Northern New Mexico Citizens Advisory Board to Hold Virtual Meeting

The Northern New Mexico Citizens Advisory Board is preparing for a virtual public meeting on December 2, 2026, to discuss the ongoing environmental cleanup and management activities overseen by the Department of Energy’s Office of Environmental Management.

The session, scheduled from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. MST, serves as a formal venue for community oversight regarding the agency’s work in the region.

This board operates under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, a mandate that ensures transparency in how federal agencies solicit and use community-based advice. According to the official notice published in the Federal Register, the meeting will focus on the complex, long-term challenges of environmental restoration, waste management, and future land use at Department of Energy sites.

Public Oversight in Northern New Mexico

For residents, this meeting provides a direct line of communication with the officials responsible for administering the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, often known as CERCLA. The Board’s role is to provide recommendations on budget priorities and cleanup strategies, acting as a bridge between the technical requirements of the Department of Energy and the practical needs of the surrounding communities.

The agenda remains tentative, with presentations from agency staff and updates on active projects expected to dominate the three-hour window. Because the board serves as an advisory body, officials use its input to fulfill public participation requirements mandated by federal facility agreements and various settlement agreements.

Participation is open to the public, though the structure of the meeting is tightly managed to ensure efficiency. Fifteen minutes are reserved for public comments, with individuals allotted at least two minutes each to speak. Those who prefer to provide input in writing can submit their comments at least two working days before the meeting, ensuring that their concerns are included in the official record for board members to review.

Managing Virtual Participation

The transition to a virtual format necessitates early coordination for anyone interested in attending. Bridget Maestas, the Executive Director of the Northern New Mexico Citizens Advisory Board, is the primary point of contact for obtaining access credentials.

Anyone planning to attend must reach out at least two days in advance, while those requiring special accommodations due to disabilities are encouraged to contact her at least seven days prior to the session.

The Department of Energy emphasizes that while the board welcomes public attendance, the structure of the meeting does not allow for direct questioning of board members or presenters by the public during the proceedings. This protocol, managed by the Designated Federal Officer, is intended to facilitate the orderly conduct of business, focusing the time on the board’s deliberative process.

Modern hybrid meeting progress with virtual inperson participation team collaboration multiscreen conference ai

For those unable to attend the live broadcast, the agency maintains a repository of meeting minutes. These documents are archived at the official Northern New Mexico Citizens Advisory Board website, providing a transparent look at the discussions and recommendations made by the committee.

David Borak Signed the Formal Notice for This Meeting

The formal notice for this meeting was signed on November 4, 2026, by David Borak, the Committee Management Officer for the Department of Energy. This administrative step, followed by the electronic submission by Jennifer Hartzell on November 5, ensures the meeting complies with the regulatory requirements set forth by the Office of the Federal Register.

While these administrative processes might seem routine, they form the backbone of federal accountability. The board's influence extends to decisions regarding the disposition of excess facilities and the long-term stewardship of land, issues that carry economic and environmental weight for New Mexico. As the December meeting approaches, the focus remains on the balance between technical cleanup requirements and the sustained involvement of the public in the future of these sites.

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