ZUNI PUEBLO – The Pueblo of Zuni will receive a $15,000 grant for the collection and removal of scrap tires across the pueblo. The funding comes thanks to the Recycling and Illegal Dumping grant – known as RAID – from the New Mexico Environment Department.
NMED is distributing a total of $800,000 to different governments across the state so they may perform cleaning and recycling tools and programs for their communities. The RAID grant is funded through a special revenue fund that compiles money from a fee imposed on motor vehicle registrations. Between 2006 and 2022, NMED has given 353 grant awards that total more than $11.2 million. Grant recipients are chosen by a 12-person board that is appointed by the environment cabinet secretary.
“RAID grants provide important funding that allows communities throughout New Mexico, especially those in rural areas, to improve the quality of life for their residents while protecting human health and the environment,” said Environment Cabinet Secretary James Kenney. “The diversity and creativity of projects awarded this year is both impressive and inspiring. These projects will have a positive impact across the entire state.”
The grant can be used to target different forms of pollution and waste in communities. Zuni Pueblo will use the money to clean up trashed tires.
“Solid waste that has been illegally dumped can pollute water, land, and air, and can lead to the spread of disease,” said Solid Waste Bureau Chief Joan Snider. “The RAID grant program not only enables communities to clean up existing sites but also supports education to prevent future dumping.”
Zuni Pueblo joins 15 other New Mexico communities in recving a RAID grant. Other communities receiving funding include the Pueblo of Santa Ana, City of Socorro, Taos Pueblo, Roosevelt County, Santa Fe County, North Central Solid Waste Authority, City of Clovis, Sierra County, Village of Los Ranchos, Los Alamos County, Pueblo of Iseleta, Estancia Valley Solid Waste Authority, Village of Magdalena, City of Raton, and Bernalillo County.
NMED states that Zuni Pueblo’s grant will be specifically focused. “The Pueblo of Zuni will remove collected scrap tires from the transfer station and transport them to a regional landfill to be processed for recycling.”