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Compendium of EPA
U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
This document represents an effort by the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) to compile an inventory of
ongoing U.S.-Mexico border region projects receiving EPA
funding and/or involving EPA participation. These projects
are designed to protect and improve the environment of
the U.S.-Mexico border area, improve our understanding of
the border environment, increase cooperation between the
United States and Mexico in the environmental arena, and
address priority environmental issues of the two countries,
both inside and outside the border area. Much of this work
is done by state and local governments with EPA grants.
Also described herein are recently completed projects and
proposed projects likely to be implemented. EPA, in
addition, sponsors expert speakers to participate in
numerous conferences and workshops in Mexico and in
the United States in support of the above goals and to
share EPA's experiences on environmental protection and
management; these activities are not specifically repre-
sented in the Compendium.
Compendium Organization
For simplicity, the projects are primarily organized by
binational La Paz working groups. U.S.-Mexico border
grants and projects funded through the Southwest Center
for Research and Policy (SCERP) are described in
separate chapters. For some projects, discerning the
workgroup with the primary responsibility is not easy, since
workgroups often collaborate on joint projects and much of
the work is inter-related.
La Paz Agreement
EPA formally began working with the environmental
authorities in Mexico (at that time the Secretariat for Urban
Development and Ecology- SEDUE) to address issues of
common concern in the border area through the Agree-
ment between the United States of America and the United
Mexican States on Cooperation for the Protection and
Improvement of the Environment in the Border Area (1983
La Paz Agreement). SEDUE has since been replaced with
the Secretarfa de Desarollo Social (SEDESOL) and the
Secretarfa de Medio Ambiente, Recursos Naturales, y
Pesca (SEMARNAP). The La Paz Agreement created a
framework for binational working groups to address the
priority environmental problems of the border area.
Currently, there are six binational La Paz working groups:
Air, Contingency Planning and Emergency Response,
Cooperative Enforcement, Hazardous Waste, Pollution
Prevention, and Water. These binational working groups
meet regularly to set priorities, report on progress of project
implementation, and exchange relevant information. Much
of the work described in the following pages is the direct
result of the efforts of these La Paz working groups or
domestic subgroups of these binational La Paz working
groups. Some other projects had their genesis through
associated environmental agreements.
Border Environmental Institutions
To ensure the environment was protected with establish-
ment of the North American Free Trade Agreement
(NAFTA), the U.S., Mexican, and Canadian governments
created the Commission for Environmental Cooperation
(CEC). Also, in an effort to address the long-neglected
environmental infrastructure needs of the border region,
the United States and Mexico created the Border Environ-
mental Cooperation Commission (BECC) and the North
American Development Bank (NADBank) to provide the
necessary funding and technical assistance to border commu-
nities. These institutions play a large role in addressing the
priority environmental concerns in the U.S.-Mexico border
region and throughout the North American continent.
Next Steps
As written currently, this document has not been formally
reviewed by agencies in Mexico or U.S. agencies other
than EPA and the Department of Health and Human
Services: future versions will seek to incorporate such
input. The Compendium will be updated periodically and
expanded as necessary. We hope it will be used as a tool
to better inform federal agencies, border states, and border
communities how EPA is directing its resources and to
foster discussion on how EPA can maximize the benefit to
the border communities with its limited resources. Any
feedback on the utility of this document would be appreci-
ated for incorporation into future versions. For a directory
of contacts, please see Appendix 1.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
AIR WORKGROUP
The Joint Advisory Committee to the La Paz Air Work Group 13
Border Vehicle Congestion 14
Mexico's Air Pollution Training Program 15
Big Bend Air Quality. 16
AguaPrieta-Douglas Air Programs 17
Mexico Emissions Inventory Development Program 18
California-Baja California Intensive Air Quality Monitoring Study. 19
Brownsville/Laredo Air Programs 20
Ambos Nogales Air Programs 21
CICA - U.S.-Mexico Information Center on Air Pollution/Centra de Informacion sobre
Contaminacion del Aire • 22
Ciudad Juarez-El Paso-Sunland Park Air Quality Study. 23
Tijuana-San Diego Air Programs 24
Energy and Air Quality. 25
Mexicali-Imperial Valley Air Programs 26
BORDER XXI GRANTS
Rio Grande Watershed Mobile Exhibit 29
Arizona-Mexico International Green Organization (AMIGO) 30
Fermin Calderon Elementary Nature Trail and Environment Study Project 31
Environmental Management for Border Business with Attention to the Laws of the
U.S. and Mexico 32
Interagency Coordination, Technology Exchange, Chemical Energy Response and
Planning 33
Indoor Air Awareness Campaign 34
Water Protection and Hygiene Education Project 35
Pollution Prevention in Industrial Facilites in Mexico and Texas: An INFORM Initiative
Involving Local Community Collaboration 36
Nogales Community Outreach and Participation 37
AguaParaBeber. 38
Border Environmental Education Resource Guide 39
A Binational Project to Restore Wetlands in the Colorado River Delta 40
Borderplex Environmental Education Center. 41
PROBEA: A Teacher Training Model for Binational Watershed and Water Quality
Education and Monitoring 42
Cochise County-Northeast Sonora Planning Project 43
Ambos Nogales Environmental Action Plan 44
Mariposa Community Health Center. 45
Developing An Environmental Strategy for the Western Sonoran Desert 46
Environmental Priorities, Needs, and Solutions in the San Diego-Tijuana Border Region 47
Environmental Improvement Plan for the City of Donna, Texas 48
Ecological Baseline Model for the U.S.-Mexico Border Region 49
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AYUDA's Self Help CcommunityA.I.R.E. Project 50
Environmental Improvement Plan for Southwest Webb County. 51
Building a Kumeyaay Environmental Strategy: A U.S.-Mexico Border Program/Frontera
2000 Community Planning Project 52
Tijuana River Watershed Toxics Data Project 53
Environmental and Community Building Cooperation along the Rio Grande at Big Bend
National Park 54
CONTINGENCY PLANNING and EMERGENCY RESPONSE WORKGROUP
Technical Assistance for Sister Cities 57
Updating the U.S.-Mexico Joint Contingency Plan (JCP) 58
CAMEO Translation and Training 59
U.S.-Mexico Border Webpage on Contingency Planning and Emergency Response 60
Commodity Flow Study (Region 6) 61
COOPERATIVE ENFORCEMENT and COMPLIANCE WORKGROUP
Establishment of Enforcement/Hazardous Waste Subworkgroups 65
Activities of the Enforcement and Compliance Subworkgroup for
Califomia/Baja California 66
Activities of the Enforcement and Compliance Subworkgroup for Arizona/Sonora 67
Activities of the Enforcement and Compliance Subworkgroup for Texas/New Mexico/
Chihuahua 68
Activities of the Enforcement and Compliance Subworkgroup for Texas/Coahuila 69
Activities of the Enforcement and Compliance Subworkgroup for Texas/Nuevo Leon/
Tamaulipas .....70
Criminal Enforcement 71
Third International Conference on Environmental Enforcement, Oaxaca, Mexico,
April 25-28,1994 72
Binational Conference(s) on Environmental Laws and Enforcement 73
Promoting Interagency Cooperation 74
Protocol for Investigatory Cooperation 75
Enforcement Results Data-Sharing i 76
Enforcement Data Management Technical Consultation and Data Sharing 77
Consultation on Enforcement Penalty Policies (Including Calculation of
Economic Sanctions) 78
Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEPs) 79
Dictionary of Hazardous Waste Laws and Definitions 80
Video of Multi-media Inspection Course for Mexican Environmental Inspectors 81
CD-Rom of U.S. and Mexican Border Customs Hazardous-Waste Course 82
Sampling and Laboratory Techniques 83
Pretreatment Inspection Course for Mexican Environmental Inspectors 84
Principles of Environmental Enforcement Course 85
Transboundary CFG Shipments 86
Preparation and Distribution of Pollution Prevention Video 87
Update Maquiladora Compliance Manual and Its Dissemination 88
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Translate and Disseminate EPA Sector Notebooks 89
Binational Industry Recognition 90
Seminars for Industry. 91
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH WORKGROUP
National Human Exposure Assessment Survey (NHEXAS) Border Project (1996-1999).... 95
A Study of Childhood Pesticide Poisoning in the Lower Rio Grande Valley During
1996-1997 96
Health Alerts and Bulletin Board Iniative 97
Establishing a Pilot Program to Conduct Surveillance of Non-occupational Acute
Pesticide Illness and Injury in a U.S.-Mexico Border State with Reporting
ofCasestoCDC 98
Identification of Lead Exposure and Risk Reduction 99
The International Toxicology and Poison Center Development Program 100
A Survey of Health and Environmental Conditions Along the Texas-Mexico Border. 101
Strengthening Binational NTD Surveillance and Epidemiological Research 102
Acute Respiratory Health and Ambient Air Quality in the Paso del Norte Airshed 103
Lower Rio Grande Valley Transboundary Air Pollution Project (TAPP) 104
Pesticide Exposure and Health Effects in Young Children Along the
U.S.-Mexico Border. 105
Texas Neural Tube Defect Project 106
Investigation of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Nogales, Arizona 107
Evaluation of the Hispanic HANES Database 108
ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION RESOURCES WORKGROUP
Aerial Photography Initiative > 111
U.S.-Mexico Border Environmental Indicators 112
U.S.-Mexico Border Geospatial Data Directory. 113
U.S.-Mexico Border XXI Program Homepage , 114
The Border XXI Release/Exchange of Information Project 115
Borderlands Information Center. 116
Environmental Education Planning Seminars for Arizona &Sonora ~ 118
Environmental Education Reform in the California/Baja California Border Region .119
Imperial/Mexicali Valleys Environmental Education Coalition (IMVEEC)
Binational Environmental Education Project 120
The Environmental Education Blueprint of the Californias 121
Environmental Education Planning Seminars forTohono O'odham Nation 122
Training and Environmental Education Materials (TEEM) Building Capacity
Along the U.S.-Mexico Border, EPA Region 6 123
HAZARDOUS and SOLID WASTE WORKGROUP
Update 1993 Maquiladora Industry Hazardous Waste Management and Training Manual 127
City of Nogales Environmental Justice through Pollution Prevention 128
Arizona-Mexico International Green Organization (AMIGO) 129
New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) Border Hazardous Waste
Management Activities 130
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Sistema Integral para el Reciclamiento de Desechos Organicos (SIRDO) in Tijuana
(Integral System for the Recycling of Organic Waste) 131
Hazardous Waste Sampling and Analysis Training 132
EPA/TNRCC Used Oil Border Initiative 133
Hazardous Waste Management Training Course Manual 134
Implementation of the Joint Hazardous and Solid Waste/Enforcement Subworkgroups 135
Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission (TNRCC) Border Hazardous
Waste Management Activities 136
Border Waste Wi$e Web Site Maintenance 137
California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) Border Hazardous
Waste Activities 138
Activities under U.S.-Mexico Consultative Mechanism for the Establishment of New
Sites and for Existing Sites 139
Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission (TNRCC) Border Solid
Waste Management Activities 140
Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) Hazardous Waste
Border Activites 141
Repatriation of Illegally Exported Hazardous Waste 142
Transborder Hazardous Waste Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) Reporting Program 143
U.S.-Mexico Hazardous Waste Tracking System (HAZTRAKS) 144
Tri-National Waste Code Dictionary. 146
Texas Hazardous Waste Border Enforcement Program 147
New Mexico Border Hazardous Waste Program 149
Industry Cooperative Compliance Assistance Outreach Effort 150
Determining the Full Cost of Illegal Dumping Via Training Workshops 152
POLLUTION PREVENTION WORKGROUP
Technology Transfer and Capacity Building on Pollution Prevention with PROFEPA 155
Workshops on Pollution Prevention Techniques 156
Toxic Release Inventory/Mexican Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (TRI/PRTR) 157
Bilingual Pollution Prevention Technical Conferences 158
Technology Transfer and Capacity Building 159
Technical Assistance to Mexican State Environmental Agencies 160
Assist the EPA and SEMARNAP in Obtaining Pollution Prevention Training
Training and Technical Materials 161
TNRCC's Recycling and Municipal Solid Waste Management Trainig 162
Pollution Prevention to Small Business Operations 163
Pollution Prevention in Industrial Facilites in Mexico and Texas: An INFORM
Initiative Involving Local Community Collaboration 164
Pollution Prevention Outreach for Maquiladoras 165
Texas/Mexico Border Pollution Prevention Initiative 166
Small Business Border Region Compliance Pollution Prevention Initiative 167
SCERP
Flows and Regional Risk Assessment of Transporting Hazardous Waste in the
U.S.-Mexico Border Region 171
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Hazardous Waste Training on the U.S.-Mexican Border 172
Energy Recovery from Scrap Tires 173
Geographic Information Systems Development Along the U.S.-Mexico Border. 174
Database Coordination Initiative 175
Integrated Cross-Border GIS for the Imperial Valley-Mexican Interface 176
SCERP Data and Information Outreach and Communication 177
Improving Community Access to Transborder Environmental Information in the..
San Diego-Tijuana Region 178
Enhancing the Communication of Border GIS Data and Analytical Products in the
Binational Context 179
Interactive Teaching of El Paso Air and Water Quality Concerns 180
Analysis of Issues in the Development of a Public Environmental Information
Network in the Texas-Mexico Border 181
Teacher Enhancement and Community Awareness in Air and Water Quality
Education in El Paso 182
Environmental Accounting for Sustainable Development in the San Diego-Tijuana Region ...183
Educating Business Managers in Environmental Choices: A Joint Proposal of
New Mexico State University and Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios
Superiores de Monterrey ^ 184
Border Basket: Analysis of Toxic Metals in Retail Foods, El Paso-Ciudad Juarez 185
Development of a Model for Training Community Advisors in Environmental Health 186
Binational Community-University Partnership for Environmental Health Education 187
Prevention of Childhood Toxic Lead Exposure in a U.S.-Mexico Border Community 188
Identification of Environmental and Nutritional Risk Factors for Neural Tube
Defects Along the California/Baja California Border 189
Residential Behavior and Environmental Hazards in Arizona-Sonora Colonias 190
An Expert Systems Approach to Managing and Minimizing the Consequences of
Accidental Chemical Spills in the U.S.-Mexico Border 191
Changing Land Use Patterns along the United States-Mexican Border: Effects on the
Ecosystem Structure and Climate Feedbacks 192
Mapping and Management of the Coastal Wetlands of Northern Sonora: A
Multi-National Approach 193
Border Woodland Recovery Project 194
Sustainable Model for Watershed Planning: Ecological Suitability and Growth
Management Strategies 195
Analysis and Documentation of the Desertification Process in the Valley of Ojos
Negros, Baja California (Planning Phase) 196
Survey of Riparian Habitats Along the Rio Grande 197
Indian Groups of the California-Baja California Border Region and Border
Environmental Issues 198
An Environmental Assessment Study of Indian Tribes Living in the U.S.-Mexico
Border Region (Planning Phase) 199
Overview of Cooperative Agreement with the Southwest Center for Environmental
Research and Policy (SCERP) 200
Quantitative Analysis of Dynamic, Video Images and Static Images of the Paso
del Norte Air Basin: Years 1992-1994 201
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Upper Atmospheric Wind and Temperature Profile Data for the El Paso-Juarez Airshed 202
Study of Brick Kiln Designs and Development of Technical Courses for the
BrickmakersTraining Center in Ciudad Juarez 203
Seasonal Characterization of Inorganic and Organic Contaminants Associated to
Suspend Particle Matter and Evaluation of its Possible Effects on Children's
Respiratory Health in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico 204
Database Coordination Initiative: Sources of Air Pollution Along the Border;
Analysis of Data, Data bases, and Information; Economic Incentives for
Pollution Reduction 205
Transborder Visibility Analysis: Quantitative Analysis of Dynamic, Multi-Site
Video Images of the Paso del Norte Airshed: Years 1995-1996 206
Coordination and Transfer of Research Efforts to the Brickmakers Training
Center in Ciudad Juarez 207
Reduction of Emissions from Domestic Heating Units Using Low Cost Alternatives 208
Vertical Profiling of Ozone and Ozone Precursors, and Emission Transport Study Using
a Manned, Instrumented Hot Air Balloon Platform 209
Characterization of Border Vehicles: An Expanded Border Vehicle Emission,
Maintenance, and Willingness to Pay Profile 210
Trajectory and Model Analysis of Wind Flow into Big Bend National Park 211
Characterization and Dynamics of Air Pollutants in the Southeastern U.S.-Mexican
Border Area 212
Transborder Trucking and Air Quality in the California-Baja California Border Region 213
Coal Cleaning Opportunities for SO2 Emission Reduction in the Border. 214
Investigation of Point Source Emissions Effects on Air Quality at Big Bend
National Park Using GIS 215
Measurements of Air Quality in Ciudad Juarez Chihuahua, Mexico 216
Identity, Elemental/lsotopic Composition, and Origin of Particulates in El Paso-
Juarez Air, 1968-1998 217
Complex-Terrain Airshed of El Paso-Ciudad Juarez-Sunland Park Basin:
Row and Dispersion 218
Frequency & Origin of Extreme PM10 Air Pollution Episodes at the Hidalgo/Reynosa
Border Crossing 219
Clean Air, Even from Incomplete Combustion 220
An Expanded Emission Profile of Vehicles On-The-Road, and the Willingness-To-Pay
Characteristics for Pollution Reduction of the Population Along U.S.-Mexico
Border Between Tijuana, Mexico and San Diego, California 221
Characterization of Ambient Particulate Matter in the Paso del Norte Region (Paso
del Norte Air Research Program) 222
Provision of Safe Drinking Water for Low-Income Communities along the
U.S.-Mexico Border. 223
Drinking Water Quality in the U.S.-Mexico Border region: Assessment of Water
Supplies, Treatment, and Distribution 224
Monitoring and Modeling of Water Quality in the Tijuana River Watershed 225
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Water Quality and Coupling between Surface and Ground Water: West Texas,
Southern New Mexico, and Northern Chihuahua 226
A Low Cost Strategy for Treating and Reusing Wastewater on the Border. 227
Pilot Sstudy for an Integrated Waste Treatment and Disposal System along the
U.S.-Mexican Border: Ojinaga Community as a Prototype 228
Water Quality Assessment Plan for Columbus, New Mexico, and Puerto Palomas,
Chihuahua 229
Predictive Modeling of the Interactions Between Land Use and Storm Water Quality
In the Tijuana River Watershed 230
Water Desalination and Soluble Organic Compound Removal Using Low Pressure
Reverse Osmosis • 231
Tijuana Estuary Hydrologic Evaluation 232
Economic Analysis of Improved Water Quality in the Rio Grande Project 233
Development of a Hybrid Electrical Power System Using a Wind Turbine and a Spark
Ignited Engine for Air Pollution Mitigation and Water Conservation in the El
Paso/Juarez Region 234
A Methodology for Determining the Best Areas to Expand Wastewater Collection
Systems In the U.S.-Mexico Border Region 235
The Transborder Watershed Research Program 236
WATER WORKGROUP
Nogales Wellhead Protection 239
Characterization of Transboundary Aquifiers in the Middle Texas-Mexico Segment of the
Rio Grande/Rio Bravo 240
Mexicali Wastewater Operator Training 241
Santa Cruz Groundwater Hydrogeologic Modeling 242
Characterization of Trans-International Boundary Aquifiers in Southwest New Mexico 243
Rio Grande Alliance 244
Interagency Agreement Between the International Boundary and Water Commission
and the Environmental Protection Agency in the Administration of Matamoros,
and Nuevo Laredo, Mexico Water and Wastewater Initiatives 245
Toxics Studies of Rio Grande 246
Lower Colorado/New River Toxics Survey. • 247
Demonstration of Safe Drinking Water Treatment Technologies in Mexico 248
Tijuana Wastewater Infrastructure 249
Binational Water Supply Operators Training 250
Mexicali Wastewater Infrastructure 251
South Bay Ocean Outfall/Baseline Monitoring 252
Binationai Wastewater Operations Training 253
Nogales Water and Wastewater Infrastructure 254
U.S.-Mexico Peer Matching Wastewater Treatment Facilities Operation
Demonstration Project 255
Naco Water Quality Monitoring 256
Interagency Agreement Between the International Boundary and Water Commission and the
Environmental Protection Agency in the Administration of Reynosa, Piedras Negras,
and Ciudad Acuna, Mexico Wastewater Initiatives 257
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GLOSSARY OF ABBREVIATIONS.
APPENDIX 1: DIRECTORY OF CONTACTS.
APPENDIX 2: RESOURCE GUIDE.
.259
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The Joint Advisory Committee to the
La Paz Air Work Group
Funding
No information available
Project Purpose
The JAC is a pane! of governmental and non-governmen-
tal stakeholders. The Committee's purpose is to advise
and provide recommendations to the Air Work Group, as
the Air Work Group devises a binational strategy to
improve air quality in the El Paso, Juarez, and Sunland
Park air basin under Annex V.
Project Description
Appendix I to Annex V of the La Paz Agreement created a
joint citizens advisory committee to provide official recom-
mendations from a public body to the La Paz Air Work
Group. Composed of ten members from each country, the
group will promote widespread community involvement in
the implementation of innovative, cost-effective air quality
solutions. The JAC has made a series of recommenda-
tions to the Air Work Group to reduce emissions through-
out the air shed. The JAC is also a liaison among federal
agencies, state agencies, and the community to develop
solutions to pernicious air quality problems.
Status
The JAC has held nine regular meetings, including a
special session to begin drafting a JAC strategic plan. The
Committee has approved a series of recommendations for
the Air Work Group. The Committee has deliberated on
improvement of inspection and maintenance programs,
restrictions on the importation of vehicles into Mexico that
do not meet emission standards, the use of oxygenated
fuel in Juarez, economic incentives and supplemental
environmental projects, establishment of a designated
commuter lane to reduce border crossing congestion, and
support for the efforts of the EPA, SEMARNAP, and other
agencies to complete basin-wide analysis of emission
sources.
The JAC will complete a strategic plan in 1999, that will
serve to highlight those specific projects, areas, and
sources that the JAC and environmental agencies will work
with to improve air quality.
Participant(s)
TNRCC; NMED; EOF; INE; PROFEPA; TNRCC; EPA
U.S. Contact(s)
Matthew Witosky, EPA Region 6, 214-665-8015,
witosky. matthew @ epa.gov;
Victor Valenzuela, TNRCC Region 6 (El Paso), 915-778-
9634
13
AIR WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Border Vehicle Congestion
14
Funding
$105,000
Project Purpose
In response to draft comments on Border XXI, the Air
Workgroup acknowledges the need to create a subgroup
on Border Vehicle Congestion and air quality. The Border
Vehicle Congestion Subgroup will recommend possible
ways to reduce vehicular congestion along the U.S.-
Mexico Border and, thus, reduce vehicular air emissions
within the border region.
Project Description
The Binational Air Workgroup will support the development
of a subgroup on Border Congestion to review ongoing
efforts and make recommendations on innovative ways to
reduce air pollution attributable to congestion at border
crossings. The subgroup will involve participation from a
wide variety of governmental (e.g., DOT, EPA, INE,
Customs, state, local) and non-governmental entities (e.g.,
private sector, NGOs, academia).
Status
A workplan has been developed by the Border Congestion
Subgroup. The Subgroup will convene several times this
year to analyze the results of the public meetings used to
obtain input into the think tank process. These public
meetings will be held in the following areas:
Nogales, AZ, January 14, 1999
San Diego, CA, January 21, 1999
Laredo, TX, January 28, 1999
El Paso, TX, February 3, 1999
The Subgroup will convene in April of this year to evaluate
pollution reduction options which resulted from the public
meetings. Recommendations will be due back to the Air
Workgroup by late 1999.
Participant(s)
EPA; INE; WGA; and representatives from other federal,
state and local government institutions, NGOs, industry,
and academia
U.S. Contact(s)
John Leary, WGA, 303-623-9378;
Victor Hugo Paramo, INE-Mexico City, 52-56-24-3450;
Gerardo Rios, EPA Region 9, 415-744-1259,
rios.gerardo@epa.gov
AIR WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Mexico's Air Pollution Training Program
Funding
No information available
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to build infrastructure and
expertise in Mexico to deliver needed air quality management
training in an efficient and coordinated manner.
Project Description
The UTA is assisting INE and its designated institutions to:
1) design, develop and implement an air pollution training
needs assessment; and 2) establish Mexico's air pollution
training program. The first element will identify the current
and future training needs of federal, state and municipal air
quality management staff in five cities along the border
(Tijuana, Nogales, Ciudad Juarez, Ciudad Acuna and
Matamoros). The second element will identify and develop
needed infrastructure to efficiently prepare and deliver air
quality management training in Mexico. Mexico's air pollution
training program will be supported by three border regional
training centers that will serve as main sources for training
development activities, depositories for environmental
training materials, training sites and satellite downlink sites.
Status
The project accomplished much in 1997. The air pollution
training needs assessment report and the training program
blueprint document are complete. A discussion of the two
documents was held during the March 1996 National
Coordinator's Meeting in El Paso, Texas. INE, ITT, UTA, and
EPA inaugurated the First Regional Environmental Center at
the ITT in April 1996 with the delivery of the Control of
Particulate course. The second center at the ITJ was
inaugurated in August 1996 and the Emissions Inventory
course was delivered as part of the inauguration activities.
Prior to delivery, both courses were translated, adapted, and
pilot tested in Mexico City by the UAM-Azc and INE. Finally, the
training resources identification project was completed by UTA.
Control of Particulates course was delivered in Cd. Juarez in
June, 1997. The finalized course needs survey results.
Outcome(s) for 1998: Delayed training activities and capacity
building. Work is expected to continue into 1999.
Participant(s)
OAQPS; EPA Region 6,9; OIA; UTA; INE; PROFEPA; UAM-
Azc; ITT; ITJ
U.S. Contact(s)
Lourdes Morales, EPA-OAQPS, 919-541-4940,
morales.lourdes@epa.gov
15
AIR WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Big Bend Air Quality
Funding
No information available
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to determine the likely impact
of pollution sources on visibility at Big Bend National Park.
Project Description
Big Bend National Park is a Class I area, where federal land
managers and the EPA are required to protect scenic vistas
from the degradation of visibility. Visibility is the ability to see
the color, shape, contrast, and texture of a landscape or city
skyline. The EPA, the National Park Service, and PROFEPA
are working to identify significant trends in air quality and
visibility, identify industrial and commercial air pollution
sources that degrade air quality, and design a strategy to
reduce air pollution from sources compromising air quality
and visibility.
Status
NPS and PROFEPA (Mexico's Attorney General for the
Environment) completed an initial study in the fall of 1996.
The EPA, NPS, and PROFEPA have concluded the final
report, which will be released to the public in 1999. Mexico
and the United States have agreed to a comprehensive
regional study of visibility to study the impact of a wide range
of source-types in Mexico and the United States. Study
development will take place during 1999, and the field study
will take place in 1999 and 2000.
Participant(s)
NPS; PROFEPA; TNRCC; EPA
U.S. Contact(s)
Miguel Flores, NPS-Denver, 303-969-2072;
Alfredo David Gidi, PROFEPA;
Jim Yarbrough, EPA Region 6, 214-665-7232,
yarbrough.jim@epa.gov
16
AIR WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Agua Prieta-Douglas Air Programs
Funding
$50,000
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to complete a participate
(PM-IO)-air toxics study with an overall goal of determining
ambient air pollutant concentrations, apportioning sources
and their relative impacts, recommending cost-effective
control strategies, and measuring progress/compliance
with the national air quality standards of each country.
Project Description
A total of four sites measuring PM-10, selected air toxics,
and meteorological parameters will be cited on both sides
of the border. An emissions inventory will be developed
early 1999 and sampling will run from January 1999
through January 2000. Subsequent to the completion of
these activities, a draft final report will be prepared by May
2000 and will include exposure-risk assessment, source
attribution, and potential control strategies. A final report is
scheduled for completion by August 2000.
Status
Air Monitoring equipment has been installed in Douglas
and in Agua Prieta. The study will move forward as stated
in the description.
Participant(s)
INE; SEMARNAP; EPA; ADEQ; the state of Sonora ; City
of Douglas; City of Agua Prieta
U.S. Contact(s)
Gerardo Monroy, ADEQ, 520-628-6732;
Gerardo Rios, EPA Region 9, 415-744-1259,
rios.gerardo@epa.gov
17
AIR WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Mexico Emissions Inventory
Development Program
18
Funding
$257,000
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to build the capacity in
Mexico for the development of emissions inventories that
can be used by both countries for binational air programs.
These emissions data will provide Mexico with a better
understanding of its own air pollution sources and thus
form the basis for developing an emissions control
program. They will also enhance the U.S. air quality
planning process.
Project Description
The follow-up body to the GCVTC and Mexico have
common needs for developing emissions inventory
information. The GCVTC follow-up body is sponsoring
projects to develop an emissions inventory for areas,
including Mexico, that potentially contribute to regional
haze on the Colorado Plateau. Mexico is conducting a
variety of air quality planning efforts that will benefit from
countrywide emission information.
Status
The final implementation plan for the methodology was
developed. Training course materials and inventory
manuals are being prepared. Training was delivered in
Juarez (August 1996) and Tijuana (November 1996).
Technical studies have been planned and will consist of
five parts: special studies and refinement of inventory
methodology; methodology testing; validation of emission
estimates; emission factor applicability to Mexico; and
uncertainty analysis. Pilot implementations were planned
for Mexicali and Tijuana. The pilot program for Mexicali is
currently being implemented. The pilot implementation for
Tijuana began in the last quarter of calendar year 1998.
The following manuals were completed: Fundamentals,
Basic Emission Estimating Techniques, Point Sources,
Area Sources, Motor Vehicles, and the Advanced Training
Workbook. Also, the prototype to the point source
questionnaire was completed.
Additional training manuals were developed this year both
in English and in Spanish. The Mexicali Emissions
Inventory Pilot Project is almost complete and will provide
the necessary information to refine the manuals further
and allow the creation of a trainers manual. The database
options analysis was completed this summer. The
workplan for the Mobile Source Studies and the develop-
ment of a Mobile-Mexico Model are expected to be
completed this year. The implementation of these
workplans is expected to be completed in 1999. The
Tijuana emissions inventory pilot implementation will begin
in the first quarter of calendar year 1999.
Parti cipant(s)
EPA; SEMARNAP; INE; WGA; Border States; municipali-
ties
U.S. Contact(s)
John Leary, WA, 303-623-9378;
Gerardo Rios, EPA Region 9, 415-744-1259,
rios.gerardo@epa.gov
AIR WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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California-Baja California Intensive Air
Quality Monitoring Study
Funding
$435,000 in 1998
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to undertake a special monitor-
ing study to provide the additional information required for the
development of ozone, particulate matter and carbon
monoxide attainment plans in the California - Baja California
Border Region. In addition, the study will generate the data
that will be used to integrate the northern Mexico border
region into the Southern California Ozone Study.
Project Description
To verify and assess the emission inventories under
development for Baja California, GARB will undertake a
meteorological and air quality study that will supplement the
data from existing networks in Tijuana and Mexicali. The first
phase will provide an ambient hydrocarbon and meteorologi-
cal data set that will allow the use of source/receptor type
mathematical models for estimating uncertainties in the
emissions inventory. The second phase will provide
additional upper-air meteorological measurements that will
allow the area of Baja California to be integrated into the
Southern California Ozone Study. The primary objective of
the Southern California Ozone Study is to develop a meteo-
rological and air quality data set that will be used to exercise
a regional photochemical model.
A detailed breakout of costs is currently available along with a
more detailed project proposal. The total cost of the study is
at the same level as other similar field studies and in
proportion to the costs of larger field studies (e.g., El Paso-
Juarez-Sunland Park Summer Ozone Study).
Status
The California-Baja California Technical Sub-workgroup of
the Binational Air Workgroup has met regularly to discuss the
project. The summer ozone monitoring data collection was
completed. GARB will provide a report on its findings for
Phase I of the study.
SARB will perform Phase II of the study, which includes an
inventory of mobile source emissions along the California-
Baja California Border.
Participant(s)
EPA; GARB; San Diego Air Pollution Control District; Imperial
Valley Air Pollution Control District; Western Governors
Association; INE; SEMARNAP
U.S. Contact(s)
Mark Fuentes, GARB, 619-645-5233;
Caspar Torres, Imperial APCD, 619-339-4606;
Dan Speer, San Diego APCD, 619-694-3311;
Gerardo Rios, EPA Region 9, 415-744-1259,
rios.gerardo@epa.gov
19
AIR WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Brownsville/Laredo Air Programs
20
Funding
No information available
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to develop and operate
monitoring station networks in Brownsville and Laredo for
nitrogen oxides, ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide,
particulate (PM-10), lead, pesticides, and meteorological
parameters (e.g., wind speed/wind direction). These efforts
are designed to acquire better baseline air quality information
for these cities.
Project Description
Given the physical, demographic, vehicular traffic, and
industrial characteristics of the Brownsville-Matamoros and
Laredo-Nuevo Laredo air basins, there is an immediate need
to evaluate levels of targeted air pollutants. Annex Vto the
1983 La Paz agreement directs EPA and INE to assess the
causes of, and develop solutions to, air quality problems in
border sister cities.
The EPA is sponsoring monitors in both communities. In
Brownsville and Laredo, TNRCC operates a monitoring
device for polyaromatic hydrocarbons, ozone, carbon
monoxide, volatile organic compounds, lead, arsenic, and
meteorological data. The EPA, TNRCC, and NMED will
discuss the addition of a monitor in another border city where
little or no monitoring is currently taking place.
Status
The TNRCC has collected the data and reported it into the
EPA AIRS system for review and retrieval. In 1998, the
TNRCC continues operation of the air monitoring network.
Participant(s)
EPA; TNRCC
U.S. Contact(s)
Stuart Dattner, TNRCC;
Matthew Witosky, EPA Region 6, 214-665-7214,
witosky.matthew@epa.gov
AIR WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Ambos Nogales Air Programs
Funding
$50,000 in 1998
Project Purpose
Based on the results of the particulate (PM-10) air toxics
study, the purpose of this project is to recommend cost
effective control strategies and continue base monitoring to
measure progress/compliance with the national air quality
standards of each country.
Project Description
A total of six sites measuring PM-10, PM-2.5, and meteoro-
logical parameters, as well as four air toxics sites measuring
selected air toxics, operated on both sides of the border for
one year. All sites ran on a winter-intensive (1 in 3-day cycle)
sampling schedule from October 1994 through March 1995,
and subsequently returned to the regular (1 in 6-day cycle)
sampling schedule. The large-scale monitoring portion of the
study has terminated, although one base site will continue
operating on each side of the border for ongoing measure-
ment of PM-10, PM-2.5 and meteorological parameters.
Emissions inventory has been developed.
Status
An initial report was prepared November 1997. However, this
report did not include exposure/risk assessment, source
attribution, and potential control strategies. These initial
results were presented to the public in mid 1998. Afinal
report should be ready by July 1999, and it will include
exposure/risk assessment, source attribution and potential
control strategies.
Participant(s)
INE; SEMARNAP; EPA; ADEQ; the state of Sonora; Gity of
Nogales, Sonora; City of Nogales, Arizona
U.S. Contact(s)
Gerardo Monroy, ADEQ, 520-628-6732;
Gerardo Rios, EPA Region 9, 415-744-1259,
rios.gerardo@epa.gov;
Victor Hugo Paramo, INE-Ciudad de Mexico, 011-525-624-
3450
21
AIR WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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CICA - U.S.-Mexico Information Center on Air
Pollution/Centro de Informacion sobre
Contaminacion del Aire
Funo!ing
22
$120,000
Project Purpose
The center (CICA) provides Mexican federal, state and
local environmental officials and universities working along
the U.S.-Mexico border with access to pertinent informa-
tion related to assessment of air pollutant emissions,
ambient monitoring, dispersion modeling, control technolo-
gies and pollution prevention programs that will aid in
achievement of emission reductions.
Project Description
The CICA capabilities include: access to EPA technical
expertise through a bilingual (Spanish/English) information
line (toll-free for Mexico); fully functional World Wide Web
Homepage; technical assistance, including EPA contractor
support, on air-related problems; Spanish-language
versions of technical documents and air quality models;
maintenance and improvements to the U.S.-Mexico
ambient air quality monitoring clearinghouse (in conjunc-
tion and integrated with the CICA Home Page); answering
technical questions and providing information and access
to CATC products, services and data bases.
Status
* Issued final report: "Air Emissions from Scrap Tire
Combustion"; EPA-600/R-97-115 (English)
* Issued final report: "Ambient Air Monitoring Plan for
Ciudad Acufta and Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico";
EPA-456/R-98-001 (English) and EPA-456/R-98-002
(Spanish)
Expected Outcome(s) for 1998: Issue final Spanish
versions of SCREENS and ISCLT3 air quality dispersion
models; Issue final report: "Air Emissions from Scrap Tire
Combustion"; EPA-600/R-97-115 (Spanish); Complete
report: 'Technical Basis for Appendices to Annex IV of the
La Paz Agreement"; Initiate laboratory study and testing:
"Emissions from Street Vender Cooking Devices"; Initiate
study with EPA Region VI: "Evaluation of Emission
Reductions for Point, Area and Mobile Source Emissions
in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico"; Initiate grant through EPA
Region VI to the TNRCC for: "Ciudad Juarez Multi-Modal
Transportation Study, Phase II"; and Initiate a grant
through EPA Region IX to the Western Governors Associa-
tion: "Ambient Air Quality Monitoring for Tecate."
Participant(s)
IINE; EPA
U.S. Contact(s)
Bob Blaszczak, EPA/OAQPS, 919-541-5432,
blaszczak. bob @ epa.gov;
Rosalina Rodriguez, EPA/OAQPS, 919-541-5298,
Rodriguez.rosalina@epa.gov;
Jaime Mendieta, EPA/OAQPS, 919-541-0547,
mendieta.jaime @ epa.gov;
CICA Home Page - http://www.epa.gov/ttn/catc/cica/
CICA Hotline - From Mexico Toil-Free 800-304-1115
From all other locations 919-541-1800 FAX: 919-541-
0242
AIR WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Ciudad Juarez - El Paso -
Sunland Park Air Quality Study
Funding
No information available
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to achieve the NAAQS on the
U.S. side, and the Mexican Official Norms on Air Quality in
the Mexican side of the Ciudad Juarez, Sunland Park, and
El Paso region. Provide technical assistance and coopera-
tion to enhance the ability of the state, local and federal
governments to improve air quality in the region.
Project Description
The EPA and SEMARNAP are charged with the leadership
role of attaining the air quality standards in the Ciudad
Juarez, El Paso, and Sunland Park air basin. The regional
geographic features of the "Paso del Norte" area require a
coordinated effort among federal, state, and local officials
charged with regulatory responsibility to improve air quality.
The U.S. and Mexico are basing their activities on the U.S.
model of gathering actual meteorological data, gathering
information on emissions in an inventory format, and using
computer analysis to recreate the pollution dispersion and
photochemical pollution formation processes. The EPA
and SEMARNAP will use these analytical tools to design a
control strategy to improve air quality across the binational
air basin.
Status
Air quality planning and monitoring activities continue in
the air basin as part of the ongoing U.S. and Mexican air
quality protection programs. These include operation of a
monitoring network in El Paso, Sunland Park, and Juarez
for nitrogen oxides, ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur
dioxide, particulate (PM-10), lead, and wind speed/wind
direction and other meteorological parameters. The EPA
hosted a seminar on photochemical grid modeling systems
to train appropriate personnel on ozone modeling tech-
niques. The EPA expects to conduct full modeling
exercises during 1999.
Participant(s)
INE; SEMARNAP - Chihuahua; TNRCC; Cd. Juarez, El
Paso; Chihuahua; EPA; NMED
U.S. Contact(s)
Jim Yarbrough, EPA Region 6, 214-665-7232,
yarbrough .jim @ epa.gov;
Matthew Witosky, EPA Region 6, 214-665-8015,
witosky.matthew@epa.gov;
Cecilia Williams, NMED, 505-827-0042;
Archie Clouse TNRCC, 915-778-9634;
Jesus Reynoso City of El Paso, 915-771-5816;
Diana Borja TNRCC, 512-239-1000
23
AIR WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Tijuana-San Diego Air Programs
Funding
$268,000
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to continue development and
operation of monitoring networks in Tijuana for nitrogen
oxides, ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, particulates
(PM-10), lead, selected airborne toxic compounds, and
meteorological parameters (e.g., wind speed/wind direction).
In addition to the monitoring efforts, emissions inventory work
will commence in this area. These efforts are intended to lay
the foundation for an air quality management program with
overall goals of determining ambient air pollutant concentra-
tions, apportioning sources and their relative impacts,
recommending cost effective control strategies, and
measuring progress/compliance with the air quality stan-
dards of each country.
Project Description
The Tijuana-San Diego projects represent a continuation of
efforts to operate the Tijuana air monitoring network, analyze
samples, quality assure data, and provide technical support.
Emissions inventory work will be based on the recently
developed Mexican emissions inventory methodology. (See
"Emissions Inventory Methodology Pilot Project") The
methodology identifies the most appropriate emissions
estimation methods by individual source type for point area,
motor vehicle, and natural sources.
Status
The California - Baja California Technical Sub-workgroup of
the Binational Air Workgroup met regularly to discuss the
projects and contractors provided technical support in the
installation, operation and maintenance of the network. The
six station air monitoring network was completed and is fully
operational.
24
Continued operation of the air monitoring stations. Delayed
training and infrastructure development for INE and/or local
government to begin phasing into the operation and mainte-
nance of the network due to changes in administration of
SEMARNAP-Baja California. A total of $36,000 was allo-
cated FY98 to begin this process both in Mexicali and
Tijuana.
Participant(s)
EPA; GARB; San Diego Air Pollution Control District; Imperial
Valley Air Pollution Control District; WGA; INE(Mexico City);
SEMARNAP; ITT
U.S. Contact(s)
Mark Fuentes, GARB, 619-645-5233;
Dan Speer, San Diego APCD, 619-694-3311;
Gerardo Rios, EPA Region 9, 415-744-1259,
rios.gerardo@epa.gov
AIR WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Energy and Air Quality
Funding
$50,000
Project Purpose
In response to draft comments on Border XXI, the Air
Workgroup acknowledges the need to create a subgroup
on Energy and Air Quality. The Subgroup will recommend
opportunities to conserve energy, increase energy effi-
ciency, and reduce air pollution within the border region.
Project Description
The Binational Air Workgroup will support the development
of a subgroup on Energy and Air Quality to review ongoing
efforts and make recommendations on innovative ways to
promote energy efficiency and the increased use of
renewable energy sources in the border region. The
subgroup will involve participation from a wide variety of
governmental (e.g., DOE, EPA, INE, PEMEX, CFE, state,
local) and non-governmental entities (e.g., private sector,
NQOs, academia). The Subgroup was initiated by the
Binational Air Workgroup in February 1997. The Subgroup
met twice and a draft workplan outline was developed for
the Subgroup.
Status
The Subgroup will meet several times this year to finalize
the workplan. However, as a result of meetings with
Mexico and new agreements made between DOE and
Mexico, the subgroup will redirect its efforts to take
advantage of the additional venues opened by these
energy agreements.
Participant(s)
EPA; INE; WGA; and representatives from other federal,
state, local government institutions, NGOs, industry, and
academic institutions
U.S. Contact(s)
John Leary, WGA, 303-623-9378;
Gerardo Rios, EPA-Region 9, 415-744-1259,
rios.gerardo @ epa.gov
25
AIR WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Mexicali-Imperial Valley Air Programs
Funding
$268.000
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to continue operation of
monitoring network Mexican for nitrogen oxides, ozone,
carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, particuiates (PM-10), lead,
selected airborne toxic compounds, and meteorological
parameters (e.g., wind speed/wind direction). In addition to
the monitoring efforts, emissions inventory work is underway
in this area. These efforts are intended to lay the foundation
for an air quality management program with overall goals of
determining ambient air pollutant concentrations, apportion-
ing sources and their relative impacts, recommending cost
effective control strategies, and measuring progress/
compliance with the air quality standards of each country.
Project Description
The Mexicali - Imperial Valley project represents a continua-
tion of efforts to operate the Mexicali air monitoring network,
analyze samples, quality assure data, and provide technical
support. Emissions inventory work is based on the recently
developed Mexican emissions inventory methodology. (See
"Emissions Inventory Methodology Pilot Project") The
methodology identifies the most appropriate emissions
estimation methods by individual source type for point area,
motor vehicle, and natural sources.
Status
Accomplishments of 1997: The California - Baja California
Technical Sub-workgroup of the Binational Air Workgroup
met regularly to discuss the projects and contractors
provided technical support in the installation, operation and
maintenance of the network as well as the development of an
emissions inventory.
26
Outcome(s) for 1998: Continued operation of the air
monitoring stations. Delayed training and infrastructure
development for INE and/or local government to begin
phasing into the operation and maintenance of the network
due to changes in administration in SEMARNAP-Baja
California. A total of $36,000 was allocated FY98 to begin
this process both in Mexicali and Tijuana.
Participant(s)
EPA; GARB; San Diego Air Pollution Control District; Imperial
Valley Air Pollution Control District; WGA; INE(Mexico City);
SEMARNAP; ITT
U.S. Contact(s)
Mark Fuentes, CARB, 619-645-5233;
Caspar Torres, Imperial APCD, 619-339-4606;
Gerardo Rios, EPA Region 9,415-744-1259,
rios.gerardo@epa.gov
AIR WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
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Rio Grande Watershed Mobile Exhibit
Funding
This project was awarded a grant in the amount of $40,000 in
August, 1997.
Project Purpose
The goal of this project is to produce a mobile exhibit focused
on the Rio Grande Watershed and associated educational
materials. The exhibit and materials will be presented to
schools and communities in the region.
Project Description
In an effort to increase the base of scientific knowledge to
support improved protection and management of water
resources, the McAIIen International Museum will design,
fabricate, and implement an interactive mobile exhibit on the
topic of the Rio Grande Watershed, the water cycle in
general, and conservation. The project will be part of the
Museum's ongoing community outreach program and their
larger Rio Grande Watershed initiative, The River Runs
Through Us. The anticipated project outcome is an in-
creased public awareness and involvement in protecting and
sustaining local water resources.
Status
Building of the project was delayed until Spring, 1998, largely
due to the process of choosing a contractor.
Participant(s)
McAIIen International Museum; EPA
U.S. Contact(s)
Mary Catherine Cloud, McAIIen International Museum,
210-682-1564;
Mike Vaughn, EPA, 214-665-7313
29
BORDER XXI GRANTS
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Arizona-Mexico International Green
Organization (AMIGO)
Funding
This project was awarded a grant in the amount of $40,000 in
September, 1997.
Project Purpose
This project aims to bring Arizona and Mexico industries
together to share technologies that reduce waste and
pollution and increase profits, worker safety, and environ-
mental health.
Project Description
The focus of AMIGO is to promote pollution prevention and
improve waste management practices among industries in
the Arizona-Sonora border region. The focal point of the
project will be the maquiladora industry in Ambos Nogales
due to the higher concentration of maquiladoras in these
sister cities compared to neighboring sister cities. However,
efforts will also extend to industries from Douglas/Agua
Prieta, Ambos Nacos, and the San Luis/Yuma areas.
Facilities, trade associations, and government agencies on
both sides of the border will be invited to participate in AMIGO
activities, including information-sharing on successful waste
reduction activities, technology transfer, a pollution prevention
conference, and augmentation of environmental clearing-
houses located in the libraries of Ambos Nogales.
Status
The project has been extended into 1999 to facilitate
implementation.
Participant(s)
ADEQ; EPA
U.S. Contact(s)
Sandra Eberhardt, ADEQ, 602-207-4210;
Chris Reiner, EPA 9, 415-744-2096, reiner.chris@epa.gov
30
BORDER XXI GRANTS
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Fermin Calderon Elementary Nature Trail
and Environmental Study Project
Funding
This project was awarded a grant in the amount of $40,000 in
August, 1997.
Project Purpose
This project entails the construction of a nature trail for
educational and public use on the property of Fermin
Calderon Elementary School in Del Rio, Texas.
Project Description
Located in Val Verde County, Texas, a fast-growing border
area on the Rio Grande River, the proposed Fermin Calderon
Elementary Nature Trail will serve the binational communities
of Del Rio/Laughlin A.F.B., Texas and Ciudad Acufia,
Coahuila. Extensive development in the area with little
environmental consideration has resulted in a lack of green
areas and maintained outdoor recreational facilities open to
the general public in which to enjoy and learn from natural
areas. The eight-foot-wide trail will be constructed along the
periphery of the 114-acre school grounds and will incorporate
several local ecological zones and feature the use of native-
species vegetation. The trail will serve as a focal point of the
school's environmental education projects as well as serve
the needs of the local community.
Status
The project will need to be extended six months to accom-
modate the extra time needed for the project and for the
required final project evaluation.
Participant(s)
San Felipe del Rio Consolidated Independent School District;
EPA
U.S. Contact(s)
Ricardo Jimenez, San Felipe del Rio School District,
210-774-9968;
Michael Vaughan, EPA Region 6, 214-665-7313,
vaughan.michael@epa.gov
31
BORDER XXI GRANTS
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Environmental Management for Border
Businesses with Attention to the Laws
of the U.S. and Mexico
Funding
This project was awarded a grant in the amount of $39,800 in
September, 1997.
Project Purpose
This project aims to improve the capabilities of border
businesses to comply with environmental regulations in the
United States and Mexico.
Project Description
As is often the case along the border, lack of environmental
awareness and education are cited as chief barriers in
resolving the border zone's environmental problems. The
submitting partners propose to use satellite downlink
classrooms in Las Cruces and Ciudad Juarez to conduct
expert sessions that examine environmentally sustainable
management practices that in many cases also serve as
practical ways to lower the cost of doing business. Through
training in environmental law, ecosystem management
principles, hazardous and solid waste management, pollution
prevention, and the balancing of industrial development and
environmental concerns, the project organizers hope to raise
awareness and promote environmentally-sound business
management.
Status
Five seminars, two in April, two in May, and one in June of
1998, have been held on the handling and management of
environmental impacts at maquiladoras.
Participant(s)
NMSU College of Business Administration and Economics;
ITESM; El Paso Foreign Trade Association; EPA
U.S. Contact(s)
Grace Ann Rosile, NMSU Bureau of Business Research and
Services, 505-646-1201;
Joy Campbell, EPA Region 6,214-665-8036,
campbeli.joy@epa.gov
32
BORDER XXI GRANTS
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Interagency Coordination, Technology Exchange,
Chemical Emergency Response and Planning
Funding
This project was awarded a grant in the amount of $39,420 in
September, 1997.
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project will increase cross-border
interagency coordination for chemical spills and other
emergencies by providing training specific to firefighters and
first responders on how to proceed with a chemical emer-
gency at the border.
Project Description
This project aims to improve preparedness of emergency
personnel responding to chemical accidents at the border
through training and information sessions. These sessions
will include: 1) two incident command systems seminars
aimed at Fire and Police Chiefs in Mexico; 2) two first
responder operations classes for firefighters and police
officers from Mexico; 3) three first responder eight-hour
awareness classes for firefighters and police officers from
Mexico; and 4) two 16-hour Binational Chemical Emergency
Management workshops for U.S. and Mexican officials.
Status
Work on the project began in late 1997, and the project has
received a no-cost extension until March, 1999.
Participant(s)
County of San Diego; EPA
U.S. Contact(s)
Chris Gonaver, County of San Diego, DEH, 619-338-2201;
David Fege, EPA Region 9 San Diego Border Office,
619-235-4769, fege.dave@epa.gov
33
BORDER XXI GRANTS
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Indoor Air Awareness Campaign
Funding
This project was awarded a grant in the amount of
$39,993 in September, 1997.
Project Purpose
This project aims to implement a public outreach campaign
in the U.S.-Mexico border area to increase awareness of the
risks associated with indoor air pollutants and to provide
education about available prevention measures.
Project Description
The project consists of an awareness campaign that will be
implemented in colonias of the west Texas border area. The
campaign will initially highlight the health risks of second-
hand smoke to colonia residents and their children, with
proposed additional information-sharing with residents about
other air pollution risks common in colonia homes. These
include such common problems as tobacco smoke, carbon
monoxide, radon, asbestos, pesticides, biological contami-
nants, solvents and paints, CO2, VOCs, etc., and often
involve improper handling or storage as well as unfamiliarity
with the risks involved. The project will consist of outreach
by trained personnel and distribution of literature, as well as
data collection and monitoring.
