The New Mexico Environment Department released a first-of-its kind performance assessment report that offers the public, stakeholders, and legislators the opportunity to track the Department’s progress in protecting public health and the environment.
The new report, developed by NMED’s Office of Strategic Initiatives, is the first installment in reporting on 47 performance measures over five broad categories as follows:
- 7 public health measures,
- 9 environmental protection measures,
- 24 compliance measures,
- 4 economic investment measures, and
- 3 operational measures.
“The Environment Department continues to embrace transparency as part of its mission and operations,” said NMED Cabinet Secretary James Kenney. “Our performance assessment report will provide further insight into our accomplishments and challenges for the public to see.”
The 47 performance measures largely stem from agreements between NMED and the Legislative Finance Committee for state fiscal year 2022 (i.e., July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022). This report covers the first quarter of the fiscal year (i.e., July 1, 2021 – September 30, 2021). Subsequent reports will focus on the second quarter, third quarter and fourth quarter of the fiscal year.
Highlights from the first quarter of fiscal year 2022 as found in the report include:
- Over 96% of New Mexicans are breathing air that meets federal health standards and over 94% of New Mexicans are served safe and healthy drinking water.
- Just over 8% of the restaurants and food manufacturers inspected did not meet at least one health standard (544 out of 6,714).
- Less than 1% of underground petroleum storage tank sites were cleaned up compared to the total number of leaking underground petroleum storage tank sites remaining (6 out of 873).
- Just over 56% of the facilities subject to hazardous waste rules were in violation and 33% of the facilities subject to air quality rules were in violation.
- The Construction Programs Bureau dispersed over $8.9 million for 81 water infrastructure projects across the state.
To view the NMED performance assessment report, visit the Agency’s website here and click on “About” and then select “Performance” and select the bullet for “FY22 Q1 Performance Reports.”
Source: NMED