez Administration to repeal regulations favorable to the environment and reinstated the state’s energy efficiency building codes.
The energy codes, adopted before Governor Martinez came into office, were repealed by the State Construction Industries Commission in the summer of 2011. The New Mexico Environmental Law Center (NMELC) appealed the Commission’s move on seven grounds, including that the Commission failed to state the reasons for its decision as is required of all administrative agencies. The Court of Appeals agreed, and reversed the Commission’s decision. (Get PDF of Court of Appeals ruling)
Visit Repeal of Energy Efficient Building Codes case page