Status
The Centerfor Inter-American and Border Studies finalized
the "Indoor AirQuality Facilitator's Guide" in English and
Spanish. The guide is the main training tool for use in a
seminar to train health promoters to go into the community
and educate the public on indoor air quality risks. The center
also held the first Indoor Air Quality training program for local
health promoters at the UTEP campus on March 25,1998,
providing a "train the trainer" seminar for 14 participants.
Participant(s)
UTEP Center for Inter-American and Border Studies;
USMBH;EPA
34
U.S. Contact(s)
Duncan Earle, UTEP, 915-747-5196;
Steve Fargo, EPA, 214-665-8015
BORDER XXI GRANTS
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Water Protection and Hygiene
Education Project
Funding
This project was awarded a grant in the amount of
$40,000 in August, 1997.
Project Purpose
This project aims to increase the understanding of environ-
mental sanitation, demonstrating simple, low-cost tech-
niques for water storage and disinfection, and improving
hygiene-related behaviors.
Project Description
Water is essential to life and critical to the maintenance of
good health, and safe drinking water is a primary public
health concern. PCI is developing a demonstration water
protection and hygiene education program designed to
benefit up to 400 high-risk households in various marginal
communities in Tijuana, Baja California. The project is part
of PCI's Border Health Initiative, a binational, community-wide
effort to ensure access to health services for underserved
individuals and communities in the California-Baja California
region. This one-year demonstration project is designed to
provide participants with a safer means of storing drinking
water, increase protective chlorine usage, and improve
hygienic behavior overall.
Status
Work on the project began in late 1997.
Participant(s)
PCI, Medicina Social Comunitaria; EPA
U.S. Contact(s)
Lori Buchsbaum, PCI, 619-279-9690;
David Fege, EPA 9 San Diego Border Office,
619-235-4769, fege.dave@epa.gov
35
BORDER XXI GRANTS
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Pollution Prevention in Industrial Facilities in
Mexico and Texas: An INFORM Initiative
Involving Local Community Collaboration
Funding
This project was awarded a grant in the amount of $40,000
in September, 1997.
Project Purpose
The project goal is to encourage change in industrial
operations and public policies in the region by equipping
participants with skills and expertise in pollution preven-
tion, enabling them to work independently toward that goal
once INFORM's involvement at the local level is over.
Project Description
The geographic region extending from southern Texas
across the border into Mexico, more than any industrialized
region in North America, faces among the most severe
environmental and public health challenges resulting from
toxic chemical use and waste. The region is home to
numerous industrial facilities, many of which are using or
producing toxic chemicals that directly affect the air, soil,
and water quality of communities located near these
facilities. Aware of the tremendous challenges they face,
but not content to live with these hazards, environmental
leaders and local community groups in Matamoros,
Mexico, and Houston, Texas — two areas facing especially
severe toxic contamination — are working with INFORM to:
1) obtain detailed and comprehensible information on
pollution prevention programs and progress within indus-
trial facilities in the region; and 2) learn how to track
ongoing improvement. This project is designed to ultimately
encourage the adoption of institutionalized public policies,
programs, and incentives by government and industry which will
promote pollution prevention and continuous environmental
improvement in the industrial sector.
Status
In partnership with the Texas Center for Policy Studies,
INFORM conducted a one-day industrial source reduction
training workshop in Matamoros, Mexico on October 19,
1997.
36
Participants included local environmental and community
groups and citizens living near one or more of the chemical
manufacturing maquiladora plants. Plans have been made
for the participants to hold their first meeting with officials
of Quimica Fluor, a local plant manufacturing hydrofluoric
acid.
Participant(s)
INFORM; Education Foundation of America; EPA
U.S. Contact(s)
Marian Wise, INFORM, 1-800-221-6263 ext. 231;
Joy Campbell, EPA Region 6, 214-665-8036,
campbell.joy@epa.gov
BORDER XXI GRANTS
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Nogales Community Outreach
and Participation
Funding
This project was awarded a grant in the amount of $36,700
in September, 1997.
Project Purpose
This project aims to build community capacity for public
outreach and expand community participation in environ-
mental and environmental health issues in the communi-
ties of Nogales, Arizona and Nogales, Sonora.
Project Description
The project encompasses three primary activities aimed at
facilitating information dissemination and community
participation in environmental concerns: 1) expansion of
Environmental Resource Centers located in Nogales,
Arizona and Nogales, Sonora to provide additional
information to the public and to serve as community
education centers; 2) expanded outreach training pro-
grams focusing on household hazardous waste and solid
waste management, groundwater and drinking water
protection, and other similar issues; and 3) expanded
literacy training programs focusing on increasing public
involvement in environmental issues through English
instruction to Spanish speakers.
Status
Work on the project began in late 1997.
Participant(s)
City of Nogales; Nogales Santa Cruz County Public
Library; Literacy Volunteers of America; Southeast Arizona
Area Health Education Center; EPA
U.S. Contact(s)
Laura De La Ossa-Larson, City of Nogales, 520-287-6571;
Lorena Lopez, EPA Region 9 San Diego Border Office,
619-235-4768, lopez.lorena@ epa.gov
37
BORDER XXI GRANTS
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Agua Para Beber
Funding
This project was awarded a grant in the amount of
$40,000 in August, 1997.
Project Purpose
The goal of the program is to offer an intermediate solution to
help improve the safety of drinking water, and thus the quality
of life, for low-income border residents.
Project Description
The provision of safe drinking water is the most critical health
issue in low-income areas along the U.S.-Mexico border that
are still unserved or under-served by potable water and
sewage services. This project plans to address these
problems through a multi-faceted approach entailing
technical and educational training, as well as the distribution
of 500 drinking water storage and disinfection kits to resi-
dents of colonias on both sides of the border. Trained
monitors will track improvements in drinking water quality
and evaluate progress toward the project's overall objective
of improving the health of colonia residents through reducing
the incidence of gastrointestinal disease due to contaminated
water.
Status
The project has been extended three months, through
September 30,1998, in order to accommodate delays in the
project.
Participant(s)
UT Health Science Center at San Antonio; UTEP Center for
Environmental Resource Management; STEERC; Primary
Health Care Services for Webb County Colonias; EPA
38
U.S. Contact(s)
Joan Engelhardt, STEERC, 210-723-6284;
Michael Vaughan, EPA Region 6,214-665-7313,
vaughan.michael@epa.gov
BORDER XXI GRANTS
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Border Environmental Education
Resource Guide
Funding
This project was awarded a grant in the amount of
$40,000 in September, 1997.
Project Purpose
The principle objective of the project is to compile and
disseminate information on environmental education
resources for use by school teachers, environmental
education resource professionals, other community educa-
tors, and ultimately, all interested residents of the U.S.-
Mexico border region.
Project Description
The continued growth of social and environmental problems
along the U.S.-Mexico border has, in recent years, engen-
dered a myriad of educational responses from public
agencies and private organizations on both sides of the
border. Unfortunately, widespread access to information
about these programs has been limited. Compilation and
dissemination of a Border Environmental Education Re-
source Guide is designed to empower educators in program
planning and development, helping them to locate existing
programs that can then be adapted for use in other border
localities. The information collected as part of the Environ-
mental Education Exchange's project will be distributed in
both printed and electronic formats. The Resource Guide
will provide an invaluable networking tool, allowing municipali-
ties, public agencies, and private organizations to plan and
prioritize their educational needs in an environment of
enhanced communication.
Status
Work on the project began in late 1997.
Participant(s)
Environmental Education Exchange; EPA
U.S. Contact(s)
Neil Boss Markpwitz, Environmental Education Exchange,
520-670-1442;
Lorena Lopez, EPA Region 9 San Diego Border Office,
619-235-4768, lopez.lorena@epa.gov
39
BORDER XXI GRANTS
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
A Binational Project to Restore Wetlands
in the Colorado River Delta
Funding
This project was awarded a grant in the amount of
$40,000 in September, 1997.
Project Purpose
The project will examine problems related to water quality in
the Colorado River region and attempt to arrive at solutions
to these problems while simultaneously reversing the decline
of the delta.
Project Description
With a focus on the wetlands of the Colorado River Delta,
this project will produce: 1) an inventory and evaluation of the
water quality and flows in the wetlands; 2) a comprehensive
assessment of the critical ecological wetlands and near-
shore marine resources; and 3) an identification and rank of
preferred water supply options as a basis for delta wetland
restoration.
Status
The grant was awarded and work on the project commenced
in late 1997.
Participant(s)
EOF; Environmental Research Laboratory at the U of A;
ITESM-.EPA
U.S. Contact(s)
Chelsea Congdon, EOF, 303-440-4901;
Eugenia McNaughton, EPA Region 9, 415-744-1280,
mcnaughton.eugenia@epa.gov
BORDER XXI GRANTS
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Borderplex Environmental Education Center
Funding
This project was awarded a grant in the amount of $40,000 in
September, 1997.
Project Purpose
The BEEC will establish a regional, bi-national environmental
center accessible to the public which will serve as a
gathering point for environmental data and information.
Project Description
The Lower Rio Grande Valley and its neighboring constitu-
ents across the Texas/Mexico border are in need of a
program which will allow a vast and accurate amount of
environmental information to be broadcast to the general
public. The BEEC is designed to serve this need through its
mission to inform and educate all interested parties about
regional environmental concerns, instruct individuals as to
their role in maintaining a safe, healthy environment, and
assist agencies in gathering necessary information pertain-
ing to environmental concerns. The center will solicit the
involvement, on a volunteer basis, of government and non-
governmental agencies, secondary schools within the
Borderplex, community universities, and non-profit organiza-
tions in the constant gathering of new information about the
local environmental status and the potential dangers
threatening the border region. The center will also conduct
community outreach activities in the hope of increasing local
environmental awareness.
Status
The BEIC is located in the Brownsville Public Library and is
staffed 15 hours a week. The center has 221 environmental
documents and studies from governments and NGOs and
includes 14 VMS tapes. A binational advisory board of 27
members has been selected. Two English and Spanish
newsletters have been mailed to 350 residents. The
binational programs will focus on municipal waste and
emergency planning. The center is being publicized by its
members while attending conferences, hosting meetings at
the center, and making presentations to the public.
Participant(s)
City of Brownsville; EPA
U.S. Contact(s)
Carlos Rubinstein, City of Brownsville, 210-548-6005;
Fendol Chiles, EPA Region 6,214-665-2283,
fendol.chiles@epa.gov
41
BORDER XXI GRANTS
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
PROBEA: A Teacher Training Model for
Binational Watershed and
Water Quality Education and Monitoring
Funding
This project was awarded a grant in the amount of
$39,970 in September, 1997.
Project Purpose
This project is focused on training teachers in the Tijuana
and Ensenada areas of Baja California in the principles of
environmental education with the goal of producing environ-
mentally-literate citizens able to confront the region's growing
environmental problems.
Project Description
The PROBEA Teacher Training project is designed to
supplement and enhance environmental education efforts in
Mexican boraer-area schools by offering training in environ-
mental education to area teachers. The training focuses on
water quality management in the Tijuana River watershed,
and includes scientific data collection as well as the use of
course-specific curriculum materials. The project plans to
train teachers at three different levels, corresponding to
different levels of intensity and detail of ecological instruction.
The plan also calls for at least 20 classes to be engaged in
water quality monitoring throughout the Tijuana River
watershed by the completion date. Through training and
education of teachers, the PROBEA project hopes to affect
the next generation of citizens, planners, and environmental
decision-makers and develop an awareness of local
environmental issues.
Status
Work on the project began in late 1997.
Participant(s)
San Diego Natural History Museum; Daedalus Alliance for
Environmental Education; Tijuana Municipal Commission for
Planning, Development, and Education; ETSI; EPA
U.S. Contact(s)
Doretta Winkelman, San Diego Natural History Museum,
619-232-3821;
Lorena Lopez, EPA Region 9 San Diego Border Office,
619-235-4768, lopez.lorena@epa.gov
BORDER XXI GRANTS
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Cochise County-Northeast Sonora
Planning Project
Funding
$35,000
Project Purpose
The goal of this project is to facilitate binational cooperation
among parties in the Northeastern Sonora/Cochise County
area in order to enhance the capacity of local governmental
and non-governmental entities.
Project Description
Project officers will: 1) participate effectively in the 5-year
planning process of the Border 2000 program; 2) develop
land-use plans which address increased transboundary
traffic, usage and storage of hazardous materials in the
project area resulting from the economic integration pursuant
to NAFTA; 3) facilitate binational public participation in
regional decision-making; and 4) strengthen existing and
develop additional bases for cross-border coordination of
community environmental planning.
Status
EPA has received all deliverables under this grant. The
report is on file with EPA/OIA and is available upon request.
Participant(s)
Northeast Sonora-Cochise County Health Council; Arizona
Toxics Information; EPA
U.S. Contact(s)
Michael Gregory, 520-432-5374
BORDER XXI GRANTS
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Ambos Nogales Environmental Action Plan
Funding
$35,000
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to develop a joint environ-
mental action plan between Nogales, Arizona and
Nogales, Sonora, and to coordinate environmental
activities in the two cities.
Project Description
Through the formation of an Ambos Nogales Environmen-
tal Committee, this project aims to: 1) expand public
participation in the governmental decision-making process;
2) obtain and disseminate information to the public
regarding state and local governmental environmental
activity; 3) obtain and disseminate information to the public
and local governmental interests regarding funding
sources to remedy environmental problems; 4) identify and
prioritize the major environmental issues in Ambos
Nogales; and 5) establish and maintain bi-national
cooperation and information-sharing between Nogales,
Arizona and Nogales, Sonora regarding environmental
issues. The Committee will accomplish these goals
through a series of one-day conferences, the formation of
environmental information centers at the city halls of both
cities, and the development of a binational public outreach
campaign.
Status
Activities under this grant, completed by December 1997,
include: The successful establishment of information
centers in both cities, stocked with books and other
publications acquired with grant resources, as well as
state, federal, and other material assembled by the
grantee. Citizens and university students have made use
of the information resources. The city of Nogales, AZ
made computer equipment, including a printer and
computer, available for the information center established
under this grant. Users are able, among other things, to
research information on the Internet.
Widely-attended events on the subjects of water conserva-
tion and air quality, as well as community information
workshops in both Nogales, AZ and Nogales, Sonora. The
reports are on file with EPA/OIA and are available upon
request.
Participant(s)
City of Nogales, Arizona; City of Nogales, Sonora; EPA
U.S. Contact(s)
City of Nogales, Hilda Cuevas, EPA, 520-287-6571
BORDER XXI GRANTS
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Mariposa Community Health Center
Funding
$37,187
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to assess the level of commu-
nity knowledge in Ambos Nogales concerning environmental
issues related to household solid waste and hazardous
materials.
Project Description
This project addresses household solid waste problems in
the Ambos Nogales area with the goal of binational commu-
nity participation in identifying and implementing binational
environmental solutions to existing problems. The project
has three main objectives: 1) to assess community knowl-
edge, attitudes, and practices regarding household solid
waste, including hazmat, in Ambos Nogales; 2) to increase
community awareness of the need for reducing, reusing, and
recycling household solid waste, including hazmat, in Ambos
Nogales; and 3) to design and implement a binational
household solid waste, including hazmat, management
program in Ambos Nogales.
Status
The goal for this project was to carry out a set of educational
activities in the Nogales Arizona/Sonora area. Activities were
completed in December 1996. In particular, activities were
geared toward assessing the outlook of residents of the
cities on solid and hazardous waste; increasing awareness
of the need to reduce, reuse, and recycle household waste
and household hazardous materials; and designing and
implementing a binational household solid waste manage-
ment program for the area. The grantee developed and
circulated a questionnaire; delivered health-related work-
shops; carried out community needs assessments in both
cities; developed an "Adopt-a-Site" project for schoolchildren;
carried out a lecture series for children's groups; circulated
environmental information, and made presentations to the
cities' Chambers of Commerce. The grantee's final report
outlines these activities, identifies obstacles, and outlines
plans for the area.
The Mariposa reports are on file with EPA/OIA and are
available upon request.
Participant(s)
Mariposa Community Health Center; EPA
U.S. Contact(s)
Maria Elia Gomez-Murphy, EPA, 602-761-2128
45
BORDER XXI GRANTS
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Developing An Environmental Strategy
for the Western Sonoran Desert
Funding
$22,000
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to empowerthe local, rural
community residents, and getting them to identify and
respond to transboudary environmental issues, including:
environmental health, trade and development related
environmental impacts, and natural resource management of
the shared, "sister" area in the western Sonoran Desert.
Project Description
The project aims to develop a Western Sonoran Desert
Border Plan through the execution of six day-long community
roundtable discussions in southwestern Arizona/northwest-
em Sonora and Baja California. Each roundtable discussion
is geared at developing local consensus on solutions for
shared priorities. The resultant Border Plan intends to
identify at least six specific, tangible projects within five
months to six years. Specific plans are to be developed for
each of these six projects and will include identification of the
responsible parties, fiscal responsibility, actual or potential
funding source(s).
Status
Activities under this grant were carried out with the EPA grant
resources as well as support from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service and National Park Service, and were completed in
September of 1996. Six community townhall meetings were
held in Sonora and theTohono O'Odham Nation, Arizona.
Participants in the meetings discussed priorities and
identified goals, including in the areas of solid-waste
management, sustainable use of natural resources, cultural
and educational projects, and the improvement of air and
water quality.
The Sonoran Institute's report is on file with EPA/OIA and is
available upon request.
Participant(s)
Sonoran Institute; EPA
U.S. Contact(s)
Wendy Laird-Benner, EPA Region 9 San Diego Border
Office, 520-290-0828, laird-benner.wendy@epa.gov
BORDER XXI GRANTS
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Environmental Priorities, Needs, and Solutions
in the San Diego-Tijuana Border Region
Funding
$42,500
Project Purpose
This project will, through a review of existing literature,
interviews with individuals from all sectors, and through
sponsoring a series of community forums in San Diego and
Imperial Counties, prioritize border environmental issues for
the region and identify specific feasible actions to provide
viable solutions for these problems.
Project Description
Concrete products of this project will include the following: 1)
a paper that summarizes key socioeconomicdata and also
environmental, environmental infrastructure, and environ-
mental health issues for the communities of the California-
Baja California border region; 2) a working paper that
summarizes the outcomes of the public forums, with the
purpose of providing community input into the Border XXI
process; 3) a working paper that discusses the prioritization of
regional environmental issues and plans to address them;
and 4) the identification of specific and feasible projects that
could move forward under the BECC/NADBANK mechanisms.
Status
The goal for this project was to identify environmental
priorities in the California-Baja California border region.
Activities were completed in December of 1996. Participants
included the Institute for Regional Studies of the Californias
at SDSU; the Environmental Committee of the Tijuana-San
Diego Region; the San Diego-Tijuana Environmental Task
Force; the U.S.-Mexico Border Progress Foundation; and the
Southwest Center for Environmental Research and Policy.
and emergency planning.
Activities included the establishment of a binational working
team and a community liaison group; a paper on Environ-
mental Issues of the California-Baja California Border
Region; an evaluation of the Integrated Environment Environ-
mental Plan; an examination of methods for prioritizing
border environmental issues; and the use of two question-
naires on perceptions of environmental problems and
priorities; four community meetings were held in San Diego
and the Imperial Valley as part of the project. A final report
details recommendations in the areas of natural resources,
water, environmental health, air, hazardous and solid waste,
and emergency planning.
Participant(s)
Environmental Committee of the San Diego-Tijuana Region
United Nations Association; U.S.-Mexico Border Progress
Foundation; Institute for Regional Studies of the Californias-
SDSU; San Diego-Tijuana Environmental Task Force; City of
San Diego/Municipality of Tijuana; EPA
U.S. Contact(s)
Paul Ganster, Institute for Regional Studies of the Californias,
San Diego State University, 619-594-5423
47
BORDER XXI GRANTS
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Environmental Improvement Plan for
the City of Donna, Texas
Funding
$42,000
Project Purpose
The purpose of the environmental improvement plan (EIP)
was to assess existing environmental conditions and
potential impacts to the environment as a result of increased
commerce and trade activities in the area surrounding the
city of Donna, Texas and, to a limited extent, Rio Bravo,
Tamaulipas. It is expected that the EIP will prevent potential
environmental degradation from the growth expected due to
a proposed international bridge and resulting industrial
activity.
Project Description
The EIP provided an inventory of existing conditions that
would impact the future growth of the study area; collected
additional data; prepared a comprehensive map, using the
collected information and current computer software
technologies; identified actions necessary to resolve or
minimize existing and anticipated environmental problems;
prioritized the actions, including a proposed schedule and
costs of actions; and, identified sources of funding and
government and academic organizations available to help
Implement the plan. Based on public input derived from a
public meeting, the final plan was developed.
Status
The final EIP was completed October 1996. It focuses on
the identification of environmental problems or potential
problems and is followed by recommendations to minimize
these concerns. It recommends that for each of the potential
sources of environmental conflict, detailed implementation
plans be developed that may be incorporated into the long-
term planning and management strategies developed by the
city of Donna.
48
Participant(s)
City of Donna, Texas
U.S. Contact(s)
Mr. Glenn Laird, AICP, Senior Consultant;
Pam Teel, EPA, 202-564-6424, teel.pam@epa.gov
BORDER XXI GRANTS
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Ecological Baseline Model for
the U.S.-Mexico Border Region
Funding
$35,000
Project Purpose
The project was designed to assemble and reconcile existing
ecological data on both sides of the international boundary in
the area surrounding Columbus, New Mexico and Puerto
Palomas, Chihuahua. Major gaps in the information about
water location, quantity and quality, soil types, land use
patterns, vegetation and wildlife would be filled in to create an
ecological baseline needed for promoting binational planning
on a local level in small-scale communities.
Project Description
The Principle Investigators used land use analysis, vegeta-
tion studies by the University of New Mexico Department of
Biology and recent LANDSAT data processed by the NM
Department of Game and Fish, as well as the border atlas
developed through the New Mexico Border Research Institute
at New Mexico University, and the Public Land Site Survey of
the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to create the ecologi-
cal baseline. This baseline includes field verification of
principle soils, vegetation, wildlife, dominant land use
patterns, locations of water wells and wastewater discharge
points within a fifteen-mile radius from the international port
of entry between the two towns, in cooperation with local
counterparts, interviews and public meetings will be held in
the towns to identify critical issues, collect additional data,
and discuss findings with local residents and elected
officials. An additional follow-up meeting will be held in the
community to present results of the study.
Status
The baseline inventory was completed in September of 1997
and provided information on soils, vegetation, water, wildlife, and
land use in the area surrounding Columbus, New Mexico and
Palomas, Chihuahua. The inventory has contributed to both
local and regional planning in New Mexico and Chihuahua.
Participant(s)
University of New Mexico, .New Mexico Border Research
institute; Village of Columbus, NM; village of Pureto Palomas,
Chihuahua; H. Ayuntamiento, Acenci6n; Direcci6n General
de Desarollo Urbano y Ecologia; Gobierno del Estado de
Chihuahua; New Mexico National Heritage Program
U.S. Contact(s)
Dr. David S. Henkel, 505-277-1276;
Susan R. Butler, 505-272-7356;
Pam Teel, EPA, 202-564-6424, teel.pam@epa.gov
49
BORDER XXI GRANTS
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
AYUDAs Self Help Community
A.I.R.E. Project
50
Funding
$43,000
Project Purpose
The mission of the Action and Intelligence in Recovering the
Environment (A.I.R.E.) Project is the creation of a long-range
community action environmental plan for El Paso colonias,
as environmental leadership planning and resource gathering
information center, and the promotion of A.I.R.E. Project's
work in the Adults and Youth United Development Associa-
tion (AYUDA).
Project Description
The A.I.R.E. Project will organize a preliminary workshop
with four leading volunteers interested in community action/
environmental education program. It will create a bilingual
structure to increase community action through two work-
shops, continue existing environmental outreach to a high-
risk population, coordinate volunteer recruitment, and focus
on community development through the septic tank program
and refuse removal system, and implement health education
strategies.
Status
The A.I.R.E Project is designed to be a continuing project.
This initial grant resulted in completing 12 septic systems
and garbage removal systems with the help of many
community volunteers, and assisting in an additional three
septic systems. In this way it enabled basic information and
resources to be provided to economically disadvantaged
people. This resulted in these homes being eligible to
receive drinking water from the local water supplier and
curtailed air pollution caused by garbage burning.
Participant(s)
Adults and Youth United Development Association
(AYUDA); EPA
U.S. Contact(s)
Rosario Saenz, A.I.R.E. Project Coordinator,
915-857-0272;
PamTeel, EPA, 202-564-6424, teel.parn@epa.gov
BORDER XXI GRANTS
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Environmental Improvement Plan for Southwest
County
Funding
$45,000
Project Purpose
The purpose of the project is to develop a long-range plan
to improve the environment of Webb County south from
the city limits of Laredo and extending five miles east of
the Rio Grande and to prevent potential environmental
degradation resulting from the growth expected in the area.
The study area includes three large colonias: Rio Bravo,
El Cenizo and La Presa. Significant industrial develop-
ment and related residential and commercial development
is anticipated in the area of an anticipated future bridge
crossing to Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, and the connecting
road on both sides of the border.
Project Description
The long-range plan compiled existing and new data on
the physical, ecological, economic, social, land use,
infrastructure and political environment of the study area.
Using this information and current computer technologies,
a base map as well as maps showing various combina-
tions of the compiled information were created to identify
environmental conflicts and to address various issues and
planning strategies. After public input to the plan, popula-
tion and land use projections were compiled. Actions
necessary to resolve the environmental problems were
identified and prioritized with a schedule and cost of
actions. Local implementation of the plan will be achieved
by public involvement in developing and modifying the plan
and by achieving a consensus in the community on the
actions and constraints which should be developed in the
community.
Status
The resulting environmental improvement plan, completed
in June of 1996, included an analysis of environmental
conflict. The major conflicts identified revolved around
providing an adequate infrastructure to support the local
communities with regards to developing and maintaining
adequate human health conditions, rather than respond to
instances of potential toxic waste dumping or chemical
It was expected that local implementation of the plan
would be achieved by involving the public in developing
and modifying the plan and by achieving consensus in the
community on the actions and constraints which should be
developed in the community.
Participant(s)
Webb County Planning Department
U.S. Contact(s)
Mr. Juan Vargas, Director of Economic Development,
Webb County Planning Department;
Mr. Glenn Laird, Environmental Planner and Consultant;
Rust Lichliter/Jameson, Project Manager;
Pam Teel, EPA, 202-564-6424, teel.pam@epa.gov
51
BORDER XXI GRANTS
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Building a Kumeyaay Environmental Strategy:
A U.S.-Mexico Border Program/Frontera 2000
Community Planning Project
Funding
$30,038
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project was to support the Campo Band
of Mission Indians develop an environmental strategy for
mitigating pollution on the tribal lands of their sister tribes (the
Kumeyaay communities) in Baja, Mexico. The product of
this project included a Water Quality Control Plan and a
cross-border planning mechanism to enhance long-range
environmental protection of the natural resources on
Kumeyaay/Kumiai community/Reservation lands.
Project Description
This project represented communities and organizations
from both sides of the border to work toward solutions to
environmental problems in water resource management.
The project involved the Campo Band of Mission Indians and
the Campo Environmental Protection Agency (CEPA) in
proposing to help their sister tribes (Kumeyaay communities)
develop a Water Quality Control Plan and community
environmental strategies. The project included the following:
1) Community organization—The Native Cultures Institute
(CUNA) helped coordinate community organization meetings
to plan and manage water quality assurance programs,
translate to technicians, and gather community input; 2)
Water quality sampling —water quality testing and technical
data was performed by CEPA; 3) Water Quality Control Plan
—developed to document the planning process for identify-
ing and solving environmental problems; and 4) Resources
Identification and Mobilization ensured 'technical transfer1
from CEPA staff to the Kumiai communities.
Status
The project, completed in July 1996, developed a report with
the following components: 1) a description of the role of
water in the Kumeyaay culture; 2) historical information on
the Kumeyaay (Kumiai) communities in Baja California,
including demographic information over the last 250 years in
some cases, with community-by-community information on
access to municipal services (including drinking water); and
3) a technical report on water quality tests carried out in
Kumiai communities in Baja California. Interviews with
members of the communities outlined individual and group
expressions of needs for improved water services. The
technical report records data from water samples taken at
communities' drinking water sources, which was tested for
fecal coliform, total dissolved solids, and nitrate. Recom-
mendations for action included fencing animals out of the
vicinity of water sources, preventing stormwater runoff into
wells, relocating or capping some wells, and chlorinating
drinking water.
Following up on the work performed with the EPA grant,
Campo has continued to establish and develop partnerships,
particularly with educational institutions. A later grant from
the Commission for Environmental Cooperation to the Native
Cultures Institute involved working with Kumeyaay communi-
ties to follow up on findings from the initial work; a wetland
restoration project with EPA was undertaken; and a multilin-
gual environmental education curriculum for tribal members
in the U.S. and Mexico was developed.
Participant(s)
EPA; Campo Band of Mission Indians; CEPA; CUNA
U.S. Contact(s)
Patrick Whelan, EPA/OIA, 202-564-6428,
whelan.pat@epa.gov
BORDER XXI GRANTS
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Tijuana River Watershed Toxics Data Project
Funding
$44,450
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to assist the Tijuana River
Watershed GIS project in identifying information sources of
toxics data on both sides of the border required for GIS
mapping of the watershed; to assist the GIS project in
developing criteria for binational data harmonization and
other aspects of Integrated Data Management; and facilitate
interface of GIS project personnel with toxics decision
makers in Mexico; and develop outreach materials and
activities to facilitate transborder dialogue.
Project Description
The project will provide an essential link between scientific-
academic and grassroots NGO sectors called for by the GIS
Project workplan, and implement the NACEC workshop
recommendation by enabling the directors of two non-profits
border area environmental NGO's in developing innovative
and successful binational projects on the U.S.-Mexico border,
to work with NOAA and GIS co-coordinators, as well as other
pertinent organizations and individuals, in designing a toxics
data dictionary for the GIS that responds to the technical
need for determining binationally compatible data elements to
the needs of the public for clear translation of technical
language into understandable common language and
formats, and to the institutional realities of data management
in the two countries.
Status
Activities underthis grant were completed in October 1996.
Building on existing GIS mapping and a binational needs
assessment, information was gathered on existing sources
of toxics data; relevant databases were identified; the data
was screened to identify discrete information; a consoli-
dated Toxics Dictionary was developed using standardized
dentifiers; and a bilingual U.S.-Mexico Border Toxics Refer-
ence List of potential contaminants was created for reporting
ind potential entry into a Tijuana River Wastershed GIS.
The Arizona Toxics Information report is on file with EPA/OIA
and is available upon request.
Participant(s)
Arizona Toxics Information; EPA
U.S. Contact(s)
Michael Gegory, Arizona Toxics Information Tijuana River
Watershed Project, 520-432-5374
S3
BORDER XXI GRANTS
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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54
Environmental and Community Building
Cooperation along the Rio Grande at
Big Bend National Park
Funding
$27,500
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to support the National Parks
and Conservation Association's (NPCA) program for
international cooperation in the Trans-Pecos region of Big
Bend National Park.
Project Description
NPCA, in cooperation with Profauna and the National Park
Service, will initiate an education program that will provide
basic environmental education to residents and begin to
address more directly the links between U.S. and Mexican
protected areas. This program will also launch a dialogue on
community goals and planning for the future on both sides of
the Rio Grande.
Status
To be determined.
Participant(s)
National Parks and Conservation Association; Profauna;
National Park Service
U.S. Contact(s)
David Simon, National Parks & Conservation Association,
505-247-1221;
PamTeel, EPA, 202-564-6424, teel.pam@epa.gov
BORDER XXI GRANTS
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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?o a
-------
-------
Technical Assistance for Sister Cities
meeting, many sister cities' contingency planning issues
were raised. At the completion of this workshop, the sister
cities and State of Arizona officials agreed to have follow-up
meetings in each of the sister cities in order to resolve
these issues and begin development of contingency plans
for those sister cities. Prior to the end of 1998, the sched-
ule will be completed for exercising two sister city contin-
gency plans.
Participant(s)
ICMA; EPA Region 6; EPA Headquarters; PROFEPA at the
Federal and State level; MCPA at the local level; Customs
and Immigration officials and local officials; hazmat
personnel; emergency planners from the sister cities along
the border
U.S. Contact(s)
Sherry Fielding, EPA, 202-260-6174,
fielding.sherry@epa.gov
Funding
Funding was provided to the ICMA through a cooperative
agreement in the amount of $100.000-FY98. The funding
originated from the CEPPO at the EPA and is for staffing and
travel (for U.S. and Mexican Sister City officials).
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to assist Sister Cities in
establishing and building relationships across the border and
to develop and exercise joint Sister City contingency plans.
This project is addressing several objectives under the
Border XXI program including: promoting the creation of, and
coordination between, LEPCs in the CLAMs in Mexico and
exercising and testing annually the established procedures
for cross-border notification and response systems.
Project Description
These binational workshops and exercises are designed to
bring together city officials, first responders, industry
representatives, state officials, and border agencies/officials
to discuss chemical emergency contingency planning and
response. Initial presentations at the workshop will focus on
highlighting planning and response resources, followed by
work group discussions focused on issues identified by the
sister cities. The binational exercises will focus on exercis-
ing the various aspects of joint sister city contingency
plans.
Status
There have been two binational workshops held in 1998.
The first was held on March 20, 1998 in San Diego and
included representatives from the San Diego/Tecate-
Tijuana and Mexicali/Calexico areas. The meeting
resulted in a better understanding between the sister
cities and the state of the resources available in the sister
cities as well as steps necessary to begin completion of
the sister cities joint contingency plans. On August 12,
1998, in Sierra Vista, Arizona, the second binational
workshop was held with the sister cities of Yuma/San
Luis, Nogales/Nogales, Naco/Naco, and Douglas/Agua
Prieta and the states of Arizona and Sonora. During that
CONTINGENCY PLANNING and EMERGENCY RESPONSE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
57
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Updating the U.S.-Mexico
Joint Contingency Plan (JCP)
Funding
Approximately $5,000 will be provided to a contractor to
assist in incorporation of comments, changes, and additions.
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to revise the U.S.-Mexico JCP
to better reflect the organizational, legislative, and regulatory
changes in each of the countries. This project addresses
several objectives under the Border XXI program including:
completing and implementing the JCP, promoting the
creation of, and coordination between LEPCs in the U.S. and
CLAMs in Mexico, and exercising and testing annually the
established procedures for cross-border notification and
response systems.
Project Description
Working together, the U.S. and Mexico are revising the 1988
version of the U.S.-Mexico JCP. Since 1988, there have
been significant changes to legislation, policies, procedures,
and organizational structures in both countries related to
chemical emergency prevention, preparedness, and
response. Representatives from the EPA and SEMARNAP
PROFEPA have been working to revise the JCP to reflect
these changes. Federal, state, and local representatives on
the U.S.-Mexico JRT were asked to review, update, and
comment on the 1988 version of the JCP. EPA and
PROFEPA have reviewed and incorporated those comments
and are working with the DOS and Mexico's Ministry of
Foreign Affairs to finalize the document.
Status
The final version of the JCP has been reviewed and ap-
proved by the JRT. Currently, the DOS and Ministry of
Foreign Affairs are reviewing and finalizing the document.
The new version of the JCP should be signed by EPA
Administrator Browner and SEMARNAPs, Julia Carabias, by
the end of 1998.
58
Participant(s)
All federal, state, and local representatives on the U.S.-
Mexico JRT
U.S. Contact(s)
Kim Jennings, EPA, 202-260-5046, jennings.kim@epa.gov
CONTINGENCY PLANNING and EMERGENCY RESPONSE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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CAMEO Translation and Training
Funding
No information available
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to translate the international
version of the CAMEO computer system into Spanish,
distribute it, provide training in each of the sister cities along
the border, and collect the data for the system. This project
addresses several objectives under the Border XXI program,
including: completing and implementing the translation of
CAMEO into Spanish, promoting the creation of, and
coordination between, LEPCs in the U.S. and CLAMs in
Mexico, and training personnel currently involved in actual
emergencies and contingency planning efforts.
Project Description
CAMEO is a software package used as a tool to aid emer-
gency planning efforts involving a chemical accident. It was
initially designed for use in the U.S. by local emergency
responders to assist them with their obligations under SARA
Title III. Several years ago, a new windows version of
CAMEO was developed. This is a generic, international
version, for use in any country, which does not reflect any
specific legislation. The new version is being used by UNEP
in their APELL program. There are two steps to this project:
1) CAMEO will be translated into Spanish; and 2) Software
and training will be provided to U.S. and Mexico border
localities on use of the system. Both of these steps should
be completed by mid-1999.
Status
The translation of CAMEO into Spanish was completed in the
Spring of 1998. OnAugust13,1998, the first CAMEO
training session was held with representatives from the
States of Sonora and Arizona and the sister cities of Yuma/
San Luis, Nogales/Nogales, Naco/Naco, and Douglas/Agua
Prieta. Based on this initial training, a strategy is being
developed for distribution of the CAMEO system to the
border cities and for training to those cities on the use of the
system. The strategy will be completed in the fall of 1998
and a schedule for training in the CAMEO system will be
implemented by mid-1999. Part of this training schedule will
include a training track on Spanish CAMEO at the 1999
CAMEO Conference in Phoenix, Arizona in May, 1999.
Participant(s)
EPA; PROFEPA; states along the U.S.-Mexico border; sister
cities along the U.S.-Mexico border
U.S. Contact(s)
Sherry Fielding, EPA, 202-260-6174, fielding.sherry@epa.gov
59
CONTINGENCY PLANNING and EMERGENCY RESPONSE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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U.S.-Mexico Border Webpage on Contingency
Planning and Emergency Response
Funding
A contractor was provided approximately $3,000 to $5,000 to
assist EPA in developing the webpage and preparing
documents to be placed on the webpage.
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to provide all stakeholders and
the public access to information on U.S.-Mexico border
contingency planning and emergency response efforts. This
project is addressing the objectives under the Border XXI
• program for initiating communication to the public about
chemical risk in the area in an effort to create public aware-
ness and to increase public participation in contingency
planning.
Project Description
During the last JRT meeting and National Coordinators
meeting, many participants requested better avenues with
which to keep informed about contingency planning and
emergency response activities. Based on these requests,
EPA developed a webpage devoted to U .S.-Mexico (and
U.S.-Canada) contingency planning and emergency re-
sponse activities. The webpage includes information on
national and sister city plans; calendar events; materials on
legislative, regulatory, procedural requirements and guid-
•
ance; and other information.
Status
The webpage is completed and on the Internet, and can be
found atwww.epa.gov/swercepp/border.html. The webpage
will be updated with information and documents as they
become available.
Participant(s)
EPA
60
U.S. Contact(s)
Kim Jennings, EPA, 202-260-5046, jennings.kim@epa.gov
CONTINGENCY PLANNING and EMERGENCY RESPONSE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Commodity Flow Study (Region 6)
Funding
Approximately $380,000 was provided to a contractor to
complete this project.
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to assist sister cities in
identifying chemical risks associated with fixed facilities and
transportation corridors for sister city contingency planning.
This project addresses promoting the creation of, and
coordination between, LEPCs in the U.S. and CLAMs in
Mexico.
Project Description
For this project, a contractor worked with identified sister
cities to determine products moved by tank trucks into and
out of Mexico and to identify Tier Two Information for fixed
facilities. This information was then analyzed and a risk
analysis, vulnerability analysis, and a scenario of the worst
case in the community was developed.
Status
The project has been completed.
Participant(s)
Local, state and federal agencies
U.S. Contact(s)
Fendol Chiles, EPA Region 6,214-665-2283,
chiles.fendol@epa.gov
61
CONTINGENCY PLANNING and EMERGENCY RESPONSE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
-------
-------
-------
Establishment of Enforcement/Hazardous
Waste Subworkgroups
In 1998, subgroups were established for 4) Coahuila/
Texas; and 5) Nuevo Leon/Tamaulipas/Texas. Now
subgroups cover the length of the border, and this project
may be closed. Hereafter, each subgroup will be respon-
sible for conducting and reporting its activities.
Participant(s)
EPA; PROFEPA; U.S. DOJ; state environmental agencies;
U.S. and Mexican customs and transportation officials; and
Mexico's CNA
U.S. Contact(s)
Efren Ordonez, EPA Region 6,214-665-2181,
ordonez.efren@epa.gov;
John D. Rothman, EPA Region 9,415-744-1353,
rothman.john@epa.gov
Funding
There is no funding after FY98.
Project Purpose
The purpose of the project is to target and coordinate
enforcement actions and to organize prevention of and
response to illegal activities among federal, state and local
enforcement agencies on both sides of the border.
Project Description
These Subworkgroups provide the contacts made at the
group meetings at the state level that will develop the trust
necessary to coordinate more effective and timely action. In
addition to preventive and response activities, the
Subworkgroups will coordinate environmental enforcement
and compliance activities, in accordance with applicable
laws and available resources, directed, for example, at
specific problems identified in the industrial sector. The
Subworkgroups will identify selected common priorities and
develop cooperative enforcement and compliance actions
targeted to address those priorities, including through:
1) The sharing of information held by one country which may
assist the other in detecting noncompliance with the letter's
environmental regulations;
2) The planning, programming and implementation of
enforcement and voluntary compliance activities necessary
to assure and potentially go beyond compliance;
3) Technical support, such as exchange of information and
expertise; and
4) Cooperation in investigating specific enforcement cases.
Status
EPA and PROFEPA have established regional Environmental
Enforcement and Compliance Subworkgroups along the
entire border, with the participation of all the involved
agencies. The first three subgroups were established for: 1)
Texas/New Mexico/Chihuahua; 2) for Califomia/Baja Califor-
nia; and 3) for Arizona/Sonora.
COOPERATIVE ENFORCEMENT and COMPLIANCE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
65
-------
Activities of the Enforcement and Compliance
Subworkgroup for California/Baja California
Funding
Only travel and interpretation expenses needed. Funds for
state participation may be obtainable through EPA-state
RCRA grants and OECA grants to the Western States
Project (WSP). From OECA/OFA/IECD, only a very limited
amount of FY99 funding may be available.
Project Purpose
Within the states of the Subworkgroup, the purpose of this
project is to target and coordinate enforcement actions, to
organize prevention of and response to illegal activities,
among federal, state and local enforcement agencies on
both sides of the border and to cooperate with adjoining
Subworkgroups to address matters of mutual concern.
Project Description
The subgroup will meet periodically. In addition to preventive
and reponse activities, the subgroup will conduct coordinated
environmental enforcement and compliance activities,
including:
1) The sharing of information held by one country which may
assist the other in
detecting noncompliance with the latter's environmental
regulations;
2) Planning, programming and implementation of enforce-
ment and voluntary
compliance activities necessary to assure and potentially go
beyond compliance;
3) Technical support, such as exchange of information and
expertise; and
4) Cooperation in investigating specific enforcement cases.
Status
To be determined
66
Participant(s)
EPA; Mexico's PROFEPA; U.S. DOJ; state environmental
agencies; U.S. and Mexican customs and transportation
officials; Mexico's CNA
U.S. Contact(s)
John D. Rothman, EPA Region 9,415-744-1353,
rothman.john@epa.gov;
Chris Reiner, EPA Region 9,415-744-2096,
reiner.chris@epa.gov;
Pamela LePen, California, 714-484-5379,
plepen@dtsc.ca.gov
COOPERATIVE ENFORCEMENT and COMPLIANCE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Activities of the Enforcement and Compliance
Subworkgroup for Arizona/Sonora
Funding
Only travel and interpretation expenses needed. Funds for
state participation may be obtainable through EPA-state
RCRA grants and OECA grants to the Western States
Project (WSP). From OECA/OFA/IECD, ony a very limited
amount of FY99 funding may be available.
Project Purpose
Within the states of the Subworkgroup, the pupose of this
project is to target and coordinate enforcement actions, to
organize prevention of and response to illegal activities,
among federal, state and local enforcement agencies on
both sides of the border and to cooperate with adjoining
Subworkgroupsto address matters of mutual concern.
Project Description
The subgroup will meet periodically. In addition to preventive
and response activities, the subgroup will conduct coordi-
nated environmental enforcement and compliance activities,
including:
1) The sharing of information held by one country which may
assist the other in detecting
noncompliance with the letter's environmental regulations;
2) Planning, programming and implementation of enforce-
ment and voluntary compliance
activities necessary to assure and potentially go beyond
compliance;
3) Technical support, such as exchange of information and
expertise; and
4) Cooperation in investigating specific enforcement cases.
Status
To be determined
Participant(s)
EPA; Mexico's PROFEPA; U.S. DOJ; state environmental
agencies; U.S. and Mexican customs and transportation
officials; and Mexico's CNA
U.S. Contact(s)
John D. Rothman, EPA Region 9,415-744-1353,
rothman.john@epa.gov;
Chris Reiner, EPA Region 9,415-744-2096,
reiner.chris@epa.gov;
Placido dos Santos, Arizona, 520-628-6744,
dossantos.placido@eza.state.az.us
67
COOPERATIVE ENFORCEMENT and COMPLIANCE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Activities of the Enforcement and Compliance
Subworkgroup for Texas/New Mexico/Chihuahua
Funding
Only travel and interpretation expenses needed. Funds for
state participation may be obtainable through EPA-state
RCRA grants and OECA grants to the Western States
Project (WSP). From OECA/OFA/IECD, ony a very limited
amount of FY99 funding may be available.
Project Purpose
Within the states of the Subworkgroup, the pupose of this
project is to target and coordinate enforcement actions, to
organize prevention of and response to illegal activities,
among federal, state and local enforcement agencies on
both sides of the border and to cooperate with adjoining
Subworkgroupsto address matters of mutual concern.
Project Description
The subgroup will meet periodically. In addition to preventive
and response activities, the subgroup will conduct coordi-
nated environmental enforcement and compliance activities,
including:
1) The sharing of information held by one country which may
assist the other in detecting
noncompliance with the latter's environmental regulations;
2) Planning, programming and implementation of enforce-
ment and voluntary compliance
activities necessary to assure and potentially go beyond
compliance;
3) Technical support, such as exchange of information and
expertise; and
4) Cooperation in investigating specific enforcement cases.
Status
This Subworkgroup may become the pilot for a secure
intranet website or local access network (LAN) to facilitate
communications with the group. If successful, the LAN will
be expanded to serve and to link all subworkgroups.
68
Participant(s)
EPA; Mexico's PROFEPA; U.S. DOJ; state environmental
agencies; U.S. and Mexican customs and transportation
officials; and Mexico's CNA
U.S. Contact(s)
Efren Ordonez, EPA Region 6,214-665-2181,
ordonez.efren@epa.gov;
Joe Schultes, EPA Region 6,214-665-2244
COOPERATIVE ENFORCEMENT and COMPLIANCE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Activities of the Enforcement and Compliance
Subworkgroup for Texas/Coahuila
Funding
Only travel and interpretation expenses needed. Funds
for state participation may be obtainable through EPA-
state RCRA grants and OECA grants to the Southern
Environmental Enforcement Network (SEEN). From
OECA/OFA/IECD, only a very limited amount of FY99
funding may be available.
Project Purpose
Within the states of the Subworkgroup, the pupose of this
project is to target and coordinate enforcement actions, to
organize prevention of and response to illegal activities,
among federal, state and local enforcement agencies on
both sides of the border and to cooperate with adjoining
Subworkgroups to address matters of mutual concern.
Project Description
The subgroup will meet periodically. In addition to preventive
and response activities, the subgroup will conduct coordi-
nated environmental enforcement and compliance activities,
including:
1) The sharing of information held by one country which may
assist the other in detecting
noncompliance with the latter's environmental regulations;
2) Planning, programming and implementation of enforce-
ment and voluntary compliance
activities necessary to assure and potentially go beyond
compliance;
3) Technical support, such as exchange of information and
expertise; and
4) Cooperation in investigating specific enforcement cases.
Status
To be determined
Participant(s)
EPA; Mexico's PROFEPA; U.S. DOJ; state environmental
agencies; U.S. and Mexican customs and transportation
officials; Mexico's CNA
U.S. Contact(s)
Efren Ordonez, EPA Region 6,214-665-2181,
ordonez.efren@epa.gov;
Joe Schultes, EPA Region 6,214-665-2244;
Steve Niemeyer, Texas, 512-239-3605,
SNIMEYE@tnrcc.state.tx.us
COOPERATIVE ENFORCEMENT and COMPLIANCE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Activities of the Enforcement and Compliance
Subworkgroup for Texas/Nuevo Leon/
Tamaulipas
Funding
Only travel and interpretation expenses needed. Funds for
state participation may be obtainable through EPA-state
RCRA grants and OECA grants to the Southern Environ-
mental Enforcement Network (SEEN). From OECA/OFA/
IECD, only a very limited amount of FY99 funding may be
available.
Project Purpose
Within the states of the Subworkgroup, the purpose of the
project is to target and coordinate enforcement actions, to
organize prevention of and response to illegal activities,
among federal, state and local enforcement agencies on
both sides of the border and to cooperate with adjoining
Subworkgroups to address matters of mutual concern.
Project Description
The subgroup will meet periodically. In addition to preventive
and response activities, the subgroup will conduct coordi-
nated environmental enforcement and compliance activities,
including:
1) The sharing of information held by one country which may
assist the other in detecting
noncompliance with the latter's environmental regulations;
2) Planning, programming and implementation of enforce-
ment and voluntary compliance
activities necessary to assure and potentially go beyond
compliance;
3) Technical support, such as exchange of information and
expertise; and
4) Cooperation in investigating specific enforcement cases.
Status
To be determined
70
Participant(s)
EPA; Mexico's PROFEPA; U.S. DOJ; state environmental
agencies; U.S. and Mexican customs and transportation
officials; Mexico's CNA
U.S. Contact(s)
Efren Ordonez, EPA Region 6,214-665-2181,
ordonez.efren@epa.gov;
Joe Schultes, EPA Region 6,214-665-2244;
Steve Niemeyer, Texas, 512-239-3605,
SNIMEYE@tnrcc.state.tx.us
COOPERATIVE ENFORCEMENT and COMPLIANCE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Criminal Enforcement
Funding
To be determined
Project Purpose
The purpose of the project is to establish direct law-enforce-
ment linkages for cooperation and technical assistance in
combating environmental crimes.
Project Description
The project provides linkages for direct law-enforcement
consultations, cooperation, and technical assistance in
combating environmental crimes.
Status
OCEF&T is participating on PROPERA's Latin American
Environmental Crimes Conference (Cancun, Oct. 1998) and
will continue work after establishing contacts here.
Participant(s)
EPA's Office of Criminal Enforcement, Forensics and
Training (OCEF&T); Mexico's PROFEPAand Procuradoria
General de la Republica (PGR); U.S. Department of Justice.
U.S. Contact(s)
Michael Renders, EPA/OECA/OCEF&T, 202-564-2526,
penders.michael@epa.gov;
Richard Trinidad, 202-564-2523;
Richard Emory, EPA/OECA/IECD, 202-564-7138,
emroy.richard@epa.gov
71
COOPERATIVE ENFORCEMENT and COMPLIANCE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Third International Conference on
Environmental Enforcement, Oaxaca, Mexico,
April 25-28, 1994
Funding
Funding and logistical support for the 1994 conference was
provided by U.S. Agency for International Development, with
additional support from the sponsors below.
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to confer biennially to promote
effective environmental compliance and enforcement
programs world-wide.
Project Description
Mexico hosted this 1994 conference to promote effective
environmental compliance and enforcement programs world-
wide. Fifty-four countries and nine international organizations
participated in the conference. Key topics included the
relationship between environmental compliance and
sustainable development, frameworks for environmental
compliance/enforcement, challenges to environmental
compliance, designing compliance and enforcement
programs, and building international enforcement networks.
Special workshops addressed illegal transboundary ship-
ments, CFG controls, criminal enforcement, government
facilities, voluntary compliance, field citations, and enforce-
ment of economic instruments. Mexico presented a paper
on its enforcement program. U.S. officials presented papers
including one on the development of a North American
Environmental Enforcement Network.
