§ 69-25A-8 NMSA 1978

The director shall perform all duties specified in the Surface Mining Act to be performed by the director and shall exercise all powers of enforcement and administration arising under that act not otherwise expressly delegated to the commission. The director shall execute and administer the commission's regulations. The director shall coordinate his review and issuance of permits for surface coal mining and reclamation with any other state or federal permit process applicable to the proposed operations. Provided, that nothing in that act shall be construed to supersede the authority which any state department or agency has with respect to the management, protection and utilization of the state lands and resources under its jurisdiction.