2025-11-06T13:30:38-05:00 2024-12-31 843482539 SJT GROUP LLC 4811 HARDWARE DR NE SUITE E-4 ALBUQUERQUE NM 87109 990 2024-01-01 850360664 NEW MEXICO ENVIRONMENTAL LAW CENTER NEWM 5059899022 912 ROMA AVE NW ALBUQUERQUE NM 87102 JOHANA BENCOMO PRESIDENT 5059899022 2025-11-06 true true ARMANDO SANCHEZ P01712667 5053128702 2025-11-06 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z X VIRGINIA NECOCHEA 912 ROMA AVE NW ALBUQUERQUE NM 87102 2772849 false X WWW.NMELC.ORG X 1987 NM TO PROTECT NEW MEXICO'S COMMUNITIES AND THEIR AIR, LAND AND WATER IN THE FIGHT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE. THE LAW CENTER'S EFFECTIVE LEGAL ADVOCACY AND REPRESENTATION ON ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ISSUES WILL PROTECT NEW MEXICO'S COMMUNITIES AND CULTURES, AND ENSURE CLEAN AIR, LAND AND WATER FOR ALL. THE WORK OF THE LAW CENTER IS MADE POSSIBLE BY TAX- DEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTIONS FROM INDIVIDUALS, BUSINESSES, FOUNDATIONS AND LIMITED EARNED INCOME. 7 7 10 3 0 772217 2708757 0 26170 61963 2129 798387 2772849 0 0 695996 725399 0 49680 264512 235921 960508 961320 -162121 1811529 1372143 3232465 91809 87554 1280334 3144911 X TO PROTECT NEW MEXICO'S COMMUNITIES AND THEIR AIR, LAND AND WATER IN THE FIGHT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE. THE LAW CENTER'S EFFECTIVE LEGAL ADVOCACY AND REPRESENTATION ON ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ISSUES WILL PROTECT NEW MEXICO'S COMMUNITIES AND CULTURES, AND ENSURE CLEAN AIR, LAND AND WATER FOR ALL. THE WORK OF THE LAW CENTER IS MADE POSSIBLE BY TAX- DEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTIONS FROM INDIVIDUALS, BUSINESSES, FOUNDATIONS AND LIMITED EARNED INCOME. false false 736600 NEW MEXICO ENVIRONMENTAL LAW CENTER IS A NONPROFIT, PUBLIC INTEREST LAW FIRM THAT PROVIDES FREE AND LOW COST LEGAL SERVICES ON ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS THROUGHOUT NEW MEXICO. FOUNDED IN 1987, THE LAW CENTER WORKS WITH COMMUNITY GROUPS, NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS, ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS, TRIBES AND PUEBLOS, SEEKING TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT. 736600 true true false true false false false false false false true false false false true true true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true 15 0 true 10 true false false false false false false false false X 7 7 false false false false false false false true true false false true true true true true true true true false NM X X X VIRGINIA NECOCHEA 5059899022 912 ROMA AVE NW ALBUQUERQUE NM 87102 VIRGINIA NECOCHEA EXECUTIVE DI 40.00 X 115231 0 14084 JOHANA BENCOMO PRESIDENT 2.00 X X 0 0 0 KRISTINE SUOZZI VICE PRESIDE 2.00 X X 0 0 0 DIVANA OLIVAS SECRETARY 2.00 X X 0 0 0 CARLA NIETO TREASURER 2.00 X X 0 0 0 DONNA HOUSE BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 RAMON PADILLA BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 MAGDALENA AVILA BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 115231 14084 2 false false false 2708757 2708757 61963 61963 SETTLEMENT REVENUE 2129 2129 2129 2772849 64092 218665 174691 35446 8528 406396 324670 65877 15849 7247 5514 1655 78 44893 39286 5551 56 48198 38769 7433 1996 31079 31079 46883 25987 17603 3293 7553 7553 19369 11628 3422 4319 8487 8362 125 11555 2999 3299 5257 529 424 79 26 36301 28622 5885 1794 23663 23003 595 65 546 261 179 106 2235 1899 113 223 13667 