Prevent toxic mine spills in New Mexico!
Right now, many of New Mexico's 15,000 abandoned mines are leaking dangerous toxins into the ground, threatening the drinking water for 9 out of 10 New Mexicans.
However, instead of protecting New Mexico families, Governor Susana Martinez has been wasting time blasting the Environmental Protection Agency for the recent Gold King Mine spill in Colorado, which dumped millions of gallons of toxic wastewater into the Animas and San Juan rivers, and continuing to dismantle environmental safeguards that protect air, land, water and communities in the Land of Enchantment.
With abandoned mines like Gold King scattered across New Mexico, a similar disaster could easily strike our state at any second. This is no time for the governor to be playing the blame game and weakening environmental protections.
Standing together, we can ensure that our precious water resources are protected and our state is not the site of the next mine disaster. Sign the petition and demand Governor Martinez step up and implement stronger environmental protections for New Mexico's people and environment.
Gov. Martinez,
As a CVNM supporter, I call on you to address the very real toxic legacy that has plagued many of New Mexico's rural, impoverished, indigenous, Latino, and traditional agricultural communities. The Gold King Mine spill tragedy serves as a somber reminder that the health and environmental risks posed by industry still exist long after a company ends operations. Even in the hands of experts from the EPA, there are inherent threats from industry's pollution and waste.
I stand with our leaders at this difficult time who are working to address the immediate threats posed by the spill. However, you need to take a hard look at your own actions during your time in office that have weakened safeguards that once protected New Mexico's water. Not only has your administration allowed industry to write their own regulations like the Copper Rule, but you've also moved to gut key protections like the Pit Rule — a rule that protected our groundwater from exposure to chemicals generated by oil and gas operations. I strongly oppose the decisions you've made regarding these and many other environmental safeguards that protect our health and the health of future generations.
[Your Comment]
In the wake of this tragedy, I urge you to act swiftly to put strong environmental protections back in place to protect all New Mexicans from exposure by pollution.
Thank you,
[Your Name"
