N.M. Stat. § 72-5A-11
Revocation or suspension of permits; orders to cease
and desist; injunction.
A. The state engineer may periodically review a project to determine if the permittee
is complying with the terms and conditions of the permit. The state engineer may
permanently revoke or temporarily suspend a permit for good cause after an
investigation and a hearing before the state engineer or a hearing officer appointed by
him. Notice shall be sent, by certified mail, to the permittee at least thirty days before
any hearing on a revocation or suspension disclosing the permittee's alleged failure to
comply with the permit's terms and conditions.
B. Except as otherwise provided in this section, if the state engineer has reason to
believe that a person or governmental entity has violated a provision of the Ground
Water Storage and Recovery Act or a permit issued or regulation adopted pursuant to
that act, the state engineer may issue a written notice that the person or governmental
entity appear and show cause, at a hearing before the state engineer not less than
fifteen days after the receipt of the notice, why the person or governmental entity should
not be ordered to cease and desist from the violation. The notice shall inform the person
or governmental entity of the date, time and place of the hearing and the consequences
of the person's or governmental entity's failure to appear.
C. If the state engineer finds that a person or governmental entity is constructing or
operating a project in violation of the Ground Water Storage and Recovery Act, the state
engineer may issue a temporary order for the person or governmental entity to cease
and desist the construction or operation pending final action by the state engineer
pursuant to this section. The order shall include written notice to the person or
governmental entity of the date, time and place where the person or governmental entity
shall appear at a hearing before the state engineer to show cause why the temporary
order should be vacated. The hearing shall be held not less than fifteen days after the
date of the order.
D. After a hearing pursuant to this section, or after the expiration of the time to
appear, the state engineer shall issue a decision and order. The decision and order
shall be in a form as the state engineer determines to be reasonable and appropriate
and may include a determination of violation, an order to cease and desist, the
recommendation of a civil penalty and an order directing that positive steps be taken to
abate or ameliorate any harm or damage arising from the violation. Any person or
governmental entity affected may appeal the decision to the district court pursuant to
Section 72-7-1 NMSA 1978.
E. If a person or governmental entity continues a violation after the state engineer
has issued a decision and order pursuant to this section or a temporary order pursuant
to this section, the state engineer may apply for a temporary restraining order or a
preliminary or permanent injunction from the district court. A decision to seek injunctive
relief does not preclude other forms of relief or enforcement against a violator.