A hearing on proposed changes to the way New Mexico's dairy industry deals with wastewater will be held in Roswell after all.
The state Supreme Court on Monday upheld an earlier decision by the Water Quality Control Commission to hold the hearing in southeastern New Mexico. State officials say about 90 percent of dairies are located in the region.
Environmental groups had argued that state law required the technical hearing to be in Santa Fe.
The court also tossed a request by the state Environment Department to keep the attorney general's office from providing testimony during the proceeding.
Approved in 2010, the dairy rules regulate discharge permits for manure waste from dozens of dairies in the state. The industry has sought numerous amendments to the rules.
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