Award Information
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2010, $220,000)
The Congressionally Recommended Awards Program, authorized by the Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2010 (Pub. L. 111-117), helps improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, prevent or combat juvenile delinquency, and/or assist victims of crime (other than compensation). Funds should be used for the projects recommended by Congress, in the amounts specified in the joint explanatory statement incorporated by reference into Pub. L. 111-117, and generally consistent with one or more of the following statutory purposes: improving the functioning of the criminal justice system, preventing or combating juvenile delinquency, or assisting victims of crime (other than compensation). Each of these purposes is framed using language drawn, respectively, from the former Byrne discretionary statute, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, the Victims of Crime Act, and the Violence Against Women Act. This project is authorized and funded through a line item in the FY 2010 Congressional Budget and by the joint explanatory statement that is incorporated by reference into the FY2010 Department of Justice Appropriations Act.
The New Mexico Attorney General's Office will utilize funds to implement an Environmental Crimes Project that will increase investigation and prosecution of environmental crimes in New Mexico by creating the position of Special Agent/Investigations Coordinator within the Environmental Crimes Unit (ECU) of the Water, Environmental and Utilities Division of the New Mexico Attorney General's Office. The ECU is the only resource for investigating and prosecuting environmental crimes in New Mexico and it is currently without a Special Agent/Investigations Coordinator devoted solely to environmental crimes. This position will be funded for two years.
NCA/NCF