Watersheds and Hazardous Materials

Most AML sites on BLM-managed land in New Mexico have no associated water. Under the Clean Water Action Plan, a unified Watershed Assessment developed by the New Mexico State Environment Department identified 20 impaired streams potentially affected by mining. Two of these streams include BLM land with hardrock AML sites. They are Percha Creek of the Rio Grande Watershed in Sierra Co. and Carlisle Creek of the Gila Watershed in Grant Co. Results of sediment and water sample analyses in these two sub-watersheds in the summer of 2000 indicate that impacts on water quality caused by AML sites on BLM-managed land is minimal requiring no further action.

No AML sites requiring project-level hazardous material clean-up have been identified on BLM-managed land in New Mexico.