Interagency collaboration will fast-track environmental response
May 14, 2026 (Sante Fe, NM) – Lt. Governor Howie Morales on Friday led a delegation of State officials to Washington, DC to meet with Air Force leaders at the Pentagon, resulting in a welcome breakthrough in the long-standing PFAS pollution issue hitting New Mexico dairy farmers in Curry County. Following the meeting, the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) and the U.S. Department of the Air Force (DAF) announced a verbal agreement to establish a collaborative groundwater-sampling framework to support ongoing PFAS investigation and clean-up activities around Cannon Air Force Base near Clovis. The environmental problem has been deadlocked in litigation for years.
“I am extremely pleased with this new progress on the difficult PFAS problem. 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 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.”
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 $74M.
“The verbal agreement is testament to the grassroots partnership between Curry County dairy farmers and residents with the New Mexico Environment Department,” said Environment Secretary James Kenney. “Together, the Air Force and NMED are forging path that will lead to more results much sooner for the community.”
Dannielle Prokop published a deep-dive story on the breakthrough yesterday in “Source New Mexico”:
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