4301 9161 205 EQUIPMENT LEASING & MAINT 17789 15024 2071 694 DUES & SUBS FEES 10227 2432 751 7044 HONORARIUMS 4150 4150 MISCELLANEOUS 1888 1861 5 22 961320 736600 175040 49680 200630 440986 153125 250625 20382 9178 8575 52697 49132 5800 3565 1001706 2508332 1704 1372143 3232465 85363 86057 6446 1497 91809 87554 X 1134834 2897411 145500 247500 1280334 3144911 1372143 3232465 1811529 53048 X false true X true false X 1161823 1038195 878889 772217 2708757 6559881 1161823 1038195 878889 772217 2708757 6559881 368256 6191625 29032 9337 22917 26170 61963 149419 6709300 195929 0.92280 0.91850 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 196402 183652 380054 570081 6393 1321 7714 49101 45913 95014 142521 1321 1321 52697 49132 3565 3565 CLIENT TRUST LIABILITY 1497 1497 X 2818344 53048 53048 2765296 7553 7553 2772849 953767 953767 7553 7553 961320 SCHEDULE D, PAGE 3, PART X NMELC IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION AND IS EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL INCOME TAXES UNDER SECTION 501(C)(3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE AND HAS BEEN CLASSIFIED BY THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE AS AN ORGANIZATION THAT IS NOT A PRIVATE FOUNDATION. NMELC HAS ADOPTED FASB ASC 740-10, INCOME TAXES, RELATING TO ACCOUNTING FOR UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS. NMELC HAS NOT RECOGNIZED ANY CHANGES TO ITS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS RESULTING FROM THIS ADOPTION. FORM 990 - ORGANIZATION'S MISSION TO PROTECT NEW MEXICO'S COMMUNITIES AND THEIR AIR, LAND AND WATER IN THE FIGHT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE. THE LAW CENTER'S EFFECTIVE LEGAL ADVOCACY AND REPRESENTATION ON ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ISSUES WILL PROTECT NEW MEXICO'S COMMUNITIES AND CULTURES, AND ENSURE CLEAN AIR, LAND AND WATER FOR ALL. THE WORK OF THE LAW CENTER IS MADE POSSIBLE BY TAX- DEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTIONS FROM INDIVIDUALS, BUSINESSES, FOUNDATIONS AND LIMITED EARNED INCOME. FORM 990, PART III CASE 1 AUGUSTIN PLAINS RANCH, LLC V. TOM BLAINE, P.E. NEW MEXICO SEVENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, D-728-CV-XXX-XX-XXXX; NEW MEXICO COURT OF APPEALS CASE A-1-CA-38615. BACKGROUND: IN 2014, THE AUGUSTIN PLAINS RANCH, LLC ("APR") SUBMITTED A MATERIALLY IDENTICAL APPLICATION AS ONE THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY SUBMITTED IN 2007, TO APPROPRIATE 54,000 ACRE FEET OF WATER ANNUALLY FROM THE SAN AGUSTIN BASIN FOR THE PURPOSES OF "MUNICIPAL- AND "COMMERCIAL SALES" WITH THE NEW MEXICO OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER. THE NEW MEXICO ENVIRONMENTAL LAW CENTER REPRESENTS WATER USERS AND ORGANIZATIONS IN THE SAN AGUSTIN BASIN OPPOSING APR'S APPLICATION. APR'S 2007 APPLICATION WAS DENIED BY THE STATE ENGINEER IN 2011. THAT DENIAL WAS UPHELD BY THE NEW MEXICO SEVENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT IN 2012, AND APR'S APPEAL OF THAT DECISION TO THE STATE COURT OF APPEALS WAS ULTIMATELY DISMISSED. APR'S 2014 APPLICATION WAS ALSO DENIED BY THE STATE ENGINEER ON THE BASIS THAT IT WAS SPECULATIVE, AND UPHELD BY THE NEW MEXICO SEVENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT. APR APPEALED THAT RULING TO THE NEW MEXICO COURT OF APPEALS. THE STATE COURT OF APPEALS OVERTURNED THE DISTRICT COURT DECISION REGARDING ONE OF ITS BASES FOR ITS DECISION. THREE PARTIES FILED