New Mexico regulators approve dairy settlement

New Mexico water regulators on Wednesday adopted a settlement that puts to rest a dispute over the regulation of millions of tons of waste produced each year by the state's $2.6 billion dairy industry. The Water Quality Control Commission voted unanimously during a hearing in Santa Fe in favor of the settlement brokered by state attorneys, dairy farmers and environmentalists. The dairy rule was first approved by the commission last year in the final month of former Democratic Gov. Bill Richardson's administration. The amended rule still requires dairies to install monitoring wells. It also requires new dairies and those that have had leaking impoundments to install synthetic liners. Existing dairies where waste reservoirs haven't contaminated groundwater are allowed to operate without installing new impoundments. There are also increased public notice requirements for new dairies. Gone from the rule are requirements for certain documentation, such as grading and drainage plans for existing dairies. Changes were also made to allow for more flexibility when it comes to using flow meters to measure the wastewater discharged from milking parlors and wash areas...more