Public Notice: NMED Surface Water Quality Bureau opens comment period for Clean Water Act Section 401 Certification of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Permit #SPA-2025-00353-ABQ.

The certification request is from the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission for the Priority I Habitat Restoration Project located along the Rio Grande River in Bernalillo County, New Mexico. The project’s primary overall purpose is to restore aquatic, riparian, wetland, and floodplain habitat and improve hydrologic connectivity within the Middle Rio Grande. Specifically, the project would improve the quality of floodplain and low-velocity aquatic habitats that support the Rio Grande silvery minnow (Hybognathus amarus; RGSM) and enhance the ecological function of riparian, wetland, and floodplain environments within this reach.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issues CWA Section 404 permits for the discharge of dredged or fill material. The purpose of CWA Section 401 is to ensure the discharge will comply with state water quality standards. NMED has authority under CWA Section 401 to certify, certify with conditions, or deny certification of the permit. Procedures for certification of Section 404 permits are found at 20.6.2.2002 New Mexico Administrative Code.

The 30-day comment period on this certification request will open June 26, 2026, and will close July 27, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. MDT. This public notice and associated information are posted at: NMED Public Comment Web Page. Formal comments for inclusion in the public record must be submitted in writing via the NMED Public Comment Portal, or alternately in writing to:

Program Manager Watershed Protection Section

Surface Water Quality Bureau

New Mexico Environment Department

PO Box 5469

Santa Fe, NM 87502-5469

Email (preferred): wpsprogram.manager@env.nm.gov

For more information on SPA-2025-00353-ABQ, please contact:

Alan Klatt

Watershed Protection Section

Surface Water Quality Bureau

New Mexico Environment Department

PO Box 5469

Santa Fe, NM 87502-5469

telephone: 505-819-9623

email: alan.klatt@env.nm.gov

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:

Alan Klatt

PO Box 5469

Santa Fe, NM 87502

telephone: 505-819-9623

email: alan.klatt@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.