PETITIONS FOR WRIT OF CERTIORARI TO THE NEW MEXICO SUPREME COURT, AND ON OCTOBER 28, 2022, THE SUPREME COURT DENIED ALL THREE PETITIONS FOR CERTIORARI, RETURNING THE CASE TO THE DISTRICT COURT FOR ADDITIONAL LITIGATION DURING 2023. IN 2024, THE NEW MEXICO SEVENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT GRANTED SUMMARY JUDGMENT FOR THE STATE ENGINEER, FINDING THAT THE APPLICATION WAS SPECULATIVE. THE FINAL ORDER WAS FILED ON AUGUST 23, 2024 AND ALTHOUGH IT WAS APPEALED, THE LAW CENTER DID NOT CONTINUE REPRESENTING CLIENTS ON APPEAL AND CLOSED OUT THIS CASE. . PUBLIC INTEREST: GROUND WATER IN NEW MEXICO "BELONGS TO THE PUBLIC." NMSA 1978, 72-12-1 (2003). OUR STATE'S GROUNDWATER DOES NOT BELONG TO THE OWNERS OF PRIVATE PROPERTY ABOVE GROUND WATER. ALTHOUGH INDIVIDUALS AND ENTITIES MAY USE GROUNDWATER FOR "BENEFICIAL USE," SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATE AUTHORIZATION FROM THE STATE, ID., GROUND WATER IN NEW MEXICO IS A PUBLIC RESOURCE TO BE PROTECTED. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONSTITUTION DECLARES THAT "WATER AND OTHER NATURAL RESOURCES OF THIS STATE" ARE "OF FUNDAMENTAL IMPORTANCE TO THE PUBLIC INTEREST, HEALTH, SAFETY AND THE GENERAL WELFARE." N.M. CONST. ART. XX, 21. PUBLIC WATER IN NEW MEXICO IS HELD IN TRUST BY THE STATE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC. NEW MEXICO V. G.E., 467 F.3D 1223, 1243 (10TH CIR. 2006). THIS CASE DEALS WITH THE PUBLIC INTEREST REGARDING GROUNDWATER APPROPRIATIONS, AS WELL AS THE PROTECTION OF TRADITIONAL WAYS OF LIFE IN RURAL NEW MEXICO. IF APR IS SUCCESSFUL AND ITS APPLICATION IS ULTIMATELY APPROVED, OVER 17 BILLION GALLONS OF WATER WOULD POTENTIALLY BE TRANSPORTED OUT OF THE SAN AGUSTIN PLAINS, A TRADITIONAL RURAL COMMUNITY, TO THE GREATER ALBUQUERQUE METRO AREA FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF NEW MEXICO'S LARGEST CITY. ATTORNEYS' FEES: THE NEW MEXICO ENVIRONMENTAL LAW CENTER HAS NEITHER SOUGHT NOR RECOVERED ANY ATTORNEYS' FEES FROM AN OPPOSING PARTY IN THIS CASE. CASE 2 NUCLEAR WATCH NEW MEXICO V. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC, AND THE NEW MEXICO ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEW MEXICO CASE 1:16-CV-0043-JCH-SCY. BACKGROUND: IN 2005, THE NEW MEXICO ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT ("NMED") ENTERED INTO A CONSENT ORDER WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, WHICH WAS AT THAT TIME THE SOLE OPERATOR OF THE LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL LABORATORY ("THE LABORATORY"), ON BEHALF OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, CONCERNING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE REMEDIATION OF TOXIC WASTE BURIED IN UNLINED PITS AND TRENCHES (SO-CALLED LEGACY WASTE) FROM THE MAKING OF NUCLEAR EXPLOSIVES AND RELATED WAR-TIME ACTIVITIES. THE HAZARDOUS WASTE BUREAU OF THE NMED ALLOWED NUMEROUS MANDATORY DEADLINES FOR VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE REMEDIATION PROCESS TO EXPIRE OR BE EXTENDED OUTSIDE THE TERMS REQUIRED UNDER THE CONSENT ORDER. THE 2005 CONSENT ORDER, THE STATE HAZARDOUS WASTE ACT ("HWA") AND THE FEDERAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND RECOVERY ACT ("RCRA") REQUIRED THAT THOSE DEADLINES BE MET AND IMPOSED PENALTIES FOR FAILURE TO MEET THOSE DEADLINES. IN JUNE, 2016, THE NMED AND THE OPERATORS OF THE LABORATORY (51% CONTINUING UNDER THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, THE REST