Timeline to decision: New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) Public Hearing on Roper's air quality permit application happened Feb 9

The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) Public Hearing on the air quality permit application for the proposed Alto concrete batch plant was held virtually on February 9, 2022. Concerned residents attended on-line via WebEx, and at two public participation sites, Traylor Gym in Capitan and the Ruidoso Convention Center.

Approximately 85 people registered at the two sites and around 30 gave oral comments voicing their objections and concerns before the hearing concluded. Additionally, a large number of written comments were submitted prior to, during and immediately after the hearing. All written and oral comments are now a part of the NMED’s administrative record of the application.

The timeline for the NMED’s decision on the air quality permit application is:

14 days for the NMED Court Reporter to generate a transcript of the hearing

30 days for “facts and filings” review from the NMED’s, plaintiff’s and defendant’s legal counsel regarding the hearing as documented in the court reporter transcript. (essentially a review and submission of corrections to the record, if required)

14 days for generation of Hearing Officer’s report and recommendation for approval or disapproval of the application

7 days for review and comment on the Hearing Officer’s report and recommendation by the NMED’s, plaintiff’s and defendant’s legal counsel

Deputy Environment Secretary for Operations Stephanie Stringer then reviews the Hearing Officer’s report, comments from the legal counsel of all parties, and makes the final approval/disapproval decision.

Updates will also be provided on https://altocep.org/