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New Dairy Rules

By KRWG News

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – (AP) New Mexico dairies are objecting to the proposed groundwater protection requirements.

The industry contends the proposals are so costly up to half of the state's dairies would go out of business or move.

The head of the Dairy Industry Group for a Clean Environment, Alva Carter Jr., says the proposed regulations aren't backed up by sound science.

But the chief of the state Ground Water Quality Bureau, Bill Olson, says the Environment Department's plans are justified.

He says the dairy industry might not like the science, but the agency has extensive science behind the regulations.

The Environment Department says groundwater pollution exists at more than 65 percent of New Mexico's dairies.

The state Water Quality Control Commission will begin hearings on the proposals Tuesday.

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.