This Friday, a group of approximately 30 students and faculty members from The University of New Mexico (UNM) School of Law will embark on a day of experiential learning in northern New Mexico. The students will visit with community members and learn about contaminated sites in the communities of Questa, Española, and the Santa Clara Pueblo. 

In Española and the Santa Clara Pueblo, students will see the North Railroad Avenue Plume Superfund Site, where pollution of soils and groundwater from old dry cleaning operations poses present threats to public health and challenges for economic redevelopment.

In Questa, students will see the Chevron Questa Mine Superfund Site, where nearly a century of mining activities led to massive problems with mine waste and polluted groundwater, requiring cleanup on the order of hundreds of millions of dollars. 

The trip will be led by UNM School of Law Professor Clifford Villa, who teaches courses on environmental law and constitutional rights. “Students participating in this field experience will learn about the unique concerns in these communities and will be better prepared to address concerns in communities throughout the State of New Mexico," said Villa.

For further information on this work, email Villa, villa@law.unm.gov.