The Concerned Citizens of Wagon Mound and Mora County (CCWMMC) applaud the words and actions demonstrated by New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) Secretary Ron Curry (NMED Denies Special Waste Permit). It demonstrates that he is concerned about the public welfare of the people of New Mexico. We also feel this shows some acknowledgement of environmental justice issues in this state. Wagon Mound should not become the dumping ground for this country's Special Wastes. Secretary Curry comes out strong in acknowledging a problem in applying regulations and monitoring in the department. This is an issue we continue to identify as a problem in New Mexico. The NMED must raise the bar in protecting public welfare and health and practice environmental justice.

The CCWMMC have fought off the efforts by Harold Daniels, owner of the Northeastern New Mexico Regional Landfill (NENMRL), and Herzog Inc., the national corporation that runs the landfill to bring in Special Waste from throughout the United States, and possibly Canada and Mexico. CCWMMC formed in 1999 to protest the Special Waste Application for NENMRL which was approved in 2000 under the previous administration. The permit was subsequently approved by the NM Court of Appeals in November of 2003. The NENMRL has recently applied for another permit which, with this decision, has been denied.

We wish to thank the people of Mora Conty and Wagon Mound for their efforts big and small and for those who responded to our efforts. We had excellent legal and technical support from the Southwest Network for Environmental and Economic Justice (SNEEJ) and Southwest Research and Information Center (SRIC), as well as others who are unsung sheros/heros in this effort. This is a victory for all New Mexicans. We already receive a disproportionate amount of this country's waste. We must say NO!

By Sofia Martinez and Felipe Garcia, Chairs CCWMMC