State regulators are gathering in Roswell to consider revamping rules that govern how the New Mexico dairy industry deals with waste water.
A public hearing before the Water Quality Control Commission starts Monday. Officials say it's possible the proceeding could last all week and that more meetings could be scheduled elsewhere.
The commission has said Roswell serves as an ideal place for the hearing since it's in the heart of New Mexico's dairy country.
Environmentalists were unsuccessful in trying to get the commission to hold the hearing in Santa Fe.
The state, dairy farmers and environmentalists have been wrangling for years over how to best manage waste produced by the industry while protecting New Mexico's limited groundwater supplies.
The proposed changes would affect requirements for monitoring wells and liners.
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