A one-day workshop was held presenting a shortened
version of the Principles of Environmental Enforcement
international training course. Five new case studies,
emphasizing pollution prevention and control options, were
developed to offer Mexico and other countries realistic
situations (and stand-alone technical support documents) on
these subjects: petroleum, mining, residential and industrial
waste disposal, deforestation, and tourism.
72
Status
The Conference was successfully held in April, 1994. The
Fourth International Conference on Environmental Enforce-
ment was held in Thailand in April, 1996, and the Fifth in
Monterrey, California in November 1998. U.S. and Mexico
both are involved in planning these biennial conferences.
Global conferences may continue if the need exists, or the
next round of conferences may be regional.
In the future, unless there is a conference focus on the U.S.-
Mexican border or some starring role of a binational Partner
such as that of Mexico (which hosted the 1994 conference),
it will be inappropriate to report these conferences in a
binational report on U.S.-Mexican cooperation. Thus, these
conferences will no longer be reported here.
Participant(s)
EPA; the government of Mexico; Netherlands's Ministry of
Housing; Spatial Planning and the Environment; United
Nations Environment Program; and the World Wildlife Fund.
The conference's Executive Planning Committee included
the sponsors and officials from Canada; Chile; Costa Rica;
Jamaica; Indonesia; and Nigeria.
U.S. Contact(s)
Cheryl Wasserman, EPA/OECA, 202-564-7129,
wasserman.cheryl@epa.gov
COOPERATIVE ENFORCEMENT and COMPLIANCE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Binational Conference (s) on Environmental
Laws and Enforcement
Funding
None planned for FY99
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to confer formally to promote
mutual understanding and cooperation among investigators,
lawyers and policy makers.
Project Description
In 1995, there was a conference based on the presentation
of case studies by each of the participants to demonstrate
concretely how environmental law and enforcement func-
tions. The conference was directed towards lawyers and
policy makers at EPA, the Mexican Environmental Ministry,
and allied environmental enforcement agencies.
In August 1998, there was a U.S.-Mexico workshop on the
legal challenges in transboundary environmental enforce-
ment that invited NGOs (for the first time) to attend with
enforcement officials. The course was sponsored by Region
9 and organized by the Environmental Law Institute (ELI).
Of course, the partners meet and confer regularly as
necessary; these routine conferences are not reported as
projects.
Status
While there are currently no plans for formal conferences,
they may be repeated from time to time as needed and when
funds are available.
Participant(s)
EPA; Mexican Federal Government
U.S. Contact(s)
Efren Ordonez, EPA Region 6,214-665-2181,
ordonez.efren@epa.gov;
John D. Rothman, EPA Region 9,415-744-1353,
rothman.john@epa.gov;
Richard Emory, EPA/OECA, 202-564-7138,
emroy.richard@epa.gov
73
COOPERATIVE ENFORCEMENT and COMPLIANCE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Promoting Interagency Cooperation
Funding
There is no current funding.
Project Purpose
The purpose of the project is to enhance effectiveness of
environmental enforcement on both sides of the border by
building networks of cooperation among the various agencies
at local, tribal, state, and federal government levels.
Project Description
Interagency cooperation has been fostered by many
activities. These include providing EPA funding (from
sources including EPA/OECA, and other EPA offices such
as the Hazardous Waste Work Group and Domestic Border
Initiatives) for beneficiaries and projects such as: 1) the two
regional environmental enforcement networks (WSP and
SEEN) for interagency enforcement network-building
activities; 2) the Texas and New Mexico Attorneys General in
1995 to support colonias infrastructure enforcement
activities; and 3) border law-enforcement Task Forces, and
border offices of EPA Regions, and five border binational
enforcement Subworkgroups that have been established.
Within these interagency vehicles, now many activities are
ongoing and planned.
This early project name is too general to be useful and will
not be continued. While the project is closed, interagency
cooperation continues and intensifies.
Status
The many particular activities that promote and manifest
interagency cooperation will now be reported separately by
their sponsoring offices, primarily the five binational enforce-
ment Subworkgroups. If necessary to assure that miscella-
neous activities are not unreported, they will be reported here
under new names, that are more specifically descriptive than
promoting interagency cooperation, which will be assumed to
be a pervasive goal.
74
Participant(s)
EPA; U.S. and Mexican Customs; U.S. border state environ-
mental agencies and Attorneys General; U.S. regional
environmental enforcement associations Western States
Project (WSP) and Southern Environmental Enforcement
Network (SEEN); PROFEPA
U.S. Contact(s)
Richard Emory, EPA/OFA, 202- 564-7138,
emroy.richard@epa.gov
COOPERATIVE ENFORCEMENT and COMPLIANCE WORKGROUP
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Protocol for Investigatory Cooperation
Funding
EPA and U.S. DOJ staff time only
Project Purpose
The purpose of the project is to enhance case-by-case
cooperation in enforcement investigations involving
transboundary aspects, including sampling, evidence-
gathering and technical assistance
Project Description
The Partners have agreed to develop guidance for field
personnel with respect to the gathering and presentation of
evidence, the sharing of information, and other matters that
may arise within the ambit of administrative proceedings
developed by PROFEPA and administrative and civil judicial
proceedings developed by EPA and DOJ. The Cooperative
Enforcement Strategy Work Group will coordinate this effort
with the Hazardous Waste Workgroup's. (Binational Sam-
pling and Analysis Capacity-Building Project)
In 1997, Canadian, Mexican, and U.S. authorities began
analyzing legal issues pertaining to the exchange of informa-
tion in support of enforcement cooperation under the
auspices of the North American Environmental Enforcement
and Compliance Work Group. This effort will provide a solid
basis for developing binational guidelines.
Status
Since 1997, the Partners have been identifying and analysing
mechanisms for the coordination of specific matters relating
to the enforcement of and compliance with environmental
law. Based on this analysis, the top environmental enforce-
ment officials of the two countries announced the commit-
ment to this project at the June 1998 meeting of the Bina-
tional Commission. DOJ is now working with a draft
prepared by PROFEPA's Myriam Gonzalez.
The plan is to issue a joint communication to inform field
personnel on both sides of the border of the cooperative
efforts that have been undertaken to share information and
provide assistance in the gathering and presentation of
evidence, and attach guidance in which they set forth the
existing international and national mechanisms for the same,
as well as a list of contacts in each country with expertise in
these areas to facilitate cooperation in enforcement cases.
The guidance will cover sharing case-specific investigatory
information and programmatic (enforcement-results) data.
Participant(s)
EPA; U.S. DOJ; PROFEPA
U.S. Contact(s)
Russell Smith, U.S. DOJ, 202-514-0279;
Richard Emory, EPA/OECA, 202-564-7138,
emroy.richard@epa.gov;
Efren Ordonez, EPA Region 6,214-665-2181,
ordonez.efren@epa.gov;
John D. Rothman, EPA Region 9,415-744-1353,
rothman.john@epa.gov
75
COOPERATIVE ENFORCEMENT and COMPLIANCE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Enforcement Results Data-Sharing
Funding
There is no funding after FY98.
Project Purpose
The purpose of the project to exchange data on environmen-
tal enforcement activities in the border area, on both sides of
the border. This project is redundant; it will be closed and the
work will be done within two related projects described below
under the Nov. 1998 Status/Schedule.
Project Description
The U.S. and Mexico have periodically exchanged data on
enforcement activities in the border area. Mexico provides
periodic aggregate summaries of numbers of inspections,
facility shut-downs, and penalties imposed. EPA provides
periodic reports on enforcement actions initiated and
completed in the border area, and press releases or other
descriptive information on individual cases. EPA also
provides Mexico with its annual enforcement accomplish-
ments report summarizing environmental enforcement
activities nationwide.
The U.S. and Mexico are discussing regularizing the
exchange of border area Enforcement Results Data on a
semi-annual basis, as part of the Cooperative Enforcement
Workgroup's tasks. EPA and PROFEPA are also discussing
exchanging more anecdotal information on individual cases
in the border area; however, Mexico is concerned about the
applicability of its industrial secrets data to sharing of specific
information on completed enforcement cases. (In the
context of the North American Commission on Environmen-
tal Cooperation, EPA, PROFEPA, and Canadian environmen-
tal authorities will be addressing the comparability of
enforcement statistics.)
76
Status
This project will be combined with two other projects: 1)
"Protocol for Investigatory Cooperation", because case-
specific information sharing is necessarily an inherent part of
overall investigatory cooperation; and 2) "Enforcement Data
Management Technical Consultation", because this project
may best address information sharing among partners while
addressing other issues of enforcement data management,
including enforcement-results or programmatic data.
Participant(s)
EPA; U.S. DOJ; PROFEPA; U.S. border state environmental
agencies; U.S. Customs
U.S. Contact(s)
Richard Emory, EPA/OECA, 202-564-7138,
emroy.richard@epa.gov
COOPERATIVE ENFORCEMENT and COMPLIANCE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Enforcement Data Management Technical
Consultation and Data Sharing
Enforcement data management consultations of a more
general nature will continue. This work will be informed by
the work of the OECA Work Group on Planning Automated
Information Needs for International Compliance and Enforce-
ment. Among recommendations regarding the development
of data systems, the Partners will seek to define: 1) the
enforcement-results or programmatic performance data that
should be developed; and 2) how collected data, may be
shared both intergovernmentally and with the public.
Participant(s)
EPA; PROFEPA
U.S. Contact(s)
Cindy Coldiron, EPA/OECA, 202-564-4226,
coldiron.cindy@epa.gov;
John Veresh, EPA/OECA/OC, 202-564-2509,
veresh.john@epa.gov;
Joe Schultes, EPA Region 6,214-665-2244;
Chris Reiner, EPA Region 9,415-744-2096,
reiner.chris@epa.gov
Funding
To be determined
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to develop an analysis of
PROFEPA's enforcement data management needs, and
make appropriate recommendations regarding the develop-
ment of data systems to support enforcement and compli-
ance activities. Consultations will also address sharing
among Partners of enforcement-results or programmatic
data that is developed.
Project Description
By analyzing available data, enforcement resources can
be targeted to ensure their effective utilization in address-
ing priority concerns and in maximizing the role of
enforcement in achieving environmentally beneficial
behavioral changes. This project involves evaluating the
enforcement data systems needs of PROFEPA, and
making recommendations to enhance PROFEPA's ability
to utilize data for enforcement targeting purposes. It also
considers the issue of comparability of U.S. and Mexican
enforcement data, and seeks to facilitate possible U.S./
Mexican bilateral cooperative enforcement targeting
initiatives.
Status
In 1997, the report of the contractor DPRA, Inc., was
received. It proposed enhancing the HAZTRAKS/NBQS
model using U.S. Customs import data on finished goods to
predict waste generation rates and targeting information that
may be useful in Mexico. This contract was then concluded
and closed out. Now OFA/IECD is examining the data to
determine whether OFA should consider implementing
another contract in this area. Although the initial review of
data has not been promising (due to inability to link the
summary data with particular facilities), it could possibly
prove promising with additional technical assistance from the
Office of Compliance.
COOPERATIVE ENFORCEMENT and COMPLIANCE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
77
-------
Consultation on Enforcement Penalty Policies
(Including Calculation of Economic Sanctions)
78
Funding
EPA and PROFEPA relying on in-house personnel. U.S.
regional environmental enforcement networks WSP and
SEEN may provide cooperative assistance in arranging
future technical consultation.
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to exchange information
about each country's respective policies for calculating
economic sanctions in enforcement cases, and to provide
cooperative assistance in ensuring that environmental
enforcement actions are effective in eliminating the
economic benefit of non-compliance.
Project Description
EPA and PROFEPA have exchanged substantial informa-
tion regarding their respective policies for calculating
economic sanctions in enforcement cases. EPA has
provided detailed information regarding EPA's methodol-
ogy and computer program (diskettes provided) for
calculating the economic benefit of noncompliance and
ensuring that penalties exceed that amount.
Status
Mexico's Miguel Angel Irabien is to provide to EPA's
Jonathan Libber hypothetical Mexican enforcement case
facts for Libber to run in a demonstration of the U.S.
model. Libber will demonstrate the model to Mexicans and
others in Monterrey, California (November, 1998).
Participant(s)
EPA; PROFEPA; potential contribution of U.S. regional
environmental enforcement networks WSP and SEEN
U.S. Contact(s)
Jonathan Libber, EPA/OECA, 202-564-6102,
libber.johnathan@epa.gov;
Richard Emory, EPA/OECA, 202-564-7138,
emroy.richard@epa.gov
COOPERATIVE ENFORCEMENT and COMPLIANCE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEPs)
Funding
Only staff time should be needed.
Project Purpose
The purpose of the project is to spread knowledge about
SEPs and the policies that define them, to encourage their
use in the maquiladora area as "International Supplemental
Environmental Projects" (ISEPs), and if requested, to assist
Mexico to institute SEPs throughout Mexico.
Project Description
SEPs are supplemental environmental projects that
violators agree to undertake to settle violations by going
beyond the requirements of compliance (for example, by
agreeing to prevent rather than just to control pollution, or
by agreeing to clean up pollution that was caused by
others). Under EPA policy, SEPs can be encouraged by
penalty reductions in amounts less than the cost of the
SEPs. SEPs achieve voluntary environmental protection
that exceeds what can be accomplished by basic legal
requirements, at less cost to the government than to the
violators.
Status
EPA is conferring with PROFEPA on next steps. Region
6's Efren Ordonez is taking the lead, in consultation with
SEP expert Ann Kline of OECA/ORE's multi-media
enforcement unit, in working with PROFEPA's Myriam
Gonzalez and Pilar Lopez.
Participant(s)
EPA; Mexico's PROFEPA; U.S. DOJ; and state environmen-
tal agencies.
U.S. Contact(s)
Efren Ordonez, EPA Region 6,214-665-2181,
ordonez.efren@epa.gov;
Ann Kline, EPA/OECA, 202-564-0119, kline.ann@epa.gov;
Richard Emory, EPA/OECA, 202-564-7138,
emroy.richard@epa.gov
79
COOPERATIVE ENFORCEMENT and COMPLIANCE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Dictionary of Hazardous Waste Laws
and Definitions
Funding
Funding is to be determined; Region 6 may be a possible
funding source.
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to develop a user-friendly
"dictionary" of hazardous waste laws and definitions.
Project Description
The project develops a user-friendly "dictionary" of
hazardous waste laws and definitions.
Status
This project is proposed by PROFEPA Chihuahua
Delegada Pilar Lopez. The status of this project must be
determined, as well as if the work is not better accom-
plished within the CEC process for North America.
Participant(s)
EPA; PROFEPA
U.S. Contact(s)
Efren Ordonez. EPA Region 6,214-665-2181,
ordonez.efren@epa.gov;
Robert Heiss, EPA/OECA/OC, 202-564-4108,
heiss.robert@epa.gov;
Richard Emory, EPA/OECA/IECD, 202-564-7138,
emroy.richard@epa.gov
COOPERATIVE ENFORCEMENT and COMPLIANCE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Video of Multi-media Inspection Course for
Mexican Environmental Inspectors
Funding
Contractor is TetraTech, using some FY98 carry-over funds
available in FY99; no new OECA/OFA/IECD FY99 funds
planned.
Project Purpose
This existing, five-day course is to be made available in
shortened form and on video for low-cost presentations to
Mexican environmental inspectors. Since about 1992, this
course has been used in live deliveries to prepare Mexican
environmental inspectors to conduct multi-media inspection
of regulated industries within Mexico and to assist Mexico's
PROFEPAto develop an in-house training capacity. (See
related project description "Training — Pretreatment
Inspection Course for Mexican Environmental Inspectors")
Project Description
This course prepared Mexican environmental inspectors to
conduct multi-media inspections and to become familiar with
a number of industrial processes and related pollution. The
five-day course includes a plant site visit on the final day,
following intensive classroom lectures, discussions, and
reference materials.
Status
By a number of presentations from 1992-8, training was
accomplished for a large group of Mexican inspectors.
Because of this completion and lack of funding, live deliveries
are ending, and the course will be converted to video. The
video will include a section on waste-water pretreatment
inspections (this revision was prepared by SAIC in 1997).
Participant(s)
EPA and the Mexican Federal Government, with U.S. State
environmental officials invited as trainers and possibly as
participants in course deliveries
U.S. Contact(s)
Beverly Updike, EPA/OFA, 202-564-7142,
updike.beverly@epa.gov
81
COOPERATIVE ENFORCEMENT and COMPLIANCE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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CD-Rom of U.S. and Mexican Border Customs
Hazardous-Waste Course
Funding
Contractor TetraTech has FY98 carry-over funding for
completion by 12/31/98 by distribution of training materials on
CD-Rom to potential training presenters and sponsors. HQ-
funded live training in this topic is phased out. From OECA/
OFA/IECD, only a very limited amount of FY99 funding may
be available to support CD-Rom training deliveries. (Funds
for state participation may be obtainable through EPA-state
RCRA grants and OECA grants to the WSP and SEEN)
Project Purpose
This course is to be made available on CD-Rom for low-cost
presentations to Customs and environmental inspectors on
both sides of the U.S. and Mexican border. It provides
information and procedures to assist in increased detection
of international hazardous waste shipments and enable
inspectors to assist EPA and Mexico in continuing efforts to
enforce and monitor compliance with hazardous waste
regulations. It uses the "Hazardous Waste Compliance
Monitoring for Customs Inspectors" 1998 video and training
manual (also in CD-Rom) as the primary training tool.
Project Description
The project consists of distributing existing training materials
and facilitating delivery of U.S. and Mexican training courses
at several border locations. The training course covers
detection, inspection, regulatory compliance of
transboundary hazardous waste shipments, and, to a limited
extent, safety considerations. The training course will be
made available on CD-Rom for presentation to both U.S. and
Mexican Customs and environmental inspectors in coopera-
tion with EPA regional offices, state agencies, and Mexico.
The course may be combined with and/or supplemented with
the 1998 video on smuggling of CFCs and other ozone
depleting substances.
82
Status
To be determined
Participant(s)
EPA Headquarters; EPA Region 6,9; U.S. Customs; Mexican
Customs
U.S. Contact(s)
Janice Pearson, EPA Region 8,303-312-6354,
pearson.janice@epa.gov;
Joe Schultes, EPA Region 6,214-665-2244;
Chris Reiner, EPA Region 9,415-744-2096,
reiner.chris@epa.gov;
Richard Emory, EPA/OECA, 202-564-7138,
emroy.richard@epa.gov
COOPERATIVE ENFORCEMENT and COMPLIANCE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Sampling and Laboratory Techniques
Funding
Funds for course development may be obtainable from OFA,
Regional, and perhaps other sources; funds for state
participation may be obtainable through EPA-state grants and
OECA grants to the Western States Project (WSP) and
Southern Environmental Enforcement Network (SEEN).
From OECA/OFA/IECD, no FY99 funding is available.
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to develop and promulgate a
new course of training in field investigations, with a focus on
sampling techniques, and laboratory analysis, for delivery
mainly to Mexican inspectional and laboratory personnel.
Project Description
With initial funding from Region 9's Hazardous Waste
Workgroup, SEEN and WSP developed pilot training and
delivered it in March 1998. The potential Partners need to
consider interest (including funding availability) and decide
whether to follow up to perfect the course and then conduct
ongoing training deliveries.
Status
To be determined
Participant(s)
EPA; Mexican authorities; WSP; SEEN and state environ-
mental agencies
U.S. Contact(s)
Joe Schultes, EPA Region 6,214-665-2244;
Chris Reiner, EPA Region 9,415-744-2096,
reiner.chris@epa.gov;
TomFahey.WSP;
Roseanne Wishner, WSP;
Geary Allen, SEEN;
Richard Emory, EPA/OECA, 202-564-7138,
emroy.richard@epa.gov
83
COOPERATIVE ENFORCEMENT and COMPLIANCE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Pretreatment Inspection Course for Mexican
Environmental Inspectors
Funding
Availability of FY99 funding for contractor SAIC to be
determined. From OECA/OFA/IECD, FY99 funding may be
available.
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to continue a course in waste-
water pretreatment inspection techniques for Mexican
environmental inspectors. (See related project description
Training—Multi-Media Inspection Course for Mexican
Environmental Inspectors")
Project Description
The project provides a course in pretreatment inspection
techniques. Previously, it has been included as a section of
thefive-day Multi-Media Inspector Training Course.
Status
In 1997, EPA modified its five-day Multi-Media Inspector
Training Course to include a section on pretreatment
inspections. The course was first presented to 45 CNA
inspectors in Tijuana (September 8-12,1997), and to 40
students from throughout Mexico in a second delivery in
Nuevo Laredo (September 7-11,1998). 1998 trainers came
from SAIC, TNRCC, and Arizona DEQ (ADEQ). Future
tasks are to assure U.S. EPA participation as host/expert,
determine CNA's needs, and develop needed funding
(possible sources include Regions 6 and 9, OW, and
OECA's ORE and OC). If funds are available for FY99,
OECA/OFA/IECD plans to fund a third delivery in Mexico with
a train-the-trainers pass off to CNA. The pretreatment
portion of the multi-media inspection course may be
separated out as a separate, shorter course in pretreatment.
Participant(s)
EPA; Mexico's CNA and PROFEPA; and state environmental
officials invited as trainers and possibly as participants in
course deliveries
U.S. Contact(s)
Richard Emory, EPA/OFA, 202-564-7138,
emroy.richard@epa.gov
COOPERATIVE ENFORCEMENT and COMPLIANCE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Principles of Environmental
Enforcement Course
Funding
For a case study on pesticides for the course (that may be of
special interest to Central America), OECA/OFA/IECD has
some FY98 carry-over funding available. Matching funds will
be sought from OPPTS and OIA. For FY99, from OECA/
OFA/IECD only a very limited amount of FY99 funding may
be available.
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to present the training course
to policy makers in the Mexican Environmental Ministry and
to representatives of public interest groups and the regulated
community when requested.
Project Description
This is an intensive, 3-day course in fundamental principles
for designing and implementing environmental enforcement
programs.
Status
With AID funding, this course has been given several times
to Mexican audiences, most recently in Sonora State in
February of 1998 with the participation of Arizona. Region 6
is considering a future delivery for the eastern Mexican
border states. The course remains available as requests for
future deliveries and funding are received.
Participant(s)
EPA and the Mexican Federal Government, with U.S. State
environmental officials invited as trainers and participants in
course deliveries.
U.S. Contact(s)
Beverly Updike, EPA/OFA, 202-564-7142,
updike.beverly@epa.gov;
Efren Ordonez, EPA Region 6,214-665-2181,
ordonez.efren@epa.gov;
John D. Rothman, EPA Region 9,415-744-1353,
rothman.john@epa.gov
COOPERATIVE ENFORCEMENT and COMPLIANCE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
85
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Transboundary CFC Shipments
Funding
There is no funding planned after FY98.
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to enhance capacity for
compliance monitoring and enforcement of regulations
pertaining to the transboundary shipment of chlorofluorocar-
bons and other ozone-depleting chemicals (ODS), and
promote voluntary compliance. Cooperative efforts to
combat ODS smuggling across U.S. borders remains a high
priority with law-enforcement officials in EPA and other
agencies.
Project Description
In 1995 and 1996, EPA's contractor completed this half-day
course and delivered it personally in a number of border
locations. In 1997, the course was revised and converted to
a video format to reduce delivery costs and make the course
more readily available. The videotape and course book are
available upon request. HQ-funded live training in this topic
is phased out.
Status
The course materials are available to government requestors
from the Stratospheric Ozone Information Hotline at 1-800-
296-1996.
Participant(s)
EPA; PROFEPA; U.S. and Mexican Customs; FBI; state
environmental agencies
U.S. Contact(s)
Phyllis Putter, EPA Region 6,214-665-7271;
AlZemsky, EPA Region 9,415-744-1262,
zemsky.al@epa.gov;
Richard Emory, EPA/OECA, 202-564-7138,
emroy.richard@epa.gov
86
COOPERATIVE ENFORCEMENT and COMPLIANCE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Preparation and Distribution of Pollution
Prevention Video
Funding
Contractor TetraTech by 12/31 /98 will distribute the com-
pleted video using FY98 carry-over funds. From OECA/OFA/
IECD no FY99 funding will be available.
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to prepare and distribute a
video to promote voluntary pollution prevention activities by
U.S. and other industries operating in Mexico
Project Description
The video covers pollution prevention (going beyond mere
pollution control and legal requirements). OECA/OFA/IECD-
funded live training in this topic will not be available.
Status
The video may be distributed in 1999 at the planned
maquiladora outreach seminar that may be held during the
period January- March 1999.
Participant(s)
EPA; PROFEPA; U.S. border state environmental agencies;
regional environmental enforcement networks
U.S. Contact(s)
Janice Pearson, EPA Region 8,303-312-6354,
pearson.janice@epa.gov;
Richard Emory, EPA/OFA, 202-564-7138,
emroy.richard@epa.gov
87
COOPERATIVE ENFORCEMENT and COMPLIANCE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Update Maquiladora Compliance Manual
and Its Dissemination
Funding
There is no funding forthis project.
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to update the maquiladora
compliance manual, being sure to include information on
voluntary programs such as environmental auditing and
pollution prevention, and to disseminate it to users.
Project Description
The project updates the version of the maquiladora compli-
ance manual, including information on voluntary programs
such as environmental auditing and pollution prevention, and
its dissemination to users.
Status
To be determined
Participant(s)
EPA; PROFEPA
U.S. Contact(s)
Joe Schultes, EPA Region 6,214-665-2244;
Beverly Updike, EPA/OFA, 202-564-7142,
updike.beveriy@epa.gov
COOPERATIVE ENFORCEMENT and COMPLIANCE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Translate and Disseminate
EPA Sector Notebooks
Funding
None; absent contract money, limited translation may be
done in house after higher-priority operational translations.
Project Purpose
The purpose of the project is to translate in to Spanish EPA
sector notebooks and disseminate them to maquiladoras
and other interested users in Mexico.
Project Description
Translated versions of the EPA sector notebooks, and their
dissemination to users.
Status
To be determined
Participant(s)
EPA;PROFEPA
U.S. Contact(s)
Seth Hemingway, EPA/OECA/OC, 202-564-7017,
hemingway.seth@epa.gov;
Beverly Updike, EPA/OFA, 202-564-7142,
updike.beveriy@epa.gov
89
COOPERATIVE ENFORCEMENT and COMPLIANCE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Binational Industry Recognition
90
Funding
To be determined
Project Purpose
The purpose of the project is to develop a program of
outreach to industry that provides official recognition to
facilities or enterprises that participate in certain programs or
achieve certain standards that benefit the environment.
Recognition may begin with those who commit to principles
of good environmental conduct by border industry.
Project Description
The project develops a program of outreach to industry that
provides official recognition to facilities or enterprises that
participate in certain programs or achieve certain standards
that benefit the environment. Recognition may begin for
enterprises that commit to principles of good environmental
conduct by border industry. (Any relationship of official
recognition to enforcement must be carefully considered and
limited, so this project may not be one for the Workgroup on
Compliance and Enforcement)
Status
To be determined
Participant(s)
EPA; PROFEPA
U.S. Contact(s)
Richard Emory, EPA/OECA, 202-564-7138,
emroy.richard@epa.gov
COOPERATIVE ENFORCEMENT and COMPLIANCE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Seminars for Industry
Funding
Contractor will need FY99 funds to support the next
seminar(s). FromOECA/OFA/IECD, FY99 funding may be
available for one seminar.
Project Purpose
The purpose of the project is to use seminars to U.S.
industries operating in Mexico, to promote voluntary compli-
ance with environmental laws, pollution prevention, environ-
mental auditing, and related topics, and to provide to industry
information about both Mexico and U.S. voluntary and
compliance-related policies and programs on both sides of
the Border.
Project Description
Mexico has implemented an innovative program of assuring
compliance through voluntary environmental auditing. EPA
translated (into English) PROFEPA's Terms of Reference for
its Environmental Auditing Program. EPA also wrote letters
encouraging many U.S.-parent companies operating in
Mexico to have their maquiladoras participate in the initial
seminars that were held with in key border cities, providing
information on each country's programs and policies for
environmental auditing and voluntary compliance.
Status
An additional outreach seminar for border industry is being
planned for San Francisco in the period of January-March
1999. If available, the P2 video (see separate project
description) may be distributed.
Participant(s)
EPA; PROFEPA; U.S. border state environmental agencies;
regional environmental enforcement networks
U.S. Contact(s)
Beverly Updike, EPA/OFA, 202-564-7142,
updike.beveriy@epa.gov;
Gina Weber, EPA Region 6,214-665-8188,
weber.gina@epa.gov;
Joy Campbell, EPA Region 6,214-665-8036,
campbell.joy@epa.gov;
Chris Reiner, EPA Region 9,415-744-2096,
reiner.chris@epa.gov;
Catherine Kuhlman, EPA Region 9,415-744-2001,
kuhlman.catherine@epa.gov;
Rebekah Hoffacker, EPA Region 9,619-235-4764,
hoffacker.rebekah@epa.gov
91
COOPERATIVE ENFORCEMENT and COMPLIANCE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
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National Human Exposure Assessment Survey
(NHEXAS) Border Project (1996-1999)
Funding
No information available
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to:
1) Test if the exposures of the Arizona border population
are higher than the exposures of the population of the
state;
2) Test for the effects of sources (i.e., reported product
usage) on environmental, exposure, and biological media
concentrations;
3) Provide exposure data (reference data bases) for the
population of the U.S.-Mexico Border area of Arizona;
4) Test the associations between chemical measurements
— for example, associations between exposure and
biological markers, between exposure and environmental
media measurements, or between two (or more) exposure
pathways;
5) Test the contribution of measured pathways to expo-
sure, and the independence of pathway contributions; and
6) Serve as a pilot for future multimedia-multipathway
studies along the U.S.-Mexico Border.
Project Description
The NHEXAS Border Project is a probability-based survey
of the population of Arizona in proximity to the U.S.-Mexico
Border. The study included the collection of questionnaire
data and samples for the measurement of contaminants in
the air, house dust, water, food, and soil. Blood and urine
samples of the participants were measured for evidence of
exposure to environmental contaminants. Classes of
pollutants that are potentially harmful to human health, and
for which little information on population exposure is
available, will be examined. The pollutant classes include
metals, pesticides, VOCs and PAHs. There are multiple
sources (air, water, soil, food, dusts, etc.) of exposure to
these chemicals. Certain populations, including low-
income individuals, minorities, and the biologically suscep-
tible, are at high risk, so their exposures need to be
identified. Furthermore, little is known about temporal and
spatial distributions, and the trends in these distributions.
Status
The projects accomplishments include: 1) Data collection
completed on July 15,1998; and
2) Identification of elevated manganese levels in drinking
water in Yuma County (often above the aesthetic value of
50ug/L) - equivalent to levels found in mining communities.
Expected outcomes include: 1) Completion of question-
naire and analytical results by January 1999; and 2)
Preliminary report on The Environmental Exposure of the
U.S.-Mexico Border Residents of Arizona Compared to the
Remainder of the State, by December 1999.
Participant(s)
U of A ; EPA
U.S. Contact(s)
Gary Robertson, EPA, 702-798-2215,
robertson.gary@epa.gov;
Mike Lebowitz, UAZ, 520-626-6379,
lebowitz® resp-sci.arizona.edu;
Mary Kay O'Rourke, UAZ, 520-626-6835,
maryk@hrp.arizona.edu
95
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
A Study of Childhood Pesticide Poisoning in the
Lower Rio Grande Valley During 1996-1997
Funding
No information available
Project Purpose
1) Investigate pesticide poisoning reports in children six
years of age or younger in the
LRGV and selected non-border counties in Texas during
1996-1997;
2) Evaluate whether children in the LRGV may be at in-
creased risk for pesticide
poisoning;
3) Identify risk factors for childhood pesticide poisoning; and
4) Develop intervention/prevention strategies for reducing
pesticide poisoning in the population.
Project Description
This one-year project is scheduled to begin in October 1998
and end October 1999. We propose to investigate children
who were diagnosed by physicians with pesticide poisoning
at the age of six years or less in 1996-97 in the LRGV and in
a non-border comparison region. TDH and SAPCC data will
be reviewed to identify childhood pesticide poisoning reports
during these years. Parents will be contacted to determine
whether a child was seen by a physician and to obtain
additional information about the child and the poisoning
incident. The medical records of children seen by physicians
will be reviewed for specific information regarding the illness,
treatment, and outcome. Information from this study will help
us to evaluate whether children in the LRGV may be at
increased risk for poisoning, to identify risk factors for
childhood poisoning in these regions, and to direct interven-
tion activities aimed at reducing or preventing pesticide
poisoning in this population. The feasibility of developing
case control studies to assess chronic health effects
associated with acute pesticide poisoning will be evaluated at
the conclusion of the project based on the number and types
of childhood cases identified during this study.
96
Status
The funding has been obtained and the project began in
October 1998. Data is being obtained from the SAPCC.
Participant(s)
TDH; EPA; CDC; NCEH
U.S. Contact(s)
Dr. RJ Dutton, Border Health Office, TDH, 512-458-7675,
rjdutton@comm.tdh.state.tx.us;
Dr. Kim M. Blindauer, CDC/NCEH, 770-488-7278,
kfb7@cdc.gov;
Dr. Jackilen Shannon, TDH, 512-458-7268 Ext. 6519,
jshannon@epi.tdh.state.tx.us
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Health Alerts and Bulletin Board Initiative
Funding
No information available
Project Purpose
The purpose of this initiative is to ensure and facilitate the
access to quality health and environmental information for
the communities on the border, health providers, and border
health officials. The initiative addresses basic objectives 1,
2,3 and 5 of the Environmental Health Workgroup.
Project Description
Goals of the workgroup are to: 1) establish and maintain a
directory of border environmental and health organizations;
2) enhance information exchange among environmental and
health agencies; 3) create an electronic health information
system for public access; and 4) improve capabilities for
electronic communication between U.S. and Mexican health
and environmental agencies.
To achieve these goals, development of the following
services are planned: Environmental Health Yellow Pages,
Health Alerts, Official Electronic Communication System
Development, and Library/Information Index. The Yellow
Pages will be designed to provide the user with contact
information for federal, state and local offices and agencies
given a specific event or media. Health Alerts will be
designed to provide health care providers and health officials
with important information in a short period of time. The
alerts will include epidemiological and product-related
information. The Electronic Communication System will
facilitate the development of guidelines for the binational
exchange of environmental and health related information
and data. Finally, a library or index of information available on
the internet is planned as a resource for border communities
to obtain quality assured information regarding health,
environmental conditions, and research that is being
conducted in the border region.
Status
Progress has been made on all four goals of the workgroup,
as described below.
A small core group of U.S. State and Federal individuals have
started a coordinated effort for developing and completing the
Environmental Health Yellow Pages. The final document is
expected to be completed by mid-January 1999.
The following plans have been made for work on the goal of
providing a Health Alerts service: 1) the FDA regional offices
in Dallas and Los Angeles will collaborate to offer border
communities product alerts based upon the Los Angeles
office EPI-Fax system; 2) the FDA regional office in Los
Angeles will conduct a pilot study and evaluation of EPI-
Faxes to select sites in Mexico; and 3) determination of other
mechanisms to strengthen the dissemination of health alerts
will be made.
Development of BECS, by the Pan American Health
Organization El Paso Field Office, is being made to meet the
goal of Official Electronic Communication. BECS will be
used to facilitate bilateral discussions on the guidelines for
the"exchange of health data and information between the
U.S. and Mexico.
To support development of the Library/Information Index,
work is being done to strengthen existing systems that
currently serve this role and nurture the relationship with the
Border XXIEIRW.
Participant(s)
DHHS; FDA; DGE; PAHO; ADHS; CDHS; NMED; TDH;
TNRCC
U.S. Contact(s)
Ken Smith, 505-524-6300,
kenneth_smith@nmenv.state.nm.us;
Liam O'Fallon, 301-443-4010, lofallon@osophs.dhhs.gov
97
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Establishing a Pilot Program to Conduct Surveillance of
Non-occupational Acute Pesticide Illness and Injury in a
U.S.-Mexico Border State with Reporting of Cases to CDC
Funding
No information available
Project Purpose
1) To establish a non-occupational pesticide illness
surveillance program with the TDH in order to monitor the
occurrence and distribution of pesticide-related illness in
Texas, and to report cases, without personal identifiers, to
NCEH;
2) To identify risk factors for non-occupational pesticide-
related illness and injury in Texas to better direct intervention
efforts;
3) To conduct activities to reduce or prevent non-occupa-
tional pesticide illness and injury in Texas;
4) To evaluate the sensitivity and cost of the pilot surveillance
program; and
5) To determine the feasibility of expanding the program to
other border states.
Project Description
The TDH, EPA, and CDC/NCEH are collaborating on a 2-
year project to evaluate the public health impact of non-
occupational pesticide exposures in Texas. This project
involves conducting statewide surveillance of acute non-
occupational pesticide-related health conditions. In Phase I
(6 months), we will identify the health data sources from
which cases will be obtained, one of which must be poison
control center reports; in Phase II (1 year), we will perform
active case finding and follow-up activities, outbreak investi-
gations, and epidemiological studies; in Phase III (6 months),
we will evaluate the completeness and representatives of the
case finding effort. This project began in November of 1998
and will be completed in October of 2000.
98
Status
The majority of the funding has been obtained; the balance
will be provided in January 1999.
The project is scheduled to begin in November 1998. Staff
will be hired to conduct the surveillance activities. Health
data sources will be identified.
Participant(s)
Texas; TDH; EPA; CDC; NCEH
U.S. Contact(s)
Dr. Kim M. Blindauer, CDC/NCEH, 770-488-7278,
kfb7@cdc.gov;
Dr. RJ Dutton, Border Health Office, TDH, 512-458-7675,
rjdutton@comm.tdh.state.tx.us;
Dr. Jackilen Shannon, TDH, 512-458-7268 ext. 6519,
jshannon@epi.tdh.state.tx.us
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Identification of Lead Exposure
and Risk Reduction
Funding
No information available
Project Purpose
1) Address the community's concern regarding pediatric
lead exposure;
2) Conduct investigations at several sites along the U.S.-
Mexico border to assess blood lead levels;
3) Identify potential sources of exposure via a self-adminis-
tered questionnaire;
4) Train local personnel on the use of blood lead assessment
technology (fixed and portable); and
5) Transfer technology to local health authorities.
Project Description
The distribution of blood lead levels (BLLs) by age groups
often reflects the pathway of exposure. For example, if lead-
laden paint is the primary source of exposure, then 2 to 4
year-old children may be the most highly exposed, because
of hand-to-mouth behavior. On the other hand, if industrial
emissions are the primary source of exposure, older
children, who spend more time playing outdoors or who are
exposed to a complex interaction of exposure pathways, may
be the most highly contaminated age group. There is no
definitive information regarding exposure sources, but leaded
gasoline, industrial emissions, lead based paint, and folk
remedies in addition to 'take-home' exposure may be the
main sources of childhood lead exposure in the region. For
this reason, children 6 years-old or younger who are most
likely to be impacted by these sources will be sampled.
Status
The UCI managed Tijuana blood lead investigation is in its
final stages. Sample collection is almost complete, local
personnel has been trained and a blood lead laboratory is
functioning. In Spring 1998, we conducted our first field
investigation in the Sonora-Arizona border region. We
evaluated several sites in Yuma County and conducted blood
lead assessments of children in San Luis Rio Colorado,
Sonora and Agua Prieta, Sonora. We trained local health
providers and "promotoras" on the use of the portable blood
lead analyzer. We donated three blood lead instruments and
supplies to local health providers so that they can continue
offering the service, We will conduct a similar assessment,
in the fall of 1998, in the Chihuahua-New Mexico border
region.
Participant(s)
Arizona Department of Health; New Mexico Department of
Health; California Department of Health; Secretaria de
SalubridadyAsistencia; UCI; EPA/ORD; CDC/NCEH
U.S. Contact(s)
Emilio Esteban, CDC-NCEH, 770-488-7293, jav9@cdc.gov;
Rebecca Hart, CDC-NCEH (CSTE), 770-488-7260,
rmh8@cdc.gov;
Luis Ortega, Arizona Department of Health, 602-230-5880,
lortega@hs.state.az.us;
Jonathan Ericson, Univ. of Ca. Irvine, 525-203-4951;
Juan Rauda Esquivel, DGSA (Mexico), 011-525-255-45-55
99
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
The International Toxicology and Poison Center
Development Program
Funding
No information available
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to strengthen Mexican regional
and local toxicology centers and state and local toxicology
information centers to: 1) respond to the clinical necessities
of poisoned patients and environmental emergencies; and 2)
improve the capacity of environmental health officials to
identify potentially hazardous places and industries. The
centers will be strengthened through collaborative relation-
ships with internationally recognized U.S. and Canadian
centers of excellence. Basic EHWG objectives addressed
by this project are 1,2,4 and 5.
Project Description
The specific elements of the project include:
1) Establishing two Toxicological Centers every year for
three consecutive years to make a total of six Toxicological
Centers, in the border states of Mexico;
2) Assisting Mexican institutions in the development of a
basic package of low cost antidotes for emergency treat-
ment, including a distribution mechanism;
3) Establishing a network of emergency services, lexicological
information centers, and toxicological analysis laboratories;
4) Providing advice on strengthening programs for
community and physician information services and 24
hour emergency response capabilities;
5) Identifying or developing, and providing basic, low cost
bibliographic resources for Mexican institutions involved in
poison control and disaster response;
6) Providing advanced training for Mexican Clinical
Toxicologists in centers of excellence in the U.S.; and
7) Promoting the use of poison control data collection in
a standardized format and using these data for surveil-
lance of chemical hazards.
100
Status
Advanced training programs have been established for
qualified personnel with practical experience in medical
toxicology. The certification process is expected to be
implemented in 1999.
Toxicology centers were established in Monterrey, Nuevo
Leon and in Chihuahua, Chihuahua.
Participant(s)
Mexican Ministry of Health-DGSA; NCEH; States of
Tamaulipas; Chihuahua; Sonora; PAHO
U.S. Contact(s)
Dra. Susana Ceron Mireles, Mexico, 72-71-10-93,
ecotol@mail.infoabc.com
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
A Survey of Health and Environmental
Conditions Along the Texas-Mexico Border
Funding
No information available
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to establish a baseline of
environmental health conditions along the Texas-Mexico
border and to use the results to assess needs for environ-
mental health education, environmental monitoring, and
promotion of targeted health services. There will be a
contribution made to the formation of active surveillance for
health conditions related to environmental exposures, such
as hepatitis A, pesticide poisoning, lead poisoning, and
asthma. This project addresses EHWG objectives 1, 2, and 5.
Project Description
The specific project activities are to: 1) collect existing
demographic, environmental, and health data for 2,100
randomly selected households in the principal population
areas of the Texas-Mexico border (i.e., Brownsville, McAllen,
Laredo, Eagle Pass, Del Rio, El Paso, and colonia areas); 2)
collect data on household structure, general sanitation,
health conditions, and potential sources of exposure to
environmental contaminants; 3) measure blood lead levels in
about 500 children 1-12 years old; 4) conduct
seroprevalence of hepatitis A markers in about 500 children
1-12 years old; 5) screen for lead in ceramic pottery used for
cooking and storing food; and 6) test susceptibility for
microbial contamination of drinking water kept in storage
containers (chlorine residual). This survey will also serve as
a model for other entities planning or conducting health
studies or surveys along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Status
Nearly 500 blood samples, from children 1-12 yrs. old,
were collected and analyzed for lead and hepatitis A.
Data for 2,100 households was collected and analysis is
near completion. Comparisons will be made between the
3 major regions of the Texas-Mexico border and in
"colonias". The final report is expected September 30,
1998.
Participant(s)
TDH/OBH; CDC/NCEH; EPA/ORD
U.S. Contact(s)
R. J. Dutton, TDH, 512-458-7675,
RJ.Dutton@tdh.state.tx.us;
Cheryl Bowcock, TDH, 512-458-7675,
Cheryl.Bowcock@tdh.state.tx.us
101
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Strengthening Binational NTD Surveillance and
Epidemiological Research
102
Funding
No information available
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to document and reduce the
prevalence of NTD's on both sides of the border and
elsewhere in Mexico through case-control and epidemio-
logical studies, fortification of flour and grain food prod-
ucts, training of health professionals in the border region,
and education of at-risk populations.
Project Description
Clusters of NTDs have been identified in several border
communities during the past decade. The basic objectives
of this initiative are to document and reduce the prevalence
of NTDs on both sides of the border and elsewhere in Mexico
through case-control and epidemiological studies, fortification
of flour and grain food products, training of health profession-
als in the border region, and education of at-risk populations.
In the first phase, available NTD surveillance data from
border states, border sister cities and data from elsewhere in
Mexico will be collected to estimate the prevalence of NTDs.
Capture-recapture data collection techniques will be used in
border states such as Chihuahua or Sonora. In the second
phase, the conduct of a case-control etiologic study will be
explored in Tamaulipas. In the third phase, baseline folate
intake along the U.S.-Mexican border will be assessed using
the most recent Mexican National Nutrition Survey. Commu-
nity-based projects will be undertaken to educate reproduc-
tive-age women about good dietary habits and the protective
effects of high folate intake. (See related Texas NTD Project
description.)
Status
The U.S. and Mexico have been working together to enhance
the surveillance system along the border. Some training
activities have been completed and instruments have been
developed to collect, standardize, and distribute information.
Standard case definitions of Anencephaly, Spina Bifida, and
Encephalocele have been constructed with diagrams and
figures.
Planned activities (1999-2000):
1) Increase the institutional coverage and quality of NTD
surveillance in Mexico and U.S. border states;
1a) Establish consistent case definitions between U.S.
and Mexico border states for anencephaly, myelomenin-
gocele, and meningocele for comparison purposes;
1b) Distribute manuals to physicians, epidemiologists,
and other health care persons collecting case data to
standardize procedures for obtaining comparable data to
calculate NTD rates;
2) Strengthen operation of the surveillance system with
additional personnel;
2a) Support the proposed advanced training program
initiative to fund a position for an applied epidemiology
resident in Mexico to work on NTD assessment along the
U.S.-Mexico border;
2b) Complete recruitment of an epidemiologist by CDC to
work on Border XXI issues (half-time on NTD issues);
3) Continue efforts to design, develop, and fund risk factor
studies of NTDs;
3a) Review and finalize draft research proposal from
Mexican Center for Environmental Health (CENSA)
entitled "Genetic and Environmental Risk Factors for
Anencephaly: A Case-Control Study";
3b) Find resources to conduct pilot study and complete
CENSA research proposal investigating risk factors for NTDs;.
3c) Continue efforts for collaboration between Mexican
and U.S. border states to promote research and other
developments, (eg., Texas and Tamaulipas to develop
protocol for NTD case-control study, establishment of a
myelomeningocele clinic along the border);
3d) Establish binational workgroup to develop 'core'
questions from existing questionnaires so that standard
questionnaire can be used by several research groups;
Participant(s)
TDH/OBH; CDC/NCEH; EPA/ORD
U.S. Contact(s)
R. J. Dutton, TDH, 512-458-7675,
RJ.Dutton@tdh.state.tx.us;
Cheryl Bowcock, TDH, 512-458-7675,
Cheryl.Bowcock@tdh.state.tx.us
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Acute Respiratory Health and Ambient Air
Quality in the Paso del Norte Airshed
Funding
No information available
Project Purpose
1) Address the community's concern about the effect of air
pollution on health, especially the health of children;
2) (EHWG objective #1) Conduct an investigation with
existing records to examine the temporal association
between pediatric respiratory illness and air pollution. This
would improve the capacity of state, tribal and local health
and environmental agencies to assess the relationship
between human health and environmental exposures; and
3) (EHWG objective #3) Coordinate this investigation with the
study being developed by Mexican public health officials to
address similar issues so that training on epidemiologies!
and statistical methods occurs.
Project Description
The specific project activities are to: 1) collect existing
demographic, environmental, and health data for 2,100
randomly selected households in the principal population
areas of the Texas-Mexico border (i.e., Brownsville, McAllen,
Laredo, Eagle Pass, Del Rio, El Paso, and colonia areas); 2)
collect data on household structure, general sanitation,
health conditions, and potential sources of exposure to
environmental contaminants; 3) measure blood lead levels in
about500 children 1-12 years old; 4) conduct
seroprevalence of hepatitis A markers in about 500 children
1-12 years old; 5) screen for lead in ceramic pottery used for
cooking and storing food; and 6) test susceptibility for
microbial contamination of drinking water kept in storage
containers (chlorine residual). This survey will also serve as
a model for other entities planning or conducting health
studies or surveys along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Status
Nearly 500 blood samples, from children 1-12 yrs. old, were
collected and analyzed for lead and hepatitis A. Data for
2,100 households was collected and analysis is near
completion. Comparisons will be made between the 3 major
regions of the Texas-Mexico border and in "colonias". The
final report is expected September 30,1998.
Participant(s)
TDH/OBH; CDC/NCEH; EPA/ORD
U.S. Contact(s)
R. J. Dutton, TDH, 512-458-7675,
RJ.Dutton@tdh.state.tx.us;
Cheryl Bowcock, TDH, 512-458-7675,
Cheryl.Bowcock@tdh.state.tx.us
103
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Lower Rio Grande Valley Transboundary Air
Pollution Project (TAPP)
Funding
No information available
Project Purpose
1) Assess transboundary air transport and possible
sources in a section of the Lower Rio Grande Valley in
and near Brownsville, Texas (March 1996-March 1997);
2) Provide the Brownsville border community an enhanced
understanding about ambient air quality in the Valley that may
affect environmental exposure conditions; and
3) Assess whether transboundary air pollution conditions
affect air quality.
Project Description
This collaborative EPA-TNRCC study collected air pollutant
and meteorological data for a year (March 1996-March 1997)
at three fixed sites close to the U.S.-Mexico border on a
continuous and 24-hour integral basis. Time-series pollution
plots, chemical tracer analysis and wind sector analysis
were used to determine possible transboundary impacts and
sources. Data summaries were compared with TNRCC
ESLs to identify air pollutants that may pose potential health/
welfare concerns. The data were also compared with other
a!r monitoring studies. Long-term goals of this study were:
1) to provide TNRCC with background data with which future
changes in air pollutant levels in the Valley can be assessed;
and 2) to demonstrate a cost-effective monitoring and
modeling approach to assess transboundary air transport in
other border communities. The project started May 1995;
estimated completion date for project is late 1998.
Status
Study findings revealed overall ambient levels were
comparable or low to other urban and rural areas in Texas
and elsewhere. In addition, transboundary transport of air
pollution plumes originating in Mexico did not appear to
cause noticeable deterioration of air quality on the U.S.
side of the Lower Rio Grande Valley border. Dominant
southeasterly winds from the Gulf of Mexico were largely
responsible for the clean air conditions in the Brownsville
air shed. Few observations of pollutants exceeded
comparative data, most being VOCs; these appeared to be
due to local events and immediate influences, not regional
phenomena or persistent transboundary plumes. These
findings are detailed in an EPA Project Report and EPA
Project Summary expected to be available for public
distribution in late 1998. A Community Report is also
expected in late 1998.
Participant(s)
EPA/ORD; TNRCC
U.S. Contact(s)
Dr. Shaibal Mukerjee, Federal EPA, 919-541-1865,
mukerjee.shaibal@epa.gov;
Stephen C. Hern, Federal EPA, 702-798-2594,
hem.stephen@epa.gov;
Dr. Kirk E. Dean, TNRCC, 512-239-3667,
kdean@TNRCC.state.tx.us;
Stuart L. Dattner, TNRCC, 512-239-1811,
sdattner@TNRCC.state.tx.us;
Tony Franco, TNRCC, 956-425-6098,
tfranco@TNRCC.state.tx.us
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Pesticide Exposure and Health Effects in Young
Children Along the U.S.-Mexico Border
Funding
No information available
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to examine the risks and
possible health effects from persistent exposure to pesti-
cides via multiple sources and pathways in children living
along the U.S.-Mexico Border.
Project Description
Research is being conducted to examine the risks and
possible health effects from persistent exposure to pesti-
cides via multiple sources and pathways in children living
along the U.S.-Mexico Border. A three phase approach is
being used. In Phase I, pesticide usage and associated
health data along the border were reviewed. CIS is being
used to identify agricultural areas to aid in the study design.
