NM denies discharge permit for Hobbs, NM, dairy

The New Mexico Environment Department contends a Hobbs dairy is not complying with state groundwater regulations, and has denied a discharge permit for the business. The department says four members of the community urged Environment Secretary Ron Curry also to deny Ruch Dairy's permit because of odors and flies. Dairy owners John and Marta Ruch sought permission to discharge up to 40,000 gallons of dairy wastewater a day and apply it to 100 acres of crop land. The state alleges the dairy operated without a permit despite the Ground Water Bureau telling it in November 2009 it did not have permission to discharge until the bureau issued a final permit. Ruch attorney Pete Domenici Jr. says problems stem from previous owners who were buying the dairy, but defaulted. AP