This is a notification that EPA’s public notice and associated federal comment period have been opened for the draft permit for the Chevron Mining Inc. Questa Mine, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit number NM0022306. Additionally, NMED has opened the concurrent comment period for the Clean Water Act Section 401 Certification of the draft NPDES permit.

When EPA Region 6 drafts a NPDES permit for a discharge into one of New Mexico’s surface waters, the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) is required to provide concurrence that the discharge will not negatively affect the receiving waterbodies. This is documented through the 401 Certification and is required in accordance with 20.6.2.2001 NMAC. NMED can make the draft permit more stringent if based on state law or can make comments to EPA for consideration in the final permit. NMED also has the authority to deny certification if the permitting circumstances will not guarantee that the discharge will meet water quality standards. 

The facility is located 3.5 miles east of the Village of Questa on NM 38, Taos County, New Mexico. The discharges from the facility are to the Red River in Segment 20.6.4.122 NMAC of the Rio Grande Basin in Taos County, New Mexico. 

The draft permit, draft fact sheet/statement of basis, and other associated information can be found on the EPA Public Notice website and the NMED Public Notice website.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region 6 will have a public meeting and a public hearing on the Chevron Mining Inc. Questa Mine Draft NPDES Permit No. NM0022306. The Presiding Officer designated by the Regional Administrator of EPA, Region 6, will conduct a public hearing on the draft NPDES permit, with a public information meeting prior to the public hearing, at the location below.

Location: VFW Post 9516 (Located @108 State Hwy 378, Cerro, NM 87519)

Time: Public Meeting 5:00 pm – 6:00pm MDT; Public Hearing 6:30 pm-8:30pm MDT

Date: July 23, 2026

Event Host: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6

Registration for the hearing can be done by emailing EPA Region 6 at R6NPDES@epa.gov or in person at least thirty (30) minutes prior to the start of the hearing. Any person requiring special arrangements should notify EPA at R6NPDES@epa.gov within ten (10) days of this notice. The public hearing will be held in accordance with the requirements of 40 CFR 124.12. At the public hearing, any person may submit oral or written statements and data concerning the proposed permit. Any person who cannot attend the public hearing may still submit written comments through the end of the comment period on August 11, 2026. 

 For more information on the draft permit, contact Susan A. Lucas Kamat at (505) 946-8924 or psrs.program.manager@env.nm.gov.

NMED SWQB will accept written comments until the end of the business day (5pm MDT) on Tuesday, August 11, 2026.

Individuals who submit public comments will be added to the NMED email listserv.

Persons who need language services (e.g., assistance for an interpreter) or persons with disabilities who need services to participate in this public process should contact Susan A. Lucas Kamat at (505) 946-8924 or susan.lucaskamat@env.nm.gov.

TDD or TTY users please access the number via the New Mexico Relay Network, 1-800-659-1779 (voice); TTY users: 1-800-659-8331.

NMED does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age or sex in the administration of its programs or activities, as required by applicable laws and regulations. If you have any questions about any of the NMED’s non-discrimination programs, policies or procedures, you may contact: Kate Cardenas, NMED Non-Discrimination Coordinator, at (505) 827-2855 or nd.coordinator@env.nm.gov. If you believe that you have been discriminated against with respect to a NMED program or activity, you may contact the Non-Discrimination Coordinator identified above or visit our Non-Discrimination website to learn how and where to file a complaint of discrimination.