NM to crack down on ‘man camps’
Violations of liquid waste laws reported in Eddy Co.
The recent boom in oil and gas production in the Permian Basin in southeast New Mexico resulted in many workers opting to live in RV parks known as “man camps” which provide temporary housing as an alternative to a home in Carlsbad’s already difficult housing market.
But regulating the man camps can
be a challenge for local government.
Eddy County Assistant Director of Community Services Steve McCroskey said the county is often strained in keeping up with the man camps as they are built and opened frequently at an increasing rate.
In an effort to assist local government and inform the public, the New Mexico Environment Department released a map of Eddy County man camps known to be in violation of liquid waste requirement, to better track and regulate the temporary housing units.
“This interactive map is a great tool for us both to use in tackling the challenge of liquid waste management in Eddy County,” McCroskey said.
More than 140 RV facilities in Eddy County were found in violation of state liquid waste requirements, which requires operators to properly install or operate sewage systems at the camps.
NMED issued notices of violation to many of the violators in 2018, with many of them remaining in “long-term noncompliance.”
Once an NOV is received, operators were required to contact NMED within five to 10 days to develop a compliance plan. Violations could result in civil penalty and fine of up to $100, or a petty misdemeanor charge and a fine of up to $500.