DIVIDED AMONG BECHTEL, AECOM, AND ANOTHER COMPANY TO FORM A CONSORTIUM OPERATOR CALLED LANS OR LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC) ENTERED INTO A NEW CONSENT ORDER THAT VITIATED ALL OF THE DEADLINES IN THE ORIGINAL ORDER AND PUT THE CONSORTIUM AND THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY IN CONTROL OF SETTING ALL FUTURE REMEDIATION DEADLINES. NUCLEAR WATCH NEW MEXICO SUED TO RESTORE AND ENFORCE THE CONSENT ORDER AND TO ENFORCE RCRA AND THE STATE HWA. THE LAWSUIT ALSO SEEKS TO IMPOSE PENALTIES - WHICH CONTINUED TO ACCRUE, BUT AT THE TIME OF FILING WERE APPROXIMATELY 275,000,000. THE CASE WAS FILED IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEW MEXICO. THE DISTRICT COURT CONSIDERED THE MERITS OF THE CASE ON CROSS MOTIONS FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT FILED BY ALL PARTIES. ON THE BASIS OF THOSE MOTIONS, THE DISTRICT COURT DENIED OUR CLAIM THAT THE CONSENT ORDER SHOULD BE RESTORED AND ENFORCED, BUT REFUSED TO DISMISS OUR CLAIM THAT THE DEFENDANTS SHOULD HAVE TO PAY THE PENALTIES THAT HAVE ACCRUED. THE CASE WAS SETTLED IN MARCH 2022 AND WE ARE CONTINUING TO MONITOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT. PUBLIC INTEREST: THIS CASE INVOLVES ENFORCEMENT OF RCRA AND THE HWA WHICH ARE INTENDED TO PROTECT OCCUPATIONAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY BY ASSURING PROPER DISPOSAL AND REMEDIATION OF DISPOSAL SITES INVOLVING THE STORAGE OF HAZARDOUS WASTE. ATTORNEYS' FEES: THE NEW MEXICO ENVIRONMENTAL LAW CENTER SOUGHT ATTORNEY'S FEES AND COSTS UNDER RCRA IN THIS CASE. IN SUMMER 2022, THE LAW CENTER AND OUR CLIENTS SUCCESSFULLY NEGOTIATED A SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY THAT INCLUDED RECOVERY OF SOME ATTORNEYS' FEES FOR THE LAW CENTER. THIS CASE IS NOW RESOLVED AND ADMINISTRATIVELY CLOSED ALTHOUGH WE WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT. CASE 3 SANTA BARBARA MARTINEZTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION V. CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE NEW MEXICO SECOND JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT CASE NO. D-202-CV-2018-04504 BACKGROUND: THE SANTA BARBARA MARTINEZTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION IS CHALLENGING THE DISCRIMINATORY ZONING ESTABLISHED IN MARTINEZTOWN THAT HAS ALLOWED FOR INCOMPATIBLE AND DETRIMENTAL LAND USES THAT GO AGAINST RESIDENTS' DESIRES TO KEEP MARTINEZTOWN A TRADITIONAL VILLAGE. THE LAW CENTER IS WORKING WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION AND THE NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL SEEKING TO CHANGE THE MARTINEZTOWN COMMUNITY'S ZONING TO RESIDENTIAL, AND ASKING THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE TO BUFFER THESE NEIGHBORHOODS FROM INCONGRUENT USES AND PROVIDE PROTECTIONS THAT OTHER HISTORICAL NEIGHBORHOODS IN ALBUQUERQUE HAVE BEEN GRANTED. THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION AND THE CITY HAVE AGREED TO RESOLVE THIS MATTER, AND ARE WORKING ON IMPLEMENTING THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT. PUBLIC INTEREST: THIS CASE ADDRESSES THE DISPARATE TREATMENT WITH REGARDS TO ZONING PROTECTIONS OF A PREDOMINANTLY COMMUNITY OF COLOR COMPARED WITH A SIMILARLY SITUATED COMMUNITY THAT IS PREDOMINANTLY WHITE. ATTORNEYS' FEES: THE NEW MEXICO ENVIRONMENTAL LAW CENTER HAS NEITHER SOUGHT NOR RECOVERED ANY ATTORNEYS' FEES FROM AN OPPOSING PARTY IN THIS CASE. CASE 4 MOUNTAIN VIEW