The New Mexico Environment Department and the U.S. Department of the Air Force, May 12, announced a verbal agreement to establish a collaborative groundwater-sampling framework to support ongoing PFAS investigation and clean-up activities at Cannon Air Force Base in Curry County.
Under the verbal agreement, NMED will lead off-base groundwater sampling - including at multiple dairies - while the Department of the Air Force provides funding and technical resources. This sampling effort will accelerate PFAS response around Cannon AFB. The DAF will continue its cleanup efforts that have been ongoing for years, representing an investment of $74 million.
"In leading the New Mexico Military Base Planning Commission, my priority is to sustain strong partnerships with the many military installations across our state and the communities that support them," said New Mexico Lt. Governor Howie Morales. "This verbal agreement not only supports that mission, but ensures New Mexican farmers can live, work and support their families in Curry County for generations to come."
"A unified sampling approach with NMED ensures our cleanup decisions are guided by transparent, high-quality data that all stakeholders can rely on," said Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Energy, Installations and Environment Michael Borders Jr. "This agreement marks an important step in advancing PFAS response efforts and strengthening our partnership with the communities surrounding Cannon Air Force Base."
"The verbal agreement is testament to the grassroots partnership between Curry County dairy farmers and residents with the New Mexico Environment Department," said New Mexico Environment Secretary James Kenney. "Together, the Air Force and NMED are forging path that will lead to more results much sooner for the community."
The verbal agreement, which will be formalized in the coming weeks, was the result of a meeting at the Pentagon last week brokered by Morales, Kenney and Borders.
The announcement is the culmination of years of work by all parties - including the recent and pivotal signing of access agreements between four Curry County dairy farms with NMED to facilitate this effort.