A workshop on health effects assessment in young children
was held to review health endpoints appropriate for use in the
project. In Phase II, infants and young children will be
screened for evidence of pesticide exposure in Yuma,
Arizona and Imperial County, California. Phase III will
potentially include a more complete monitoring of children
classified as "high end exposures" in Phase II. Follow-up of
these children will include detailed measurement of environ-
mental exposure and biological monitoring for levels of
specific pesticide compounds or their metabolites. An
epidemiological study will be linked to these efforts to
examine specific hypotheses about the impact of pesticide
exposure on health status/outcome of children.
Status
In December of 1997, a workshop was held to review
methods for assessing health effects of pesticide
exposure in young children. In January of 1998, a
workshop was held on exposure assessment related to
pesticides. In September of 1998, Phase I Pesticide
Usage Report and GIS Crop Usage Population Maps was
completed. In October of 1998, initiated Phase II Pilot
Studies.
Participant(s)
EPA/ORD; CDC/NCEH; ADHS; NMDOH; NMED; TDH;
CDHS; [SSA/DGSA; SEMARNAP]
U.S. Contact(s)
Hal Zenick, EPA/ORD, 919-541-2283, zenick.hal@epa.gov;
Stephen Hern, EPA/ORD, 702-798-2594,
hem.stephen@epa.gov;
Alma Quan Torres, SSA/DGSA, 525-250-4393
105
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Texas Neural Tube Defect Project
Funding
106
No information available
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to determine environmental
contaminant risk factors for NTD occurrence along theTexas-
Mexico border.
Project Description
In mid-1995, the Texas Department of Health initiated a four-
year case-control study of risk factors for neural tube defects
(NTDs) in 14 counties along the Texas-Mexico border. Case-
women are identified through active surveillance. The case-
control protocol includes a large general questionnaire, a
food-frequency questionnaire, and laboratory tests of
biological samples. This study is being supported by CDC
and EPA and is the third component of a project that includes
NTD surveillance and folic acid intervention. A special study
was initiated in 1997 that coupled the case-control study to
georeferenced environmental data. It is entitled, "A Spatial
Approach to Determining the Role of Environmental Expo-
sures in Neural Tube Development" and has the objective of
determining the relationship between NTDs and the proximity
of case-and control-women to agricultural and industrial
sources of contamination in Cameron and Hidalgo Counties.
An anticipated outcome of this project is the identification of
unique biomarkers of environmental exposure, genetic
susceptibility, and gene-environment interaction that lead to
the development of NTDs in a Hispanic high-risk population.
(Start Date 1995, Completion Date (est.) 2001)
Status
1) To complete preliminary analyses of the NTD food
frequency questionnaire data and laboratory data; 2) To
begin collection of pesticide usage and crop data for
agricultural parcels within 1/4-mile buffer of the periconceptional
residences of NTD case- and control-women; and 3) To begin
collection of data from potential sources of industrial pollution
(e.g., National Pollution Discharge Elimination sites) within 1-
mile buffer of the periconceptional residences of NTD case-
and control-women.
The border-wide NTD rate for 1993-1997 is 13.4/10,000
live births. Of 100 high-risk women who have given birth
to a child after an index NTD-affected pregnancy, only one
has had a recurrent NTD-affected pregnancy; 3-5 recur-
rences would have been expected. The woman with the
recurrent NTD-affected pregnancy had declined participa-
tion in the folic acid intervention. By October 1,1998,
more than 250 questionnaires will be double entered and
edited for errors; the preliminary exploratory data analysis
for common (high prevalence) exposures can begin after
this step is complete.
Participant(s)
TDH; TDA; CDC/NCEH; EPA/ORD
U.S. Contact(s)
Dr. Katherine A. Hendricks, 512-458-7328,
kate.hendricks@tdh.state.tx.us
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Investigation of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
in Nogales, Arizona
Funding
No information available
Project Purpose
An elevated prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus
(SLE) was reported several years ago in Nogales, Arizona
and Rio Rico, a nearby community. In March 1996, the ADH
asked the CDC for help in conducting a case-control study to
determine whether exposure to chemicals in the environment
was associated with SLE among residents of Nogales. A
two-phase study was planned to address this question.
Objectives of Phase I were to identify SLE cases in Nogales
and determine if there was a seasonal pattern to the
appearance of lupus symptoms. Objectives of Phase 11
were to identify potential risk factors associated with
development of SLE in Nogales and to evaluate the possible
association between SLE and environmental exposure to
pesticides and inorganic compounds.
Project Description
The study includes case finding, clinical examination of case
subjects and laboratory evaluation. Exposure history from
questionnaire data will be supplemented by data from
environmental sampling and by other questionnaire data on
the reproductive history, occupational history and medication
history of participants. Phase 1: A pilot study was conducted
in November 1997. People suspected of having lupus were
recruited using local media and by case finding through local
physicians, clinics, and hospitals. Participants were given a
brief exposure questionnaire and asked to complete a 3-
month diary to assess seasonal changes in symptoms.
Phase II: A case-control study design is being used including:
1) additional case finding in Nogaies; 2) clinical examination;
3) laboratory testing analysis; and 4) administration of a
comprehensive questionnaire. For each confirmed case
subject, two control subjects will be selected. On-going
activities include case confirmation by a rheumatologist and
analysis of biological samples for inorganics and pesticides.
Status
1) Phase I case finding was completed in March 1998.36
cases were identified. No evidence of seasonal variations in
upus symptoms was found in diaries collected after three
months.
2) The Phase II case-control study commenced in May 1998.
Physical exams have been conducted and samples of blood
and urine were collected for testing from 30 of 36 participants
from Phase I. Lab results are not yet available. Phase 11
testing will be completed in December 1998. The other
section of the case control study will be completed by May
1999.
3) The data analysis and a written report explaining results of
the investigation are expected to be available in late 1999.
4) A community meeting to present findings and address
questions will be conducted after completion of Phase II
testing.
Participant(s)
ADHS; CDC; EPA
U.S. Contact(s)
Lina Balluz, CDC, 770-488-7353, Iib7@cdc.gov;
Luis Ortega, ADH, 602-230-5880, lortega@hs.state.az.us
107
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Evaluation of the Hispanic HANES Database
Funding
No information available
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to evaluate the data base for
usefulness as a reference (comparison) data base for
current and future environmental health studies involving
Hispanic populations.
Project Description
As part of the NHANES series, Hispanic HANES sampled
12,000 Hispanics (including 7,500 in the southwestern U.S.)
from 1982-1984. In addition to extensive health question-
naires and physical examinations, biological fluids were
collected and analyzed for various markers, including some
pesticides and metals. This data base has undergone
additional quality control checks and documentation.
Precursor comparisons are being made with the NHANES-II
data. The objective of this initiative is to evaluate the data
base for usefulness as a reference (comparison) data base
for current and future environmental health studies involving
Hispanic populations.
Status
In 1997, quality checks were completed for NHANES-II
pesticide residue and metabolite data. An interim report
"Pesticide Residues and Metabolites in Urine and Serum of
Hispanic HANES Subjects" was completed in January of
1998. Data documentation will be completed in March of
1999. Preliminary and descriptive analysis of databases will
be completed fay June of 1999. And a comparison of
pesticide residues and metabolites in NHANES-II and
Hispanic HANES September of 1999.
Participant(s)
ORD/EPA
108
U.S. Contact(s)
Dina Schreinemachers, EPA/NHEERL, 919-966-5875,
schreinemachers.dina@epa.gov;
Rebecca Calderon, EPA/NHEERL, 919-966-0617,
calderon.rebecca@epa.gov
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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-------
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Aerial Photography Initiative
Funding
No information available
Project Purpose
As part of Environmental Information Resource Workgroup,
there is a formal binational initiative to acquire aerial photog-
raphy and create new and revised maps in the U.S.-Mexico
border region.
Project Description
Current and consistent binational geospatial data is not
available and is required to develop effective and appropriate
strategies for addressing Border XXI program issues. Aerial
photography and digital mapping are being produced for a
variety of applications such as: pollution detection and
monitoring, soils classification, urban and rural planning,
geologic mapping, watershed management, and water
quality analysis.
Based on the requirements of SEMARNAP, INEGI will
continue to acquire color, infrared, and black and white
photography in priority areas to complete coverages of the
Mexico border region.
Status
In 1997, USGS began the development of DOQ (digital
image of an aerial photograph in which displacements
caused by the camera angles and the terrain have been
removed). USGS continued development of digital line
graphs (spatial representation by points, lines and areas of
planimetric {roads, streams, etc.} information).
USGS will continue development of DOQ and development
of digital line graphs. Digital data is and will continue to be
made available through the USGS homepage at http://
www.usgs.gov.
Participant(s)
DOI/USGS; SEMARNAP; INEGI; EPA
U.S. Contact(s)
Ken Osborn, 303-202-4138, kjosborn@usgs.gov;
David Parrish, 214-665-8352, parrish.david@epa.gov
111
ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION RESOURCES WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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U.S.-Mexico Border Environmental Indicators
Funding
FY-97 $60.000
FY-98/9 $65,000
Project Purpose
Environmental indicators are measures of environmental and
human health quality, and serve as a fundamental tool for
determining whether environmental policy addresses the
most urgent environmental, human health, and natural
resource issues. They can also provide clear and compre-
hensive information to the public on the status of the
environment, human health, and natural resources in the
U.S.-Mexico border area.
Project Description
Each of the nine Border XXI Workgroups is responsible for
developing measures of environmental and human health
quality and program performance for the workgroup's area of
responsibility. The binational workgroups work with state and
local agencies, tribal governments, and other entities in
developing and collecting data for these measures. The
EIRW is responsible for coordinating and editing the report.
The expected audience for this report includes the national
government of each country, border communities, state and
local agencies, tribal governments, concerned citizens and
citizen groups, and industry and business groups.
Status
The first report, 1997 U.S.-Mexico Border Environmental
Indicators, EPA909-R-001, was published in June of 1998 in
English and Spanish and is also posted on the Border XXI
homepage, http://www.epa.gov/usmexicoborder/indica97.
Preparations are underway for the next report in 1999.
112
Participant(s)
EPA and INE are the lead agencies, and all U.S. and Mexican
federal and state agencies involved in Border XXI are
participants, as are tribal governments in the U.S.; local
agencies; and non-governmental and industry groups.
U.S. Contact(s)
Darrin Swartz-Larson, EPA Region 9, 415-744-1638,
Swartz-Larson.Darrin@epa.gov
ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION RESOURCES WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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U.S.-Mexico Border Geospatial Data Directory
Funding
The project budget was $33,000 ($30,000 from EPA and
$3,000 cost-shared by the Earth Data Analysis Center,
UNM).
Project Purpose
A binational survey was conducted along the U.S.-Mexico
border in conjunction with four data needs workshops held in
1996. This project aims to take results from the survey that
identify geospatial data and present them as a bilingual
electronic directory that is accessible on the Internet.
Project Description
The U.S.-Mexico Border Data Directory is a bilingual
electronic directory that provides contact information for
geospatial data resources in the border region. In addition to
the contact, each entry contains a brief description of the
data, including the title of the data set, scale, geographic
location, and availability. Entries are based on responses
gathered during a 1996 survey that was conducted in
conjunction with four binational workshops sponsored by the
FGDC. The Directory is organized by state, including the
four U.S. border states (Arizona, California, New Mexico, and
Texas) and the six Mexican states (Baja California, Chihua-
hua, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, Sonora, andTamaulipas). In
addition, there are sections for National and Worldwide data
sets. The sections are further structured by general
categories of data, including: biological, boundaries, carto-
graphic, climate, cultural and historical, demographic,
environmental, geology, hydrography, infrastructure, land
use/land cover, public health, socioeconomic, soils, topogra-
phy, and transportation. Within these categories, entries are
grouped by logical headings derived from data set descrip-
tions (such as roads, surface drainage, etc.) provided by
survey respondents.
Status
The U.S.-Mexico Border Data Directory is online and can be
accessed at: http://us-mex-border-dir.unm.edu
Participant(s)
Earth Data Analysis Center, UNM and respondents to the
survey. Without their contributions to the survey and
workshops, the U.S.-Mexico Border Data Directory would not
exist.
U.S. Contact(s)
Amelia M. Budge, UNM, 505-277-3622 ext. 231,
abudge@spock.unm.edu
113
ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION RESOURCES WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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U.S.-Mexico Border XXI Program Homepage
Funding
The U.S.-Mexico Border XXI Program Homepage is sup-
ported by EPA and INE staff.
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to create an effective mecha-
nism for sharing information, thereby addressing the long-
term goal of improving and increasing public access to
information.
Project Description
The U.S.-Mexico BorderXXI Program Homepage, http://
www.epa.gov/usmexicoborderwas published in December
1996 with the U.S.-Mexico Border XXI documents (Executive
Summary, Border XXI Framework, 1996 Implementation
Plans), Border Maps, Compendium of Border Related
Projects receiving EPA funding and/or involving EPA
participation, and links to other border-related environmental
sites. These sections and documents will continue to be
maintained and updated as necessary.
Status
The U.S.-Mexico Border XXI Program Homepage has been
maintained since 1996. The homepage was revised in 1997
to include BorderXXI documents in English and Spanish.
The "Enviro-links" (links to other border-related environmental
sites) section was also revised. These links were organized
in categories to group similar homepage links, and to assist
users in locating additional information they are interested in.
In 1998, a "Directory of Contacts" section was made
available for users to be able to locate the main contacts for
each BorderXXI workgroup and National Coordinators.
Addresses, phone numbers, faxes and emails are included
in the Directory of Contacts. Future additions include a La
Paz agreement with annexes, a calendar of events of Border
XXI activities open to the public, Biennial report, and annual
implementation plans.
114
Participant(s)
EPA;SEMARNAP/INE
U.S. Contact(s)
Carmen Maso, EPA Region 9,415-744-1750,
maso.carmen@epa.gov
ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION RESOURCES WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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The Border XXI Release/Exchange of
Information Project
Funding
This project is being funded from existing resources.
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to improve and increase public
access to border-related environmental information by the
creation of a cross media/agency subcommittee to layout
and make recommendations on the issues of data sharing,
data exchange, and releasing data.
Project Description
The sharing and exchange of environmental information are
integral parts of many of the Border XXI Projects. While
there is a need to satisfy the needs of the public and the
issue of releasing information has been discussed among
the U.S. Border Team members, a procedure has not been
developed by all agencies involved in Border XXI. This
project has created a cross-media/agency subcommittee to
lay out and make recommendations on the issues of data
sharing, data exchange, and releasing data to the public.
Obtaining state and tribal partnerships for the project has
been a major objective. The project is composed of two
distinct stages: the first addresses U.S. issues, the second
stage deals with the interface between Mexico and the U.S.
Status
The first subcommittee telephone conference call was held
on August 11,1998. Conference calls were held every three
weeks during 1998 and are scheduled monthly in 1999. At
the Bi-National Environmental Information Resources and Air
Workgroup Meetings held in Tijuana during September, a
presentation was made on the project and public input was
requested. A discussion was held in October 1998 during
the Border XXI Cross-Workgroup Meeting held in Texas. The
purpose of this discussion was to obtain participation and to
identify issues. The project goals and objectives were also
discussed with representatives of the State of Arizona during
January 1999 with the goal of obtaining increased participa-
tion by all key state representatives. Meetings with the State
of California are planned for May 1999. In addition, trips to
the border area to obtain input from the public and tribal
ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION RESOURCES WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
representatives are planned. Key issues have been
identified. The project will be addressed at the next National
Coordinators Meeting planned for May 1999. Agendas and
meeting minutes are shared with all participants. Stage one
of the project is expected to be completed by March 1999;
stage two will begin at that time. Due to the complexity of the
issues and the on-going nature of the process, a project
completion date has not been established.
Participant(s)
Overall project responsibility is shared by Marie Martel,
EPA Region 9 and Mr. Roland Rios, INE- SEMARNAP.
Participants include representatives from the IBWC; the
DOI; BLM; USGS; DOJ and the HHS. Border XXI
Workgroup Representatives from both Regions 9 and 6
(includes the San Diego and El Paso Border Offices)
also provide participation. Representatives from the
states of California, Texas, and Arizona are included.
Tribal interface is provided by Mr. Fletcher of the San
Diego Border Office. Efforts to obtain tribal representa-
tives for the telephone conferences are in process. A
complete list of participants can be obtained from the U.S.
Contact.
U.S. Contact(s)
Marie Martel, EPA Region 9, San Francisco, 415-744-
1639, martel.marie@epa.gov
115
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Borderlands Information Center
Funding
The Border Center is supported by a $65,000 EPA grant for
fiscal year 1 999, bringing EPA funding for the Center to a
total of $226,500 overthe past 5 years. A smaller grant has
also been awarded by the USGS for the FY99 time period.
Project Purpose
The Texas/Mexico BIC was formed in 1 993 to help people
locate data and information about the natural resources and
demographics of the Texas/Mexico border region and to
encourage transboundary data sharing and collaboration on
environmental-related projects. Primary objectives for the
current fiscal year are to continue the above and, more
specifically, to focus on developing a "Project Finder" search
engine, to create an Internet-accessible metadata clearing-
house node for border-region data, and to transfer the Rio
Grande alliance web site to the BIC.
Locating Data And Information:
Helping people locate data and information about the border
region is the BIC's core responsibility. To accomplish this,
the BIC maintains a data library staffed by a well-qualified
CIS and information specialist with extensive contacts in
Mexican government agencies and universities. The recently
improved and expanded BIC web site provides information
about in-house data and links to many other important data
sources.
Building A Project Finder:
The Project Finder, being developed in collaboration with
ESRI, will be an Internet-accessible system for locating
information about water and other natural resource projects
in the border region. It is being designed to be user-friendly
and, instead of including complete metadata (as per FGDC
standards) it will contain only a limited number of basic fields.
For more details, the user can communicate with the
designated contact person. The Project Finderwill provide a
straightforward way to locate past, present and planned
projects to assist in prevention of duplication as well as to
determine gaps in various types of research and projects. It
will also integrate useful aspects of the EPA-funded RGA
116
Creating An Internet-Accessible Transboundary Metadata
Node:
BIC staff are concentrating on efforts for recording metadata
for key existing data sets for the border region. This is an on-
going project and will culminate with these metadata being
made available overthe Internet. The unique feature of this
Internet node is that it will be binational including data sets
from both sides of the border and it will be in both English
and Spanish.
Transferring The Rio Grande Alliance Web Site:
The BIC is in the process of arranging for the transfer of the
RGA website from the TNRCC to the BIC. The BIC has
accepted the responsibility for maintaining and regularly
updating the site and for maintaining its RGA identity. As
explained in below, problems with transferring the domain
name for the site are being resolved.
Project Description
The BIC was established to facilitate the availability of natural
resource and demographic data and information to all parties
working for the good of the Texas/Mexico border region and
to encourage collaboration in transboundary data collection
and sharing. To do this, the BIC provides a web site with
accessibility to its own data as well as links to other sources
and conducts an ongoing inventory of geospatial data files
with the objective of making them available overthe Internet.
A primary goal is to expand this role to become the principle
hub on the Internet for border-region data management and
dissemination.
The BIC, in collaboration with ESRI, is developing "Project
Finder", a system which will feature a map-based, Internet-
accessible inventory of natural resource-related projects.
This is to be a non-detailed and user-friendly system
featuring 8-10 key fields of data about each project. If more
detailed data is needed, the interested party can contact the
project originator. The system will feature the capability for
qualified project managers to enter their project information
directly on-line.
ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION RESOURCES WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Borderlands Information Center (cont'd)
The emphasis is on ease of use and aquiring as complete an
inventory as possible (as opposed to very detailed informa-
tion about a limited number of projects). This project builds
upon work begun by the EPA-funded RGAto create an
inventory of water-related projects in the Rio Grande
watershed. It significantly enhances the RGA project,
particularly in its simplicity of use, its accessibility for data
input, and its graphics search capability.
In addition, the BIG is creating a metadata clearinghouse
node which will provide thoroughly-detailed and standardized
information about major geographic data sets from both
sides of the border. This project will include, for example,
metadata for a number of the frequently-used Mexican map
series, and all data sets generated by the SMPand the
TNR1S program, which is overseeing the creation of state-
wide digital map layers. These metadata will be made
available through the BIG web site.
Finally, the BIG is in the process of arranging for transfer of
the RGA website to the BIG facility for continued mainte-
nance and updates.
Status
The Border Center is a focus of constant activity with
individuals from government, academia and the private
sector accessing in-house data as well as inquiring about
other sources. Miguel Pavon, the BIG Administrator whose
salary is supported by the current EPA grant, will soon
receive his H-1B Visa. This Visa will allow him to remain and
work in the United States for up to 6 more years. The BIG
website has recently been enhanced and is on line. The site
contains descriptions of the BIG, detailed listings of BIG
holdings, a calendar of upcoming events, an extensive
directory of individuals with interests in border research and
environment, and links to numerous other data sources. Still
to be included in the site are the Project Finder and the
Metadata Clearinghouse applications.
The Project Finder is expected to be functional by April, 1999,
and the Metadata application by late spring, 1999. Transfer
of the RGA website has been delayed by complications
related to using the current domain name server (The TNRIS
and BIG have been restricted to using the "...state.tx.us" as
opposed to the "...org" currently used for the site) but this
problem is being resolved. The TNRCC border staff which
created the site understandably prefers that the address
remain the same for the sake of continuity. The transfer of
the site will occur during the spring of 1999.
Participant(s)
As an administrative section of the TNRIS, a division of the
TWDB, the BIG receives support and guidance from the 42-
member TGIC. In this sense TNRIS is fortunate in having a
wide array of partners, including most of the major state
agencies, state universities, and a number of other primarily
governmental entities with interests in geographic data.
U.S. Contact(s)
Miguel Pavon, Texas, 512-463-8399,
mpavon@BIC.state.tx.us;
Charles Palmer, Texas, 512-463-8402,
cpalmer@BIC.state.tx.us
117
ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION RESOURCES WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Environmental Education Planning
Seminars for Arizona & Sonora
Funding
$74,000
Project Purpose
IDue to high demands and constant requests to expand
environmental education (EE) opportunities in the border
region, the Environmental Information Resources
Workgroup made environmental education one of its
main work objectives.
Project Description
The objectives of the project are to: 1) Strengthen communi-
cation between individuals, organizations, and border
communities toward the goal of creating new educational
strategies that address environmental education needs
binationaiiy; 2) Encourage residents of border communities
to exercise their civic responsibility with regard to environ-
mental problems through the development of environmental
education programs; and 3) Remain sensitive to existing
regional environmental education programs to avoid
duplication and foster new binational linkages between
environmental education program providers.
Status
During this period, workshops were held in the sister cities of
San Luis Rio Colorado, Yuma, both Nogales, and Agua
Prieta, Douglas. A total of over 200 educators working
along the Arizona-Sonora border were contacted for
possible participation in the workshops with over 60
individuals eventually participating in the two-day events.
Benefits to the communities were greatly extended
through a series of binational community-based projects
that were initiated through the workshop process.
Projects proposed during the workshop included: Yuma-
San Luis Rio Colorado: 1) An education program
118
with physical collection points and facilities in Mexico and
the U.S. (to recycle paper, plastics, glass and cardboard);
2) A Sonoran Desert training workshop specifically for
teachers in Yuma with trainers from Sonora; and
3) A motivational strategies workshop for environmental
educators.
In Ambos Nogales: 4) The coordination of solid waste
education in Nogales, Sonora; 5) An information campaign
for handling household hazardous wastes; and 6) A project
focusing on the conservation and restoration of urban green
spaces adjacent to a school grounds.
In Douglas-Agua Prieta: 7) Organize an educational training
workshop and pilot plan for reforestation in Naco, Sonora.
This effort was intended to have a multiplier effect by
providing a mechanism for information to be disseminated to
other local groups.
A number of recommendations for Environmental Education
in the region emerged from the workshop process. These
recommendations include: 1) Create a long-term regional
vision for the environmental education community; 2)
Increase the inter-organizational mechanisms for communi-
cation between environmental educators; 3) Provide
additional environmental education information and technical
training events; and 4) Foster the exchange of experiences
between environmental educators and educators working
with environmental health groups.
Participant(s)
Environmental Education Exchange; City of Nogales; City of
Douglas; City of San Luis; City of Yuma; many other organi-
zations from the Arizona-Sonora region; Secretaria de
Educacion y Culutura (SEC) of Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico
U.S. Contact(s)
Neil Markowitz, Environmental Education Exchange,
520-670-1442;
Lorena Lopez, EPA San Diego Border Office, 619-235-
4768, lopez.lorena@epa.gov
ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION RESOURCES WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Environmental Education Reform in the
California/Baja California Border Region
Funding
$35,000
Project Purpose
Due to high demands and constant requests to expand
environmental education (EE) opportunities in the border
region, the Environmental Information Resources
Workgroup made Environmental Education one of its
main work objectives. This project also recognizes the
importance to work with tribal communities located in the
border region.
Project Description
The objectives of the project are to: 1) Provide trilingual
environmental education materials for the schools of the
Indian communities of the California/Baja region; 2)
Reinforce mechanisms for the transmission of traditional
environmental management concepts from elders to
youth; and 3) Establish new partnerships between
teacher, students and elders related to environmental
education.
Status
Campo EE representatives are currently working with the
Institute Cultures Nativas de Baja California (CUNA) to
implement the project on both sides of the border. CUNA
representatives will be incorporating teachers and
students from the five Indian Tribes located in the
Northern part of Baja California Norte.
Representatives from both entities have been meeting
among themselves to assess and discuss the develop-
ment of the EE program. CUNA representatives held
special meetings in March and April 1999 to discuss the
EE project and identify important EE mechanisms to
implement the program. Both entities will host a sympo-
sium in Tecate, Baja California on June 5-6, 1999. The
symposium is designed for school teachers, administra-
tors, and elementary school-aged youth from native tribes
to develop environmental education specific art, and
literary work which will be made into EE curriculum which
ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION -RESOURCES WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
will be translated into English, Spanish and the
Kumeyaay/Kumiai languages.
Representatives from both sides of the border will
continue to meet on a regular basis to develop and
complete the curriculum and finalize the completion of the
project.
Participant(s)
Campo Band of Mission Indians; Instituto De Cultures
Nativas De Baja California; A.C.;
CUNA; Coordinating Five Baja California Mexico Tribes
U.S. Contact(s)
Dave Singleton, Campo Band of Mission Indians,
619-478-9046;
Mike Wilken, Instituto de Culturas Nativas (CUNA) and
Moises Santos Mena, 61-78-8093;
Claudia Leyva Aguilera, Caracol Centra Cientifico y
Cultural, 61-78-8093;
Lorena Lopez, EPA San Diego Border Liaison Office,
619-235-4768, lopez.lorena@epa.gov
119
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Imperial/Mexicali Valleys Environmental
Education Coalition (IMVEEC) Binational
Environmental Education Project
Funding
$40,000
Project Purpose
Due to high demands and constant requests to expand
environmental education (EE) opportunities in the border
region, the Environmental Information Resources
Workgroup made environmental education one of its
main work objectives.
Project Description
The objectives of the project are to: 1) Establish a core
binational planning committee to plan tasks for the
project; 2) Develop and present a workshop in water and
air pollution and hazardous material/waste for binational
teachers and media representatives; 3) Develop a
binational field trip emphasizing water pollution for
students; 4) Establish two binational community educa-
tion forums; and 5) Establish a bilingual newsletter
addressing community environmental concerns and
directory of environmental contacts.
Status
During this period, the binational core planning committee
was established and meets regularly to implement the
project. A media workshop will be held Mexican, Baja
California in the month of July, 1999. Marie Barett and Maria
Carillo will be working on planning and implementing a
workshop forthe media in the City of Mexicali. They will also
work on creating a newsletter and directory.
120
Participant(s)
Imperial Valley College; Centra Regional De Estudios
Ambientales (CREAS); Imperial County
Public Health Department
U.S. Contact(s)
Marie Barrett, Imperial Valley College, 760-355-6488;
Maria Carillo, Imperial County Public Health, 760-339-4461;
Lorena Lopez, EPA San Diego Border Office, 619-235-4768,
lopez.lorena@epa.gov
ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION RESOURCES WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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The Environmental Education Blueprint
of the Californias
The project produced a plan of action forthe organization of
the Environmental Education Council of the Californias
(EECC), a professional organization designed to implement
the plan. The first steering committee of the EECC was
elected by 29 members and the newly elected 10 members
will meet soon to guide the formation of the EECC and plan
the implementation of the project.
Participant(s)
San Diego Natural History Museum; Environmental Educa-
tion Exchange; Proyecto Fronterizo
de Educacion Ambiental
U.S. Contact(s)
Merle Okino O'Neill, San Diego Natural History Museum,
619-232-3821;
Lorena Lopez, EPA San Diego Border Office, 619-235-
4768, lopez.lorena@epa.gov
Funding
$73,000
Project Purpose
Due to high demands and constant requests to expand
environmental education (EE) opportunities in the border
region, the Environmental Information Resources
Workgroup made Environmental Education one of its
main work objectives.
Project Description
The objectives of the project are to: 1) Develop an environ-
mental education action plan for local environmental
educators working in the San Diego/Baja California
Region; 2) Focus the plan on finding and coordinating
environmental education programs and ideas, and identify-
ing the region's needs; and 3) Create an information and
action network to carry out strategies that will provide
improved delivery of environmental information and commu-
nity access to resources.
The project will be conducted in four phases: Phase I: A
compilation of existing EE programs and resource Matix;
Phase II: Environmental Eudcation Binational Conferences to
review the matrix to identify gaps and overlaps; Phase III:
Action Plan and create the Environmental Education
Blueprint of the Californias; and Phase IV: Publication of the
blueprint will be available to all participants, agencies, and
foundations.
Status
During this period, the San Diego Natural History Museum
developed in collaboration with the Environmental Education
Exchange in Tucson, Arizona, a binational directory of
service providers on the San Diego/Tijuana Border
Region. The group also developed a preliminary matrix of
Environmental Education products and services which
was put together by participants in two binational,
simultaneously translated strategic planning meetings.
ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION RESOURCES WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
121
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Environmental Education Planning Seminars
for Tohono O'odham Nation
Funding
$40,000
Project Purpose
Due to high demands and constant requests to expand
environmental education (EE) opportunities in the border
region, the Environmental Information Resources
Workgroup made Environmental Education one of its
main work objectives. This project also recognizes the
Importance of working with Tribal communities located in
the border region; therefore, the project will be creating
Phase II from an existing cooperative agreement that was
created with Environmental Education Exchange. This
phase of the project will concentrate on working, identify-
ing, and creating, with the Environmental Office of the
Tohono O'odham Nation, an Environmental Education
program that will implement selected EE strategies that
will benefit the tribal community.
Project Description
The objectives of the project are to: 1) Work with Nation's
Environmental Office to assist in the current assessment
of EE opportunities in schools on the Nation; 2) Work with
the Nation's Environmental Office to assist in the assess-
ment of EE opportunities, resources, and materials; 3)
Assist the Nations's Environmental Office with the
reparation of an interim report on EE on the Nation; 4)
Conduct meetings with selected departments and offices
on the Nation; 5) Develop an informational booklet of
environmental educators on the Tohono O'odham Nation;
6) Print and distribute the informational booklet;
7) Develop and refine strategies for EE development on
the O'odham Nation between O'odham and U.S. &
Mexican educators; 8) Assist in the implementation of
selected EE development strategies; 9) Provide follow-up-
up and technical support for selected EE projects; and 10)
Develop final project report for EPA, O'odham.
122
Status
The Exchange has further expanded its relationship with the
TON Environmental Office during this period. It was agreed
that the Exchange would wait for Sean Antone, currently
employed as an intern in the TON Environmental Office to
complete his work on EE in schools on the Nation. Sean has
taken the first steps in talking with teachers and beginning to
get a picture of what EE needs exist in schools. His final
report, completed this month will serve as a starting point
from which to expand EE survey work on the Nation's
schools. The Exchange intends to hire Sean, a tribal
member to continue to work on the project both in schools
and to survey other tribal office and to enter into direct
discussion regarding EE with each of the eleven districts.
At the same time the Exchange is planning to meet
again this month with Renee Red Dog (Ken Cronin's
supervior) to refine how the Exchange/TON partnership
will work and to plan for a July or August presentation to
the TON Legislative Council for "official" acknowledg-
ment of the project. It is anticipated that the project will
continue on through June of 2000.
Participant(s)
Environmental Education Exchange; Office of Environmental
Education of the Tohono O'odham Nation
U.S. Contact(s)
Neil Markowitz, Environmental Education Exchange,
520-670-1442;
Lorena Lopez, EPA San Diego Border Office, 619-235-
4768, lopez.lorena@epa.gov
ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION RESOURCESWORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Training and Environmental Education
Materials (TEEM) Building Capacity Along the
U.S.-Mexico Border, EPA Region 6
Funding
$100,000 .
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to enhance environmental
education (EE) building efforts along the U.S.-Mexico
border using a community education model called
TEEM. The project will improve opportunities for training
and access to materials on environmental education
topics for Hispanic audiences and educators working in
the border region of the Arizona/Sonora and California/
Baja California, Norte.
Project Description
The objectives of this program are to: 1) Identify priority
environmental issues and related environmental literacy
needs within communities; 2) Examine options for ways
to improve environmental education; 3) Elaborate and/or
plan strategies, programs, or projects to meet identifies
needs; and 4) Form support networks to help implement
strategies, programs, or projects.
The program will be completed through several tasks which
are: 1) Collect information and form a Core Planning
Team; 2) Convene organizing regional committees; 3)
Identify needs of EE practitioners in the region; 4) Design
strategies, programs, or project options; 5) Select a
project(s)/target audience(s) for implementation; and 6)
Build in follow-up support for the long run.
Status
The project will be initiated in the summer of 1999.
Participant(s)
Environmental Education Exchange; San Diego Natural
History Museum
U.S. Contact(s)
Neil Markowitz, Environmental Education Exchange,
520-670-1442;
Andrew Burnett, Office of Environmental Education in
Washington;
Lorena Lopez, EPA San Diego Border Office, 619-235-4768,
lopez.lorena@epa.gov
123
ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION RESOURCES WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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-------
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Update 1993 Maquiladora Industry Hazardous
Waste Management and Training Manual
Funding
Total Extramural $1998: $0.00
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to update a 1993 EPA/
SEDESOL bilingual publication, which is currently out of
date. The 1998 version of the bilingual maquiladora hazard-
ous waste management and training manual is intended to
support regulatory compliance activities within the
maquiladora industry and waste handlers in the U.S.-Mexico
border area. Training with this manual is expected to
improve compliance and monitoring of the transboundary
movement of hazardous wastes in the border area.
Project Description
This is a new project. The manual includes current EPA and
SEMARNAP hazardous waste import and export require-
ments and applicable state environmental agency require-
ments. The manual will be published in English and
Spanish. A CD-ROM version will also be developed. A
further goal is to provide Internet access to the 1998
Maquiladora Manual.
Status
This is a new project.
Participant(s)
EPA; INE; PROFEPA; WSP; TNRCC; NMED; Cal-DTSC;
ADEQ
U.S. Contact(s)
Joe Schultes, EPA Region 6,214-665-8323;
Bonnie Romo, EPA Region 6, 214-665-2244,
romo.bonnie@epa.gov;
Chris Reiner, EPA Region 9,415-744-2096,
reiner.chris@epa.gov
127
HAZARDOUS and SOLID WASTE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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City of Nogales Environmental Justice
through Pollution Prevention
Funding
No information available
Project Purpose
This project aims to promote pollution prevention in the small
business community in Nogales, AZ, with a particular
emphasis on the following sectors: automotive, printing, dry
cleaning and beauty salons. This will be accomplished by
on-site visits to these businesses and the development and
distribution of sector-specific P2 information in English and
Spanish, as well as extensive print and radio outreach to the
local community.
Project Description
In 1997, the project accomplished the following: Trainings
conducted for staff responsible for on-site business visits;
on-site visits initiated; development begun on P2 materials
and community outreach materials; collection of materials
begun for library of P2 reference materials to be established.
In 1998, the project team completed on-site visits with
businesses; completed, translated and distributed sector-
specific P2 educational materials; established a permanent,
bilingual reference library on pollution prevention; and
provided print and radio outreach to the community on the
importance of pollution prevention.
Status
Due to staffing changes at the City of Nogales, this project is
temporarily on hold. EPA Region 9 and the City of Nogaies
are currently negotiating a new project workplan, and work
should begin again in Spring of 1999.
Participant(s)
EPA; City of Nogales
128
U.S. Contact(s)
Chris Reiner, EPA Region 9,415-744-2096,
reiner.chris@epa.gov
HAZARDOUS and SOLID WASTE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Arizona-Mexico International Green
Organization (AMIGO)
Funding
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality received a
Border XXI grant of $40,000 to initiate this project. EPA
Region 9 has provided $35,000 in additional funding to
continue and expand the project.
Project Purpose
The mission of AMIGO is to bring Arizona and Mexico
industries together to share technologies that reduce waste
and pollution and increase profits, worker safety and
environmental health. Its focus is to promote pollution
prevention and improve waste management practices
among maquiladoras in the Arizona-Sonora border region
through a voluntary, non-regulatory government-industry
partnership.
Project Description
The focus of AMIGO is to promote pollution prevention and
improve waste management practices among industries in
the Arizona-Sonora border region. The focal point of the
project will be the maquiladora industry in Ambos Nogales
due to the higher concentration of maquiladoras in these
sister cities compared to neighboring sister cities. However,
efforts will also extend to industries from Douglas/Agua
Prieta, Ambos Nacos, and the San Luis/Yuma areas.
Facilities, trade associations, and government agencies on
both sides of the border will be invited to participate in AMIGO
activities, including information-sharing on successful waste
reduction activities, technology transfer, a pollution prevention
conference, and augmentation of environmental clearing-
houses located in the libraries of Ambos Nogales.
Activities that the partnership will promote to achieve its
goals include networking opportunities; technological and
information exchanges through workshops, facility tours, and
personnel exchanges; and a pollution prevention conference.
ADEQ promotes and facilitates networking and mutual
assistance opportunities between associated Arizona and
Sonora industries to identify successful waste reduction
activities and resolve barriers to pollution prevention in the
maquiladora industry through meetings, workshops,
personnel exchanges, and facility tours.
Status
ADEQ developed informational brochures and membership
agreement forms for the AMIGO project. Outreach was
conducted to inform industry on both sides of the Arizona/
Sonora border of AMIGO by conducting presentations and
publishing articles in newsletters. A pollution prevention
conference focused on the maquiladora industry in the
Ambos Nogales area was held in May 1998. AMIGO Awards
were presented to two maquiladoras at the meeting of the
Arizona/Mexico Commission in November 1998.
Participant(s)
EPA; ADEQ; PROFEPA; Maquiladora Association of
Nogales, Sonora
U.S. Contact(s)
Chris Reiner, EPA Region 9,415-744-2096,
reiner.chris@epa.gov;
Edna Mendoza, ADEQ, 520-628-6710,
mendoza.edna@ev.state.az.us
129
HAZARDOUS and SOLID WASTE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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New Mexico Environment Department (NMED)
Border Hazardous Waste Management Activities
Funding
$50,000.00
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to continue participation in
Border XXI hazardous waste activities which includes: 1)
border crossing checks for compliance with U.S. hazardous
waste regulations; 2) training and technical assistance to
local authorities and federal border agencies on hazardous
waste/materials inspection procedures for transporters; 3)
training and compliance assistance to the U.S. and Mexico
border industry to increase their understanding of the
regulations governing transboundary hazardous waste
shipments; and 4) participation in the Texas/Chihuahua/ New
Mexico enforcement subgroup.
Project Description
In coordination with U.S. Customs officials, the project team
conducted 71 border checks at three border crossings,
namely the Santa Teresa port-of-entry, Columbus/Las
Palomas Port-of-entry, and the Antelope Wells border
crossing. The project team participated in numerous EPA,
TNRCC, and PROFEPA meetings and training sessions
related to hazardous waste transportation issues. The
project team maintains and promotes compliance with
regulations governing transboundary hazardous waste
shipments. The project team increases knowledge of border
corridor generators and transporters crossing the Mexico/
New Mexico border. It participates in training with partners
and organizations involved with transboundary hazardous
waste shipments. In partnership with TNRCC, it participates
in educational outreach meetings on regulations pertaining to
transboundary hazardous waste.
Status
The status of this project is ongoing.
130
Participant(s)
EPA; TNRCC; County governments of Dona Ana, Luna, and
Hidalgo; U.S. Customs; Aduana; U.S. DOT; PROFEPA; INE
U.S. Contact(s)
Bonnie Romo, EPA Region 6, 214-665-8323,
romo.bonnie@epa.gov;
JohnTymkowych, NMED, 505-827-1508,
john_tymkowych@nmenv.state.nm.us
HAZARDOUS and SOLID WASTE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Sistema Integral para el Reciclamiento de Desechos
Organicos (SIRDO) in Tijuana
(Integral System for the Recycling of Organic Waste)
Funding
A grant for this project of $14,000.00 was given to the
USDA Forest Service, who will work in conjunction with
the National Wildlife Federation to implement it.
Project Purpose
See project description
Project Description
This project will support a pilot project to evaluate the
effectiveness of composting latrines in areas of Tijuana not
served by wastewater infrastructure. The SIRDO latrine,
when used properly: prevents contamination of lakes, rivers
and wetlands with sewage waste, prevents eutrophication .
and loss of species diversity in waterways; prevents air
pollution by fecal dust; produces high quality biofertilizer;
closes an economic loop by allowing people to profit from
otherwise contaminating materials; is significantly cheaper
than centralized sewage disposal for areas of water scarcity
and rural areas.
Status
In October 1998, four SIRDO units were installed in Tijuana
and residents were trained in the maintenance of the units.
The units will be monitored over the coming year.
Participant(s)
EPA; INE; National Wildlife Federation
U.S. Contact(s)
Chris Reiner, EPA Region 9,415-744-2096,
reiner.chris@epa.gov;
Ellen Eubanks, USDA Forest Service, 909-599-1267
131
HAZARDOUS and SOLID WASTE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Hazardous Waste Sampling and
Analysis Training
Funding
No information available
Project Purpose
To increase capacity among governmental agencies in the
border area to sample and analyze hazardous waste.
Project Description
In coordination with the Enforcement Workgroup, the
Hazardous and Solid Waste Workgroup will continue to offer
training in hazardous waste sampling and analysis for
inspectors in Mexico.
Status
The course was offered in Saltillo and Hermosillo in 1998 and
will be offered in Baja California in 1999.
Participant(s)
EPA; INE; PROFEPA; TNRCC; Cal- DTSC; ADEQ; NMED;
U.S. Customs; U.S. DOT; SEEN
U.S. Contact(s)
Efren Ordonez, EPA Region 6, 214-665-2181,
ordonez.efren@epa.gov;
Steve Niemeyer, TNRCC Border Office, Austin, 512-239-
3600, sniemeye@tnrcc.state.tx.us;
John Rothman, EPA Region 9, 415-744-1353,
rothman.john@epa.gov
132
HAZARDOUS and SOLID WASTE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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EPA/TNRCC Used Oil Border Initiative
Funding
No additional funding beyond the FY98 grant monies were
provided for this project.
Project Purpose
This is a new pilot project that was proposed by the TNRCC
Region 6 El Paso office for FY98.
Since used oil is regulated differently in Mexico, there is a
potential for used oil to be mixed with hazardous waste. This
pilot will help provide baseline data in the El Paso region to
determine whether imported hazardous waste has been
mixed with used oil as it comes across the border. EPA
Region 6 will provide the TNRCC El Paso office with training,
field kits, and analytical support for monitoring used oil
coming into the U.S. from Mexico to determine if it is mixed
with hazardous waste.
Project Description
Transporters who import used oil from Mexico are subject to
the requirements of Subpart E of the Used Oil Standards
from the time the used oil enters the U.S. Concerns have
been raised that used oil crossing the border to the U.S. may
be mixed with hazardous wastes (e.g., spent solvents, heavy
metals) and not properly managed in the U.S. Used oil that
has been mixed with hazardous waste constituents must be
managed as hazardous waste in the U.S. Transporters of
imported used oil are required to determine whether the total
halogen content is above or below 1,000 ppm. Mixture of
used oil with hazardous waste is prohibited. If the halogen
content of used oil is above 1,000 ppm, it is presumed to be
mixed with significant concentrations of halogenated
hazardous constituents. TNRCC will conduct random
sampling of used oil shipments and those samples testing
positive will be sent to an EPA laboratory for further analysis.
U.S. Customs, Aduana and PROFEPA will be invited to
participate in this initiative. EPA will provide laboratory
analyses for used oil samples that test positive for hazard-
ous waste. The duration of this pilot is six months or 15
shipments, whichever is first.
Status
EPA provided bilingual training on used oil regulations to
TNRCC, U.S. Customs, and Aduna inspectors located in El
Paso as well as provide numerous field test kits and training
on the kits. Laboratory support was also provided to
TNRCC-EI Paso for sample analyses. The TNRCC-EI Paso
office conducted numerous inspections of used oil ship-
ments, imported through the Ysleta Port-of-Entry, to ensure
compliance with applicable regulations and to verify if used
oil was screened and sampled using the field test kits. Of
these, four shipments tested negative for chlorinated
halogens and three tested positive. Two of the three cases
were successfully rebutted by the companies and one case
was referred to EPA for enforcement action. Although the
sample population tested was small, it appears that this
issue is not a concern at this time. However, U.S. Customs
and the TNRCC-EI Paso office will continue to coordinate on
future testing and sampling as the need arises.
Parti cipant(s)
EPA; TNRCC; U.S. Customs; Aduana; PROFEPA
U.S. Contact(s)
Nancy Jones, EPA Region 6,214-665-8041,
bender.jones.nancy@epa.gov;
Bonnie Romo, EPA Region 6,214-665-8323,
romo.bonnie@epa.gov;
Esteban Herrera, EPA Region 6, 214-665-7348,
herrera.esteban@epa.gov;
Terry McMillan, TNRCC Region 6 El Paso, 915-783-9634,
tmcmilla@tnrcc.state.tx.us;
Kent Waggoner, TNRCC Region 6 El Paso, 915-783-9634,
kwaggone@tnrcc.state.tx.us
133
HAZARDOUS and SOLID WASTE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Hazardous Waste Management Training
Course and Manual
Funding
A contract for $74,000 was established in FY98 to support
this effort.
Project Purpose
EPA, under contract with PRC (nowTetra-Tech) and input
from SEMARNAP, developed a hazardous waste manage-
ment course and manual to be given to regulators and
policymakers from Mexico.
Project Description
Among other issues, this course covers hazardous waste
site identification, assessment and remediation.
Status
The course has been offered once in Mexico City and four
times in Mexican cities on the border.
Participant(s)
INE: Luis Wolf; EPA; INE; PROFEPA; Mexican State
Agencies; Tetra-Tech
U.S. Contact(s)
Chris Reiner, EPA Region 9,415-744-2096,
reiner.chris@epa.gov;
Bonnie Romo, EPA Region 6,214-665-8323,
romo.bonnie@epa.gov
134
HAZARDOUS and SOLID WASTE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Implementation of the Joint Hazardous and
Solid Waste/Enforcement Subworkgroups
Funding
No information available
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to continue planning and
facilitating regional subworkgroup meetings for the Border
States.
Project Description
The regional subgroups address a wide range of hazardous
waste and enforcement issues in their respective regions of
the border.
Status
New regional subgroups were formed in the Texas/Coahuila
and the Texas/Nuevo Leon/Tamaulipas regions. Numerous
trainings were offered by the regional subgroups including:
hazardous waste safety and compliance training for Cus-
toms and Aduana inspectors; hazardous waste sampling
and analysis training for PROFEPA inspectors; workshops
on the principles of environmental enforcement. In addition,
the regional subgroups have coordinated on numerous
enforcement and regulatory issues.
Participant(s)
EPA; INE; PROFEPA; TNRCC; NMED; ADEQ; Cal-DTSC
U.S. Contact(s)
Chris Reiner, EPA Region 9, reiner.chris@epa.gov;
John Rothman, EPA Region 9, 415-744-2096, 415-744-
1353 rothman.john@epa.gov;
Bonnie Romo, EPA Region 6, 214-665-8323,
romo.bonnie@epa.gov;
Joe Schultes, EPA Region 6, 214-665-2244;
Efren Ordonez, EPA Region 6, 214-665-2181,
ordonez.efren@epa.gov;
Pam LePen, DTSC, 714-484-5379, PLepen@dtsc.ca.gov;
Placido Dos Santos, ADEQ, 520-628-6744,
dossantos.placido@eza.state.az.us;
Steve Niemeyer, TNRCC Border Office, Austin, 512-239-
3600, sniemeye@tnrcc.state.tx.us;
Terry McMillan, TNRCC Region 6 El Paso, 915-778-9634,
tmcmilla@tnrcc.state.tx.us;
Kent Waggoner, TNRCC Region 6 El Paso, 915-778-9634,
kwaggone@tnrcc.state.tx.us;
Mike Le Scouarnec, NMED, 505-827-1508;
JohnTymkowych, NMED, 505-827-1508,
john_tymkowych@nmenv.state.nm.us
135
HAZARDOUS and SOLID WASTE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Texas Natural Resources Conservation
Commission (TNRCC) Border Hazardous
Waste Management Activities
136
Funding
$100,000
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to strengthen compliance with
the regulations fortransboundary shipments of hazardous
wastes through the following activities: 1) Continue to
monitor and conduct inspections at six Texas international
ports of entry, inspecting warehouses, transporter yards, and
entities involved with managing imports of hazardous
wastes; 2) Continue to provide training to facilitate informa-
tion sharing and increase capability of U.S. Customs and
Aduana personnel to detect illegal shipments of hazardous
waste at border crossings; and 3) Continue to provide
training and compliance assistance workshops to U.S. and
Mexico border maquiladora industry to increase their
understanding of the regulations governing transboundary
hazardous waste shipments.
Project Description
In 1997, the project accomplished the following: 1) The El
Paso Region 6 Office conducted 24 facility inspections. Two
inspections (8 %) were noncompliant and were issued
notices of violation (NOV). The Region 6 office participated
with U.S. Customs and Aduana in 26 bridge inspections.
The Region 15 Hariingen Office conducted 23 facility
inspections and issued one NOV. It also held 32 bridge
inspections and eight rail yard inspections. The San Antonio
Region 13 Office conducted five warehouse inspections and
two bridge inspections in Eagle Pass and Del Rio; 2)
Together with EPA Region 6, provided two training sessions
to U.S. Customs/Aduana in Laredo and Brownsville.
Produced a training manual for these courses; 3) Together
with EPA Region 6, conducted four outreach conferences for
the maquiladora industry in El Paso, Laredo, Del Rio, and
Brownsville. In 1998, TNRCC continued its monitoring and
inspection program. It coordinated two training courses for
U.S. Customs and Aduana and three outreach educational
seminars to the U.S. and Mexico border industry on proper
management of transboundary hazardous waste. It contin-
ues to provide technical assistance and outreach to U.S.
Customs officials during routine bridge inspection visits.
Status
The status of this project is ongoing.
Participant(s)
EPA; PROFEPA; TNRCC; Texas Dept. of Safety; TDH;
NMED; U.S. Customs; DOT; INE; Aduana; Maquiladora
Association; Texas Border counties
U.S. Contact(s)
Bonnie Romo, EPA Region 6, 214-665-2244,
romo.bonnie@epa.gov;
Joe Schultes, EPA Region 6,214-665-8323;
Terry McMillan, TNRCC El Paso Region 6,915-778-9634,
tmcmilla@tnrcc.state.tx.us;
Kent Waggoner, TNRCC El Paso Region 6,915-778-9634,
kwaggone@tnrcc.state.tx.us;
Arturo Blanco, TNRCC Hariingen Region 15,956-425-6010;
Jorge Bacelis, TNRCC Laredo Region 16,956-791-6611
HAZARDOUS and SOLID WASTE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Border Waste Wi$e
Web Site Maintenance
Funding
This project was funded with $10,000 to the City of San
Diego in June 1997.
Project Purpose
This project serves to maintain and update the Border Waste
Wi$e web site.
Project Description
Maintenance and modification of the web site created under
the Border Waste Wi$e Program. This website serves as a
source of information on this program, as well as providing
general information on solid waste reduction and recycling
with an emphasis on the San Diego-Tijuana Border region.