COMMUNITY ACTION, MOUNTAIN VIEW NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, AND FRIENDS OF VALLE DE ORO V. CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE, AND THE ALBUQUERQUE CITY COUNCIL NEW MEXICO SECOND JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT CASE NO. D-202-CV-2023-09449 BACKGROUND: ON BEHALF OF CLIENTS, THE MOUNTAIN VIEW COALITION, THE LAW CENTER FILED A PETITION FOR RULEMAKING WITH THE ALBUQUERQUE - BERNALILLO COUNTY JOINT AIR QUALITY CONTROL BOARD ("AQCB"), CALLED THE HEALTH ENVIRONMENT AND EQUITY IMPACTS ("HEEI") REGULATION. THE RULEMAKING HEARING WAS HELD IN THE BEGINNING OF DECEMBER 2023. IN AN ATTEMPT TO BLOCK THE RULEMAKING, ABQ CITY COUNCILOR DAN LEWIS FILED TWO BILLS WITH THE CITY COUNCIL, ONE THAT WOULD DISSOLVE AND RECONSTITUTE THE AQCB AND ONE TO PUT A MORATORIUM ON HEALTH RELATED RULEMAKING BY THE AQCB. THE BILLS WERE PASSED AT THE DECEMBER 4, 2023 MEETING, AND WHILE THE MAYOR VETOED THE TWO BILLS, THE MAYORAL VETO WAS OVERRIDDEN BY THE CITY COUNCIL. THE LAW CENTER FILED A COMPLAINT IN THE NEW MEXICO SECOND JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT FOR DECLARATORY AND INJUNCTIVE RELIEF CHALLENGING THE TWO BILLS. THE RULEMAKING HEARING PROCEEDED DESPITE THE BILLS AND PENDING LITIGATION AND CONCLUDED ON DECEMBER 11, 2023. MOUNTAIN VIEW COALITION'S CASE IS CURRENTLY STAYED PENDING THE OUTCOME OF THE AQCB'S CASE CHALLENGING THE SAME ORDINANCES AND THE INDUSTRY CASE DEFENDING THE SAME ORDINANCES, WHICH ARE BEING LITIGATED IN THE NEW MEXICO FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT AND THE THIRTEENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RESPECTIVELY, AS WELL AS ON APPEAL IN THE NEW MEXICO COURT OF APPEALS. PUBLIC INTER FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 11B FORM 990 IS REVIEWED WITH THE FINANCE COMMITTEE PRIOR TO FILING. A COPY OF THE 990 IS PROVIDED TO EACH MEMBER OF THE GOVERNING BOARD. THE FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORTS ON THE SUBSTANCE OF THE FORM TO THE BOARD. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 12C ALL MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNING BODY AND MANAGEMENT ARE KEENLY AWARE OF THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY. POTENTIAL CONFLICTS ARE DISCUSSED AT BOARD MEETINGS AND ANYONE WITH A POTENTIAL CONFLICT IS RECUSED. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15A THE ORGANIZAION CONDUCTS A REVIEW OF THE SALARIES PAID BY OTHER ORGANIZATION'S SALARIES TO ENSURE THEY ARE COMPARABLE FOR THIS AND OTHER POSITIONS. THE REVIEW IS CONDUCTED ON AN ANNUAL BASIS AS PART OF THE BUDGET PREPARATION PROCESS FOR THE FOLLOWING FISCAL YEAR WHICH IS APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.THE ORGANIZATION REGULARLY PARTICIPATES IN ANNUAL SALARY INFORMATION SURVEYS SO THAT THE ORGANIZATION CAN RECIEVE COPIES OF THE RESULTS TO USE IN ESTABLISHING ITS EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION, INCLUDING THAT OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. APPROVAL OF PAY IS DOCUMENTED IN THE BOARD MEETING MINUTES. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15B THE ORGANIZATION DOES NOT CURRENTLY COMPENSATE ANYONE IN THESE CLASSES BUT IF IT WERE TO IT WOULD GO BY THE SAME PROCESS FOR DETERMINING COMPENSATION OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 19 GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY AND AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST.