The limited demand for used tires has caused a storage disposal problem common to many states. With the move toward a healthy environment, the visually offensive storage sites have attracted attention and concern from the public, national and state legislators. These sites also create safety, health, and fire hazards, and continue to grow much faster than the demand for their potential use.

1. A. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that the present size of the scrap tire problem is 2 to 3 billion discarded tires that have accumulated in stockpiles and uncontrolled tire dumps found in deserts, forests, grasslands, and empty lots throughout the United States. According to the New Mexico Tire Advisory Committee, New Mexico has over 1 million discarded scrap tires currently stockpiled or discarded in public and private properties throughout the state. This committee also estimates that an additional 1.2 to 1.5 million scrap tires either are discarded or recycled each year in New Mexico.

2. B. This rule defines administration of the Rubberized Asphalt Program by the New Mexico State Highway and Transportation Department and will establish procedures for disbursement of funds for municipalities and counties in the use of rubberized asphalt in paving mixtures.

   [3-15-97; Recompiled 12/31/01]