Status
Completed translation of Spanish version of website;
continued maintenance of web site; periodic updates of web
site information.
Participant(s)
EPA; City of San Diego
U.S. Contact(s)
Chris Reiner, EPA Region 9,415-744-2096,
reiner.chris@epa.gov;
Yvonne Williams, City of San Diego
137
HAZARDOUS and SOLID WASTE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-MexIco Border Activities
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California Department of Toxic
Substances Control (DTSC) Border
Hazardous Waste Activities
Funding
$195,000
Project Purpose
This project will fund a Border Coordinator position in the
Cal-DTSCto support implementation of the Border Plan in
California. Additional funds will be used for several specific
border projects.
Project Description
This project provides funding for a Border Coordinator
position in the Cal-DTSC. Additionally, several specific
border projects will be funded through the Coordinator,
including: tracking of transboundary shipments of hazardous
wastes through manifest and notification information;
conducting surveillance and enforcement of shipments of
hazardous waste that cross the Cal/BC border at the U.S.
Customs Ports of Entry; providing technical assistance
including binational workshops on compliance with hazard-
ous waste regulations and pollution prevention techniques for
U.S. and Mexico border industries and government officials;
and participating in binational workgroups and subgroups that
address hazardous waste issues in the border region.
Status
The project team was successful at establishing a
Workshop on Hazardous Waste Classification in Tijuana,
B.C. April 23,1998 and Mexicali, B.C. April 30,1998. A
Workshop on Pollution Prevention for the Electronics
industry May 12,1998; Workshop on Requirements for
import/export of hazardous waste June 11 -12,1998.
Inspections of transporters bringing hazardous waste across
the border are being conducted almost weekly at U.S.
Customs facilities in California. Several enforcement actions
are being pursued as a result. $445,000 in fines were
collected as a result of enforcement activities pertaining to
shipments of hazardous waste from Mexico into California.
138
Participant(s)
EPA; Cal-DTSC; SDCDEH; SDSU; PROFEPA; INE; Baja
California
U.S. Contact(s)
Pam LePen, DTSC, 714-484-5379, PLepen@dtsc.ca.gov;
Chris Reiner, EPA Region 9,415-744-2096,
reiner.chris@epa.gov
HAZARDOUS and SOLID WASTE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Activities under U.S.-Mexico Consultative
Mechanism for the Establishment of New Sites
and for Existing Sites
Funding
No information available
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to exchange information on
waste facilities located on both sides of the border area in
accordance with the agreed upon U.S.-Mexico Consultative
Mechanism for the Establishment of New Sites and for
Existing Sites.
Project Description
In coordination with INE, the project team will design and
negotiate a revised bilateral agreement to address concerns
in each country about the siting of waste treatment and
disposal facilities in the border region. The project team will
work to ensure that the creation of this agreement, which will
address solid, hazardous and radioactive waste sites,
involves active participation from the relevant stakeholders,
with a particular focus on state partners.
Status
On November 11,1998, the Hazardous and Solid Waste
Workgroup, met in Mexico City to discuss the issue of siting
hazardous, solid, and radioactive waste facilities in the
border. On the U.S. side, the meeting was attended by
representatives from EPA, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City,
and the states of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. In
addition to INE, the Mexican delegation included representa-
tives from the Ministry of Foreign Relations, PROFEPA, the
National Commission on Nuclear Security, and the Ecology
Department of the state of Nuevo Leon.
There will be continuous meetings on this issue over the
coming year.
Participant(s)
EPA; INE; PROFEPA; Border States
U.S. Contact(s)
Willie Kelley, EPA Region 6, 214-665-6760,
kelley.willie@epa.gov;
Bonnie Romo, EPA Region 6, 214-665-8323,
romo.bonnie@epa.gov;
Joe Schultes, EPA Region 6,214-665-2244;
Steve Niemeyer, TNRCC Border Affairs Office, 512-239-
3600, sniemeye@tnrcc.state.tx.us;
Chris Reiner, EPA Region 9,415-744-2096,
reiner.chris@epa.gov
139
HAZARDOUS and SOLID WASTE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Texas Natural Resources Conservation
Commission (TNRCC) Border Solid Waste
Management Activities
Funding
$0.00
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to develop and facilitate pilot
projects which can serve as models for affordable municipal
solid waste management (MSWM) systems, and can be
replicated for use in border communities, to facilitate
information sharing and develop improved networks for
information exchange and coordination, among key U.S. and
Mexico solid waste officials, particularly regarding MSWM
problems which are common on both sides of the border.
Project Description
TNRCC initiated outreach and technical assistance to border
local governments (LG) in order to assess level of interest
and provide the framework needed to approach long-term,
comprehensive solutions to these problems. Other activities
include: 1) Analyzed, published, and distributed results from
the survey of border county governments regarding illegal
dumping. It provided important details on the scope/
magnitude of the problem; 2) Responded to requests for
assistance on illegal dumping and related MSW problems; 3)
Completed database of potential funding resources for viable
illegal dumping programs which could serve as models for
other communities; and 4) Coordinated with other U.S. and
Mexico government agencies on common border MSW
problems.
TNRCC will continue to conduct the border outreach and
technical assistance described for 1997, an integral part of
which is working with LGs to mitigate illegal dumping through
voluntary compliance and comprehensive solutions. TNRCC
will initiate publication of a generic, bilingual brochure
describing the impact of illegal dumping on human health and
the environment and outlining proper disposal methods.
Distribute camera-ready slick to border LGs. TNRCC will
also work with LGs, colonias, and NGO's to facilitate pilots/
model programs for resolving problems.
140
It will provide funding and technical assistance to LGs on
components of illegal dumping solutions, including cleanup
events, educational initiatives, enforcement, and collection
equipment/facilities.
Status
This is an ongoing project.
Participant(s)
EPA; Texas Border county governments; border regional
planning agencies; SEMARNAP; SEDESOL; state delegados
U.S. Contact(s)
Willie Kelley, EPA Region 6, 714-665-6760,
kelley.willie@epa.gov;
Trade Donaldson, EPA Region 6,714-665-6760,
donaldson.tracie@epa.gov;
Linda Haynie, TNRCC, 512-239-6813,
lhaynie@tnrcc.state.tx.us
HAZARDOUS and SOLID WASTE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
(ADEQ) Hazardous Waste Border Activities
Funding
$195,000
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to provide funding to support
ADEQ hazardous waste activities specific to the Border Plan
in Arizona.
Project Description
This project provides funds for hazardous waste activities
specific to the Border Plan in Arizona, including: internal and
external liaison for hazardous waste issues on the Arizona/
Sonora border; principal participation in the Arizona/Sonora
Hazardous and Solid Waste and Enforcement
Subworkgroup; development and implementation of pollution
prevention/waste minimization outreach activities for
industries in the border region, including the maquiladora
industry; technical assistance to other federal, state and local
agencies and/or non-governmental organizations; provide
compliance assistance workshops to U.S. and Mexico
border industries and government officials, to improve their
understanding of hazardous waste import/export regulations;
participation in multi-agency task forces and/or study groups
which address hazardous waste issues in the border.
Status
This is an ongoing project. Accomplishments in 1998
included the following: The project involved responding to
requests for technical assistance and information on
hazardous waste issues in the Arizona/Sonora border region
from other governmental agencies, industry, academia, non-
governmental organizations, and the general public. Pro-
vided training on Import/Export Regulations at the Nogales
Port of Entry and at the San Luis Port of Entry for U.S.
Customs and Mexico Aduana personnel and other environ-
mental enforcement/compliance regulators in the
transboundary arena. Provided on-site technical assistance
to U.S. Customs regarding transboundary shipments of
hazardous wastes as scheduled with USCS staff.
Also, continued participation in the HSW and Enforcement
Workgroups' regional subworkgroup, and implementation of
the AMIGO pollution prevention program.
Participant(s)
EPA; ADEQ
U.S. Contact(s)
Chris Reiner, EPA Region 9,415-744-2096,
reiner.chris @ epa.gov;
Placido Dos Santos, ADEQ,
dossantos.placido @ eza.state.az.us;
Edna Mendoza, ADEQ, 520-628-6710,
mendoza.edna@ev.state.az.us
141
HAZARDOUS and SOLID WASTE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Repatriation of Illegally
Exported Hazardous Waste
Funding
To be determined
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to provide technical assistance
in repatriation of hazardous waste illegally exported to Mexico
from the United States in accordance with the Repatriation
Guidelines adopted in 1992 by the Hazardous Waste
Working Group,
Project Description
In FY94, EPA Region 6 assisted the Secretarfa de Desarollo
Social (SEDESOL), known as SEMARNAP, in facilitating the
safe shipment of 600 abandoned drums of maquiladora
waste from Ciudad Juarez to U.S. disposal facilities. In
addition, Region 9 facilitated the safe shipment of 6,000
abandoned drums of maquiladora waste from the Mexico site
to the U.S. for disposal. EPA and SEMARNAP exchanged
technical information on maquiladora facilities that generate
hazardous wastes.
Status
The project is ongoing as events occur. There is no activity
to report since FY94. The Hazardous Waste and Solid
Waste Workgroup is prepared to assist in similar
repatriation efforts in the future as needed.
Participant(s)
EPA Regions 6 and 9; SEMARNAP's Instituto Nacional de
Ecologfa (INE); Procuraduria Federal de Proteccidn al
Ambiente (PROFEPA)
142
U.S. Contact(s)
John Rothman, EPA Region 9,415-744-1353,
rothman.john@epa.gov;
Don White, EPA Region 9,415-744-2353;
Chris Reiner, EPA Region 9,415-744-2096,
reiner.chris@epa.gov;
Bonnie S. Romo, EPA Region 6,214-665-8323,
romo.bonnie@epa.gov
HAZARDOUS and SOLID WASTE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Transborder Hazardous Waste Electronic Data
Interchange (EDI) Reporting Program
Funding
$135,000 expended for EDI contractor support.
Project Purpose
EPA Region 6 initiated a project to electronically transmit
Hazardous Waste Manifest (HWM) data from Mexican
maquiladora facilities to EPA Regional and State offices and
other federal agencies. During August 1994, five U.S.
importers representing Mexican maquiladora plants and one
U.S. treatment, storage, and disposal (TSD) facility signed
an agreement to participate in this pilot project.
Project Description
"Maquiladora facilities" are U.S. industries operating in
Mexico. Many of these industries transport hazardous waste
from their Mexican facilities, through Customs, to a TSD
facility in the U.S. These transboundary shipments require
submittal of extensive environmental documents and
reporting to multiple agencies on both sides of the border.
The pilot consisted of field testing the viability of electronic
reporting of manifest and compliance data required of
industry for the transboundary shipments of hazardous
waste imported from Mexico and shipped to the U.S. for
treatment and disposal. Environmental shipment information
was exchanged between trading partners in the form of
electronic transaction sets, which equate to paper business
documents. Each transaction set may carry the same
information as a completed paper form.
EPA's long-term goals included promoting a uniform
approach to compliance reporting across EPA programs and
states, improving data quality, eliminating bottlenecks to
manual data entry, providing more timely access to data for
the U.S.-Mexico hazardous waste tracking system
(HAZTRAKS) and achieving cost savings to companies for
data acquisition and submission.
Status
No further action is anticipated. Project has been completed.
The EDI translator software was mapped and installed at
participating companies and agencies in February 1995. The
first EDI hazardous waste manifest electronic interchange
transmissions were received by EPA, INE, and TNRCC
during June 1995. The 90-day demonstration and evaluation
phase was completed in October 1995. A draft report on the
Field Test Continuation was completed on March 26,1996.
This project successfully demonstrated the ability to improve
data accessibility and data quality, as well as achieving cost
savings for the regulated community, federal and state
agencies. However, the EDI was found to be very resource-
intensive. The pilot project was completed and closed.
Participant(s)
EPA Region 6; Texas Natural Resource Conservation
Commission (TNRCC); U.S. Customs; Mexico's Instituto
Nacional de Ecologia (INE)
U.S. Contact(s)
Joe Schultes, EPA Region 6,214-665-2244;
Bonnie S. Romo, EPA Region 6,214-665-8323,
romo.bonnie@epa.gov
143
HAZARDOUS and SOLID WASTE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
U.S.-Mexico Hazardous Waste Tracking System
(HAZTRAKS)
Funding
$603,344 was expended for EPA contractor support during
FY98.
Project Purpose
The U.S. and Mexico focused early efforts on developing a
joint capability to monitor and track transboundary waste
shipments in accordance with their bilateral commitments.
These efforts culminated with the development of a U.S.-
Mexico Hazardous Waste Tracking System (HAZTRAKS) in
October 1992. This is an on-going joint Federal project. The
next phase is to continue with binational improvements to
monitor the transboundary movement of hazardous waste
into the U.S. and to take enforcement actions where
appropriate for import/export violations.
Project Description
HAZTRAKS was designed to track volumes and types of
waste imported or exported through EPA Region 6 and .
Region 9 border states. Data from the U.S. hazardous
waste manifests and Mexico's Ecological Guide (Guia
Ecologica) have been used to track the importation or
exportation of hazardous waste between the U.S. and
Mexico. In Mexico, INE must authorize an import or export of
hazardous waste by issuing an Ecological Guide (Guia
Ecologica). When the waste reaches the U.S. border, this
"Guia" is compared with the U.S. Uniform Hazardous Waste
Manifest by the U.S. Customs Port Official. The Official
sends the Manifest to EPA Region 6 for review and data is
recorded in HAZTRAKS. INE also enters the Guia informa-
tion into HAZTRAKS to monitor all the Guias issued by INE in
each of the Mexican border states. As of November 4,1998,
the Aviso de Retomo will replace the Guia for returning
maquiladora waste to the U.S. Treatment, storage, and
disposal (TSD) import pre-notifications are also monitored.
TSD import pre-notifications are collected by the U.S. border
states and entered into HAZTRAKS.
144
Status
Annual upgrades have been made to improve the waste
monitoring and enforcement needs of EPA, INE, PROFEPA
and the other border states on both sides of the border. EPA
completed procurement of computer network systems, and
provided training to support Mexico's HAZTRAKS compo-
nent. Several training sessions have been given in the U.S.-
Mexican border state offices and the user manual was
updated. Computer up-grades were also provided for the
SEMARNAP sub-delegate border offices which included
MMX technology with 300MHz, and Windows 98.
From 1997 to 1998, EPA developed a Beta-version of
HAZTRAKS for Lotus Notes. Work began to convert
HAZTRAKS to Visual Foxpro, a PC based application which
also has Local Area Network (LAN) capability. Reporting
functions in Foxpro were developed. INE developed its own
national hazardous waste tracking system (SIRREP) going
from a PC based application for HAZTRAKS to a mainframe
computer operation using Oracle as the operating system.
INE and EPA worked closely to integrate the two systems
and to ensure that the Oracle and Foxpro databases could
translate data in both directions.
During FY98 a HAZTRAKS computer network system was
located in Mexico's PROFEPA office in Chihuaua. This is
cooperative effort which was initiated to assist PROFEPA
with maquiladora hazardous waste tracking through the use
of mutual database ad hoc queries. The HAZTRAKS
operating program was also up-graded from a DOS version
to Windows. INE and EPA exchanged databases on a
monthly basis.
To enable more accurate tracking and data sharing response
capability, EPA and INE coordinated efforts to improve the
Guia permit for tracking purposes. The Aviso de Retorno
was developed by Mexico to replace the Guia for
maquiladora shipments. The Aviso is to include the U.S.
manifest number, Mexican and EPA waste codes, Mexican
company NRA number, and report actual quantities of
hazardous waste shipped.
HAZARDOUS and SOLID WASTE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
U.S.-Mexico Hazardous Waste Tracking System
(HAZTRAKS) (cont'd)
Completed work on the Trinational Hazardous Waste Code
Dictionary. International hazardous waste shipping docu-
ments require proper waste codes and/or descriptions from
the importing and exporting countries. To address this issue
EPA coordinated with Mexico's INE, and Canada to develop a
Trinational Hazardous Waste Code Dictionary, an electronic
cross reference dictionary capable of translating foreign
waste codes into EPA waste codes. The Waste Code
Dictionary is now available and will provide an automatic
cross-walk between Mexican, Canadian, and U.S. waste
codes and definitions. It is expected that the use of this
Dicitonary will improve waste correlation between EPA and
INE as well as enable the regulated community to better
identify and classify their waste in preparation for shipping
hazardous waste to appropriate receiving facilities.
Continued work with Ports-of-Entry Customs officials to
collect U.S. hazardous waste manifests. Region 6 continues
its enforcement presence along the border in partnership
with the State regional offices. Through FY98, EPA Region 6
has taken enforcement actions against 27 companies and
has settled 24 cases for improper handling of imported
maquiladora hazardous waste, with penalties totaling more
than $512,000. One of these cases resulted in the first
international Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) with
a U.S. parent company for violations of RCRA import
regulations. The SEP cost the company $200,000 and
resulted in an environmental benefit to a maquiladora plant in
Cd. Juarez by removing 200,000 Ibs of waste from the
environment and completely eliminated wastewater genera-
tion at the plant. State of the art equipment was installed and
operational changes were instituted to reduce air emissions
to workers.
Participant(s)
EPA Region 6,7, and 9; U.S. Customs; TNRCC; NMED; Cal-
EPA; ADEQ; Mexico's Instituto Nacional de Ecologia (INE);
PROFEPA
U.S. Contact(s)
Joe Schultes, EPA Region 6,214-665-2244;
Marc Mowrey, EPA Region 9,415 744-2061,
mowrey.marc@epa.gov;
Chris Reiner, EPA Region 9,415-744-2096,
reiner.chris@epa.gov;
Bonnie S. Romo, EPA Region 6,214-665-8323,
romo.bonnie@epa.gov
145
HAZARDOUS and SOLID WASTE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Tri-National Waste Code Dictionary
Funding
146
$125,711 expended for EPA contractor support during
FY97andFY98.
Project Purpose
The purpose of the Dictionary is to assist EPA, INE,
PROFEPA, border U.S. Customs officials, and the NAFTA
regulatory communities in Mexico, Canada and the U.S.
with a quick cross-reference and correlation between EPA
waste codes, Mexican waste codes, and the Organization
of Economic and Cooperative Development's (OECD)
international waste identification codes (IWIC) used by
Canada, and shipping codes used by U.S. Department of
Transportation (DOT).
Project Description
International hazardous waste transboundary shipping
documentation requires waste codes and/or descriptions
of the importing and exporting countries. The differences
between each country's definition of hazardous waste
has become extremely tedious to correlate, leaving
regulatory monitoring and enforcement a very difficult
task. The Trinational Waste Code Dictionary provides
this automatic cross-walk between U.S., Mexican, and
Canadian waste definitions and codes. Additionally, the
dictionary includes cross-walk references to international
transportation shipping codes and the North American
Emergency Response Guide to assist with shipment
mishaps.
Status
With INE's assistance, EPA Regions 6 and 9, and EPA/
OECA offices, completed an electronic cross reference
dictionary capable of translating foreign waste codes into
traditional EPA waste codes. The Trinational Waste Code
Dictionary provides a quick translation of foreign hazard-
ous waste shipments and includes a reliable emergency
response guide. Mexican and EPA waste code cross-
walks are provided in English and Spanish translations.
All shipping waste codes have been linked with the North
American Emergency Response Guidebook (NAERG) for
international mishap response situations. The Dictionary
has been produced in a compact diskette format for easy
installation on any PC type computer. A users manual
was also developed. For FY99, additional translation work
will be required to complete the Mexican database com-
ment area. Maintenance will also be required to include
additional EPA and Mexican waste code changes, as the
waste code definitions continue to change, every year.
Participant(s)
EPA Regions 6, 9; EPA/OECA; SEMARNAP's Institute
Nacional de Ecologfa (INE)
U.S. Contact(s)
Joseph Schultes, EPA Region 6, 214-665-2244;
Marc Mowrey, EPA Region 9, 415-744-2061,
mowrey. marc @ epa.gov;
Chris Reiner, EPA Region 9, 415-744-2096,
reiner.chris@epa.gov;
Bonnie S. Romo, EPA Region 6, 214-665-8323,
romo.bonnie@epa.gov .
HAZARDOUS and SOLID WASTE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Texas Hazardous Waste Border
Enforcement Program
Funding
EPA awarded a total of $220,000 to the TNRCC for FY97 and
FY98.
Project Purpose
The Border Enforcement Program, funded through EPA
grants to the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Com-
mission (TNRCC), provides compliance assistance to the
maquiladora industry and continues to focus on compliance
inspections and investigations of handlers involved with the
transboundary shipment of hazardous waste to and from
Mexico.
Project Description
Program commitments are consistent with EPA Region 6's
compliance assistance and enforcement commitments, and
Border XXI objectives to work cooperatively to protect human
health and the environment. Three Regional Offices located
in El Paso, Laredo, and Harlingen are responsible for
conducting inspections and investigations of transporters of
hazardous waste traveling to and across the Texas/Mexican
border, warehouses, small businesses, inspections at port-
of-entry border crossings and monitoring of unofficial border
crossings. Inspections are conducted at U.S. Customs
inspection areas, weigh stations, and transporter yards and
inspectors investigate cargo, containers, manifests, packag-
ing, markings, labeling, and vehicle placarding. Samples and
photographs are taken as necessary. The three Regional
Offices also supported compliance assistance outreach
activities to inform and assist companies involved with
handling of maquiladora waste shipments crossing the Texas
border in complying with state and federal hazardous waste
regulations.
Status
The project is ongoing. In FY97 Federal and State agencies
teamed up to host a series of five two-day hazardous waste/
hazardous substance bilingual workshops for hazardous
waste haulers, freight forwarders, and customs brokers
operating near the Texas/Mexico border. Topics included
handling and storage of wastes, spill reporting, highway
routes, insurance requirements and many other health and
environmental matters. In FY98 TNRCC assisted EPA in
sponsoring a series of binational hazardous waste compli-
ance outreach and pollution prevention seminars for
maquiladora and U.S. parent companies handling
transboundary hazardous waste shipments. The bilingual
seminars, held at college campuses in El Paso, Laredo, and
McAllen, provided compliance information on applicable
federal and state requirements for transporters, transfer
facilities, and importers of record. This year the compliance
outreach seminars were expanded to include half-day
discussions by TNRCC on innovative and cost effective
pollution prevention and waste reduction techniques for
various maquiladora industry operations. TNRCC also
presented information on recent changes to its Maquiladora
"Q" Program which was replaced by the new International
Waste Program. The revised procedures, applicable to
foreign waste generators, importers of record, and other
parties involved with importing industrial waste into Texas,
focused on manifesting and record-keeping requirements.
Training sessions for U.S. and Mexico Customs officials in
the El Paso region were conducted with the goal of encour-
aging cooperation in detecting transboundary waste ship-
ment violations. The El Paso Office also developed a
compliance assistance brochure, entitled "Industrial and
Hazardous Waste Management on the Texas/Mexico
Border", which provides information, with contact names and
phone numbers, on applicable regulations for businesses in
the El Paso area that deal with the importation, transporta-
tion, and/or storage of hazardous and nonhazardous wastes.
147
HAZARDOUS and SOLID WASTE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Texas Hazardous Waste Border
Enforcement Program (cont'd)
The brochures, which can be used to determine which
environmental regulatory agency to contact for registration,
compliance, etc., are free to the regulated community and
are available through TNRCC, the EPA Border Office in El
Paso, U.S. Customs, and the RGCOG.
TNRCC also participates in three geographic task forces
with representatives from EPA, PROFEPA, U.S. Customs,
U.S. DOT, Texas Department of Public Safety, and appropri-
ate local authorities to address transboundary waste issues
and common concerns. The TNRCC regional border offices
supported an active compliance monitoring and inspection
program. Of the 55 border facilities inspected by TNRCC in
the border area from Brownsville to Laredo, eleven received
Notices of Violation (NOV) letters and one was referred to the
central office for formal enforcement action. Similar
compliance and enforcement activity is ongoing in the El
Paso region including inspections at bridge crossings.
Inspections of northbound truck traffic were conducted at the
Ysleta Port-of-Entry. Staff from the RGCOG, under contract
with the TNRCC El Paso Office, assisted U.S. Customs in
the inspection of waste manifests shipments prior to entry
into the U.S. A review of 1,392 shipments from February
1998 through August 1998 found 333 shipments of hazard-
ous waste to be compliant, 830 shipments of nonhazardous
waste were compliant, 68 shipments were noncompliant for
hazardous waste and 107 were noncompliant for nonhazard-
ous waste. Fifty-four shipments included nonwaste prod-
ucts. All noncompliant manifests were rejected and returned
to the broker for correction prior to shipment of wastes.
Compliance increased from an average of 70 % during the
first month of the program to more than 95% at the end of the
program. During the months of March through August 1998,
in addition to inspection of waste manifests, 86 hazardous
waste shipments were flagged for surveillance to determine
if shipments were delivered to registered transfer facilities or
receiving facilities as listed on the manifest. Of these, seven
shipments were not delivered to the correct facilities and
cases are under enforcement review. The RGCOG staff
also assisted the County of El Paso by manning an illegal
dumping hot line.
148
The hotline is supported by Public Service Announce-
ments and through cooperative efforts with the City of El
Paso's illegal dumping education project. As a result, 7-8
cases are being prepared for possible prosecution.
In addition, the TNRCC El Paso Office conducted 24
compliance monitoring inspections of importers of record,
transporters, transfer facilities, and warehouse facilities. Of
these, two received Warning Letters, five were referred for
formal enforcement and two are pending a final inspection
determination.
A used oil initiative was undertaken by the TNRCC El Paso
Office to determine compliance with applicable regulations
and to verify whether used oil was improperly mixed with
hazardous waste (chlorinated halogens). Thus far, one out
of seven shipments has been screened and tested positive.
The case has been referred to enforcement for action.
Participant(s)
EPA; TNRCC; Rio Grande Council of Governments
(RGCOG); INE; PROFEPA; U.S. Customs; U.S. Department
of Transportation (DOT); Texas Department of Public Safety
(TOPS); State Fire Marshals; Laredo Fire Department
U.S. Contact(s)
Kent Waggoner, TNRCC El Paso, 915-783-6646,
kwaggone@tnrcc.state.tx.us;
Jorge Bacelis, TNRCC Laredo, 956-791-6611;
Arturo Blanco, TNRCC Harlingen, 956-425-6010;
Dr. Pierre Lichaa, TNRCC Austin, 512-239-3132;
Steve Niemeyer, TNRCC Border Affairs, 512-239-3605,
sniemeye@tnrcc.state.tx.us;
Sarah Bolz, TNRCC Austin, 512-239-1069;
Bonnie S. Romo, EPA Region 6,214-665-8323,
romo.bonnie @ epa.gov
HAZARDOUS and SOLID WASTE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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New Mexico Border
Hazardous Waste Program
Funding
EPA awarded a total of $70,000 to the NMED for FY97 and
FY98.
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to monitor and improve
compliance with the U.S.-Mexico requirements for the
transboundary movement of hazardous waste.
Project Description
The NMED Border Program commitments are consistent
with EPA's compliance assistance and enforcement
commitments, and Border XXI objectives to work coopera-
tively to protect human health and the environment. The Las
Cruces District Office is dedicated to inspecting facilities and
conducting border checks in coordination with U.S. Cus-
toms, for compliance with applicable hazardous waste
regulations. The Office also supports compliance assis-
tance outreach activities to inform and assist companies,
involved with handling of maquiladora waste shipments
crossing the New Mexico border, in complying with state and
federal hazardous waste regulations.
Status
The project is ongoing. More than 55 border checks were
conducted at the Santa Teresa Port-of-Entry and more than
44 border visits were made at the Columbus/Las Palomas
Port-of-Entry. Border check inspections are conducted in
cooperation with U.S. Customs officials. The Las Cruces
Office facilitated and coordinated a training seminar spon-
sored by the Western States Hazardous Waste Project at
the Santa Theresa port-of-entry. The training was held for
local authorities and federal border agencies and focused on
hazardous waste/materials spills and inspection procedures
for transporters.
nspector participates in the Texas/Chihuahua/New Mexico
Enforcement Sub-Workgroup to address transboundary
hazardous waste transportation and handling issues as well
as other border related meetings with other state, federal,
and Mexican officials. Activities also included participation in
a joint TN RCC/EPA compliance outreach seminar held in El
Paso, Texas for the maquiladora industry and U.S. compa-
nies operating transboundary hazardous waste activities
along the New Mexico/Texas/Mexico border. NMED provided
information on State requirements applicable to importers
and transporters of maquiladora hazardous wastes and
hazardous materials.
Participant(s)
EPA; New Mexico Environment Department (NMED); other
state and federal agencies, e.g.; Texas Natural Resource
Conservation Commission (TNRCC); PROFEPA
U.S. Contact(s)
Edward Acosta, NMED, 505-827-1513;
John M. Tymkowych, NMED, 505-827-1511;
Bonnie S. Romo, EPA Region 6,214-665-8323,
romo.bonnie@epa.gov
149
HAZARDOUS and SOLID WASTE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Industry Cooperative Compliance
Assistance Outreach Effort
150
Funding
$99,738 for EPA contractor support during FY97 through
FY98.
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to protect human health and
the environment by using compliance assistance tools to
provide an understanding of the applicable regulatory
hazardous waste requirements, prevent transboundary
environmental risks, and promote responsible and voluntary
compliance by the maquiladora industry and its U.S. parent
companies. Binational compliance assistance outreach
seminars were carried out through technical support from
TNRCC and NMED. Objectives of this effort are consistent
with the Border XXI Program.
Project Description
Binational hazardous waste compliance outreach and
pollution prevention workshops were provided to the
maquiladora industry and their U.S. parent companies doing
business along the Texas/New Mexico/Mexico border. These
bilingual workshops are offered to provide industry with an
understanding of the U.S. and Mexico federal and state
hazardous waste import/export regulations, encourage
pollution prevention and waste minimization, and to promote
incentives for voluntary compliance.
Status
The project has ongoing activity in partnership with TNRCC,
NMED, otherfederal agencies and Mexico's SEMARNAP,
PROFEPA, and state delegates. A series of binational
hazardous waste compliance and pollution prevention
workshops were held in the following locations: El Paso,
Matamoros, Reynosa, Nuevo Laredo, Laredo, Eagle Pass,
and McAllen. Representatives from SEMARNAP,
PROFEPA, and Aduana provided information on Mexico's
authorities, general environmental law reforms, environmen-
tal audit program, and regulatory requirements for the
transboundary shipment of hazardous waste to the U.S.
Accomplishments of the Texas/Chihuahua/New Mexico
Enforcement Sub-Workgroup were also highlighted.
U.S. representatives from TNRCC, NMED, U.S. Customs,
and EPA Region 6 provided information on the BorderXXI
Program as well as Federal and State import requirements
for shipping transboundary hazardous wastes to the U.S. for
treatment, storage, and/or disposal. A highlight during FY98
included half-day discussions by TNRCC of innovative and
cost effective pollution prevention and waste reduction
techniques applicable to the maquiladora industry. A number
of pollution prevention opportunities and case studies for
different industry sectors were presented.
To encourage behavior changes and maintain compliance
within the industry, various compliance assistance checklists
were developed for the seminar participants and distributed
as a guide for future reference in complying with EPA
hazardous waste requirements. Checklists included
hazardous waste generator, transporter, and manifest
requirements.
Information was also provided on EPA's Voluntary Self-Audit
and Self-Disclosure Policy. The Policy, designed to encour-
age greater compliance with laws and regulations that
protect human health and the environment, offers incentives
for companies to discover its violations, to report and correct
their violations, and develop procedures to prevent future
occurrences. EPA will completely eliminate any punitive
penalties when conditions of the Policy are met.
EPA Region 6 has issued favorable acknowledgments and
final determinations to 25 U.S. companies regarding their
voluntary decision to identify, disclose, and correct violations
related to manifesting and shipping of hazardous wastes
crossing the Border into the U.S. All penalties were waived.
Region 6 will continue to promote self-policing under the EPA
Policy during these workshops and, in partnership with the
Border States, offer compliance assistance and outreach to
companies handling and managing transboundary hazard-
ous wastes. Under this program, companies that self-
disclosed violations brought about 325 tons of hazardous
waste into compliance, thus preventing the potential threat
for environmental harm.
HAZARDOUS and SOLID WASTE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Industry Cooperative Compliance
Assistance Outreach Effort (cont'd)
Participant(s)
EPA Region 6; TNRCC; NMED; U.S. Customs; INE;
SEMARNAP; Procuraduria Federal de Protecci6n al
Ambiente(PROFEPA)
U.S. Contact(s)
Bonnie S. Romo, EPA Region 6,214-665-8323,
romo.bonnie@epa.gov;
Kent Waggoner, TNRCC El Paso, 915-783-6646,
kwaggone@tnrcc.state.tx.us;
Dr. Pierre Lichaa, TNRCC Austin, 512-239-3132;
Steve Niemeyer, TNRCC Austin, 512-239-3605,
sniemeye@tnrcc.state.tx.us;
Arturo Blanco, TNRCC Harlingen, 956-425-6010;
Jorge Bacelis, TNRCC Laredo, 956-791-6611;
Edward Acosta, NMED, 505-827-1513;
Bio. Pilar Lopez Marco, PROFEPA Delegada, Chihuahua,
11-01-67;
Dr. Abundio Gonzalez, PROFEPA Delegado, Tamaulipas,
52-13-12-86-63;
Bio. Aida Alvarado Vilchis, INE, Mexico City, 624-3437
151
HAZARDOUS and SOLID WASTE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Determining the Full Cost of Illegal Dumping
Via Training Workshops
Funding
This project was awarded a grant in the amount of
$24,000 in October, 1998.
Project Purpose
Illegal dumping of municipal solid waste (MSW) is a serious
problem in the Texas-Mexico border area. The Texas Natural
Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC) plans to
provide training on determining the full cost of illegal dumping
for the local governments. The training workshops will
provide local governments with the tools to project the cost of
providing border area collection services and other illegal
dumping prevention measures. This would provide an
opportunity for local governments to make progress toward
eliminating illegal dumping.
Project Description
The TNRCC will conduct four training workshops in the
border region, one in each border State Planning Region for
local government officials and staff. The information covered
at the workshops will be based on a manual that has recently
been developed using TNRCC solid waste grant funds. The
TNRCC will contract with a company to conduct the
workshops which has expertise in MSW management
issues and in working with local governments on determining
the full costs of illegal dumping. The TNRCC and the four
councils of governments (COGs) will coordinate efforts to
invite local governments to participate in a one-day work-
shop.
Status
After developing a scope of work and Instructions for
Bidders, the TNRCC is in the process of sending an
Invitation for Bids to perspective companies in order to select
a contractor to develop teaching and workbook materials for
the four training sessions that will be conducted for the grant.
The deadline for companies to submit bids is January 7,
1999. After receiving the bids, TNRCC staff will evaluate the
bids and select a contractor.
152
Participant(s)
TNRCC; Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council;
South Texas Development Council; Middle Rio Grande
Council of Governments; Rio Grande Council of Govern-
ments
U.S. Contact(s)
Linda Haynie, TNRCC, 512-239-6813;
Scott Pasternak, TNRCC, 512-239-0683;
Audray Lincoln, EPA, 214-665-2239, lincoln.audray@epa.gov
HAZARDOUS and SOLID WASTE WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
-------
-------
Technology Transfer and Capacity Building on
Pollution Prevention with PROFEPA
Funding
No information available
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to expand the concept of the
Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ)
Pollution Prevention Program (P3) to the maquiladora
industry within the Arizona/Sonora border area.
Project Description
This project has evolved into the Arizona-Mexico International
Green Organization (AMIGO). AMIGO will bring Arizona and
Mexico industries together to share technologies that reduce
waste and pollution while increasing profits, worker safety
and environmental health. Its focus is to promote pollution
prevention and improve waste management practices
among maquiladoras in the Arizona/Sonora border region
through a voluntary, non-regulatory government-industry
partnership. Activities that the organization will promote to
achieve these goals include networking opportunities;
technological and information exchanges through work-
shops, facility tours, and personnel exchanges; and a
pollution prevention conference.
Status
ADEQ developed informational brochures and membership
agreement forms for the AMIGO project. Outreach was
conducted to inform industry on both sides of the Arizona/
Sonora border of AMIGO by conducting presentations and
publishing articles in newsletters.
A pollution prevention conference in the Ambos Nogales area
focused on the maquiladora industry is scheduled for May
1998. ADEQ will promote and facilitate networking and
mutual assistance opportunities between associated Arizona
and Sonora industries to identify successful waste reduction
activities and resolve barriers to pollution prevention in the
maquiladora industry through meetings, workshops,
personnel exchanges, and facility tours.
Participant(s)
EPA Region 9; Arizona Department of Environmental Quality;
Mexico's Institute Nacional de Ecologia (INE); Mexico's
PROFEPA
U.S. Contact(s)
Edna Mendoza, ADEQ, 520-628-6710;
Michelle Keene, EPA, 415-744-1028,
keene.michelle@epa.gov
155
POLLUTION PREVENTION WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Workshops on Pollution
Prevention Techniques
Funding
No information available
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to exchange information on and
promote the use of pollution prevention techniques and
minimize the generation of hazardous waste in the Califor-
nia-Baja California border region.
Project Description
Provide workshops to Califomia-Baja California border
industries and government officials on pollution prevention
techniques in specific sectors. The activities described in
this section were previously listed in the 1997 Implementation
plan under the following two headings: 1) Technical
Assistance to Mexican Environmental Agencies; and 2)
Industry Workshop on Pollution Prevention Techniques.
Status
A pollution prevention workshop was held in Tijuana, Baja
California on March 20,1997 for federal, state and local
government officials. The workshop presented an overview
of California's pollution prevention program and specific
techniques for promoting pollution prevention among the
wood furniture manufacturing, painting and metal finishing
industries. Bilingual binders of the presentations were
distributed to all participants which included copies of the
pollution prevention manuals developed by the Pollution
Prevention Workgroup for the wood finishing and metal
finishing industries.
Also, workshops were presented to targeted California-Baja
California border industries on pollution prevention tech-
niques. DTSC held a pollution prevention workshop for the
Maquiladora Industry in San Diego, California on May 15,
1997 which focused on the electronics industry. Several of
the speakers were from industry and gave presentations on
successful pollution prevention techniques that they had
adopted in their own plants.
156
Bilingual binders of the presentations were distributed to all
participants which included the pollution prevention manual
for the electronics industry developed by the Pollution
Prevention Workgroup.
A pollution prevention workshop for the electronics industry
will be held in Tijuana, Baja California on May 12,1998.
Participant(s)
Cal-DTSC; SDSU-IRSC; Dept. De Ecologia de Baja
California; EPA; INE; PROFEPA; SEMARNAP
U.S. Contact(s)
Pamela LePen, 714-484-5379, plepen@dtsc.ca.gov;
Dan Garza, 916-322-5798;
Michelle Keene, EPA, 415-744-1028,
keene.michelle@epa.gov
POLLUTION PREVENTION WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Toxic Release Inventory/Mexican Pollutant
Release and Transfer Register (TRI/PRTR)
Funding
$15,000
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is the translation of the PRTR
manual for the Cellulose Industry which can then be made
available for distribution along the border.
Project Description
Mexico has completed their PRTR for 15 industry sectors.
This information will be useful as a data source for a
binational set of indicators. Currently, the U.S. and Mexico
will be translating the PRTR manual for the Cellulose
Industry fora bilingual manual that will be available for
distribution along the U.S.-Mexico border. The first draft has
been sent to Mexico and the workgroup members for their
review and comments. The final draft is expected to be
available for distribution in February 1999.
Status
No available information
Participant(s)
EPA; INE; TNRCC; ADEQ; CAL-EPA; NMED
U.S. Contact(s)
Joy Campbell, EPA, 214-665-8036, campbell.joy@epa.gov
157
POLLUTION PREVENTION WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Bilingual Pollution Prevention Technical
Conferences
Funding
$50,000
Project Purpose
In order to encourage the use of pollution prevention informa-
tion, the Workgroup has held technical conferences for
maquiladora facilities based on industrial sectors. Border
XXI Priority: Promoting pollution prevention as a mechanism
for solving compliance problems and continuing to promote
public participation within the legal framework of each party.
Project Description
The first three bilingual pollution prevention manuals have
been used as case materials for technical conferences held
in the El Paso/Ciudad Juarez and Laredo/Nuevo Laredo
areas. It is anticipated that a technical conference held
following publication of the textile manual will receive a great
deal of attention due to the extensive presence of this
industry within the border area. This project would be a
continuation of technical exchange with Mexico.
Status
The project has been completed. Two conferences were
held in Brownsville, TX and El Paso, TX, respectively.
Participating in the workshop training, TNRCC presented on
their program for pollution prevention and EPA gave the
introduction and closing remarks. Per evaluations by the
attendees, the conference was well received. The demand
for the training manuals associated with the class was higher
than supply; however, more manuals are available upon
request.
158
Participant(s)
The U.S.-Mexico Pollution Prevention Workgroup is com-
posed of the following agencies: EPA Region 6, Region 9;
EPA Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances
(Environmental Analysis Division and Pollution Prevention
Division); Arizona Department of Environmental Quality;
California Department of Toxic Substances Control; New
Mexico Environment Department; Texas Natural Resource
Conservation Commission; INE within SEMARNAP.
U.S. Contact(s)
Joy Campbell, EPA, 214-665-8036, campbell.joy@epa.gov
POLLUTION PREVENTION WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Technology Transfer and Capacity Building
Funding
$107,674
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to assist the EPA and
SEMARNAP in encouraging maquiladoras to participate in
voluntary environmental audits.
Project Description
A follow-up evaluation of joint site assistance visits (SAV) to
maquiladoras conducted by OPPR and PROFEPA since
1994 to maquiladoras showed that participating facilities are
continuing to implement pollution prevention projects and
continuing to make waste reduction progress. This informa-
tion has been forwarded to EPA and SEMARNAP for use in
briefings and presentations to maquiladoras and maquiladora
associations.
Status
The project has been completed. Participating maquiladoras
reported annual conservation of 4.5 million gallons of water;
7,001 tons of hazardous waste and 47,789 tons of non-
hazardous waste by October, 1997. They had also reduced
electricity usage by 8.6 million kilowatt hours per year.
Participating plants saved a total of $5,397,306 annually
through avoided disposal costs, reduced input costs and
other savings due to implementation of suggestions made by
OPPR and PROFEPA during the joint visits.
Participant(s)
EPA; TNRCC; PROFEPA
U.S. Contact(s)
Dr. Pierre Lichaa, TNRCC, 512-239-3132;
Joy Campbell, EPA, 214-665-8036, campbell.joy@epa.gov
159
POLLUTION PREVENTION WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Technical Assistance to Mexican State
Environmental Agencies
Funding
$66,326
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is the promotion of pollution
prevention through training and technical assistance and
partnership activities along the U.S.-Mexico border, including
participation by Mexican state, federal and local environmen-
tal agencies, universities, technical schools, and trade
associations.
Project Description
To continue capacity building efforts with Mexican state and
federal environmental agencies by providing training and
technical assistance in the four Mexican states bordering
Texas. Several of the Mexican state environmental agencies
are interested in adapting TNRCC programs as they develop
their environmental agendas. A possibility would be a "Clean
Border" Initiative modeled after the successful Clean Texas
initiative.
Status
Participation is expected by the ten border states to encour-
age the establishement of a Border Recycling Day. TNRCC
is assisting the state government of Tamaulipas with
technical information to establish their first P4, based on the
1996 P4 training in Reynosa as part of the State-to-State
capacity building agreement. This P4 training will target the
petrochemical industry in Tampico, Tamaulipas during the
coming year.
Permanent Pollution Prevention Program (P4) workshops
have been held with the faculty of the Autonomous University
of Ciudad Juarez and maquiladora managers to encourage
development of maquiladora pollution prevention teams and
maquiladora participation in voluntary environmental audits.
These meetings and workshops were intended to develop a
model pollution prevention training curriculum for incorpora-
tion into environmental training conducted by the university
for local industry and the implementation of the Permanent
Pollution Prevention Program (P4) through the University of
160 Juarez.
To further capacity building, TNRCC presented a series of
lectures on voluntary pollution prevention programs, Interna-
tional Standards Organization (ISO)14000, innovative
technology and full-cost accounting to the VII Annual
Environmental Forum in Reynosa, Mexico, sponsored by the
Reynosa Maquiladora Association. Eighty industry represen-
tatives were provided with the information on the above as
well as information on Mexico's Voluntary Audit Program.
In cooperation with the Ecology Department of Reynosa and
the Matamoros Maquiladora Associations, a one day
industrial water conservation workshop was held in Reynosa.
Included in the agenda were presentations on new technolo-
gies for water conservation and maquiladora presentations
on their successful water conservation and reuse projects.
Finally, TNRCC has agreed to assist the Border Governor's
Association in efforts to encourage all the U.S.-Mexico border
states to join in a "Border Recycles Day" event to encourage
voluntary recycling pledges and community clean-up
activities. The U.S. states are already participants in the
"America Recycles Day" event, and Coahuila has proclaimed
an official "Recycling Day." Work on this item is ongoing.
Participant(s)
EPA; INE; TNRCC; PROFEPA; University of Chihuahua;
Chihuahua Municipality; EWD; SEMARNAP; Reynosa
Maquiladora Association Partners; Tamaulipas/Reynosa
Municipality; Texas Water Development Board; Border
Governor's Conference; Tamaulipas; Nuevo Leon; Coahuila;
Chihuahua
U.S. Contact(s)
Dr. Pierre Lichaa, TNRCC, 512-239-3132;
Joy Campbell, EPA, 214-665-8036, campbell.joy@epa.gov
POLLUTION PREVENTION WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Assist the EPA and SEMARNAP in
Obtaining Pollution Prevention Training
and Technical Materials
Funding
No information available
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to assist EPA and SEMARNAP
in reviewing and distributing pollution prevention guides and
pollution prevention videos at conferences, roundtables, and
meetings, as well as for public and industry outreach.
Project Description
TNRCC agreed to assist EPA and SEMARNAP in providing
resources to assist in the completion of a series of industry-
specific pollution prevention workbooks keyed to
SEM ARNAP's new toxic release inventory project during the
Pollution Prevention Workgroup meeting of the National
Coordinators Meeting in Matamoros, Mexico in September,
1997. At the same meeting, TNRCC agreed to assist
SEMARNAP and EPA in distributing a video outlining pollution
prevention-based compliance strategies for the maquiladora
industry and explaining the benefits of Mexico's environmen-
tal audit program. The video was produced by EPA with
PROFEPA.
Status
The above video has been distributed to maquiladora
associations, states and other entities as requested.
TNRCC has continued to assist in the above described
initiatives.
Participant(s)
TNRCC; EPA; INE
U.S. Contact(s)
Dr. Pierre Lichaa, TNRCC, 512-239-3132
161
POLLUTION PREVENTION WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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TNRCC's Recycling and Municipal Solid
Waste Management Training
Funding
No information available
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to assist Mexican state
agencies and Texas local governments to provide recycling
and municipal solid waste management training to local
municipal solid waste managers.
Project Description
In cooperation with TNRCC's Office of Waste Planning and
Assessment, OPPR assisted Webb and Starr county
colonias in focusing on long-term preventive solutions to
illegal dumping problems. OPPR provided bilingual
publications on workplace, school, and cost-effective
recycling options. Colonia initiatives are an integral part of
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's environmental
justice strategy.
In an effort to cultivate international trade linkages in the
recycling industry, OPPR joined Texas companies in
attending the Mexican National Recycling Association
(INARE) Conference in October, 1997. The INARE repre-
sents 1,500 equipment manufacturers, collectors, and
processors. Texas firms attending the conference included
RockTenn, H-E-B, Materials Procurement Services, El Paso
Disposal, Master Fibers, El Porvenir Recyclers, Interplast,
and Jefferson Smurfit. These companies met potential
Mexican business partners. There were approximately 300
participants representing Mexican, European, and U.S.
corporations, trade associations, and magazines. Trade
associations included the National Recycling Coalition and
the Steel Recycling Institute. U.S. recycling magazines
included Fibre Market News and Pulp and Paper.
162
Status
Ongoing contacts between Mexican and Texas firms on the
exchange of recyclables is expected. Colonia residents have
asked for more assistance in developing community
recycling programs. Texas recyclable providers made
contacts with Mexican, European and U.S. corporations in
Mexico that are interested in sourcing recyclable materials as
feedstock. Training in basic recycling techniques was
provided to colonia residents in two Texas counties for the
first time.
Participant(s)
Webb and Starr Counties; TNRCC; Mexican National
Recycling Association (INARE)
U.S. Contact(s)
Dr. Pierre Lichaa, TNRCC, 512-239-3132
POLLUTION PREVENTION WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Pollution Prevention to
Small Business Operations
Funding
$26,000
Project Purpose
Develop and implement a partnership project with a Lower
Rio Grande region technical school or industrial extension
service to encourage compliance by auto body shops by
demonstration of a compliant paint spray, booth.
Project Description
TNRCC's Small Business Assistance Program (SBAP) is
working with the Texas State Technical College in Harlingen
to implement an auto body shop spray booth project in the
Spring or early Summer of 1998. This program element
involves the training of auto body paint instructors in the
Spray Techniques Analysis and Research Training program
in partnership with a Rio Grande region technical school or
industrial extension service. The program will provide
valuable training in the proper use of spray guns and
techniques which will increase a spray painter's average
transfer efficiency. The project will include both the training
program for selected auto body paint instructors and
workshops for technical students, managers, and staff of
auto body shops. By involving a regional industrial extension
program or technical school in the project, this element will
help to develop local capacity to train technical workers in
compliance and prevention methods. This program element
supports the Border XXI strategies of ensuring public
involvement, strengthening local institutions and decentraliz-
ing environmental decision making.
Status
The Small Business Assistance Program (SBAP) of the
TNRCC will work with Texas State Technical College in
Harlingen to complete this project. SBAP staff has formed
a partnership with the Harlingen STAR program (Spray
Techniques Analysis and Research). Training will be
provided to Rio Grande Valley area spray booth operators,
and to technical instructors from key technical schools in
several border communities. This training will focus on
the operator to develop practical and cost-effective
methods to increase transfer efficiency.
Participant(s)
EPA; TNRCC; Texas State Technical College
U.S. Contact(s)
David Guarino, 512-239-3169;
Joy Campbell, EPA, 214-665-8036, campbell.joy@epa.gov
163
POLLUTION PREVENTION WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Pollution Prevention in Industrial Facilities in
Mexico and Texas: An INFORM Initiative
Involving Local Community Collaboration
164
Funding
$40,000.00 EPA, other funds total $94,000.00
Project Purpose
The project goal is to encourage change in industrial
operations and public policies in the region by equipping
participants with skills and expertise in pollution prevention,
thus enabling them to work independently toward that goal
once INFORM's involvement at the local level is over.
Project Description
The geographic region extending from southern Texas
across the border into Mexico faces among the most severe
environmental and public health challenges resulting from
toxic chemical use and waste of any industrialized region in
North America. This region is home to numerous industrial
facilities, many of which are using or producing toxic
chemicals that directly affect the air, soil and water quality of
communities located near these facilities. Aware of the
tremendous challenges they face, but not content to live with
these hazards, environmental leaders and local community
groups in Matamoros, Mexico, and Houston, Texas—two
areas facing especially severe toxic contamination — are
working with INFORM: 1) to obtain detailed and comprehen-
sible information on pollution prevention programs and
progress within industrial facilities in the region; and 2) to leam
how to track ongoing improvement. This project is designed to
ultimately encourage the adoption of institutionalized public
policies, programs and incentives by government and industry
which will promote pollution prevention and continuous
environmental improvement in the industrial sector.
Status
A process engineer has been hired to provide technical
assistance to the hydrofluoric acid facility and to provide
an additional impetus for local industry officials to sit
down at the table with concerned citizens. In partnership
with the Texas Center for Policy Studies, INFORM con-
ducted a one day industrial source reduction training
workshop in Matamoros, Mexico on October 19, 1997.
Participants included local environmental and community
groups and citizens living near one or more of the
chemical manufacturing maquiladora plants. INFORM
has been working with local collaborators to open the
lines of communications between concerned citizens and
local chemical facilities.
Participant(s)
INFORM; Education Foundation of America; EPA
U.S. Contact(s)
Marion Wise, INFORM, 212-361 -2400 ext. 231;
Joy Campbell, EPA, 214-665-8036, campbell.joy@epa.gov
POLLUTION PREVENTION WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Pollution Prevention Outreach
for Maquiladoras
Funding
$50,000
Project Purpose
To help identify further technological and management
solutions via Pollution Prevention to the border region's
environmental challenges, to raise awareness and to create
a dialog among maquiladora managers and government
representatives. This project proposes development of a
Pollution Prevention Outreach Program for Maquiladoras
targeting border region government representatives and
maquiladora managers to create more awareness of
potential pollution prevention possibilities, and to enhance the
application of P2 principles and techniques in the border
region.
Project Description
The proposed Pollution Prevention Outreach Program for
Maquiladoras will provide for a series of three roundtable
meetings to discuss the progress of pollution prevention
initiatives in the U.S.-Mexico border region. Based on
OPPR's past successes with roundtable forums, this
proposal targets border region government representatives
and maquiladora managers to create more awareness of
potential pollution prevention possibilities, and to enhance the
application of P2 principles and techniques in the border
region. The goal of these meetings will be to help identify
further technological and management solutions to the
border region's environmental challenges, to raise aware-
ness and to create a dialog among maquiladora managers
and government representatives.
Status
The first border roundtable was held in Brownsville on June
24,1998. Participants represented a broad cross section of
interests from both sides of the borderto including both
federal and state government, industry representatives,
industry associations, and chambers of commerce. Objec-
tives discussed included: emphasizing the Border XXI
mission and industry and public outreach efforts; communi-
cating the success of ongoing environmental programs;
identifying the environmental services that would be most
helpful to the maquiladora industry and industry's vision for
future cooperation, and; identification of means by which
state, federal and local agencies can work with universities
and maquiladora associations to develop strategies for pro-
active compliance and pollution prevention. Tasks resulting
from the above meeting include identification of maquila
environmental training needs and to identify environmental
training capabilities of existing border universities and
regional training centers. A second roundtable will be
organized focusing on industry's training needs and service
provider's capabilities.
Participant(s)
Texas Natural Resource Conservation commission
(TNRCC) in coordination with federal and state representa-
tives from the U.S. and Mexico; representatives from the
University of Texas at El Paso and other U.T. campuses and
Mexican universities along the border; representatives from
the Center for Cleaner Technology of Mexico; maquiladora
managers and maquiladora associations
U.S. Contact(s)
Dr. Pierre Lichaa, TNRCC, 512-239-3132;
Joy Campbell, EPA, 214-665-8036, campbell.joy@epa.gov
165
POLLUTION PREVENTION WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Texas/Mexico Border Pollution
Prevention Initiative
Funding
$200,000
Project Purpose
The following program elements provide key activities to
promote industry participation and further the goals of the
Pollution Prevention Workgroup underthe BorderXXI
program. The goals of this project are:
1) Providing technical assistance to Mexico as it develops its
pollution prevention, recycling and clean technology pro-
grams;
2) Assist environmental agencies, industrial extension
services, and educational institutions in Mexican states
bordering Texas in developing pollution prevention and
recycling training and technical assistance programs,
voluntary waste reduction programs and technical assis-
tance; and
3) Build on the outcomes of a series of stakeholder
roundtables to be held in the Texas/Mexico border region
during the coming year to set future goals for the Pollution
Prevention Workgroup of Border XXI.
Project Description
To accomplish the above goals, the following tasks are
proposed:
1) To continue the work with our Mexican partners on
pollution prevention capacity building projects. Conduct five
joint site assistance visits and subsequent follow-up visits to
maquiladoras in Mexican states adjacent to Texas to
encourage development of maquiladora pollution prevention
teams;
2) Conduct two Permanent Pollution Prevention Program
(P4) training events in Mexican states adjacent to Texas, with
the participation of Mexican partner organizations and
maquiladoras. Incorporate discussion and demonstration of
full cost accounting methods in environmental management;
3) Continue work with our Mexican partners to conduct two
workshops on the development of community recycling
facilities;
4) Continue work with our Mexican partners on recycling
capacity building projects, to include four site assistance
166 visits;
5) Pursue cross-border recycling market development
opportunities in Texas and the four Mexican states bordering
Texas; and
6) Build on the outcomes of a series of stakeholder
roundtables to be held in the Texas/Mexico border region
during the coming year to set future goals for the Pollution
Prevention Workgroup of Border XXI.
Status
Project is ongoing.
Participant(s)
EPA; TNRCC; SEMARNAP; PROFEPA
U.S. Contact(s)
Dr. Pierre Lichaa, TNRCC, 512-239-3132;
Joy Campbell, EPA, 214-665-8036, campbell.joy@epa.gov
POLLUTION PREVENTION WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Small Business Border Region Compliance
Pollution Prevention Initiative
Funding
$50,000
Project Purpose
To further the work of the Pollution Prevention Workgroup
and the Border XXI Work Plan by providing technical
assistance to companies in Texas along the Texas/Mexico
border as they develop pollution prevention, recycling, clean
technology and compliance programs. BorderXXI objec-
tives:
1) Increase technical information exchange at all levels of
government to enhance assistance and outreach to industry;
2) Continue capacity building projects with federal, state and
municipal authorities and industry;
3) Increase cooperation and coordination with other Border
XXI workgroups and other entities involved in promoting
pollution prevention; and
4) Increase cooperation and coordination with other Border
XXI workgroups and other entities involved in promoting
pollution prevention.
Project Description
Build on the outcomes of a series of stakeholder roundtables
held in Texas communities, including the border region, that
defined the need for compliance and prevention technical
assistance for small businesses. The border communities
of Texas are home to a substantial number of small busi-
nesses, including manufacturers, and there is a clear need
for technical assistance that addresses their particular needs
in meeting BorderXXI objectives outlined below.
Contract out 62 work compliance and pollution prevention
site visits in Texas border communities under the auspices of
the Small Business Technical Assistance Program.
Hold a workshop sharing the findings, with confidentiality in
mind, from this series of site visits. Invite government
officials and other interested parties form Texas and Northern
Mexican states. Provide simultaneous translation for
Spanish-speaking attendees at this workshop.
Status
Project is ongoing.
Participant(s)
EPA; The Small Business Assistance Program of the Texas
Natural Resource Conservation Commission; Texas
Manufacturing Assistance Centers; Small Business Develop-
ment Centers
U.S. Contact(s)
Joy Campbell, EPA Region 6,214-665-8036,
campbell.joy@epa.gov;
Justine Burt, TNRCC, 512-239-1047
167
POLLUTION PREVENTION WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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-------
-------
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Flows and Regional Risk Assessment of
Transporting Hazardous Waste in the
U.S.-Mexico Border Region
Funding
$85,524 FY95 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agreement
Project Purpose
This project developed estimations of quantities and type of
maquiladora hazardous wastes along the U.S.-Mexico border
region. The data was used to determine transportation flows
for use in developing flow matrices of quantities from
sources in Mexico to treatment, storage, or disposal (TSD)
facilities in the U.S. A transportation risk assessment model
based on population and environmental factors was devel-
oped and implemented for the Sonora area.
Project Description
The implementation of NAFTA and enforcement of
Mexican environmental regulations have resulted in an
increase in shipments of hazardous waste throughout the
border region and into the U.S. There is an urgent need
to better manage hazardous waste generated in Mexico.
As the maquiladora industry has grown, so has the
amount of hazardous waste as byproducts of associated
industrial processes. This project assessed the risks
resulting from transportation accidents and policies to
avoid and reduce these risks. The study collected data
sets, including:
1) Hazardous Waste shipment data (quantity, types, and
flows of hazardous waste shipments from maquiladoras in
Mexico to the U.S. with focus on shipments from Sonora to
Arizona);
2) Land use data (data on population densities in the U.S.
and Mexico along shipment routes); and
3) Truck accident data (used to calculate the probability of
accidents of trucks carrying hazardous waste shipments)
Status
The project has been completed. Several recommendations
were made for further research, including a study on the
impacts of new ports of entry along the border; estimation of
the quantities of hazardous waste to be generated in the
future; improvement of the environmental risk model; and
building a transportation GIS database forthe entire border
region.
SCERP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
Participant(s)
UTEP;ASU
U.S. Contact(s)
Suleiman Ashur, UTEP, 915-747-6918, ashur@utep.edu;
David Pijawka, ASU, 602-965-8087, pijawka@asu.edu;
Subhrajit Guhathakurta, ASU, 602-965-6343,
subhro.guha@asu.edu
171
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Hazardous Waste Training on the
U.S.-Mexican Border
Funding
$25,000 Year One, FY96 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative
Agreement
$81,207 Year Two, FY97 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative
Agreement
Project Purpose
This project is designed to meet training requirements for
personnel engaged with hazardous materials/wastes
activities during both routine operations and emergency
response situations. It is also designed to meet the require-
ments for the safe transportation of hazardous materials and
includes training for personnel engaged in the transportation
of hazardous materials/waste at U.S.-Mexican border
crossings, and personnel engaged in the manufacture,
remediation, or handling of hazardous materials/waste and
emergency response activities.
Project Description
This program included both a 40-hour (five-day) Hazardous
Waste Worker Training for workers from various
maquiladoras in the San Luis and Mexican areas along with
agency and emergency response personnel, and a two-day
Hazardous Materials Transportation Training Course for
workers involved with the transportation of hazardous
materials/wastes. These programs related to the environ-
mental priority areas of binational technology transfer and
associated training, and management, transport, and
disposal of hazardous materials, respectively. Both pro-
grams were conducted in Spanish. The programs provided
the framework for future outreach to other industrial cities
along the Arizona -Mexican border. The program is closely
coordinated with EPA Region 9.
172
The two-day Hazardous Materials Transportation Course
was conducted in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, with over 100
participants attending the course. The lead instructor for the
course was Ing. Luis Felipe Fiancho Segui, Direcion General
De Autotran Sporte Federal, Direccion DeTransporte De
Materiales y Residues Peligrosos. The course included
requirements for U.S. and Mexican regulations. The
curriculum consisted of lectures covering all facets of
transportation of hazardous materials including: marking,
packaging, shipping papers, placarding, and driver training.
The five-day Hazardous Waste Worker Training was
conducted at the Maquiladora, Daewoo Electronics located in
San Luis R.C. Both training sessions were successful as
evidenced by the attendance and diversity of the participants,
the interest expressed by participants, and the verbal and
written evaluations conducted at the conclusion of the
course. In addition, there was significant media coverage.
Because of the great similarities between Mexican and U.S.
transportation regulations, the curriculum utilized for both
courses was very effective.
Status
No available information
Participant(s)
ASU
U.S. Contact(s)
Harold Berkowitz, ASU, 602-965-2975,
hal.berkowitz@asu.edu;
Heidi Hall, EPA Region 9, 415-744-1284,
hall.heidi@epa.gov
SCERP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Energy Recovery from Scrap Tires
Funding
$94,824 FY97 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agreement
Project Purpose
This project is outlining a marketing, economic, and testing
program to characterize the use of advanced boiler technol-
ogy for cleanly converting scrap tires into energy in the form
of electricity, steam, or hot water.
Project Description
Discarded tires represent a major solid waste disposal
problem in the U.S.-Mexico border region. The disposal
problem in Mexico is particularly acute because used tires
are imported from the U.S., mounted on vehicles, and then
discarded after just a few months of use. This extra wear
renders the tires unsuitable for retreading. Scrap tires
are unsightly, pose a fire hazard, disrupt landfills, and
collect rainwater that then becomes a breeding ground
for mosquitoes.
Energy recovery from scrap tires is particularly attractive for
Mexico because energy costs are high and labor costs are
low. Tire collection, preprocessing (cutting), and feeding
would be relatively inexpensive in Mexico.
Experimental testing will be performed at the University of
Utah Combustion Center in downtown Salt Lake City using a
pilot-scale 900 kW (3 x 106 Btu/h) stoker combustor. This
pilot-scale testing program will use a computer-controlled,
water-cooled grate stoker to demonstrate that advanced
grate designs, coupled with automatic grate control systems,
can cleanly and reliably recover energy from scrap tires.
Status
The project is ongoing.
Participant(s)
University of Utah
U.S. Contact(s)
Geoffrey Silcox, University of Utah, 801-581-8820,
geoff@eng.utah.edu
173
SCERP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Geographic Information Systems Development
Along the U.S.-Mexico Border
Funding
$130,000 FY95 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agreement
$80,000 FY96 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agreement
Project Purpose
This CIS research effort continued development of a GIS
program for regional ecological characterization and
database development forthe Nogales Sonora/Arizona and
the Mexicali/Calexico areas.
Project Description
The research was a multi-faceted project involving on-going
scientific investigations using a GIS approach to:
1) Create and coordinate geographic information systems
(GIS) databases for locales on the border. This involved the
creation of new data layers and the enrichment of existing
databases forthe Ambos Nogales and Mexicali/Calexico
Regions;
2) Transferof database and GIS modeling of sediment
movement related to other chemical contaminants through
the water and soil within the Salton Sea-Mexicali region. Use
of non-point source water pollution models within a GIS
provided a foundation for understanding the fate and
transport of other agricultural chemicals in this regional
system;
3) Enhance emergency response models and provide
results of emergency response models for local use. Sister
city emergency response planning was based on GIS
modeling of the vulnerability of Ambos Nogales to a hazard-
ous contaminant release; and
4) Provide information and technology transfer to other
investigators, agencies and other SCERP GIS projects.
The project developed a geographic database (satellite
imagery, maps, terrain models, land use classification) for the
Mexicali/Calexico region and continued programs in training
and technology transfer of GIS expertise and analytical
products to U.S.-Mexican SCERP collaborators, governmental
agency personnel, and the scientific community.
174
The intent was to combine the construction of border GIS
databases with a wide spectrum of faculty and graduate
student expertise to address critical environmental problems
on the Border and to enable estimation of future air and water
contaminant loads.
The GIS approach provides a strong scientific foundation for
ecosystems management that integrates physical pro-
cesses with human activities and concerns. The invest-
ments in this project were realized in relevant applications,
trained students and agency personnel, databases usable to
others, and the dissemination of peer-reviewed research.
Status
Project concluded in mid-1998.
Participant(s)
University of Utah; ASU; El Colegio de Frontera Forte;
Nogales, Sonora; SDSU
U.S. Contact(s)
George F. Hepner, University of Utah, 801-581-8218,
george.hepner@geog.utah.edu
SCERP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Database Coordination Initiative
Funding
$115,000 FY95 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agreement
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project was to keep SCERP at the
forefront of information exchange and technology transfer
through the Internet medium of the World Wide Web. The
outcome of this project was the establishment of two WWW
servers (U.S. and Mexican) that disseminate SCERP
products to both technical and non-technical Internet users.
Project Description
When this project was proposed, SCERP was one of
relatively few environmental research groups rhaintaining a
Gopher site and making its findings electronically available to
its stakeholders and to the public. Capitalizing on the
expanding capabilities of the WWW allowed SCERP to
present findings and results in a much more meaningful and
useful way (i.e., to present information in a graphical format,
to create hypertext links to other relevant resources, and to
be reciprocally linked to other WWW-based information).
The past two to three years has seen incredible growth and
development in WWW activities as millions of Americans
have gained access to the Internet.
To maximize SCERP's benefit to EPA, results of SCERP
activities and documentation of ongoing efforts need to be
accessible to the public, EPA, and other researchers in one
location in a common format. Publication in scientific
journals, monographs, and news releases target specific
audiences by region or technical area. In contrast, the
development of an Internet resource has created a repository
of information and resources augmenting and enhancing
individual project dissemination efforts. Wide distribution of
SCERP generated information increases opportunities for: 1)
border communities to replicate successful project models;
and 2) for researchers concerned with border issues to avoid
duplicative efforts.
Status
No information available
Participant(s)
University of Utah; EPA
U.S. Contact(s)
AnnTorrence, University of Utah, 801-585-5607,
Ann.Torrence@dean.eng.utah.edu
175
SCERP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Integrated Cross-Border GIS for the Imperial
Valley-Mexican Interface
Funding
$117,000 FY96 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agreement
Project Purpose
This project will lead to the creation and utilization of a GIS
database for the Imperial Valley/Mexicali area of the United
States-Mexico border and its application to the analysis of
several environmental problems within the region.
Project Description
The objectives of this project were: 1) to conduct an inven-
tory of sources and data; 2) to develop the basic environ-
mental layers of the GIS; and 3) to undertake a temporal
analysis of land use change within the Imperial Valley/
Mexicali region. In addition to the database itself, the Imperial
Valley/Mexicali GIS will allow investigators to model various
environmental impacts associated with land use change
within the context of a GIS.
Much of this research was conducted through the Center for
Earth Systems Analysis Research (CESAR) at SDSU.
CESAR is a state-of-the-art GIS/lmage Processing labora-
tory and is one of the leading university-based facilities of its
kind in the nation. The primary methodologies utilized in this
study include GIS and image processing techniques
combined with ground truthing of data.
The comprehensive GIS database for the Imperial Valley-
Mexicali region will have great utility to a large number of
public and private agencies on both sides of the U.S.-
Mexican border. Further, the GIS database will be made
available on the Internet and thus will be readily accessible to
any potential user. The Imperial Valley/Mexicali GIS will be
fully compatible with the San Diego/Tijuana GIS currently
being completed by the principal investigators and will
represent the largest coverage of any portion of the interna-
tional border.
176
Project activities included maintaining and inventory of GIS
database sources, compiling base data for GIS, developing
GIS layers, creating home pages, compiling land use maps,
and preparing a final report.
Status
No information available
Participant(s)
SDSU; El Colegio de Frontera Norte (COLEF); Baja Califor-
nia; Mexico
U.S. Contact(s)
Richard Wright, SDSU, 619-594-5466,
wright@typhoon.sdsu.edu;
Ernst Griffin, SDSU, 619-594-5440,
egriffin@mail.sdsu.edu;
Carmen Maso, EPA Region 5,312-886-1070,
maso.carmen@epa.gov
SCERP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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SCERP Data and Information Outreach
and Communication
Funding
$43,000 FY96 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agreement
Project Purpose
This project was built on the World Wide Web (WWW)
capabilities demonstrated in an earlier project, but refocused
on SCERP technology and information transfer through
Internet accessibility. To maximize SCERP's benefit to EPA,
results of SCERP activities and documentation of ongoing
efforts were made available to the public, EPA, and other
researchers in one location in a common format.
Project Description
This team continued to provide WWW materials to the public
focused on a set of core documents emphasizing the results
of SCERP projects and improving access to datasets
developed during SCERP projects. Additional resources
were developed, including a registry of researchers in the
border region and materials suitable for the non-technical
reader. Services of the team were made available to assist
in the technology transfer efforts of SCERP participants who
are developing digital datasets or WWW materials as part of
their projects.
This project and prior efforts were intended to bring SCERP
results to the public in a new and rapidly changing medium.
At the time of the proposal, the Internet was new, with
relatively few commercial sites, and a novel method of
distribution of information for public use. Recent events have
demonstrated how quickly the Internet has evolved in the
subsequent two and one half years, and SCERP was a
pioneer in utilizing this medium which makes research
results and project information so readily available.
The URLs for the SCERP WWW servers are:
http://www.civil.utah.edu/scerp/
http://www.cdj.itesm.mx/scerp/ (English)
Status
No information available
Participant(s)
University of Utah; ITESM; Ciudad Juarez
U.S. Contact(s)
Ann Torrence, University of Utah, 801 -585-5607,
Ann.Torrence@dean.eng.utah.edu;
Carmen Maso, EPA Region 5,312-886-1070,
maso.carmen @ epa.gov
177
SCERP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Improving Community Access to Transborder
Environmental Information in the
San Diego-Tijuana Region
Funding
$122,000 FY97 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agreement
Project Purpose
This project seeks to improve community access to
environmental data for the Tijuana River Watershed (TRW),
thereby contributing to greater awareness of the nature and
causes of environmental degradation in the basin.
Project Description
This project will develop, implement, and evaluate a variety of
user-friendly products that build on the existing TRW GIS.
These products include an improved Home Page for the
TRW, interactive mapping capability on the World Wide
Web, a customized version of the database using ArcView 3,
and a CD containing the TRW GIS database and a custom-
ized version of ArcView 3. Training will be provided on the
use of these products to representatives from selected
organizations from both sides of the border having environ-
mental education and public outreach programs. Some of
these same representatives will serve on an advisory
committee to provide guidance in the development of project
materials.
This project responds to the concerns expressed by many
members of the Califomia-Baja California community that a
"lack of information and general absence of environmental
awareness on local and regional problems are the main
Impediments to raising environmental quality and increasing
public involvement in solving and preventing environmental
problems." It also responds to the fact that the Tijuana River
basin is one of the major areas of ecological degradation and
concern along the U.S.-Mexico border. Finally, the project
coincides with the completion by SDSL) and COLEF of the
TRW GIS database, the first binationally produced environ-
mental GIS fora major section of the U.S.-Mexico border.
178
This project seeks to overcome inadequate public access to
environmental information. This problem will be addressed
through the development of several user-friendly GIS
products and training in their uses. This will translate results
of previous SCERP research into a format that is accessible
and useable by a much broader audience than is currently
possible.
Status
The project is ongoing.
Participant(s)
SDSU
U.S. Contact(s)
Richard Wright, SDSU, 619-594-5466,
wright@typhoon.sdsu.edu
SCERP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Enhancing the Communication of Border
GIS Data and Analytical Products
in the Binational Context
Funding
$69,301 FY97 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agreement
Project Purpose
This project supports the development of visualization/
communication (v/c) products, such as multivariable maps,
scientific graphics, animations, fly-thrus and other visual
products to effectively communicate the various GIS
datasets, modeling scenarios, and analytical results.
Project Description
The GIS approach provides a strong scientific foundation for
ecosystems management using geographic space to
integrate physical processes with human activities and
concerns. There are several SCERP projects developing
GIS databases and analytical products. A significant
problem is that many of these data and information products
are not in a form readily communicated to persons outside of
the respective SCERP GIS projects.
This project supports the development of visualization/
communication (v/c) products, such as multivariable maps,
scientific graphics, animations, fly-thrus and other visual
products to effectively communicate the various GIS
datasets, modeling scenarios, and analytical results. The
intent is not to simply develop communication enhancements
to convey results of my own research in Nogales and the
Imperial Valley, but to develop a prototype suite of enhance-
ments that could be used by other SCERP GIS projects in
the binational border context.
These products will be developed with input from the
potential user community at an early stage. During develop-
ment, the products will be periodically evaluated by a group
of individuals from both the U.S. and Mexico. A workshop for
final evaluation and training in the development of similar
products was conducted with SDSL) in 1998. The resultant
products will be disseminated to various SCERP universities
and interested agencies on both sides of the border.
Status
This project is ongoing.
Participant(s)
University of Utah ;
U.S. Contact(s)
George F. Hepner, University of Utah, 801-581-8218,
george.hepner@geog.utah.edu
179
SCERP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Interactive Teaching of El Paso Air and
Water Quality Concerns
Funding
$47,242 FY97 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agreement
Project Purpose
This project will develop two interactive teaching modules
dealing with critical El Paso region environmental problems,
ground and surface water quality and air quality. The
educational modules will be designed so that the material
may be presented to a wide range of audiences ranging from
elementary school to college educated adults. The wide
range of applicability stems from the visual nature of the
physical models where the processes can be observed by all
but understood at many levels.
Project Description
The source material for the teaching modules will come from
the results of prior SCERP research projects. The educa-
tional modules will be based upon a sequence of:
1) demonstration of fundamental concepts using small
physical models;
2) presentation of equations and concepts required to
describe the observed processes quantitatively;
3) modeling of the small physical system demonstration with
complex numerical models
providing rapid graphical feedback (i.e., color three dimen-
sional images and movies);
4) orientation to El Paso specific air and water quality
problems; and
5) application of the numerical models to the El Paso region
environmental problems with advanced graphical output.
The modules will be incorporated into the existing and
separately funded Excellence in Technology, Engineering &
Science (ExciTES) outreach program located at the UTEP
Colleges of Engineering and Science. The ExciTES
program includes free summer enhancement programs for
local high school students as well as additional training of
teachers.
180
The educational modules (small physical models with
computer) will be packaged in an easily transportable format
to facilitate incorporation of the modules during the school
year at different local schools and/or at public outreach
events.
This project is applying results from prior SCERP research
to environmental education programs for all levels of the local
population.
Status
The status of this project is ongoing.
Participant(s)
UTEP
U.S. Contact(s)
John Walton, UTEP, 915-747-5057, jwalton@cs.utep.edu
SCERP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Analysis of Issues in the Development of a
Public Environmental Information Network in
the Texas-Mexico Border
Funding
$45,000 FY98 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agreement
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to analyze the current capacity
and institutional infrastructure requirements and to inventory
existing border environmental data and information re-
sources that are the first steps in developing a public
environmental information network. Institutional infrastruc-
ture is defined as state and federal agencies, municipalities,
libraries, schools, universities, social movements, and non-
governmental organizations (NGOs). Because of the size of
the Texas-Mexico border region and the limited amount of
resources available for the project, two sister cities will be
targeted: Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua-El Paso, Texas and
Matamoros, Tamaulipas-Brownsville, Texas.
Project Description
While there is an enormous amount of data on environmental
problems affecting the U.S.-Mexico border, there is a lack of
binational consensus on what information is relevant and a
lack of transboundary exchange of the information especially
among the general public. This project will lead to the
development of a comprehensive public environmental
information network in the Texas-Mexico border region. Prior
to successfully developing such a network, some essential
groundwork needs to be laid. Currently, less than 10% of the
Texas-Mexico border region has access to the Internet.
Air pollution, poor water quality, overutilization of aquifers,
eradication of species and habitats, rapid urbanization and
uncontrolled growth, and lack of infrastructure are all critical
issues that affect both Texans and Mexicans living on the
border. Because the problems are vast and complex, a
number of different strategies will have to be developed and
implemented to find workable solutions. Environmental
education is critical to this effort and must be part of the
solution. Overall goals of this project are to: 1) increase
public access to environmental information; 2) promote and
increase binational sharing of environmental information;
3) improve public participation in decision making about local
environmental/health issues; and 4) promote effective
environmental education with the intent of diminishing the
technical information gap.
Developing a binational environmental information network
will increase public awareness and knowledge about
environmental issues and provide the public with the
resources needed to make informed decisions about the
environmental health of their community. A comprehensive
inventory and analysis of the sister cities listed will enable
government agencies and NGOs from both countries to
cooperate in identifying and addressing the most critical
information network needs.
Status
This project is ongoing.
Participant(s)
UTEP; Border Information and Solutions Network; Texas
Natural Resources Information Systems; Texas Natural
Resources Conservation Commission
U.S. Contact(s)
Dennis L. Soden, UTEP, 915-747-5400, desoden@utep.edu
181
SCERP
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Teacher Enhancement and
Community Awareness in Air and
Water Quality Education in El Paso
Funding
$50,000 FY98 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agreement
Project Purpose
The El Paso region combines serious environmental
problems with a largely minority, under-educated population.
To solve regional environmental problems, the local popula-
tion must be informed and educated about environmental
issues. This project will educate a significant number of K-
12 teachers, students, parents, and other community service
providers about those environmental issues of most
relevance to this area.
Project Description
The project's objectives are three-fold: 1) to fully develop
cutting-edge K-12 environmental curricular modules that are
aligned with national, state, and local standards and bench-
marks; 2) to provide the broadest dissemination of these
modules through professional development workshops
sponsored across the region for a wide range of education
service providers; and 3) to create an awareness in the
region of critical environmental issues that are relevant to El
Paso and other similar border communities.
To effectively execute the activities outlined for this project,
three teachers have been identified who have a long-standing
track record in developing quality curriculum and/or in
aligning existing curriculum with the newly developed
standards in science. Teacher training will occur on a variety
of levels: at teacher in-service training, during workshops for
the Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environ-
ment (GLOBE) Program, and as a part of the Texas Alliance
for Minorities in Engineering (TAME) El Paso teacher and
community workshops and activities. TAME El Paso
partners with the El Paso Public Library and its branches to
provide after-school and weekend hands-on science for
children and their parents in under-served, low-income areas
of El Paso where environmental education is most needed.
182
The broad-based dissemination plan ensures an increased
environmental awareness on the part of a significant portion
of the community — that is, a significant portion of the K-8
population as well as parents—through the TAME El Paso
activities outlined above. An increase in environmentally
related science fair projects will be the long-range effect of
this project.
Status
The project is in progress.
Participant(s)
UTEP; Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering
U.S. Contact(s)
Elsa Villa, UTEP, 915-747-6947, elsa@eng.utep.edu
SCERP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Environmental Accounting for Sustainable
Development in the San Diego-Tijuana Region
Funding
$49,000 FY98 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agreement
Project Purpose
The San Diego-Tijuana Region (SDTR) presents a particu-
larly exciting opportunity for understanding how to integrate
economic development and environmental sustainability in
rapidly expanding border areas. Environmental accounting
can assist decision-makers with promoting sustainable
development, and it will prove useful as an environmental
information and management tool in the SDTR as well as in
other regions along the border. Objectives include: 1) To
conceptualize and develop an environmental and natural
resource accounting framework suitable for the SDTR and
for similar border regions; 2) To develop an environmental
accounting formula for estimating the "defensive" or broadly-
defined environmental protection expenditures of local
governments in the Region; 3) To develop a universe of
resource accounts sensitive to the environmental and
economic composition of the Region; 4) To derive an
empirical estimate of Gross Regional Product for the Region
and correct this estimate for environmental and natural
resource losses; and 5) To explore methods of integrating
environmental accounting into regional economic models for
assessing future development scenarios and the benefits
and costs of proposed environmental protection programs.
Project Description
This research extends green accounting frameworks to a
regional, binational context. It will use advanced econo-
metric techniques. Data on agricultural land conversion
will be collected from public and private agencies and
valued based on market prices for the land and agricul-
tural output. A workshop will be held for local stakehold-
ers to identify additional environmental and resource
accounts for future research. Based on the results of the
workshop, additional resource accounts will be esti-
mated. Resource accounts created for this research
would be spatially referenced and stored in a GIS, thus
allowing for advanced intra-regional analysis of second-
ary impacts resulting from resource depletion. The final
stage of the research deals with ways of integrating
environmental accounting into regional economic models
capable of performing advanced policy analysis such as
assessing the costs and benefits of future development
scenarios and of proposed environmental programs. The
project will supply empirical estimates of the costs
accruing from the loss of agricultural land and of the
defensive expenditures made by local governments in the
Region. Each of these estimates will strengthen the
information base used to make environmental policies
and decisions by all levels of government.
Status
The project is in progress.
Participant(s)
SDSU
U.S. Contact(s)
Michael Jerrett, SDSU, 619-594-5437,
mjerrett@mail.sdsu.edu
183
SCERP
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Educating Business Managers in Environmental Choices: A
Joint Proposal of New Mexico Stele University and Instituto
Tecnologjco y de Estudios Superiors de Monterrey
Funding
$90,000 FY97 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agreement
Project Purpose
This project will develop a course for businesses along the
border about environmentally sound management practices.
The course will address the requirements of environmental
legislation and regulation, incorporating models of business
that expand the definition of quality to include how to limit
natural resource consumption and minimize toxic output into
the environment.
Project Description
NMSU, through its College of Business Administration and
Economics, proposes to offer border business concerns an
opportunity to leam about environmentally sound manage-
ment practices that are of particular concern to the U.S.-
Mexico border region and how to incorporate environmental
strategies to address these problems. The College pro-
poses to initiate the program using existing university satellite
connections into Mexico and through a bilingual videotape
format allowing for simultaneous course offerings on both
sides of the border. An evaluation of the effort is planned
through a bi-national survey to highlight the best possible
means to continue this environmental effort into the future.
Initial partnerships in this project include the ITESM and the
Southwestern Maquiladora Association. The College of
Business Administration and Economics is also working with
the Department of Languages and Linguistics at NMSU to
produce the highest quality Spanish language translation
support for this project.
184
In addition, partners in this project propose to address the
requirements of environmental legislation and regulation,
incorporating models of business that expand the definition of
quality to include how to limit natural resource consumption
and minimize toxic output into the environment. It is the
belief of the project partners that successful enforcement of
environmental laws and regulations will largely depend upon
the willingness of businesses and individuals on both sides
of the U.S.-Mexico border to promote awareness of environ-
mental issues and support sound, environmentally sustain-
able business management practices. As is often the case
along the border, lack of environmental awareness and
education are cited as chief barriers in resolving the border
zone's environmental problems.
Status
The project is in progress.
Participant(s)
NMSU; ITESM; Cuidad Juarez; Chihuahua; Mexico; MX;
Southwestern Maquiladora Association
U.S. Contact(s)
Grace Ann Rosile, NMSU, 505-646-5684,
garosile @ nmsu.edu
SCERP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Border Basket: Analysis of Toxic Metals in
Retail Foods, El Paso-Ciudad Juarez
Funding
$159,000 Year One, FY95 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative
Agreement $128,211
Year Two, FY96 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agree-
ment
Project Purpose
The overall objective of this project is to analyze a large
number of foods, utensils, and medicinals available in the El
Paso-Ciudad Juarez border area for their content of up to 70
elements, including the toxic metals and elements. The
most commonly purchased food products are being
examined, as well as those consumed or used by infants,
children, and pregnant women on both sides of the border.
Sampling also is weighted toward the dietary preferences of
low-income families whose higher exposure to toxic metals
in the workplace and older housing places them at greater
risk. The emphasis on children, low-income families, and
border-specific diets will complement, rather than compete
with, the analyses of the 234 food items included in the
FDA's "Market Basket" Study (Fenner 1984).
Project Description
Diet is always a potential source of toxic metals and
elements. Nonetheless, it is only relatively recently that lead
solder has been eliminated from food cans in the United
States, and mercury levels in swordfish and some tuna are
still sufficiently high to warrant limited dietary intake of those
species. Although the U.S. food industry is among the most
carefully regulated in the world, actual field checking of
products is limited.
Imported foods, particularly those from jurisdictions with
limited regulations, represent another threat. Although
regulated, such foods probably are not tested with sufficient
frequency to guarantee consumer health. Foods and
medicinals, which are not imported commercially, are
commonly brought into the United States from Mexico by
residents of such border communities as El Paso-Ciudad
Juarez. Culinary utensils, e.g., pottery glazes and lead-
soldered pots and pans, are also a threat of unknown
dimensions in our border community.
Southern border residents in the United States may be at
greater risk than the general population for ingestion of toxic
metals because of their higher consumption of foods of
Mexican origin.
This investigation of diet as a pathway for ingestion of toxic
metals includes samples of local drinking water and food
crops grown and consumed in the El Paso-Ciudad Juarez
region. The toxic chemicals generated by maquiladora
industries, hazardous waste dumping practices, and
airborne dusts released by local industries (all emphasized in
the EPA-SEDUE Plan) likely impact the water we drink and
the food we eat.
More than 750 items, originating in both the U.S. and Mexico,
have been purchased, processed, and analyzed for more
than 60 elements. About 15 products showed levels of
toxicity warranting further investigation and testing.
Status
The status of this project is ongoing. The funding period has
ended; however, the research continues.
Participant(s)
UTEP; Universidad Autonoma de Cuidad Juarez
U.S. Contact(s)
Nicholas Pingitore, UTEP, 915-747-5754, pingitor@utep.edu;
Maria Amaya, UTEP, 915-747-7231, mamaya@utep.edu
185
SCERP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Development of a Model for Training
Community Advisors in Environmental Health
Funding
$117,215 FY96 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agreement
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project was to develop a systems
approach of community interventions through a series of
training methodologies associated with the field of
environmental health education. The systems approach
used in this study incorporated several unique features.
Among these were:
1) The participation of community health advisors as
elements of change in the training process;
2) The development of a new role for community health
advisors as "auditores sociales comunitarios" or "community
monitors";
3) The integration of human resources through binational
efforts of intervention/training methodologies that have a
community focus approach; and
4) A combined system of internal-external evaluations of the
major elements tested in the proposed model.
Project Description
Most, if not all, border health and environmental plans,
programs, and assessments that have been developed by
federal and state agencies in both the United States and
Mexico coincide in the need to promote environmental health
education at the community and local levels. There has
been a tremendous need in the area of environmental health
education to develop systematic approaches and alternatives
aimed at the community and local level. The development of
community-based alternatives as well as improving under-
standing of the border environment through new methodolo-
gies is of utmost importance. Unfortunately, little has been
known about successful enterprises of environmental health
education that have a true binational coordination effort to
solve community border health problems.
186
This project generated a system that can be replicated in
communities along the border. Target groups and beneficia-
ries include many community health advisors, other commu-
nity personnel, groups, and organizations (including
federal, state, and local government and non-governmen-
tal) on both sides of the border. The new methodology
developed through this project will facilitate EPA's efforts to
resolve border environmental problems in a systematic
and effective way.
Status
No available information
Participant(s)
ASU; Red Fronteriza de Salud y Ambiente; El Colegio de
Sonora
U.S. Contact(s)
Hector Balcazar, ASU; 602-965-7781,
hecter.balcazar@asu.edu
SCERP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Binational Community-University Partnership
for Environmental Health Education
Funding
$84,789 FY97 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agreement
Project Purpose
The specific objectives of the project are:
1) To develop and apply research methods to gather specific
information needed to help communities and agencies work
together to resolve environmental health concerns;
2) To train and assist the community in developing its
capacity to assess and address environmental health
concerns; and
3) To assist agency personnel in understanding the concerns
of communities, and in communicating with these communi-
ties about environmental health risks.
Project Description
UTEP together with U ACJ and the Juarez community- based
group, Organizacion Popular Independiente (OPI), expanded
an earlier EPA-funded program into a binational community-
university partnership to address environmental health
objectives.
Through research and outreach, this project addresses
problems that plague both sides of the U.S.-Mexico Border,
expanding an existing U.S.-based program into Mexico. It
addresses local environmental health problems by creating
an opportunity for local community groups in Mexico to have
the same input as any other constituency (including U.S.
residents) into the process of developing environmental
health initiatives and addressing environmental health
problems. The project emphasizes three components:
1) Research to identify knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of
the community about environmental risks and their relation-
ship to health;
2) Community-based, informal, participatory environmental
health education; and
3) Networking to improve relationships, communication, and
exchange of information among community groups and
between community groups and government environmental
agencies.
Status
This project is ongoing.
Participant(s)
UTEP; UACJ; OPI
U.S. Contact(s)
Amy Liebman, UTEP, 915-747-5893, aliebman@utep.edu
187
SCERP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Prevention of Childhood Toxic Lead Exposure
in a U.S.-Mexico Border Community
Funding
$85,192 FY97 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agreement
Project Purpose
The specific aim of this project is to develop, implement, and
evaluate an environmental health promotion strategy for low-
income women whose children are at high risk for lead
poisoning in colonias and decayed urban areas of El Paso
and Ciudad Juarez, thereby reducing morbidity from this
endemic environmental health problem.
Project Description
A locally produced photo novel (fotonovela) and video will be
utilized by trained community health workers (promotoras) to
educate mothers about prevention of toxic lead exposures in
young children. The project involves the client or end-user
from its inception to dissemination of the final product. The
strategy may be adaptable to meet other environmental
health education needs in U.S.-Mexico border communities.
The El Paso-Juarez community is a single community
unified by common cultural and socio-economic factors and
common environmental health risks. The project capitalizes
on existing networks between health agencies and promotes
international dialogue about environmental lead poisoning.
Focus group participants (community members and leaders,
representatives from health agencies, students, and
investigators) provide the medium for participation of clients
and community agencies. Based on the results of focus
group discussions, a script for a fotonovela in Spanish and a
video in Spanish with English subtitles will be developed
dramatizing the local problem of childhood lead exposure. A
quasi-experimental research design will be used to evaluate
the three information delivery systems for their effectiveness
in changing knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the target
population concerning lead exposure.
188
The most powerful weapon against childhood lead poisoning
is prevention, and prevention is inextricably linked to public
education. Childhood lead exposure is a priority border
environmental problem because it is a disproportionate threat
to low-income Hispanic children. This project has the
potential to impact the rate of childhood lead poisoning in the
El Paso-Ciudad Juarez community, and to become a long-
term sustainable solution to other preventable environmental
health problems.
The project will build on previous binational research
collaboration to implement a cross-border preventive
education strategy. Important outcomes include: 1) bina-
tional collaboration; 2) involvement of clients and agencies;
and 3) an opportunity for students to participate in commu-
nity-based environmental health research.
Status
This project is ongoing.
Participant(s)
UTEP
U.S. Contact(s)
Maria Alvarez Amaya, UTEP, 915-747-7231,
mamaya @ utep.edu
SCERP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Identification of Environmental and Nutritional
Risk Factors for Neural Tube Defects Along the
California/Baja California Border
Funding
$50,000 FY98 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agreement
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to study birth defects, specifi-
cally neural tube defects or NTD's, among the children of
women who live in a highly industrialized area of Tijuana, and
to develop tools for culturally appropriate investigations and
surveillance activities in the future at several Tijuana Hospi-
tals. Clinicians at the Centra de Estudios Universitarios,
Xochicalco, Escuela de Medicina. Tijuana, observed an
apparent high rate of NTD's among women who lived in the
industrialized zone, first in the hospital and then through a
door-to-door survey conducted in an industrialized area of
Tijuana, BC. These physicians are concerned that the
perceived high rate of NTD's might relate to the environmen-
tal and occupational exposures experienced by the women.
A high proportion of the women surveyed were employed in
the local maquiladores and reported perceived exposures to
toxic chemicals at work and in the industrialized zone where
they lived. The result will be the identification and establish-
ment of a mechanism to collect data pertinent to environ-
mental risk factors and health outcomes. Specifically, this
study will address births associated with NTDs.
Project Description
NTDs and lead levels have been identified as preliminary
indicators of environmental health along the U.S.-Mexico
border. The methods and data generated from this study will
contribute to more effective health prevention and risk
reduction strategies. NTDs are a type of malformation of the
developing brain and spinal cord. Congenital malformations
are observed in 2-3% of newborn infants, but a recent study
reported an increased occurrence of NTD's among Mexico-
born Mexican women.
The objectives of this study are, through a retrospective
review of existing records, to establish a prevalence rate for
NTDs for Tijuana, mapped by geographic area, in order to
determine high-risk communities. Additionally, through a pilot
study undertaken in women delivering children at two
hospitals in Tijuana, the research team will investigate
determinants of risk for babies born with NTDs.
Outcomes from this study will include: 1) characterization of
the risk of NTDs in areas of Tijuana (including the industrial-
ized zone identified in the initial investigation; 2) identification
of potential risk factors, including environmental and nutri-
tional factors that are specific to the region and the popula-
tion studied; and 3) a questionnaire to 100 subjects, sup-
ported by laboratory data taken from the same subjects.
Status
This project is ongoing.
Participant(s)
SDSU; Centra de Estudios Universitarios; Cochicalco;
Escuela de Medicina; Hospital General de Tijuana; Seguro
Social
U.S. Contact(s)
Penelope J. E. Quintana, SDSU, 619-594-1688,
jquintan @ mail.sdsu.edu
189
SCERP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Residential Behavior and Environmental
Hazards in Arizona-Sonora Colonias
Funding
$48,725 FY98 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agreement
Project Purpose
This project involves three interrelated objectives: 1) Surveys
of the environmentally relevant behaviors of colonia residents
will be conducted. The surveys will explore behaviors related
to environmental degradation from such practices as trash
burning, residential burns for heating and cooking, and waste
disposal practices. An assessment of residential behavior is
a necessary antecedent to the development of educational
and intervention programs. This study will result in a profile
of colonias along the Arizona-Sonora border region; 2) The
project will explore residents' perception of health risks
associated with the behaviors surveyed. The accuracy of
the residents' perception of behavioral practices that may
affect their health will be assessed. In some cases,
environmentally hazardous behavior may result from a lack
of knowledge; and 3) The project will conduct an outreach-
educational program to share information with residents
about conditions or behaviors that may pose health risks.
Since previous studies have shown that colonia residents
are willing to modify their behavior when provided with
relevant information, this part of the project is anticipated to
have an impact on the health of residents and on the level of
environmental pollution produced by these communities.
Project Description
Analyses of the environmental impact of the maquila industry
on the U.S.-Mexico border region have focused primarily on
the contribution of industrial practices. Less is known of the
environmental degradation engendered by substandard
conditions in communities populated by the workforce of the
maquiladoras. Because of the size of the population
attracted by the maquila industry, the environmental impact
of the workforce and their families is likely to be significant.
190
In response to the development of the maquila industry,
population growth along Mexico's northern border has
resulted in residential areas characterized by substandard
housing and inadequate infrastructure. Residents are at
increased risk from environmental hazards associated with
air pollution, inadequate plumbing, poor access to clean
water, and makeshift sewage disposal systems. This
research will describe and quantify the environmental
pollution produced by residential behavior of colonia inhabit-
ants in Mexico along the Arizona-Sonora region. Such data
will complement studies of the environmental impact of
industrial practices.
Since residents on both sides of the border share ecosys-
tems, airsheds, and watersheds, the pollution and environ-
mental hazards generated by substandard living conditions in
colonias may impact a much larger population on both sides
of the border.
Status
This project is ongoing.
Participant(s)
ASU; COLEF
U.S. Contact(s)
Edward Sadalla, ASU, 602-965-7508,
aaexs@asuvm.inre.asu.edu;
Ted Swanson, ASU, 602-965-7145, tds@aus.edu
SCERP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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An Expert Systems Approach to Managing and
Minimizing the Consequences of Accidental
Chemical Spills in the U.S.-Mexico Border
Funding
$50,000 FY98 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agreement
Project Purpose
This project will develop a PC-based expert systems
approach for managing and minimizing the consequences of
on-site (within a facility premise) and off-site (outside a
facility premise) chemical spills in the U.S.-Mexico border
region. The approach will establish an interactive program
consisting of four modules: 1) a database containing
physico-chemical properties and health threshold quantities
of up to 100 chemicals; 2) an emission module for estimating
chemical emission rates under various release conditions; 3)
an air dispersion module for assessing off-site impacts and
defining impact zones; and 4) a GIS of the Paso del Norte
area for graphical presentation of the modeling results. EPA
guideline emission and air dispersion models will be
reviewed and modified for application to time-varying
chemical emissions and extreme meteorological conditions,
such as calm and inversion conditions that are common in
the border region.
Project Description
The objective of this research is to provide border communi-
ties and Native American reservations with a tool for
assessing the consequences of potential on-site or off-site
accidents involving hazardous materials. By specifying the
quantity of the spilled chemical and the meteorological
condition, users can evaluate the consequence of any
hypothetical chemical spill accident as displayed on GIS, and
the reduction in the impacts if the spill is mitigated in a short
period of time. The approach is designed for non-technical,
as well as technical, users including: local emergency
response teams, local emergency planning committees,
state air offices, local fire departments, emergency manage-
ment agencies, environmental protection and public health
departments, land use planning officials, and natural
resource planning and management offices.
This research will provide small communities with a rapid
assessment tool for evaluating the impacts of potential
transportation accidents involving hazardous materials on
their communities. Local emergency planning committees
(LEPCs), through the application of the users-interactive
analyses, will be able to develop a joint emergency response
plan that uses their limited resources effectively.
The expert systems approach provides users with a GIS-
based platform that will allow users to access a large
database of environmental factors available on the Internet.
The environmental factors include air quality, emission
source, meteorology, population, soil property, water quality,
depth to ground water, sensitive receptor, and other informa-
tion disseminated by governmental agencies and non-profit
organizations. Integrated with appropriate GIS programs, the
expert systems approach can be expanded to evaluate the
air impacts using real-time wind data transmitted from
multiple meteorological monitoring stations in the region and
perform a multiple-pathways impact assessment for any
chemical spill scenario.
Status
This project is ongoing.
Participant(s)
UTEP
U.S. Contact(s)
Wen-Whai Li, UTEP, 915-747-8755, wli@utep.edu;
Bob Gray, UTEPaso, 915-747-6271, bob@utep.edu
191
SCERP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Changing Land Use Patterns along the United
States-Mexican Border: Effects on Ecosystem
Structure and Climate Feedbacks
Funding
$118,326 Year One, FY96 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative
Agreement
$58,897 Year Two, FY98 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative
Agreement
Project Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine specific paired sites
along the western Arizona-Mexico border between Nogales
and Yuma to examine the effects of human activity on the
local ecosystems. Goals are to: 1) quantify ecosystem
structural properties through field and laboratory measure-
ments of vegetation and soil parameters; 2) measure the
cllmatological and energy balance differences at these sites;
3) determine the relationship between the ecosystem
properties and climate; 4) describe and model the feedback
processes; 5) scale the site data up to the level of the
landscape to cover the entire border area in question with
remote sensing and a GIS database; 6) describe trends in
ecological changes along this border region during the last
30 years; and 7) discuss the potential long-term ecosystem
consequences of the present condition and predicted trends.
Project Description
Direct and Indirect human activities have been shown to
reduce ecosystem productivity and increase desertification in
the deserts and grasslands along the United States-Mexican
border. This deterioration of ecosystems can result in a
significant decline of species diversity, loss of vegetative
cover, reduction of soil organic matter and soil moisture,
increase in particulate pollution and significant changes in
blogeochemical cycles. The ecosystem deterioration further
results in a change in climate that produces a complex set of
feedbacks that accelerates the desertification process and
may affect changes in regional climate. The research will
result in greater understanding of the interactions of climate
and vegetation in dryland areas, aid in assessing potential
future human-induced impacts, and assist in mitigating
ecosystem deterioration in this region.
192
Activities have included: bibliography compilation, site
selection, meteorological measurements, vegetation
analysis, soil sampling, soil analysis, climatological data-
base, remote sensing image analysis, remote sensing
vegetation map, remote sensing GIS database, ecosystem
climate correlation, and simulation model run and refinement.
This research has shown annual temperature increases
along the border, on both the Mexican and U.S. sides, of 0.07
and 0.05 degrees Celsius, respectively.
Status
Phase I of the project began in September of 1996 and
concluded mid-1998. Phase II is in progress.
Participant(s)
ASU; SDSU; CIDESON (Center for Research and Develop-
ment in Sonora, Mexico)
U.S. Contact(s)
Jeffrey Klopatek, ASU, 602-965-4685,
klopatek@asu.edu;
Robert Balling, ASU, 602-965-7533,
Robert.Balling@asu.edu;
Janet Franklin, SDSU, 619-594-5491,
janet@typhoon.sdsu.edu
SCERP
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Mapping and Management of the Coastal
Wetlands of Northern Sonora: A Multi-
National Approach
Funding
$74,570 FY97 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agreement
Project Purpose
This project will map and describe by vegetation classifica-
tion seven wetlands communities located along the north-
eastern shore of the Sea of Cortez. It includes plans to
develop a GIS database to facilitate the analysis and
development of a wetlands resource management plan for
the region.
A series of field investigations are planned at the wetlands
sites with students and faculty from ASU, ITESM Guaymas,
and with a team of Tohono O'odham Nation Tribal
EarthVision high school students and their teacher, to
perform vegetation transects, ecological inventories, and
ground truthing of aerial imagery. An Internet website will be
developed for this project, describing the research and
findings, and linked to other websites with similar interests.
Project Description
The Sonoran Desert bioregion is characteristically arid, yet
the Colorado Riverflows through this landscape, emptying
across its delta into the Sea of Cortez. Other (often ephem-
eral) watercourses find their way to the Sea of Cortez,
creating coastal wetlands at the end of their journey. These
wetlands are of transcendent importance for many of the life
systems of the region; they have been fished and harvested
by native peoples for hundreds of years; they are critical
elements along the flyways of migrating birds; and they have
tremendous tourist potential. They have already attracted
large numbers of visitors, especially from Arizona. This
coastal zone is in fact a series of wetland ecological
communities—discontinuous, narrow, and fragile. Within
the state of Sonora only the southern wetlands have been
mapped thus far, and the only management plan in existence
is for these southern units. No comprehensive mapping,
inventory or management plan has been done for any of the
northern wetland areas.
These wetlands are within 100 km of the Arizona-Sonora
border, and because they are adjacent to the Tohono
O'odham Nation, they form part of the traditional regional
context in the lives of tribal people, and many have relatives
living in the area. Hunting and fishing activities are carried on
along this coastal region by local inhabitants, as well as by
seasonal and short-term visitors. The activities of these
groups have an impact on the condition of the watersheds
within which the coastal wetlands lie. The Tohono O'odham
Nation will be included as a responsible partner in this
research, and in the identification, discussion and dissemina-
tion of potential management alternatives.
In the past, native people in the border region have not been
a part of the investigations, the discussions, or the solutions
on border issues. This project will involve representatives of
the Tohono O'odham Nation Environmental Quality Office in
the development of an effective management plan for the
entire wetlands area.
Status
This project is ongoing.
Participant(s)
ASU; ITESM; Guaymas; Tohono O'odham Nation
U.S. Contact(s)
Diann Peart, ASU, 602-965-8087, diann.peart@asu.edu
193
SCERP
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Border Woodland Recovery Project
Funding
$72,625 Year One, FY97 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative
Agreement $49,000
Year Two, FY98 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agree-
ment
Project Purpose
This project is intended to demonstrate the potential for
environmental remediation and significant local economic
benefits through reforestation and revegetation of abandoned
farm lands rendered unusable by salt buildup from highly
saline irrigation water from the lower Colorado River. The
project site is in the Mexican State of Baja California Norte.
The projectwill demonstrate revegetation using useful, salt-
tolerant plants to restore habitat and provide food and fodder.
These plants may also remove salt from the soil and help
foster a nursery industry to supply desert and salt-tolerant
plants in short supply in Mexico. By developing sustainable
reforestation, the project has the long-term potential to
develop local hardwood, ecotourism, and hunting industries.
The research team will work with the Department of Forestry
of the State of Baja California Norte (Baja-N) to promote:
1) Long-term, environmentally sustainable reforestation of
land now unusable due to salinization caused by salt build-up
in the soil from saline Colorado river irrigation water;
2) Economically sustainable restoration of historic mesquite
stands and associated understory to reestablish wildlife
habitat for wildlife, ecotourism, and hunting, create a new
sustainable wood products industry, and create tree and
other plant nurseries in the area; and
3) Participation of local residents to encourage emulation on
their properties.
194
Project Description
To accomplish the project's goals, detailed action plans have
been established with officials of the State of Baja-N, the
family owners of the property, and neighboring communities.
Plans call for establishing measurable goals for reforestation
and habitat restoration and enlisting active participation of all
interested persons. They are:
1) Planting mesquite, related understory, and succulents with
the ability to accumulate inorganic salts;
2) Measuring growth and survivorship of the plants in relation
to the salinity of irrigation water and soil; and evaluate control
by alternative measures to protect the plantings from
resident goat and cattle herds; and
3) Designing and conducting training courses and work-
shops regarding protected area management, protected area
planning, environmental education, legislation, and new
conservation methods.
This project addresses priority border problems, including
the reversal of a long process of loss of farm income and
natural habitat from salt accumulation in the soil. The project
also emphasizes biodiversity and forest and soil conserva-
tion in order to foster long-term sustainable development.
Status
This project is ongoing. Phase I was very successful and
well received by large and small landowners.
Participant(s)
ASU; Department of Forestry of the State of Baja California
Norte
U.S. Contact(s)
Richard Gordon, ASU, 602-727-1260, asrsg@asu.edu
SCERP
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Sustainable Model for Watershed Planning:
Ecological Suitability and
Growth Management Strategies
Funding
$97,238 FY97 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agreement
Project Purpose
This project will develop and test a sustainable watershed
planning model for managing the impacts of growth without
adversely affecting biodiversity or hydrologic regimes.
Project Description
The project focuses on the upper San Pedro watershed, a
predominantly rural area located on the U.S.-Mexico border.
This region, which includes much of Cochise County,
Arizona, and the Naco and Cananea municipalities in
Sonora, is now facing significant growth and development.
Rapid urbanization on the U.S. side and cattle ranching,
copper mining, and population growth in Mexico have
negative consequences for water quality and quantity, pose
threats to wildlife habitats, and are degrading the region's
scenic resources. Although these changes to land use have
many economic benefits for the region, local and state
governments are faced with siting various land uses in
manners that are both cost effective and not deleterious to
the environment. Currently, local officials have inadequate
financial resources and planning acumen to undertake or
implement comprehensive ecologically-based sustainable
watershed planning studies.
The research will be conducted in four phases and has four
primary objectives:
Phase One: To undertake a comprehensive ecological
inventory of the upper San Pedro watershed and to identify
areas under "environmental stress" as well as those in need
of rehabilitation and protection;
Phase Two: With the help of local and state officials, to
develop a sustainable land planning model for managing
growth based on capacity thresholds of natural and human-
made systems calculated in Phase One;
Phase Three: To disseminate the growth management
model through two collaborative workshops in Arizona and
Sonora; and
Phase Four: To abstract from the model key elements and
management strategies that can be tested in other small
communities along the U.S.-Mexico border.
The researchers will work with Sonoran and Mexican federal
officials in Hermosillo and state and Cochise County officials
in Bisbee, Arizona.
Status
This project is ongoing.
Participant(s)
ASU
U.S. Contact(s)
Frederick Steiner, ASU, 602-965-7167, steiner@asu.edu
195
SCERP
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Analysis and Documentation of the
Desertification Process in the Valley of Ojos
Negros, Baja California (Planning Phase)
Bunding
$10,000 FY98 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agreement
(Planning Grant)
Project Purpose
A one-year planning grant will enable this research team to
define a project to be undertaken in 1999. The project's
purpose is to perform a comprehensive study to determine
whether or not the Ojos Negros Valley is undergoing a
desertification process, and if so, to provide data to support
effective political action to redirect the Ojos Negros Valley
toward more sustainable development.
Project Description
For this planning year, working sessions in UABC/Mexicali
and UABC/Ensenada have begun. Visits to the Ojos Negros
Valley to determine ways to more clearly articulate the
methodology to be used will also take place. The following
actions will be of the highest priority:
1) To review and improve the research methodology to
ensure that the developed desertification indicators are
clearly discerned from the prioritized potential causes;
2) To clarify the way in which soil data will be interpreted to
assess desiccation of the environment;
3) To strengthen the case that the Ojos Negros Valley is
geographically and economically within the border region and
related to U.S. interests, in terms of NAFTA, immigration, and
cooperation;
4) To improve the design of the grass-roots workshops as an
effective means of reaching local farmers and ranchers, in
order to ensure their participation in the decision-making
process;
5) To examine and propose ways to more effectively link
study outcomes with management decisions to be executed
at the delegation, municipality, and state levels; and
6) To seek ways to use the study outcome to improve natural
resources management in the border region.
196
The project will provide a thoroughly documented interdisci-
plinary study of the climatic and ecosystem changes in the
Ojos Negros Valley. The research team plans to use climate
and precipitation records, soil samples, crop records, aerial
photographs, and remote sensing imagery to complete their
analysis.
Status
This project is ongoing.
Participant(s)
SDSU; Universidad Autonoma de Baja California, Mexicali;
Universidad Autonoma de Baja California, Ensenada;
Institute Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agricolas, y
Pecuarias(INIFAP).
U.S. Contact(s)
Victor Ponce, SDSU, 619-594-6070,
ponce@kahuna.sdsu.edu
SCERP
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Survey of Riparian Habitats
Along the Rio Grande
Funding
$54,643 FY98 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agreement
Project Purpose
This project will assess the vegetation of existing riparian
areas along the Rio Grande between Elephant Butte
Reservoir, New Mexico and Ft. Quitman, Texas, for the
purpose of providing information that could ultimately improve
surface water quality. This proposed project has five
objectives:
1) Consolidate the best available existing data. Using current
and historical data (topographic maps, aerial photos, GIS
data, etc.) to identify and characterize riparian sites along the
Rio Grande, then select riparian areas for study;
2) Conduct field surveys at five-mile intervals along the river
and record information about the plant communities using a
line transect method;
3) Determine the structure of plant communities in riparian
areas based on the number of plant species, their abun-
dance, and the average cover of those species. When data
are available, comparisons will document reductions in the
size and/or changes in species composition;
4) Test for statistically significant correlations between
destruction of riparian habitat and changes in water quality
when appropriate data exist; and
5) Identify riparian areas with the greatest potential to
improve water quality if rehabilitation were undertaken.
Project Description
The Rio Grande is considered one of North America's most
endangered river systems. There is extensive degradation of
both water quality and habitat along the length of the river,
yet, there is little documentation about how habitat destruc-
tion may affect water quality for the Rio Grande. Improve-
ment of surface water quality along the Rio Grande corridor
is becoming a critical issue as ground water supplies
dwindle and surface water comes under consideration as a
source of drinking water for population centers such as El
Paso/Juarez.
Specifically, the City of El Paso Water Utilities plans to
increase its use of surface water; however, during the
irrigation season, return flows from agricultural drains
increase the Total Dissolved Solids and sulfate concentra-
tions in the river, making it unsafe to drink.
The reestablishment of riparian areas along waterways could
potentially improve water quality while restoring important
habitat for animals as well. Riparian zones are wooded or
shrubby areas that line waterways and are characterized by
their water-dependent vegetation. The area of focus for this
project is the section of the Rio Grande between Elephant
Butte Reservoir and Ft. Quitman, because water quality
along this section of the river directly impacts the border area
from El Paso/Juarez south to Ft. Quitman. The amount of
riparian habitat already lost is not known, nor is it known how
much still exists. If a riparian area does still exist, historical
species composition has likely been altered by the invasion
of exotic species, especially salt cedar. We need to know
how shifts in species composition and reductions in the size
of riparian areas affect water quality.
Status
This project is ongoing.
Parti cipant(s)
UTEP
U.S. Contact(s)
Susan Watts, UTEP, 915-747-6851, swatts@utep.edu
197
SCERP
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Indian Groups of the California-Baja
California Border Region and Border
Environmental Issues
Funding
$46,204 FY97 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agreement
Project Purpose
This project will analyze the environmental concerns of
Indian groups of the California-Baja California border region
and their involvement in transborder environmental issues.
While there is a high population density of Indians living along
this part of the U.S.-Mexican border, these tribes have not
been adequately included in outreach efforts of border
environmental activities. As a result, there exists no
comprehensive understanding of the environmental priorities
of these indigenous peoples.
Project Description
This project will produce a number of practical outcomes:
1) A clear understanding of the environmental concerns of
these Native American groups from California and Baja
California;
2) An analysis of the internal decision-making process of
these groups with respect to matters related to the environ-
ment;
3) A clear understanding of how Indian tribes cooperate and
relate to each other on domestic and transborder environ-
mental issues;
4) Identification of processes and mechanisms that facilitate
the dialogue of tribal governments with federal, local, and
state agencies on border-related environmental issues; and
5) Identification of how border Indian groups might be
effectively incorporated into outreach and research activities
of the Southwest Center for Environmental Research and
Policy.
The results of this project will be compiled in a directory in
both hard copy and electronic formats for distribution to local
communities, government officials, Indian tribes, and other
interested parties.
198
Status
This project is ongoing.
Participant(s)
SDSU
U.S. Contact(s)
Alan Kilpatrick, SDSU, 619-594-1679,
akilpatr@mail.sdsu.edu
SCERP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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An Environmental Assessment Study of Indian
Tribes Living in the U.S.-Mexico Border
Region (Planning Phase)
Funding
$40,000 FY98 funding, Cooperative Agreement with EPA
(Planning Grant)
Project Purpose
This planning grant will lead to a two-year binational project
that will analyze the environmental priorities of selected
Indian communities located along the U.S.-Mexico border
region of California and Arizona and lead to the creation of a
five-year master plan for each of the communities involved.
The goals are to develop information and analysis about
border environmental issues that will have practical applica-
tion to the stakeholders. The research will be undertaken
with sensitivity toward Indian concerns and will include
binational, inter-tribal cooperation at every stage.
Project Description
The indigenous populations of southern California, Arizona
and Baja California comprise over forty thousand people and
encompass a land base of over three million acres. While
these Indian groups may appear to be spatially separated,
their history, language, and culture remain closely linked.
The original territory of these tribes was the region now
bisected by the international boundary and, as a result, many
of the Indians living on the U.S. side maintain strong cross-
border ties with their Mexican relations.
The planning process for this project will extend for six
months and will involve four major steps:
1) EPA and Indian Health Services (IHS) representatives will
be consulted to ensure that this project's research agenda
does not duplicate ongoing efforts by those agencies;
2) Meetings will be held with tribal representatives to seek
their approval for the proposed research;
3) A team of research faculty members from the SCERP
consortium and from Mexican institutions will be assembled
to assist in drafting a detailed work plan based on specific
tribal needs; and
4) A formal pre-proposal will be submitted to SCERP to
compete for 1999 funding.
Status
This project is ongoing.
Participant(s)
SDSU; ASU; BECC; NADBank; EPA Region 9; Indian Health
Services; Intertribal Council of Arizona
U.S. Contact(s)
Alan Kilpatrick, SDSU, 619-594-1679,
akilpatr@mail.sdsu.edu;
Diann Peart, SDSU, 602-965-3266, diann.peart@asu.edu
199
SCERP
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Overview of Cooperative Agreement with the
Southwest Center for Environmental
Research and Policy (SCERP)
200
Funding
$3,000,000 FY98 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agree-
ment
Project Purpose
The Southwest Center for Environmental Research and
Policy (SCERP) is a university research consortium
dedicated to environmental research, public education and
outreach, and student support in the U.S.-Mexico border
region. SCERP was created by the U.S. Congress in
October 1990 to initiate a comprehensive analysis of
possible solutions to the acute air, water quality, and
hazardous waste problems that plague the U.S.-Mexico
border region. This mission is carried out through a Coop-
erative Agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency.
Project Description
SCERP has pioneered a model of binational cooperation that
brings U.S. and Mexican researchers together, introducing
new skills and perspectives in binational environmental
problem solving. The partnerships that have developed
between SCERP researchers and stakeholders on both
sides of the border are critical to the organization's effective-
ness. Since 1990, SCERP has implemented over 100
projects dealing with air quality, water quality and quantity,
environmental health, hazardous waste, and other border
environmental issues.
Status
In FY98 SCERP sponsored two types of research,
competitive (investigator initiated) and directed. Directed
research currently consists of two, multi-disciplinary,
multi-university programs, one in Air Quality and one in
Water Quality. The 21 competitive projects include various
research topics, education, training, and outreach.
SCERP research results and documentation of ongoing
efforts are available on the World Wide Web. The URLs
for the SCERP WWW servers are: http://
www.ci vil. utah .edu/scerp/
http://www.cdj.itesm.mx/scerp/ (English)
Participant(s)
SCERP is comprised of nine universities, five from the
United States and four from Mexico:
San Diego State University (SDSU);
University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP);
University of Utah; Arizona State University (ASU);
New Mexico State University (NMSU);
Institute Technologico de Ciudad Juarez;
Institute Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey
(ITESM); Universidad Autonoma de Baja California (UABC);
Universidad Autonoma de Ciudad Juarez (UACJ)
U.S. Contact(s)
Dr. David Pijawka, Arizona State University, 602-965-2976,
pijawka@asu.edu;
Dr. C. Kevin Boberg, NMSU, 505-646-1334,
kboberg@nmsu.edu;
Dr. Paul Ganster, San Diego State University, 619-594-5423,
pganster@mail.sdsu.edu;
Dr. Adel Saroflm, University of Utah, 801-585-9258,
sarofim@aros.net;
Mr. C. Wesley Leonard, University of Texas at El Paso, 915-
747-6649, cleonard@utep.edu;
SCERP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Quantitative Analysis of Dynamic, Video
Images and Static Images of the Paso del Norte
Air Basin: Years 1992-1994
Funding
$84,000 FY95 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agreement
Project Purpose
Poor air quality and the resulting health effect issues have
brought the investigatory and regulatory attention of U.S. and
Mexican federal, state, and municipal governments to bear
on air pollution in the internationally situated Paso del Norte
Airshed. This project examined three years of video camera
images encompassing about 90 square kilometers astride
the U.S.-Mexican border and including the metropolitan areas
of El Paso, TX, and Ciudad Juarez.
Project Description
Periodic video images of the El Paso-Juarez airshed were
recorded by TNRCC. The project used computerized
imagery analysis to produce quantitative information about
the air quality of the basin. Time-lapse images of the Paseo
del Norte Airshed taken every four seconds were analyzed,
and quantitative image characterizations were correlated
with air quality data from existing monitoring stations.
The hypothesis was that the use of contrast measurements
from video images can provide useful estimates of PM10
levels in the Paso del Norte Airshed.
Status
The activities for this project began on June 1,1995, and
concluded in mid-1997. This investigation showed that "off-
the-shelf technology may be used to conduct visibility
analysis of air pollution in a semi-arid, mountain valley,
airshed. The quantitative data gathering techniques utilized
in this project indicate that readily available resources and
technology for remote sensing may present an alternative
means for many municipalities charged with monitoring and
managing an airshed.
Participant(s)
UTEP; TNRCC; ITESM
U.S. Contact(s)
Charles Turner, UTEP, 915-747-6908,
cturner@utep.edu;
Norris J. Parks, UTEP, 915-747-6920,
jparks@utep.edu;
Robert Currey, UTEP, 915-747-6274,
bcurrey@utep.edu;
Stuart Dattner, TNRCC, 512-239-1811,
sdattner@tnrcc.state.tx.us;
O. Chavez, ITESM and U.S. AID
201
SCEKP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Upper Atmospheric Wind and Temperature
Profile Data for the El Paso-Juarez Airshed
Funding
$14,400 FY95 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agreement
Project Purpose
This project sampled upper air temperature and wind velocity
profiles to develop profiles at the upper altitude levels in the
El Paso-Juarez area. The data base was used to develop
monthly and seasonal averages, and these averages were
used as inputs to computer-generated wind field models for
the region. In addition, the data may be used to validate wind
field models. Knowledge of area windfields with pollution
source inventories enables the formation of strategies to
control the impact of air pollution in the airshed.
Project Description
This was a three-year project to sample upper air tempera-
ture and wind velocity profiles using a pulsed doppler radar
and a radio acoustic sounder. A data base was maintained,
and hourly averages on wind profiles to 2500 meters above
ground level and temperature profiles to 800 meters above
ground level were processed and analyzed to provide
seasonal averages and expected wind and temperature
associated with particular weather events. These profiles
can be used in computer models to determine diffusion and
transport of pollutants in the airshed.
Status
The project has been completed. Data from the UTEP radar
were used in a majorfield study of air migration patterns in
the El Paso-Juarez region, as well as to evaluate the
capability of a Hdar to measure wind fields. Project results
aid planners in designating the most appropriate locations for
new industrial development to minimize effects of pollutants
due to industrial processes as well as traffic associated with
new sites.
202
Participant(s)
UTEP; TNRCC; Atmospheric Sciences Laboratory, White
Sands Missile Range; Physical Sciences Laboratory, NMSU
U.S. Contact(s)
Jack Smith, UTEP (retired)
Peter Breitenbach, TNRCC, 512-239-1468,
pbreiten@tnrcc.state.tx.us
SCERP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Study of Brick Kiln Designs and Development of
Technical Courses for the Brickmakers
Training Center in Ciudad Juarez
Funding
$71,000 FY95 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agreement
Project Purpose
See description below.
Project Description
This project continued research to develop techniques to
reduce environmental pollution by designing methods to
incorporate the use of less polluting energy sources into the
brickmaking process. Specifically, solar dryers were
developed to lessen the actual firing time, thus reducing fuel
consumption and the pollution emitted by the firing process.
Activities included:
1) Determining the amount of moisture that can be elimi-
nated from bricks using controlled low temperatures;
2) Constructing a large-scale solar collector at the
Brickmakers Training Center for on-site monitoring and data
collection under controlled conditions;
3) Field testing solar dryers designed by a previous project;
4) Determining the most appropriate type of solar dryer for
use in brickmakers colonias; and
5) Transferring this technology through an on-site demon-
stration model constructed at the Brickmakers Training
Center in Ciudad Juarez and the integration of results into
courses taught at the Center.
In Mexico, brick firing used up to one third of the fuel ex-
pended in the process for drying or removal of the moisture
contained in the brick. Bricks cannot be fired to the tempera-
ture required for structural use until that moisture is elimi-
nated. Thus, this is a crucial part of the process and one
which is costly to the brickmakers who rely on every cent
saved to make a profit. The premise of this project was that
the use of solar energy, a clean, unlimited energy source, will
not only reduce pollution by saving firing time and thus fuel,
but will also increase brickmakers profits and allow them to
utilize less polluting fuels. Data was analyzed to determine
the effectiveness of the solar designs, the energy saved in
the firing process, and the quality of the finished brick.
The project focused on system analysis of the manufacturing
processes, incorporation of energy efficient techniques into
the process, and use of concentrated solar energy as an
alternative energy supply for the drying of bricks.
Status
The project extended through mid-1997. See follow-on
project: Coordination and Transfer of Research Efforts to the
Brickmakers Training Center.
Participant(s)
UTEP; ITESM
U.S. Contact(s)
Nancy Lowery, UTEP;
Andrew Swift, UTEP, 915-747-5460,
aswift@utep.edu;
Ryan Wicker, UTEP, 915-747-7099,
rwicker@vlobos.me.utep.edu
203
SCERP
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20*
Seasonal Characterization of Inorganic and Organic
Contaminants Associated to Suspended Particle Matter
and Evaluation of its Possible Effects on Children's
Respiratory Health in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico
Funding
$67,160 FY95 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agreement
Project Purpose
This project compiled a data base of respiratory health in
children in the border area of Laredo-Nuevo Laredo to
enhance the effort to better understand air quality problems
of the U.S.-Mexican border at the Laredo-Nuevo Laredo
commerce and vehicle zone.
Project Description
Due to rapid development and the subsequent increase in
vehicular traffic through the twin cities of Laredo-Nuevo
Laredo and their recent industrial growth, a good deal of air
contamination is expected with Total Suspended Matter
(TSM) and many associated chemical contaminants. The
adverse health effects in the respiratory system may be
magnified by the presence of certain chemical substances
within the PM10 fraction. A retrospective epidemiological
study will be performed with data from the health institutions
about respiratory illnesses in primary school children to
determine negative health effects due to high suspended
particle pollution. The resulting data base will be useful in
proposing necessary preventive or remedial actions wher-
ever environmental risk exists.
Status
The project was completed in mid-1997. In this project, 24
metals and 16 Polyciclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons were
chosen as indicators of the chemical pollution carried by the
PM10 fraction. The data obtained from the quantification of
PM10 and their associated chemical indicators was corre-
lated to the proposed epidemiological health studies of
respiratory function in children in the City of Nuevo Laredo,
Mexico. The sampling methodology was based on Mexican
and U.S. EPA accepted methods. A retrospective epidemio-
logical study was performed with data from the health
institutions about respiratory tests including standardized
spirometric values, and anthropometric measurements at 3-
month intervals were performed in 100 children in each of the
nearby schools of the sampled areas.
Participant(s)
ASU; UTEP; ITESM
U.S. Contact(s)
Duncan Patten, ASU, 602-965-2975,
iacdtp@asuvm.inre.asu.edu;
Todd Rinck, EPA Region 9,404-562-9062,
rinck.todd@epa.gov
SCERP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Database Cooidination Initiative: Sources of Air Pollution
Along the Border, Analysis of Data, Data bases, and
Information; Economic Incentives for Pollution Reduction
Funding
$190,000 FY95 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agreement
Project Purpose
This project's goal was to develop a binational data base that
identifies and characterizes principal sources of air pollution
along the U.S.-Mexico border. The data base was incorpo-
rated into related CIS being developed for the border regions.
The information will be used as a basis for developing
realistic, cost effective, mitigation strategies to reduce air
pollution in the border region. Strategies that address the
technical aspects of abatement, economic costs and
benefits of various scenarios, and institutional barriers on
both sides of the border will be addressed.
Project Description
See purpose above.
Status
The project was completed in mid-1997. Because a large
fraction of air pollutants in the border region originate from
the energy sector, e.g., power plants and vehicles, efforts
were focused on the power generating and transportation
sectors on both sides of the border.
Participant(s)
UABC; Institute of Engineering, Mexicali; Universidad
Autonoma de Mexico, Mexico City; SANDAG, San Diego, CA;
Air Pollution Control District, San Diego, CA
U.S. Contact(s)
Alan Sweedler, SDSU, 619-594-6155,
asweedle@sunstroke.sdsu.edu;
Paul Ganster, SDSU, 619-594-5423,
pganster@mail.sdsu.edu
205
SCERP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Transborder Visibility Analysis: Quantitative
Analysis of Dynamic, Multi-Site Video Images of
the Paso del Norte Airshed: Years 1995-1996
Funding
$91,557 FY96 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agreement
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project was quantitative parameterization
of digitized images from continuous time-lapse videos from
U.S. and Mexican sites with overlapping fields of view. The
evaluation of digital and analog image acquisition and various
methods of contrast analysis in clean and polluted atmo-
spheres was used to characterize localization and disper-
sion of air contaminants in the Paso del Norte Airshed.
Project Description
In the first year, this research team analyzed the images
from a single video site and found that contrast analysis of
two adjacent targets (downtown buildings 8 km distant) were
correlated with a nearby PM10 monitor (Chamizal National
Memorial site). PM10 includes particle sizes up to a nominal
10 micrometers diameter; thus the correlation indicated that
the fine particle, light scattering fraction of PM10 (particles in
the 0.4-0.8 micrometer range) was a fairly constant fraction
at this location. In the second year, video images of the El
Paso Airshed were collected from basin floor locations in
Ciudad Juarez, downtown El Paso, and at 650 meters above
the floor at Ranger Peak. Images were analyzed using NIH
IMAGE Software. The evaluation of the dynamic image
record indicates that quantitative visibility parameters may be
obtained for distinct morning inversions that are characteristi-
cally associated with violations of ozone and PM10 ambient
air quality standards in the airshed, and evening inversions
associated with the PM10 and CO violations. An example of
widespread pollution included in this report is the smoke
episode from the Yucatan Peninsula forest fires of May 1998.
Specific recommendations are made for data quality
assurance procedures to track equipment degradation with
time, and the incorporation of digital technology.
206
Status
The project was completed in mid-1998. This project was a
follow-on to "Quantitative Analysis of Dynamic Video Images
and Static Images of the El Paso del Norte Airshed." The
activities for this project began in September 1996 and ended
in 1998.
Participant(s)
UTEP; ITESM; TNRCC; University of Texas at Houston
U.S. Contact(s)
Charles Turner, UTEP, 915-747-6908,
cturner@utep.edu;
Norris J. Parks, UTEP, 915-747-6920,
jparks@utep.edu;
Stuart Dattner, TNRCC, 512-237-1811,
sdattner@tnrcc.state.tx.us
SCERP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Coordination and Transfer of Research Efforts
to the Brickmakers Training Center
in Ciudad Juarez
Funding
$20,532 FY96 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agreement
Project Purpose
This project continued to develop techniques to reduce
environmental pollution created by the brickmaking industry
by providing support to the Institute de Investigaciones
Ecotecnol6gicas (ECOTEC) for project coordination and
integration of ongoing research into courses at the
Brickmakers Training Center run by ECOTEC.
Project Description
SCERP institutions, in conjunction with other regional entities
such as El Paso Natural Gas and Los Alamos National
Laboratories, undertook a binational multidisciplinary,
multidimensional effort to reduce environmental pollution in
the Mexican brickmaking process and improve the quality of
life of the brickmakers. Significant achievements aimed at the
reduction of air pollution were demonstrated by these projects in
the areas of kiln design, stacking patterns, fuel efficiency,
alternative fuels, and integration of solar technologies.
A primary objective of previous brickmaker projects was to
transfer solutions developed by SCERP researchers to
brickmakers. This project provided support for the institution-
alization of technologies developed by SCERP projects into
training courses at ECOTEC. It also provided for the adjust-
ment of training courses as needed, based on new research
and the ever-changing economic and social conditions.
For this project, ECOTEC performed the role of linking the
research team with the community. ECOTEC and the
neighborhoods of brickmakers worked to apply new tech-
nologies and to provide feedback to the research team.
The research team was composed of SCERP and other
institutions that assist ECOTEC in adaptation of training
courses. Other members of the research team worked directly
in the field to improve the brickmakers production process.
Status
No available informaton
Participant(s)
UTEP; ECOTEC
U.S. Contact(s)
Nancy Lowery, UTEP;
Gina Weber, EPA Region 6,214-775-8188,
weber.gina@epa.gov
207
SCERP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Reduction of Emissions from Domestic Heating
Units Using Low Cost Alternatives
Funding
$82,213 FY96 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agreement
Project Purpose
This project focused on reducing the emissions of CO and
paniculate matter from Mexican home heating sources by
developing simple modifications and redesigns of the stoves.
Project Description
Domestic heating units are a major source of air pollution
along the U.S.-Mexico border due to the number of units
operating as well as inefficiencies in the operation. Previous
SCERP projects characterized the emissions from these
stoves as a function of waste wood type. The research
found that particle board emitted the highest amount of CO,
NO, and particulates. This project focused on developing
simple stove modifications and/or redesign to reduce the
emissions of CO and particulates. The modifications or
designs must be available at low or no cost to the users.
The objective of the work was to reduce the emissions by: 1)
raising the temperature in the combustion zone; 2) prevent-
ing premature quenching; and 3) enhancing the fuel/air
mixing in the units.
Project activities Included: determining appropriate modifica-
tions for the stove; making modifications to the stove; testing
and making additional modifications/designs to accomplish
objectives; examining results; and preparing a final report.
208
Status
No available information
Participant(s)
University of Utah
U.S. Contact(s)
JoAnn S. Lighty, University of Utah, 801-581-5763,
jlighty@dean.eng.utah.edu;
Jim Yarbrough, EPA Region 6,214-665-7232,
yarbrough.james @ epa.gov
SCERP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Vertical Profiling of Ozone and Ozone Precursors,
and Emission Transport Study Using a Manned,
Instrumented Hot Air Balloon Platform
Funding
$30,000 FY96 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agreement
Project Purpose
This project supported EPA's ozone field study in El Paso,
TX.by:
1) Providing data using the hot air balloon platform at discrete
elevations ranging from 200 to 2,500 feet above ground level,
to determine whether stratification of ozone or its precursors
is occurring, and to quantify levels of constituents of interest
at discrete elevations; and
2) Providing data that will complement airborne data
collection efforts planned by EPA in connection with the
Ozone Field Study. Aircraft were flown in relatively high
regions of the mixing layer for three to four hours during each
day when an ozone violation was probable. Most balloon
data were collected prior to these flights or in complementary
locations.
Project Description
Air quality studies have been conducted on numerous
occasions in the El Paso-Ciudad Juarez area. These
studies, for the most part, have focused on ground-based
measurements and have been limited in scope. EPA has
initiated the Ozone Field Study in order to collect a significant
amount of data in a comprehensive and coordinated effort
during a single season. This study examined the transborder
transport of ozone, oxides of nitrogen, hydrocarbons,
carbonyls, and other precursors of ozone in order to support
the development of accurate synoptic computer models.
These predictive models were used to project ozone levels
for the region, given expected weather patterns and atmo-
spheric conditions, and to support the development of
regulatory implementation plans appropriately aimed at
reducing ozone.
Through this methodology, a more comprehensive set of
airborne data was available to complement the ground-based
data collection component of the study. These data were
unique as compared to data collected via conventional
methods. The data enabled airshed and atmospheric
dispersion modelers to develop and update more accurate
predictive models of ozone production and precursor
quantities and densities at various altitudes.
Status
Data collection with the balloon was conducted in August and
September 1996 as part of the Paso del Norte Ozone Study.
The activities for this project covered a 6-week period.
Participant(s)
University of Utah
U.S. Contact(s)
Steven Watson, University of Utah;
AnnTorrence, University of Utah, 801-581-7630,
Ann.Torrence@dean.eng.utah.edu;
Jim Yarbrough, EPA Region 6,214-665-7232,
yarbrough.james@epa.gov
209
SCERP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Characterization of Border Vehicles: An Expanded
Border Vehicle Emission, Maintenance, and
Willingness to Pay Profile
Funding
$80,440 FY96 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agreement
Project Purpose
Air pollution from mobile sources is a pervasive problem in
the U.S.-Mexico border region. The purpose of the project is
to attempt to properly characterize vehicular emissions in the
border region to try to determine whether the owners of
polluting vehicles are willing to rectify the problems voluntarily
or under certain command and control mechanisms.
Project Description
The study was focused along the border between Calexico
(U.S.) and Mexicali (Mexico), and collected data on a sample
of 500 light-duty vehicles crossing the border. The project
was collaborated with the study on Transborder Trucking
and Air Quality in the California-Baja California border
region." It complemented similar efforts in the border region.
The project included interviews with vehicle owners to
develop a profile of vehicle maintenance and to assess the
willingness on the part of owners to pay for the rectification of
problems on the vehicles. The results were used to help
develop a complete data base on mobile source air pollution
that could be used to analyze vehicle distribution and
emission characteristics.
Status
No available information
Participant(s)
NMSU; Colorado State University, Fort Collins; EPA
210
U.S. Contact(s)
Soumen Ghoush, NMSU, 505-646-2340,
sghosh@pst.nmsu.edu;
Lenora Bohren, Colorado State University, 970-491-7240,
bohren@cabs.colostate.edu
SCERP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Trajectory and Model Analysis of Wind Flow into
Big Bend National Park
Funding
$40,000 FY96 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agreement
Project Purpose
The reduction of visibility at Big Bend National Park due to
man-made pollutants released within the region has been a
concern in recent years. A good understanding of the
characteristics of the wind flow into Big Bend was needed to
determine the relative significance of the various sources of
contaminants surrounding the park as well as to develop
effective strategies to alleviate the problem.
The main objective of this project was to show the character-
istics of the wind flow into Big Bend National Park as a
function of height above the surface, season, and time of
day, and to correlate the flow patterns with park visibility. Of
particular interest was the degree to which poor visibilities
were associated with flow from major sources of air
pollutants. Another objective was to evaluate the wind
models used in the study by executing them with the same
input data and comparing their results.
Project Description
The project used statistical analysis and modeling to achieve
the goal, utilizing atmospheric data collected in the Big Bend
region since late 1990. The project documented results of
the study in a comprehensive technical report
A preliminary analysis was completed which showed the
diurnal and seasonal characteristics of surface and upper-air
wind collected at cities in the region. In this project, the study
was expanded using trajectory analysis and wind modeling to
provide a more detailed characterization of the wind flow in
the area.
The data used in the study have been routinely collected
since late 1990. They consist of hourly visibility data and
other atmospheric data collected within the park and surface
and upper-air data collected by the Mexican and U.S.
weather services in cities in the park region. The weather
service data will be fed into the CALMET atmospheric model
used by the National Park Service and Department of
Defense forecast models to produce gridded wind fields of
the region. The models were executed for several days that
typify seasonal wind patterns. More than one model was
used with the same input data so that the model results can
be compared.
Status
The project has been completed. See follow-on project
"Investigations of Point Source Emissions Effects on Air
Quality at Big Bend National Park Using CIS."
Participant(s)
NMSU
U.S. Contact(s)
Richard Okrasinski, NMSU, 505-522-9496,
rokras@psl.nmsu.edu;
Jose Sema, NMSU, 505-522-9333;
Jim Yarbrough, EPA Region 6,214-665-7232,
yarbrough.james@epa.gov
211
SCERP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Characterization and Dynamics of Air
Pollutants in the Southeastern
U.S.-Mexican Border Area
Funding
$125,000 Year One, FY96 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative
Agreement
$135,000 Year Two, FY97 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative
Agreement
Project Purpose
The eastern U.S.-Mexico border region (Brownsville-
Matamoros to McAllen-Reynosa) is of great interest to both
countries. Several cities, colonias, and industries are
located on both sides of the border, and agricultural activities
in the region are extensive. Due to the region's proximity to
the Gulf of Mexico, meteorological conditions play an
important role in the dispersion of pollutants in the air.
This project related to the 1983 La Paz Agreement, Annex V,
which directed the EPA and INE to assess the causes of and
to develop solutions to air quality problems as well as to
make recommendations for reducing PM10 concentrations/
pollutants in the border region. The primary project objec-
tives are to: 1) obtain baseline data on local receptor/source
relationships; 2) elucidate the main airborne transport and
dispersion mechanisms involved; and 3) perform a prelimi-
nary evaluation of the potential environmental as well as
health impacts.
Project Description
The principal thrust of this project was to perform chemical
speciation and source apportionment of volatile organic
compounds (VOC's) as well as chemical and biological
characterization and source apportionment of PM10, and to
study its dynamics and fate in air at selected monitoring
locations along the border region. The project was based on
two environmental priority study areas of the U.S.-Mexico
Border Plan: 1) binational monitoring of PM10 and other
target pollutants; and 2) development and verification of
regional airshed models in non-attainment areas along the
border.
212
PM10 receptor and source samples will be characterized to
determine their chemical or biological nature and origin.
Principal component analysis, rotation and regression
methods will be used for source apportionment of PM10 as
well as VOC constituents. At the same time, selected
atmospheric dispersion models recommended by EPA will
be used to study the dynamics of PM10. A geographic
information system (GIS) was developed using information
generated from this project to develop a better understanding
of the pollutant dynamics and their impact on population and
the environment. This project resulted in the first GIS-
referenced database for both sides of the Lower Rio Grande
Valley border, incorporating population, land use, fuel use,
industrialization, vehicle fleet, meteorology, partial emissions,
and inventory data.
Status
Phase II is ongoing.
Participant(s)
Centra de Calidad Ambiental; ITESM; Centra de Desarrollo
Biotecnologico; Center for Micro Analysis and Reaction
Chemistry, University of Utah
U.S. Contact(s)
Henk Meuzelaar, University of Utah, 801-581-8431,
meuzelaar@mail.marc.utah.edu
SCERP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Transborder Trucking and Air Quality in the
California-Baja California Border Region
Funding
$126,044 Year One, FY96 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative
Agreement
$133,000 Year Two, FY97 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative
Agreement
Project Purpose
Emissions from mobile sources are a major cause of air
pollution in the border region. In particular, the number of
heavy-duty trucks (gross vehicle weight over 8,500 pounds)
crossing the border and operating within the border zone has
greatly increased since the signing of NAFTA, and will
continue to rise. The purpose of the project is to character-
ize and estimate the emissions from heavy-duty trucks that
cross the border into California and to estimate future air
pollution levels.
Project Description
Studies have been conducted in Tijuana and Mexicali to
obtain the input data needed to effectively utilize computer-
based models that estimate mobile emissions. Data have
been gathered to estimate emissions of CO, HC, NOx, SOx,
and PM10. This information is used in computer models to
estimate future levels of air pollution.
Status
This is an ongoing project. The methodology developed may
be utilized in other border regions, and information obtained
may be used to complement previous and ongoing studies
on cars and light-duty vehicles in other portions of the border
region.
Participant(s)
SDSU; Universidad Autonoma de Baja California, Tijuana
U.S. Contact(s)
Alan Sweedler, SDSU, 619-594-6155,
asweedle@sunstroke.sdsu.edu;
Bill Jones, EPA Region 9,415-744-1883,
jones.bemard@epa.gov
213
SCERP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Coal Cleaning Opportunities for SO2 Emission
Reduction in the Border
Funding
$74,239 Year One, FY96 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative
Agreement
$78,793 Year Two, FY97 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative
Agreement
Project Purpose
In 1993, EPA complained to PROFEPA in Mexico about the
emission of toxic gases from coal fired power plants located
in the border region. Specifically, the concern was with
regard to the emission of SO2 and pollution of the Big Bend
National Park. There are mines located in Sabinas and
Piedras Negras, less than 100 miles from the U.S.-Mexico
border. Almost half of the high sulfur Mexican coal (4.8
million tons in 1992) is combusted in Mexican power plants,
also situated in the vicinity of the U.S.-Mexico border.
This research program initiated the development of a
database on the characteristics and cleaning of coals used
in the Mexican power plants, particularly with regard to the
potential for reduction of emission of sulfur oxides from these
coals. The project is further intended to promote and
transfer advanced coal cleaning technology from the U.S.
coal industry to Mexico.
Project Description
The activities for Phase 1 of this project included: 1) identifi-
cation of coal-fired power plants in the U.S.-Mexican border
region; 2) collection of coal samples; 3) proximate and
ultimate analyses of coal samples; 4) identification of the
principle forms of sulfur in coal; 5) analyses of coal washabil-
ity; and 6) preliminary separations for pyrite rejection using
gravity and flotation techniques. Phase 2 includes: 1) an
exchange of coal cleaning methodology and promotion of
research on coal cleaning in Mexico; 2) initiation of efforts to
minimize S02 emissions from Mexican power plants; 3)
initiation of personal contacts with representatives from the
Mexican coal industry; 4) establishing a database for coals
mined in the border region; and 5) promoting environmental
education opportunities for Mexican and U.S. students.
214
Status
This project is ongoing.
Participant(s)
University of Utah; Instituto Tecnologico de Saltillo
U.S. Contact(s)
Jan D. Miller, University of Utah, 801-581-5160,
jdmiller@mines.utah.edu;
Jaroslaw Drelich, University of Utah, 801-581-7460,
jdrelich@mines.utah.edu
SCERP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Investigation of Point Source Emissions
Effects on Air Quality at
Big Bend National Park Using GIS
Funding
$59,116 Year One, FY97 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative
Agreement
$49,972 Year Two, FY98 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative
Agreement
Project Purpose
The Big Bend region of Texas and Mexico is an area of great
natural beauty containing many parks and reserves, including
Big Bend National Park, a Class I protected area. There has
been concern in recent years about the deterioration of
visibility and the deposition of acidic substances in the region
due to air pollutants. To develop effective strategies to
alleviate this problem, the source of these contaminants
must be determined and measurements of how much the air
quality would change as a result of changes in emissions at
different sources needs to be assessed. Studies to address
these questions require a great amount of geographical
spatial data.
This project will integrate existing geographical, pollutant
emission, and meteorological and climatological data
surrounding the Big Bend region of Texas and Mexico into a
GIS data base.
Project Description
To facilitate the study of the transport of pollutants into the
area, the NMSU Physical Science Laboratory (PSL) pro-
poses to integrate existing geographical, pollutant emission,
and meteorological and climatological data surrounding Big
Bend into a GIS (Geographical Information System) data-
base. The data base will be specifically designed so that it
can be used by the EPA MESOPUFFII transport and
dispersion model to visualize and analyze the transportation
and concentration of various pollutants in the Big Bend
region. The use of the GIS will facilitate the separate
analysis of individual emission sources or emission source
areas to investigate their relative importance to the air quality
at Big Bend during different times of the year.
The area covered will include both sides of the border and
will be large enough to include the most likely emission
sources and regions such as Carbon I and II, the Texas
Gulf Coast, and Monterrey. The data base will be provided
in a form that can be used by ARCVIEW GIS software and
will be described in a technical report.
The project will be helpful to several agencies that are
interested in improving air quality in the Big Bend region
including the National Park Service Air Quality Division and
the EPA. Besides determining the relative significance of the
various sources of atmospheric contaminants, the informa-
tion in the data base will also be useful for planning future
intensive measurement programs for the area.
Status
This project is ongoing.
Participant(s)
NMSU
U.S. Contact(s)
Richard J. Okrasinski, NMSU, 505-522-9496, •
rokras@psl.nmsu.edu
215
SCERP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Measurements of Air Quality in Ciudad Juarez,
Chihuahua, Mexico
216
Funding
$82,918 FY97 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agreement
Project Purpose
This project is focused on determining the concentrations
and chemistry of gases and airborne particulates in the city
of Juarez and using the results to evaluate specific public
health problems. Multiple techniques will be employed to
measure both gases and particles.
Project Description
The project includes an in-situ measurement and analysis
program consisting of both near-ground level surveys and
vertical profiles (using a helium-filled balloon) fora compre-
hensive catalogue of both molecules and particulates. An
initial year-long measurement and analysis study was used
to determine the basic complexity of the problem for periods
of heavy contamination (concentrations, reproducibility and
development for similar meteorological conditions and
degree of spatial uniformity of the aerosol parameters). That
study indicated a significant degree of uniformity and
reproducibility. It also indicated that current information is
inadequate in type and incorrect with respect to generaliza-
tion and, therefore, does not provide an adequate basis for
evaluation of health risks.
While the initial study focused on periods of heavy air
contamination, the proposed study extends this to all hours in
all sectors of the city, for representative sets of meteorologi-
cal conditions. A judicious set of real time measurements
will enable continuous monitoring of the most important
gases and particulates. Particulates will be separated into
their two major nonbiological components, i.e., soot and soil-
based, as they must in any realistic study because the
associated health risks differ. Size distributions of the
components will also be obtained because of their estab-
lished relevance to evaluation of health risks. Multiple
techniques will be used to take measurements of both gases
and particles. The measurement approach includes various
published developments by the research team in both field
and controlled environmental studies for a variety of aerosols.
To accomplish the desired results of a much improved air
quality assessment, an improved basis for modeling of
development of air contamination, and execution of a specific
epidemiological study, a team of researchers from the U.S.
and Mexico was assembled. The team also participated in
the initial study. The medical members of the team are Dr. J.
VanDerslice, head of the University of Texas-Houston School
of Public Health at El Paso, and Dr. S. J. Mendoza.
The payoffs are clear: a much improved database for
various risk assessments and modeling (the primary
interests of Dr. Quevedo) and epidemiological information,
and, perhaps, conclusions for assessment of border health
problems.
Status
This project is ongoing.
Participant(s)
University of Texas-Houston School of Public Health at El
Paso; Universidad Autonoma de Ciudad Juarez
U.S. Contact(s)
Charles W. Bruce, NMSU, 505-646-3831 Ext. 1931
SCERP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Identity, Elemental/Isotopic Composition, and
Origin of Participates in
El Paso-Juarez Air, 1968-1998
Funding
$110,699 FY97 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agreement
Project Purpose
Air quality analysis and improvement may be the most
fundamental environmental challenge in urban areas along
the U.S.-Mexico border. In the El Paso-Juarez Airshed, lack
of rain and vegetation, a windy climate, extensive unpaved
urban areas, and industrial emissions coalesce to make
particulate matter in our air a serious environmental problem.
Despite this, our understanding of the composition, toxicity,
and origin of particulates is limited. Such knowledge is a
prerequisite for evaluation of the hazards of particulates and
the formulation of remediation or amelioration strategies.
Project Description
This project will examine and analyze contemporary, recent,
and older ambient air filter samples collected in El Paso and
Juarez over a 30-year period. An array of UTEP's analytical
equipment will be deployed toward that effort. The data
generated should contribute to knowledge of the origin and
effects of particulates in our border air.
The project's specific tasks may be summarized as follows:
1) Identify the particulate matter in El Paso-Juarez air now
and over the last 30 years;
2) Determine the concentrations and sites of toxic metals in
those particulates;
3) Establish the origin of major and any toxic natural and
anthropogenic particulates; and
4) Trace the evolution over the last 30 years of the suite of
particulates in our airshed to address such current issues as
urbanization, re-entrainment, and industrialization.
Status
This project is ongoing.
Participant(s)
UTEP; TNRCC; El Paso City-County Health and Environ-
mental District
U.S. Contact(s)
Nicholas Pingitore, UTEP, 915-747-5754, pingitor@utep.edu
217
SCERP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Complex-Terrain Airshed of El Paso-Ciudad
Juarez-Sunland Park Basin:
Flow and Dispersion
218
Funding
$82,918 FY97 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agreement
Project Purpose
This project addresses the difficulty that current numerical
models have in calculating wind flow and vertical mixing of
pollutants in complex terrain in arid climates.
Project Description
El Paso is a nonattainment area for ozone and a large data
base exists as the result of a 1996 summer study. In the
absence of weather fronts, the winds are determined by the
radiation cooling of the ground at night and the heating during
the day. In addition, the vertical mixing from emissions at the
ground are limited at night but highly increased during the
day. In orderto model ozone formation, the procedure is to
determine the windfield with a wind model and then to utilize
the winds as input to a second model to calculate chemical
reactions and dispersion. Results critically depend upon the
sub-model used for calculating the vertical mixing, especially
during the turnaround times between night and day. How-
ever, the present and proposed next generation models do
not work well for these nonequilibrium conditions.
The study will address the problem by testing a new
nonequilibrium sub-model for vertical mixing developed by
Dr. Alex Mahalov at ASU. The new sub-model will be used in
a wind model currently running at ASU. Results from initial
tests (which were conducted under the direction of Dr. Neil
Berman and Dr. Alexander Berestov) will be used to repro-
duce results of our physical model for Nogales and will be
compared to results of the 1996 El Paso study in collabora-
tion with Los Alamos, EPA Region 6, and TNRCC. Some
additional measurements will be undertaken by a group from
ITESM to validate the new sub-model and to determine
vertical mixing differences on slopes vs. in the river valley in
El Paso and Juarez. Studies in the first year will use a grid
spacing in the numerical model that is the same at all heights
above the surface. A previous study of Nogales observed that
conditions near the top of the slopes and at the bottom are
very different with respect to the height of the vertical mixing.
This situation can be accounted for in the new EPA Models 3
format, which allows for nested grids. During the second
year of the study, the ASU sub-model and the wind model will
be adapted to the nested grid format.
The results can be used by the Paso del Norte Air Quality
Task Force forfuture pollution control in the border region.
The Models 3 part of the study would be helpful in the event
that El Paso is selected as a demonstration site for Models
3. In the last regard, the work will result in an improved
model and demonstrate that alternate wind models and sub-
models could work in the Models 3 format.
Status
This project is ongoing.
Participant(s)
ASU; Los Alamos National Laboratory; EPA Region 6;
TNRCC; ITESM
U.S. Contact(s)
Neil S. Berman, ASU, 602-965-4113, neil.berman@asu.edu
SCERP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Frequency & Origin of Extreme PM10 Air
Pollution Episodes at the Hidalgo/Reynosa
Border Crossing
Funding
$50,000 FY98 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agreement
Project Purpose
Recent studies reveal a strong correlation between episodes
of high fine particulate matter (FPM) levels in urban air and
markedly increased morbidity as well as mortality. There is
strong evidence of recurrent episodes of extreme PM10
levels at several different border locations. These episodes
appear to be affected by a set of parameters characteristic to
the border region, namely: 1) the vicinity of huge urban,
aerosolizable dust reservoirs; 2) the proximity of a border
river; 3) a multitude of strong anthropogenic PM2.5 sources
(idling cars, industrial emissions and open air burning); and
4) peculiar meteorological.
The project objectives are to: 1) determine the frequency and
duration of extreme PM10 episodes at the Hidalgo/Reynosa
International bridge; 2) characterize the chemical composi-
tion of FPM samples collected during such episodes; 3)
measure and model accompanying meteorological condi-
tions; and 4) conduct a preliminary assessment of the
underlying mechanisms as well as of the possibilities to
minimize impact on health and the environment.
Project Description
PM10 levels at the Hidalgo/Reynosa border crossing will be
monitored on a 24 hour basis by means of a dual channel
particle counter backed up by a fully automated, multiposition
filter collection device which collects PM10 samples during
each episode in which filter levels exceed 300 ug/m3. The
device will be constructed and tested at the University of
Utah and operated at the Hidalgo border location for a 3-5
month period by Dr. Mejia and co-workers. The team will
also prepare the meteorological models based on local
airport data and a continuous recording weather station
attached to the device. Collected PM 10 samples will be
analyzed to characterize the chemical composition and
origin of air particulate matter.
Client organizations on both sides of the border, including
EPA Region 6, TNRCC, and SEDESOL de Tamaulipas, will
be involved in every stage of the project.
Status
This project is ongoing.
Participant(s)
University of Utah
U.S. Contact(s)
Henk Meuzelaar, University of Utah, 801-581-8431,
meuzelaar@mail.marc.utah.edu
219
SCERP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Clean Air, Even from
Incomplete Combustion
Funding
$50,000 FY98 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agreement
Project Purpose
Low-technology combustion brick kilns produce pollutants
that are airborne once they leave the kilns. Many of these
pollutants are environmental hazards and jeopardize the
health of the people in the El Paso del Norte Airshed region.
The research team has a novel kiln design that captures and
binds the pollutants before they leave the kiln. The prelimi-
nary kiln design (designated M-K in the proposal) has been
tested and the results indicate that pollutants are being
trapped. The M-K design will substantially reduce the levels
of air pollutants and provide health and financial incentives for
the brick makers to use the new design.
Project Description
The M-K design is in its inception and improvements need to
be made so that the design can be implemented at accept-
able performance levels. The fate of the pollutants needs to
be investigated. In order to assess the effectiveness of the M-K
designs, the gases from the existing conventional kilns need to
be compared to those of the newly designed M-K kilns.
Key points of this project are:
1) These low-tech kilns serve as onsite real life laborato-
ries;
2) The research group has established a three-year relation-
ship with brick makers and has earned their respect and
trust;
3) The M-K design is economical, uses local and safe
materials (appropriate technology), and conserves
energy; and
4) There is a working collaboration with UACJ. UACJ will be
involved in the M-K redesign and implementation and will
have ownership of this novel technology.
220
The proposed project involves students from both NMSU and
UACJ who will be monitoring and taking air, water, and soil
samples for analysis at both Universities and other laborato-
ries. The redesign and optimization effort will be done in
Ciudad Juarez with the prototypes built at the brick-maker
sites. Positive social and environmental impacts will be
realized immediately because of the brick makers' input to
concept design and prototype development.
Status
The project is ongoing.
Participant(s)
NMSU; UACJ
U.S. Contact(s)
Dr. Antonio S. Lara, NMSU, 505-646-2918, alara@nmsu.edu
SCERP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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An Expanded Emission Profile ofVbhides On-The-Road,
and the Willingness-To-Pay Characteristics for Pollution
Reduction of the Population Along U.S.-Mexico Border
Between Tijuana, Mexico and San Diego, California
Funding
$49,818 FY98 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agreement
Project Purpose
The overall goals and objectives of the study are to increase
the scope of the existing data base on emissions from
mobile sources, particularly from light duty vehicles, and to
determine the socioeconomic, demographic, attitudinal, and
willingness-to-pay behavior of the population crossing U.S.-
Mexico borders to the Tijuana/San Diego region.
Project Description
On-the-road emissions can be collected with the use of a
Remote Sensing Device (RSD) on a large number of
vehicles in a cost effective manner. The study will collect
remote sensed data in the Tijuana/San Diego area in order to
make the comparison between on-the-road emissions and
idle emission data and to broaden the emission inventory
data base and willingness-to-pay profile of border light duty
fleet.
Specific objectives of this study are:
1) To develop an on-the-road emissions data base of
hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), and nitrous
oxides (NOx) on up to 10,000 vehicles crossing the border
between Tijuana, Mexico and San Diego, California;
2) To identify high emitting vehicles and characterize the fleet
in terms of vehicle registration and other criteria such as
year, make, model, and origin;
3) To develop a data base comparing the on-the-road
emissions along the Tijuana/San Diego area with the on-the-
road emissions previously collected in Ciudad Juarez/El
Paso area in order to establish trends of the on-the-road
emissions of vehicle fleets crossing the U.S.-Mexico borders;
4) To develop a comparative profile of the border crossing
population in terms of socioeconomic, demographic,
behavioral, and willingness-to-pay characteristics, with
specific reference to Tijuana/San Diego, Mexicali/Calexico,
and El Paso/Ciudad Juarez samples; and
5) To make the Tijuana/San Diego data base available to
emissions inventory efforts currently being conducted in the
area and to policy makers of the border communities of both
countries.
Status
The project is ongoing.
Participant(s)
NMSU
U.S. Contact(s)
Dr. Soumen N. Ghosh, NMSU, 505-646-2340,
sghosh@pst.nmsu.edu
221
SCERP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Characterization of Ambient Particulate
Matter in the Paso del Norte Region
(Paso del Norte Air Research Program)
Funding
$750,000 FY98 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agreement
Project Purpose
This project represents a cooperative effort among six
universities, several local and state authorities, and federal
government agencies to address air pollution problems in the
El Paso-Juarez border region through a coordinated effort by
researchers on both sides of the border. The goal of the
project is to characterize the ambient PM2.5 concentrations
and to prioritize the sources of emissions in the region
through chemical mass balance or other receptor modeling
analyses. The benefits that will accrue from identifying and
controlling the dominant sources of particulate air pollutants
include improved visibility, reduction in mortality due to the
decreased concentration of fine particles, and decreased
morbidity due to decreased concentrations of particle-borne
hazardous air pollutants.
Project Description
To achieve its goal, this project focuses on result-oriented
research that could yield recommendations or solutions to
border air pollution problems. Four objectives have been
identified:
1} To characterize the nature of particulate matter, both
PM2.5 and PM10, within the basin; to determine the organic
and inorganic contents, spatial and temporal distributions,
and chemical composition of the PM concentrations;
2) To conduct and support activities to develop and/or refine
PM emissions inventories in the air basin; to determine the
fingerprints of PM sources;
3) To conduct PM chemical mass balance/receptor model-
ing; to identify the sources of emissions and their relative
strengths; and
4) To establish a regional information center or clearinghouse
to coordinate other monitoring and research activities within
the air basin; to improve coordination and sharing of data
among other programs.
222
Status
This project is ongoing.
Participant(s)
UTEP; ASU; NMSU; University of Utah TNRCC; El Paso City-
County Health and Environmental District; New Mexico
Environmental Department, Direccion General de Desarrollo
Urbano y Ecologia del Gobierno del Estado de Chihuahua;
Direccion de Desarrollo Urbano y Ecologia del Gobierno del
Municipio de Juarez; SEMARNAP; Instituto Nacional de
Ecologia of Mexico; Instituto Nacional de Investigacion
Nuclear; UACJ; Centra de Investigacion de Materiales
Avanzado, Chihuahua; ITESM
U.S. Contact(s)
Bob Currey, UTEP, 915-747-6274,
bcurrey@utep.edu;
Wen-Whai Li, UTEP, 915-747-8755,
whi@utep.edu;
Russell Chianelli, UTEP, 915-747-7555,
chianell@utep.edu;
William Gutman, NMSU, 505-521-9573,
gutman@psl.nmsu.edu;
Hank Meuzelaar, University of Utah, 801-581-8431,
meuzelaar@mail.marc.utah.edu;
Robert Gray, UTEP, 915-747-6271, bob@utep.edu
SCERP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Provision of Safe Drinking Water for
Low-Income Communities along
the U.S.-Mexico Border
Funding
$70,000 FY95 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agreement
Project Purpose
The provision of safe drinking water is the most critical health
issue in low income areas along the U.S.-Mexico border that
are unserved or underserved by potable water and sewerage
services. Along Mexico's northern border, 30 percent of the
residents do not have access to running water and sewerage
services. In the United States the poorest border residents
live in underdeveloped residential subdivisions that lack water
and/or wastewater services. Gastrointestinal illnesses and
related complications remain one of the primary causes of
death for infants and preschoolers in Mexico. Because there
is no immediate access to a piped water supply, water must
be hauled in for drinking, bathing, and washing, and it must
be stored.
The project goal was to provide safe drinking water for low
income border residents without water and wastewater
services through a combined program of community-based
education and low cost, simple methods.
The intent was to transfer to local community agencies the
Hygiene Education and Appropriate Technologies (HEAT)
Model, a low cost, community-based program that trains
volunteers in water purification techniques and hygiene
promotion, and introduces appropriate technologies. The
model had been successfully field tested prior to this project,
training 51 volunteers who worked with a total of 525 families.
Project Description
To address water storage and disinfection needs, the
program introduced low cost, technologically-appropriate
materials and promoted low cost techniques for water
purification. The project's objectives were:
1) To transfer the technical and educational skills developed
in the pilot project to community agencies and organizations
serving low income border populations in the El Paso/Ciudad
Juarez area;
2) To supervise the implementation of the program, supply
materials for implementation, and provide ongoing technical
support for the community agencies; and
3) To develop mechanisms and procedures to enhance the
long term sustainability of these a'gencies.
Status
This project concluded in mid-1997. With funding from other
sources, it has been transformed from a pilot project into a
full scale program, expanding into more areas along the
border, developing additional environmental health education
materials, and assisting community-based organizations in
becoming more self sufficient.
Participant(s)
UTEP; Direccion de Desarrollo Comunitario, Sistema
Municipal para el Desarrollo Integral de la Familia (DIP); El
Paso City-County Health and Environmental District; Kellogg
Community Partnership Institute for Border Community
Health Education; Secretaria de Salud, Jurisdiccion Sanitaria
II; UACJ; University of Houston School of Public Health at El
Paso.
U.S. Contact(s)
Amy Liebman, UTEP, 915-747-5893, aliebman@utep.edu
223
SCERP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Drinking Water Quality in the U.S.-Mexico
Border region: Assessment of Water Supplies,
Treatment, and Distribution
Funding
$45,000 FY95 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agreement
Project Purpose
Over 1 million persons in the border area do not have access
to a public water system. This represents 15-20% of the
population that must rely on local, conveniently accessible
water supplies that are more likely to be contaminated. This
study addressed the concern over drinking water quality in
the U.S.-Mexico Border region by assessing the quality of
drinking water available to border residents and identifying
areas where drinking water, water supply, and sewage
collection remain intermittent or nonexistent.
Project Description
Rapid population growth along the U.S.-Mexico border in
recent years has resulted in large increases in municipal,
industrial, and agricultural water usage. Similar increases in
untreated municipal and industrial wastewater discharges to
local streams and groundwater reservoirs have also
occurred. Infrastructure improvements have failed to keep
pace with population growth and modern municipal services
(e.g., water supply and sewage collection are intermittent or
nonexistent in some areas). Specifically, project objectives
were:
1) To assess drinking water systems on the U.S. side of the
border based upon system size, raw water sources,
treatment processes, and historical water quality violations;
2) To evaluate the quality of raw water sources from existing
data gathered and published by others;
3) To assess available public health information to determine
whether known connections exist between water-borne
diseases and drinking water sources; and
4) To identify areas along the border which should receive
greater attention for drinking water improvements projects.
224
This study identified target areas for the allocation of financial
resources that will have the greatest impact on public health.
In addition, several methods were identified for the use of
border agencies in helping the many small water systems in
the border area to improve their service to border residents.
Further research is recommended in three areas: 1) a
comprehensive water quality assessment should be
conducted which would summarize available data and
implement an extensive monitoring program for groundwater
and surface water throughout the border region; 2) a similar
survey of water systems on the Mexico side of the border
should be conducted; and 3) water systems in the four
counties identified as having extensive violation problems
should be studied carefully and corrective actions imple-
mented.
Status
The project concluded in mid-1997.
Participant(s)
University of Utah; Collaboration with SCERP data base and.
GIS projects
U.S. Contact(s)
Donald Hayes, University of Utah, 801-581-7110,
hayes@civil.utah.edu
SCERP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Monitoring and Modeling of Water Quality in
the Tijuana River Watershed
Funding
$81,659 FY96 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agreement
Project Purpose
This project was an interdisciplinary research effort between
the Department of Geography and the Graduate School of
Public Health at SDSL) and the Facultad de Ciencias
Quimicas at UABC, Tijuana, to monitor stormwater quality
and develop a conceptual model of non-point source pollution
in the Tijuana River Watershed. The project objectives were:
1) To characterize the spatial and temporal variability of
stormwater quality;
2) To model the interaction of land use, population, and
urbanization on stormwater quality;
3) To use GIS technologies to explore and display the spatial
dimensions of this interaction;
4) To identify critical areas of surface water contamination;
and
5) To advance suggestions for future planning, management,
and other policy efforts to address the water quality problems
in the basin.
Project Description
The Tijuana River Watershed is a binational watershed on
the westernmost portion of the United States-Mexico border,
encompassing much of the Municipality of Tijuana in Mexico
and portions of the City and County of San Diego in the
United States. The basin's hydrology contains three surface
water reservoirs, various flood control works, and an
estuarine research reserve protected by the U.S. federal
government; these elements yield transboundary and cross-
cultural water resource management challenges. Inad-
equate infrastructure for the collection, treatment, and
disposal of wastewater originating in Tijuana has long
plagued the municipality, as wastewater flows have chroni-
cally outpaced the ability of the infrastructure to handle them.
Gravity and the topographic regime of the region have
allowed transboundary surface water pollution to negatively
impact the lower reaches of the watershed, posing risks to
human and environmental health on both sides of the border.
Stormwater and other wet weather flows are particularly
important in the transmission of surface water pollution in the
basin; and accordingly, are a focus of this research. Results
include a detailed survey of the variability of stormwater
quality, robust GIS output describing this variability, and a
conceptual model of the interaction of land use, population,
and urbanization on stormwater quality. Additionally, a set of
recommendations for management practices and planning
options to improve the quality of stormwater was proposed.
Data from this project will aid governmental agencies on both
sides of the border in progress toward improving water
quality in the Tijuana River, the Tijuana River National
Estuarine Reserve, and the near-shore coastal waters.
Results of modeling of the interactions between land-use and
surface water quality will allow predictive capability of water
quality changes as development proceeds in the basin, and
allow targeting of best management practices on identified
sources.
Status
No available information
Participant(s)
SDSU; UABC Tijuana
U.S. Contact(s)
Richard Gersberg, SDSU, 619-594-2905,
rgersber@mail.sdsu.edu;
Chris Brown, SDSU, 619-594-8056;
Paul Valdez, EPA Region 9
225
SCERP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Water Quality and Coupling between Surface
and Ground Water: West Texas, Southern New
Mexico, and Northern Chihuahua
Funding
$60,585 FY96 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agreement
Project Purpose
The purpose of this study was to apply a sophisticated
computer model considering saturated flow, unsaturated
flow, dissolved species transport, and heat transfer to
several cross sections along the Rio Grande near and
across the U.S.-Mexico border.
Project Description
The basic societal problem of living in desert regions is an
inadequate supply of fresh-water. The El Paso, Texas/
Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, metropolitan region and surrounding
agricultural lands obtain their water from the Rio Grande and
from intermontane-basin aquifers. In the deep aquifers,
groundwater usage greatly exceeds recharge levels and the
water use constitutes mining, however the shallow
groundwaters are in close communication with the Rio
Grande, irrigation canals, and irrigation drains. The major
problem with the surface and shallow groundwaters is water
quality in the form of salinity. Repeated water reuse for
irrigation and municipalities along the Rio Grande leads to a
buildup of salinity to the point where river waters and
irrigation return flows frequently exceed federal drinking water
standards for total dissolved solids. This project applied a
sophisticated computer model considering saturated flow,
unsaturated flow, dissolved species transport, and heat
transferto several cross sections along the Rio Grande near
and across the U.S.-Mexican border. The research team
consisted of an international group with expertise in geology,
contaminant transport, and mathematical modeling of
complex systems. The high demand for water in the region
guarantees that water use decisions will be made. This
research provides a better technical basis for those deci-
sions. The water utilities in both El Paso and Ciudad Juarez
assisted with the research because this is an area of critical
need.
226
Status
No available information
Participant(s)
UTEP; UACJ
U.S. Contact(s)
John Walton, UTEP, 915-747-5057, jwalton@cs.utep.edu;
Ken Williams, EPA Region 6,214-665-7129,
williams.ken@epa.gov
SCERP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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A Low Cost Strategy for Treating and Reusing
Wastewater on the Border
Funding
$135,000 Year One, FY96 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative
Agreement
$87,990 Year Two, FY97 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative
Agreement
$48,000 Year Three, FY98 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative
Agreement
Project Purpose
The lack of adequate wastewater treatment facilities is a
major problem for cities along the U.S.-Mexico border. In this
study, the feasibility of linking "natural" treatment systems to
treat and recharge wastewater in a pilot-scale treatment
system for Nogales, Arizona, is explored. The system
consists of an aerated lagoon, a wetland, and percolation
ponds. Both river discharge and groundwater recharge
options are being examined from the standpoint of water
quality. The project goal is to evaluate a low cost, low tech,
treatment system to treat and reuse wastewater effluent and
recharge it to the groundwater aquifer for later use.
Project Description
The study site is Nogales, Arizona, where a lagoon treatment
system exists. A pilot-scale wetland treatment system was
proposed in a collaborative effort between the U.S. Bureau of
Reclamation and the City of Nogales. ASU will build pilot-
scale percolation basins using soils collected from three
potential recharge sites to simulate groundwater recharge of
treated effluent. This is the first lagoon-wetland-recharge
system in the Southwest. ASU will analyze the performance
of the entire treatment system with respect to water quality
standards for effluent-dominated streams (lagoon/wetland
system) and municipal drinking water (lagoon/wetland/
recharge system). Practical design and operational criteria
for wetland treatment systems and recharge basins will be
assessed for arid border cities. Hydrologicand ecosystem
impacts of several options for discharging or recharging
effluent from the Nogales wastewater treatment plant are
being explored. The project will benefit Nogales and other
border cities that need low cost, low technology, environmen-
tally sound alternatives for sewage treatment and sustainable
water supplies.
The following activities have been accomplished:
1) Designed the wetland treatment system;
2) Evaluated the treatment performance of the existing
lagoon system;
3) Started a series of laboratory experiments to examine
water quality changes that occur during infiltration of Nogales
wastewater through local soils; and
4) Initiated an evaluation of the hydraulic characteristics of
various wetland designs and started a "pre-pilot" study of a
treatment wetland in Kingman, Arizona.
Status
The project is ongoing.
Participant(s)
ASU; City of Nogales; U.S. Bureau of Reclamation; Arizona
Department of Water Resources; EPA
U.S. Contact(s)
Larry Baker, ASU, 602-965-0575,
baker@asuvax.eas.asu.edu;
Paul Valdez, EPA Region 9
227
SCERP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Pilot Study for an Integrated Waste Treatment
and Disposal System along the U.S.-Mexican
Border: Ojinaga Community as a Prototype
Funding
$92,391 Year One, FY96 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative
Agreement
$92,854 YearTwo, FY97 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative
Agreement
$82,680 Year Three, FY98 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative
Agreement
Project Purpose
This project is an initial study to yield data regarding the
feasibility of an effective, low-technology waste treatment and
disposal project design suitable for various small communi-
ties along the U.S.-Mexican border.
Project Description
The full-scale design integrates waste treatment and
disposal with simultaneous biomass production for energy
and fiber. Using the border community of Ojinaga, Mexico,
as a test case, local municipal wastewater and currently
under utilized irrigation water is applied to areas planted with
fast growing woody crops like Eucalyptus. The result
improved the quality of water discharged to the Rio Grande
and enhanced growth of the biomass species. For this
study, existing four- and five-year-old test plots of Eucalyptus
are used as sites for wastewater applications. Monitoring
systems provided data regarding quality improvement of the
discharge water. Field plot measurements over a growing
season detected any biomass yield improvement due to the
irrigation with the enriched wastewater. Survival of the three
species was excellent, averaging 99% for Eucalyptus, 97%
for Robinla, and 93% for the Populus cuttings. The dried
sludge from the old lagoon contains 35% calcium carbonate,
and only 8% organic matter. It is neither beneficial as a
fertilizer nor hazardous from heavy metal contamination.
Small communities can use this technique to reduce or
eliminate contamination of waterways. In addition, this
approach has the potential to generate a substantial revenue
stream for the sale of the biomass.
228
Outreach efforts for this project include: 1) a 2-3 day
exposition event targeting border community members and
representatives from U.S. and Mexican agencies; 2) the
creation of a bilingual video detailing the wastewater contami-
nation problem and demonstrating the solution offered by the
pilot system used in Ojinaga; and 3) the creation of a
bilingual website providing information on the system.
Status
The project is ongoing. Activities for this project cover a 36-
month period (September 1996 through September 1999).
Participant(s)
NMSU
U.S. Contact(s)
John Mexal, NMSU, 505-646-3335, jmexal@nmsu.edu;
Terry Turner, EPA Region 6
SCERP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Water Quality Assessment Plan for Columbus,
New Mexico, and Puerto Palomas, Chihuahua
Funding
$107,000 FY96 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agreement
Project Purpose
The principal limiting resource in the upper Chihuahua
Desert is water, both in terms of quantity and quality. While
local residents are aware of the limited supply of groundwa-
ter, their knowledge has been reported in anecdotal form. No
systematic baseline data on water characteristics (mineral
content, chemical composition, presence of pathogens) or
behavior (withdrawal rates, direction of flow, migration of
toxins, percolation) existed forthe MimbresAquifer. No
readily available data existed which characterized the short-
and long-term value of the aquifer to the community, the
states of New Mexico and Chihuahua, and the border nations
and their respective government agencies.
The overall objectives of the project included the planning,
development, publication, and dissemination of a water
quality assessment plan forthe communities of Columbus,
New Mexico, and Puerto Palomas, Chihuahua, Mexico. The
plan was developed with the cooperation, advice, and
assistance of citizens of the two communities and is based
on a realistic assessment of the ability of the two communi-
ties to pay for possible water quality improvements.
Project Description
Planning and design work was conducted in cooperation with
investigators and with information provided through the
collaborating institutes and the communities of Columbus
and Puerto Palomas. NMSU and UACJ performed the
engineering design work. An important aspect of the project
was active participation on the part of community residents in
conducting and making public the project and its results.
UNM assumed responsibility for community participation and
integration of the project with local and regional units of
government, coordinating this activity with UACJ. NMSU's
Department of Economics engaged in an extensive cost-
benefit analysis in a manner that offers replication at other
border sites. This information is incorporated into the
assessment itself as a realistic examination of the economic
, strengths and capabilities of Columbus/Puerto Palomas.
The investigators and students on this project worked to
provide data that characterizes the short- and long-term
value of the aquifer. The resulting compilation of groundwa-
ter data, analysis of that data, the holes that exist in the data,
results of the survey, and recommendations of what needs to
be done increases our knowledge of the aquifer and protects
this precious but dwindling resource.
Status
The project concluded in mid-1998.
Participant(s)
NMSU Department of Civil, Agriculture, and Geological
Engineering; NMSU Department of Economics; the
Departmento de Ingenieria Ambiental y Ecosistemas at
UACJ; UNM School of Architecture and Planning
U.S. Contact(s)
Janet Tanski, NMSU, 505-646-1905, jtanski@nmsu.edu;
Ken Williams, EPA Region 6,214-665-7129,
williams.ken@epa.gov
229
SCERP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Predictive Modeling of the Interactions
Between Land Use and Storm Water Quality in
the Tijuana River Watershed
Funding
$100,000 FY97 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agreement
Project Purpose
This project is a follow on to the 1996 Project, Monitoring and
Modeling of Water Quality in the Tijuana River Watershed.
The research team will continue to monitor storm water
quality and develop a CIS-based predictive model of the
interactions of land use and storm water quality in the Tijuana
River Watershed.
Project Description
This research effort will monitor stormwater quality and
develop a conceptual model of non-point-source pollution in
the Tijuana River Watershed. The goals of this project are:
1) To characterize the spatial and temporal variability of
stormwater quality;
2) To model the interaction of land use, population, and
urbanization on stormwater quality;
3) To use GiS technologies to explore and display the spatial
dimensions of these interactions;
4) To identify critical areas of surface water contamination;
and
5) To advance suggestions for future planning, management,
and other policy efforts to address water quality problems in
the basin.
Status
The project is ongoing. This work is producing a set of
recommendations of management practices and planning
options to improve the quality of stormwater.
Participant(s)
SDSU; UABC Tijuana
230
U.S. Contact(s)
Richard Gersberg, SDSU, 619-594-2905,
rgersber@mail.sdsu.edu
SCERP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexicp Border Activities
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Water Desalination and Soluble Organic
Compound Removal Using Low Pressure
Reverse Osmosis
Funding
$72,561 FY97 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agreement
Project Purpose
This project will demonstrate the feasibility of using mem-
brane processes for reclaiming high salinity, high soluble
organic compound surface water from the Rio Grande River.
Project Description
Large amounts of brackish ground and surface waters are
available if cost effective desalination can be applied. Salinity
problems will get worse in the future due to saline groundwa-
ter intrusion and recycling. As water is recycled, soluble
salts steadily build up until the drinking water standard for
potable water is reached. Continued use of available water
supplies requires desalination, making this research
important to ensure future water supplies.
Project objectives include evaluating a dual membrane
system using microfiltration with nanofiltration for total
organic compound (TOC) and salinity reduction and a
determination of the cost effectiveness of desalination and
brine disposal.
Status
This project is ongoing. Laboratory testing and field experi-
ments continue. Water resources professionals in the region
have been involved in the project from the beginning and
initial technical results have been presented in conference
reports and final work will be documented in refereed
journals.
Participant(s)
UTEP; El Paso Water Utilities
U.S. Contact(s)
Charles Turner, UTEP, 915-747-6908, cturner@utep.edu
231
, Vu... ...,.,.., ... SCERP ..... . , ..
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Tijuana Estuary Hydrologic Evaluation
Funding
$98,959 FY97 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agreement
Project Purpose
This is an integrated surface and groundwater monitoring
study of the Tijuana Estuary to further understand the
impacts of watershed changes on freshwater inflow regimes,
the salinity structure and, in turn, on the ecological function-
ing of the Tijuana Estuary. The information gathered will
allow resource managers to make science-based decisions
which balance the human needs to utilize resources with the
need to protect and enhance the valuable natural resources
within the Tijuana Estuary.
Project Description
The Tijuana Estuary contains some of the most valued salt
marsh habitat remaining in Southern California. It is both a
National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) and a
National Wildlife Refuge for endangered species. Located in
southern San Diego County, the estuary receives waters
from a 1,700-sq.-mile watershed, three-quarters of which is
located within Mexico. The natural balance of fresh and salt
waterflows into the Tijuana Estuary has been dramatically
altered by the damming of approximately 80% of the runoff
from Mexico, U.S. water importation and release, wastewater
discharges, groundwater extraction, and extensive urbaniza-
tion (i.e., increased runoff and wastewater discharge).
These watershed changes have the potential to increase the
frequency, extent, and duration of brackish water conditions
within the estuary, and would have substantial impacts on
estuarine biota, including endangered species.
This study, which includes monitoring both surface and
groundwater levels and salinities over a one-year time period,
will be the first integrated hydrologic study of Tijuana Estuary.
Ground- and surface-water monitoring points will be estab-
lished at strategic locations throughout the estuary and its
margins.
232
The integrated study of the ground- and surface-water
salinities and fluxes into the Tijuana Estuary is critical to
balancing the protection of the estuary's valuable habitat with
the increasing need to utilize water resources within the
basin. The information gathered will be valuable to potential
dischargers (the International Boundary Water Commission
and EPA are building a wastewater treatment plant that may
discharge excess water to Tijuana River), regulators (the
Regional Water Quality Control Board), and estuary resource
managers (the City and County of San Diego, the California
Coastal Commission, the California Department of Parks
and Recreation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Refuge, and the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). The
public will also benefit from having an interactive, animated
simulation model of Tijuana Estuary at the Visitor Center,
where users can specify river or tidal flows and see changes
in a color display indicating the corresponding impact on
estuarine salinity.
Status
The project is ongoing.
Participant(s)
SDSU
U.S. Contact(s)
Kathryn Thorbjarnarson, SDSU, 619-594-1392,
kthorbjar@geology.sdsu.edu
SCERP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Economic Analysis of Improved Water Quality
in the Rio Grande Project
Funding
$48,946 FY98 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agreement
Project Purpose
This project will analyze the economic and environmental
benefits and costs of alternatives to improve water quality
and reduce water salinity along the reach of the Rio Grande
from Elephant Butte, New Mexico to Fort Quitman, Texas.
The Elephant Butte reservoir and Rio Grande River consti-
tute the supply of surface water resources to the Paso del
Norte region, a 200-mile section of the river that transverses
southern New Mexico, west Texas, and northern Mexico, and
includes the cities of El Paso, Ciudad Juarez, Las Cruces,
and other smaller towns. All other available water comes
from groundwater resources. The analysis will assess: 1)
the economic benefits of reduced salinity to agriculture,
urban use, and treatment; 2) the cost of implementing each
alternative (estimate); 3) the value of water in alternative
uses; and 4) qualitative estimates of environmental benefits
from instream flow of the river in its natural channel created
by the salinity alternatives.
The analysis will result in an economic ranking of water
quality alternatives and provide the first systematic economic
analysis of water resources in the Rio Grande Project Basin,
combining both economics and ecological criteria in
evaluating water improvement alternatives.
Project Description
Rapid growth in the area has greatly increased urban water
demand. Historically, groundwater has been the primary
source of the regional water supply; however, continued
groundwater mining is rapidly depleting aquifers and creating
a constraint to future growth. For this region to continue its
economic development, surface waters released from the
Elephant Butte Dam and Reservoir must be transferred from
agricultural to urban use. The dilemma of urban use of Rio
Grande surface water is that high salinity and other pollutants
will require costly water treatment to reduce economic
damages. Salinity and other contaminants build up in the
water of the Rio Grande as it used and reused.
There are four major categories of damages: 1) reduced
crop yields; 2) reduced useful life for pipes and water
appliances in municipal and industrial use; 3) high treatment
costs to mitigate salinity and contaminants for domestic
consump tion; and 4) destruction of native aquatic and
riparian biological diversity.
The objectives of the project are to determine the optimal
level of salinity abatement for water use by agriculture, urban
sectors, and instream flows of the river as it is released from
Elephant Butte. Alternative conveyance scenarios and
treatment plant sites will be assessed on a qualitative
assessment of their impacts on river flows and associated
environmental benefits or costs. Both short- and long-term
effects will be evaluated. Alternatives will be evaluated for
their effects on flow volumes and seasonal patterns, fish and
other aquatic species, terrestrial wildlife, and riparian
habitats. Highest marks will be given to alternatives that
most closely replicate the natural river hydrograph.
Status
The project is in progress.
Participant(s)
NMSU; Southwest Environmental Center; ASU
U.S. Contact(s)
Thomas McGuckin, NMSU, 505-521-7352,
mudduck@ibm.net
233
SCERP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Development of a Hybrid Electrical Power System
Using a Wind Turbine and a Spark Ignited Engine
for Air Pollution Mitigation and Water
Conservation in the El Paso/Juarez Region
234
Funding
$29,802 FY98 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agreement
Project Purpose
Two key regional environmental issues are the focus of this
project: water supply and air pollution. The project will
investigate and demonstrate the feasibility of a hybrid
electrical power system using a wind turbine and a spark
ignited (SI) engine operating on a clean burning fuel for
necessary electrical power generation. This project lever-
ages more than $200,000 received from the Texas Higher
Education Coordinating Board, the Texas State Energy
Conservation Office, Caterpillar Incorporated, and others to
develop an experimentally validated computer performance
and real time control model of a hybrid distributed power
system for grid connected remote locations.
Project Description
The project will include installation of the engine/generator
combination in the current variable speed test facility,
development of an engine control strategy for simulated
variable speed wind turbine operation, measurement of the
emissions and fuel consumption from the engine during
transient operation in the variable speed test facility, and
optimization of the engine control strategy based on the
measurements. The system will consist of a wind turbine as
the primary renewable power source, an alternatively fueled
engine with a generator as a clean source of firm power
support, and a power electronics package to integrate the
sources to produce the utility required power.
Wind power is the fastest growing primary energy technology
in the worid today; however, wind energy is variable and so
another source is required to provide firm power support. By
using a generator driven by an alternatively fueled engine
(burning propane, ethanol, or biomass methane, for ex-
ample) firm power can be provided while still minimizing the
production of greenhouse gases. The border region of El
Paso/Juarez is experiencing rapid population growth and
increasing pressure upon the sources of water and electrical
power.
Local power stations rely on the limited regional water
supply for cooling purposes and thus add pressures upon
the water resource and contribute to the poor air quality of
the region.
The Wind Energy Research Group (WERG) at UTEP has
performed research involving the design and operation of
two-bladed teetered rotor wind turbines using a unique
experimental wind turbine facility in a newly-developed
variable speed test bed using power electronics, and
advanced computational methods. The UTEP Alternative
Fuels Research Laboratory (AFRL) performs applied
research aimed at maximizing the performance and
emissions benefits offered by internal combustion engines
using alternative fuels. This project combines the efforts of
the two laboratories and addresses the two key regional
environmental issues (water supply and air pollution)
Status
The project is in progress.
Participant(s)
UTEP; Texas State Energy Conservation Office; Caterpillar
Incorporated
U.S. Contact(s)
Ryan Wicker, UTEP, 915-747-7099,
rwicker@vlobos.me.utep.edu;
RickZadoks, UTEP, 915-747-6905,
zadoks@oldoc.me.utep.edu
SCERP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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A Methodology for Determining the Best Areas to
Expand Wastewater Collection Systems In the
U.S.-Mexico Border Region
Funding
$50,517 FY98 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agreement
Project Purpose
The lack of wastewater collection and treatment systems is
a significant, urgent environmental problem along the U.S.-
Mexico border. A recent study by Comision Nacional de
Aqua showed that only 44% of the total wastewater is treated
in the four most populous cities in Baja California (Tijuana,
Mexicali, Ensenada, and Tecate). In addition, existing sewer
systems in urban areas are old and require rehabilitation or
replacement. UA methodology will be developed to rank
areas without wastewater collection systems or with
systems in need of rehabilitation or replacement based upon
the environmental benefit (primarily water quality) that would
result from system installation and projected project cost.
The purpose of the project would be to help Mexican officials
utilize limited system expansion financial resources to
achieve the greatest environmental impact. Untreated
wastewater discharges result in fecal contamination of
surface water and groundwater resources all along the U.S.-
Mexico border. Untreated wastewater also degrades water
quality and severely restricts potential uses of the limited
water resources available in the border area.
This project will develop a methodology for assessing and
comparing the environmental and public health benefits of
wastewater collection system expansion and rehabilitation
alternatives. It is anticipated that border cities and border
funding agencies will utilize the methodology to develop
wastewater collection system projects competing for limited
funds and to ensure that those funds are being used to
achieve the maximum environmental and public health
benefits.
Project Description
This project will look specifically at wastewater collection
system expansion alternatives in Ensenada, Baja California.
Detailed data for the wastewater system in Ensenada will be
gathered and stored in a GIS database. These data will be
used as the basis for developing the optimization model.
The model will be integrated wfth the GIS database into a
user-friendly computer program that can be applied by
municipal and local governments, NGOs, and other border
related organizations to develop collection system projects
that provide maximum benefits for the projected costs.
Border funding agencies are well aware of the environmental
and public health problems associated with dilapidated or
absence of wastewater collection facilities. This project will
utilize mathematical optimization to identify which areas of
many in need to expand or rehabilitate wastewater collection
systems. The methodology will consider system cost,
environmental (water quality) benefits, public health benefits,
and available funds.
Status
The project is in progress.
Participant(s)
University of Utah; Colorado State University; BECC
U.S. Contact(s)
Donald Hayes, University of Utah, 801-581-7110,
hayes@civil.utah.edu;
John Labadie, Colorado State University, 970-491-7898,
labadie@lance.colostate.edu
235
SCERP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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The Transborder Watershed
Research Program
Funding
$747,991 FY98 funds, SCERP/EPA Cooperative Agreement
Project Purpose
This project will focus on the Tijuana and San Pedro
watersheds to integrate existing information into a larger land
use model that will investigate the interdependencies and
feedback mechanisms among ecological, economic, social,
and political factors influencing land use.
Project Description
This research will characterize the distribution and intensity
of land use in each watershed and develop models to
describe the interrelationships between land use patterns
and ecological and human factors. Patterns of land use will
be documented using maps, planning documents, aerial
photographs, and satellite imagery to generate a GIS-based
record of recent land use change.
Several types of modeling activities will be undertaken. For
the San Pedro Watershed, a hierarchically structured, patch
dynamic, watershed model will be developed. This model
will be spatially explicit and use grid-based, remotely sensed
data as well as integrated ecological and socioeconomic
data. Forthe Tijuana Watershed, a similar GIS-linked model
will be developed that, when coupled to an empirically-based
runoff model, will serve to both manage the spatial and
temporal datasets and predict pollutant loading to the
estuarine ecosystem. For both watersheds, the following
land use characteristics will be described for each patch
type: 1) social and economic factors; 2) surface and
subsurface water flow; 3) point source and non-point-source
pollution; 4) biodiversity; and 5) other activities such as fuel
combustion that gives rise to air pollution, which in turn
impacts water quality.
The overall goal of the transborder watershed program is to
provide information for decision makers that will aid in policy
formation and adaptive management aimed at sustainable
ecological and human health in the two basins.
236
Status
The project is in progress.
Participant(s)
ASU; SDSU; University of Utah; UABC; COLEF; Universidad
Autonoma de Sonora
U.S. Contact(s)
Ward Brady, ASU, 602-965-2402, ward.brady@asu.edu;
Richard Wright, SDSU, 619-594-5466,
wright@typhoon.sdsu.edu
SCERP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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•W ^ s* I. ^^
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Nogales Wellhead Protection
Funding
EPA provided $195,078 to the SouthEast Arizona Govern-
ments Association for an earlier phase of the project (1993 to
1995). In 1996, EPA provided $40,000 to Nogales, Arizona,
and $53,000 to Santa Cruz County for additional phases of
the project.
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to protect the quality of the
groundwater in the transboundary aquifer under the Ambos
Nogales/Santa Cruz River area.
Project Description
The project consists of the development and implementation
of wellhead protection strategies to protect the aquifer from
activities on land near groundwater wells and recharge
areas.
Status
The city of Nogales, Arizona, has begun implementing
management strategies identified in earlier stages of the
project. Santa Cruz County has begun expanding the project
into adjacent portions of the Santa Cruz basin in the U.S.
Implementation of the program is continuing.
Participant(s)
City of Nogales, Arizona; EPA; CNA; ADEQ; Santa Cruz
County; SEAGO
U.S. Contact(s)
Evelyn Wachtel, EPA, 415-744-1167,
wachtel.evelyn@epa.gov
239
WATER WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Characterization of Transboundary Aquifers in
the Middle Texas-Mexico Segment of the Rio
Grande/Rio Bravo
Funding
in September 1996, EPA awarded the TWDB $200,000 for
the study. EPA awarded $50,000 to the TWDB in August
1994 for the study.
Project Purpose
This study is a continuation study of the transboundary
aquifers along the Texas/Mexico border, with particular
emphasis to be placed on the "twin cities" of Del Rio/Ciudad
Acufia, Eagle Pass/Piedras Negras, and Laredo/Nuevo
Laredo. It is a joint effort by the governments of the United
States and Mexico and the state of Texas, designed to
identify the region's transboundary aquifers, quantify the
natural and induced chemical quality of each aquifer,
characterize and quantify the available supply of each
aquifer, determine the direction of Found water flow and its
relationship to the flow of the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo, and
develop GIS coverages of the region.
Project Description
The project reviews existing literature and water quality
information to identify gaps where additional information is
needed to characterize the area's shared ground water
resources. The study is "blind" to political boundaries and
focuses on the chemical and physical characteristics of the
aquifers.
Status
The project is experiencing delays due to negotiations with
Mexico; it is uncertain how involved Mexico will be in the
Phase II portion of the project. There is a tentative meeting
scheduled for September 9,1998 in El Paso where Mexico is
expected to clarify their binational involvement by submitting
a concrete work plan.
Participant(s)
EPA Region 6; TWDB; CILA
240
U.S. Contact(s)
Ken Williams, EPA Region 6,214-665-7129,
williams.ken@epa.gov;
Mike Vaughan, EPA Region 6,214-665-7313,
vaughan.michael@epa.gov;
Radu Boghici, TWDB, 512-463-6543
WATER WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Mexicali Wastewater Operator Training
Funding
EPA provided $45,000 to the NETI in 1997.
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to provide training to wastewa-
ter operators in Mexicali.
Project Description
Dr. Ken Kerri will develop and implement operator training
materials and programs specifically targeted for selected
wastewater collection systems and lift station technologies in
use in Mexicali.
Status
Dr. Kerri has worked with officials from Mexicali to define the
technologies to be targeted. Preparation of the training
materials has been initiated. Dr. Kerri will complete and
implement the training materials and programs in 1998.
Participant(s)
Dr. Kerri; EPA; CESPM; CNA; IBWC; Baja California
Department of Ecology; SWRCB; RWQCB 7
U.S. Contact(s)
Eugenia McNaughton, EPA, 415-744-1162,
mcnaughton.eugenia@epa.gov
241
WATER WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Santa Cruz Groundwater
Hydrogeologic Modeling
Funding
EPA provided $359,869 to ADWR in 1997.
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to predict groundwater
movement and levels in the Santa Cruz aquifer that may be
associated with local water and wastewater infrastructure
projects.
Project Description
The ADWR will develop a hydrogeologic model of groundwa-
ter in the Santa Cruz basin.
Status
ADWR has initiated work on the development of a model for
the U.S. side of the binational aquifer. Also, ADWR has
exchanged information with CNA to enable consideration of
linking the ADWR effort with similar studies in Mexico.
ADWR will produce the first version of a model of the U.S.
portion of the aquifer in 1998. Opportunities for binational
collaboration are considered possible through discussions
with Mexico.
Participant(s)
ADWR; EPA; CNA; IBWC; ADEQ; Sonora; Nogales (Son);
Negates (AZ)
U.S. Contact(s)
Terry Sprouse, ADWR
242
WATER WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Ac^vjties
-------
Characterization of Trans-International
Boundary Aquifers in Southwest New Mexico
Funding
In September 1994, EPA awarded NMSU $74,821. In 1997,
EPA awarded NMSU $125,000 for the continuation of the
project.
Project Purpose
This study is a joint effort by the governments of the U.S. and
Mexico and the states of Texas and New Mexico. It is
designed to identify the border region's transboundary
aquifers, quantify the natural and induced chemical quality of
each aquifer, characterize and quantify the available supply
of each aquifer, determine the direction of ground water flow
and its relationship to the flow of the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo,
and to develop GIS coverages of the region.
The study initially focused on the El Paso/Juarez/Las Cruces
area and in FY97 the project was expanded to include the
transboundary aquifers located in the Del Rio/Eagle Pass
area and in Southwest New Mexico and Northern Mexico.
Project Description
This project will identify and characterize the sub-regional
Mimbres Aquifer that extends across the international border
between Columbus, New Mexico and Puerto Palomas,
Chihuahua. Aquifer characterization will include the evalua-
tion of the natural and induced chemical quality and availabil-
ity of ground water supplies. Ground water data will be
converted to GIS coverages that will be useful to hydrologists
and planners with municipal, state, and federal agencies in
both countries. Mexican hydrologists and engineers will
participate in the project by providing data from the Mexico
side of the border.
Status
In FY97, $125,000 was added to the previous amount of
$74,821 to encompass Southwest New Mexico and Northern
Mexico.
Participant(s)
EPA Region 6; NMSU-Water Resources Research Institute
(New Mexico area only); CILA.
U.S. Contact(s)
Ken Williams, EPA Region 6,214-665-7129,
williams.ken@epa.gov;
Mike Vaughan, EPA Region 6,214-665-7313,
vaughan.michael@epa.gov;
Bobby Creel, NMSU-WRRI, 505-646-4337
243
WATER WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Rio Grande Alliance
Funding
In FY94 and FY95, EPA Region 6 provided a total of $525,000
to the TNRCC forthe project.
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to establish community
partnerships to address identified environmental needs in the
Rio Grande Basin and to create a community-based RGA for
the protection and restoration of the river's watershed.
Project Description
The RGA was formed to accomplish three primary goals:
1) To provide agencies and decision makers in the Basin a
forum in which they could coordinate their programs, thus
eliminating redundant activities and helping promote efficient
useof limited resources. Also, to assist the agencies
involved in targeting funds where they are most needed.
This was accomplished by a series of RGA meetings that
wer,e held in the Basin, and through an RGA website;
2) To increase communication between people and entities
that might not otherwise interact in order to expand the
awareness of problems, issues, and possible solutions
throughoutthe Basin. Tofulfill this task, TNRCC developed
and maintained a stakeholder database and identified
ongoing environmental programs, projects and studies in the
Basin; and
3) To focus on implementation and corrective activities. The
RGA helped communities find solutions to their environmen-
tal problems by acting as a match-maker for Basin residents.
Status
TNRCC completed its work in establishing the RGA in 1998.
The project inventory database and website will be main-
tained by other entities in the future. The RGA members will
continue their interaction and focus on implementation of
basin-wide solutions to environmental problems through a
variety of other communication/coordination activities and
mechanisms.
244
Participant(s)
Federal, tribal, state and local governments and NGOs active
within the Rio Grande Basin. TNRCC has completed an
extensive outreach effort to involve Mexican government
officials at the federal and state level and representatives
from Colorado and New Mexico to ensure that the RGA
includes all Basin stakeholders.
U.S. Contact(s)
Karen Young, EPA Region 6,214-665-6679,
young.karen@epa.gov
WATER WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Im
3ernational Boundary
^ .^_ _ *
and water Commission and the Environmental Protection
Agency in the Administration of Matamoios, and Nuevo
Laredo, Mexico^feter and^X'&stevvaler Initiatives
Funding
In accordance with the Appropriations Act of 1995, EPA
awarded $10 million in January 1998 to the IBWC.
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is the planning of water and
wastewater facilities to control wastewater discharges from
Mexico into the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo and the protection of
human health.
Project Description
Funds from this IAG are to be used for planning of water
distribution and wastewater collection facilities in the two
designated Mexican cities. Planning will be in accordance
with criteria developed by the BECC.
Status
Phase I, water and wastewater planning and development
tasks are currently in progress. Final completion for both
cities is scheduled for Fall 1999.
Participant(s)
EPA's primary contact will be the U.S. Section of the IBWC;
however, the Mexican Section of the IBWC as well as the
CNA in Mexico will participate.
U.S. Contact(s)
Oscar Cabra, Jr., P.E., Federal, 214-665-2718,
cabra.oscar@epa.gov;
Carlos Pena, Jr., P.E., IBWC, 915-832-4145
245
WATER WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Toxics Studies of the Rio Grande
Funding
EPA has provided $1,106,000 to the TNRCC to coordinate
water qualify studies with Mexico on the Rio Grande. In
FY92, the Office of Water and the Region provided $280,000.
In FY93, the Office of International Activities and the Region
provided $201,000. In FY94, FY95, and FY96, Regional
Geographic Initiative funds of $325,000, $200,000 and
$100,000 were provided, respectively.
Project Purpose
The purpose of these studies are to screen the Rio Grande
for the prevalence, magnitude, and impact of toxic chemicals.
Project Description
The studies include determinations of toxic pollutant concen-
trations in water, sediment, and fish tissue; toxicity testing of
water and sediment using minnows and waterfleas; and
biological assessments offish and macroinvertebrate
communities that live in the river. The study area is from El
Paso/Juarez to Brownsville/Matamoros. The Phase I
binational report which has been issued, has helped identify
areas where water pollution control is needed.
Status
Binational toxics sampling began in November 1992. The
Phase I binational report was issued in September 1994. In
evaluating the Rio Grande, the U.S. and Mexico found that
the river is not heavily impacted by toxics. The Phase II
toxics sampling study began in May 1995, with a second
binational report to be released in October 1998. There has
been excellent cooperation among the Mexican and U.S.
scientists involved.
Participant(s)
EPA; TNRCC; TDH; IBWC-U.S. Section; USGS; Mexican
agencies involved are the CNA of Mexico and the IBWC-
Mexican Section. These agencies have been involved in
work plan development, data collection, and data evaluation.
246
U.S. Contact(s)
Forrest John, EPA Region 6,214-665-8368,
john.forrest@epa.gov;
Patrick Roques, TNRCC, 512-239-4604
WATER WORKGROUP „:.
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Lower Colorado/New River Toxics Survey
Funding
EPA has provided $270,000 to USGS (in 1994 and 1995) and
$30,000 to SWRCB in 1997.
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to monitor the Lower Colorado
and New Rivers for toxic pollutants.
Project Description
The U.S. and Mexico collected samples on two occasions
from the Lower Colorado River and from the New River and
analyzed them for conventional and toxic pollutants.
Status
Results of the analyses have been compiled and preparation
of a draft binational report has been initiated. Afinal report
summarizing the results will be issued in 1998.
Participant(s)
EPA; CNA; IBWC; USGS; SWRCB; DFG; UCD; RWQCB 7;
ADEQ;ADGF
U.S. Contact(s)
Dr. RaymundoAguirre, IBWC, 915-832-4149
247
WATER WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-Jivi.- - :• ..;- - •.:•..: .-' • . .:• - .'• •.,: •.'..
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Demonstration of Safe Drinking Water
Treatment Technologies in Mexico
Funding
EPA awarded $100,000 through the ETI.
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to demonstrate cost-effective
U.S. package treatment plant technologies for control of toxic
chemicals and pathogenic microorganisms in drinking water
in Mexico. The intent is to use a mix of proven and advanced
treatment technologies, at three Mexico sites. Of special
interest are the small, rural communities that have inad-
equate or no drinking water treatment.
Project Description
The process is to: 1) select candidate small systems
demonstration sites in Mexico; 2) select appropriate treat-
ment technologies based on water quality, performance
criteria, and water source; 3) install and field test selected
package plants; 4) collect and analyze a sufficient number of
water samples to fully demonstrate the performance of the
treatment systems; 5) collect operation, maintenance, cost,
and health data; and 6) assess communities' acceptance of
the treatment systems.
Status
A portable disinfection package treatment plant has been in
operation in Cordoba in the State of Veracruz since May
1997. Water is pumped from a hand dug well which is
directed to a two-stage filtration system prior to disinfection.
Finished water is distributed to the local schools and to a
single faucet fill station at the plant for local community use.
At a second site in Ixhuacan in the state of Veracruz, water is
received at the treatment site from both a river and spring
source after passing through two sedimentation basins.
Water is pumped into two multimedia filters, high capacity
bag filters, and then disinfected by a tablet chlorinator.
Finished water is then distributed to the community of 5,500
people.
248
The third site is in the town of Coxcatlin in the state of San
Luis Potosi. This community has about 2,700 people. The
water source is a stream that runs through the village. The
treatment system for this community will be installed in
October 1998 and will consist of two multimedia filters
followed by liquid chlorination for disinfection.
Participant(s)
EPA, ETI (technical lead); USDA (Administrative oversight);
American Commonwealth Management Services Co.
(oversee design, installation, sampling, analysis); MIOX and
IT Corporation (plant operation); Grupo Marhnos (site
selection, plant operation); Mexican community representa-
tives and the CNA (site selection).
U.S. Contact(s)
Ben W. Lykins, Jr., EPA, 513-569-7460;
Elizabeth Mayhew, USDA, 202-690-2870
WATER WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.rMexico Border Activities
-------
Tijuana Wastewater Infrastructure
Funding
EPA has provided $239,400,000 for the international waste-
water treatment plant project. Additional funding is coming
from Mexico, the state of California, and the city of San
Diego. Funding for the Tijuana parallel system and upgrade
of the San Antonio de los Buenos treatment plant is coming
from BEIF ($16,000,000) and a loan from NADBank.
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to eliminate dry-weather
sewage discharges to the Tijuana River by improving the
wastewater infrastructure serving Tijuana.
Project Description
The project consists of the planning, design, and construc-
tion of the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment
Plant and Outfall. These facilities will provide treatments and
a disposal capacity for Tijuana. The Tijuana parallel system
will provide redundancy to Tijuana's existing wastewater
pumping and conveyance system. The upgrade to the San
Antonio de los Buenos treatment plant will expand the
capacity of the plant and improve its discharge quality.
Status
Construction of the advanced primary international wastewa-
ter treatment plant is completed. Options for secondary
treatment are being evaluated through the NEPA process.
The ocean outfall is under construction and should be
completed in 1998. The project to construct the parallel
system and improve the San Antonio de los Buenos
treatment plant has been certified by BECC.
Participant(s)
EPA; IBWC; CNA; CESPT; SWRCB; RWQCB 9; City of San
Diego; BECC; NADBank
U.S. Contact(s)
Elizabeth Borowiec, EPA, 415-744-1165,
borowiec.elizabeth@epa.gov
249
WATER WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Binational Water Supply
Operators Training
Funding
EPA awarded $100,000 to the TXAWWA in July 1995. An
additional $50,000 was awarded in September 1996 for the
Spanish translation portion of the agreement.
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to conduct training for water
supply operators along the border to provide information on
the requirements of the SDWA in a binational forum.
Project Description
Drinking water operators will be trained in the importance of
source protection (sanitary survey for surface supplies or
wellhead protection for groundwater supplies), treatment
techniques and the importance of testing and quality control,
and methods to maintain the quality of the finished water
within the distribution system. AWWA is modeling their
training on the TEEX water operator training courses.
Spanish translation of the six TEEX training manuals will be
accomplished for use in AWWA's courses (but not necessar-
ily for the courses that will be taught under this particular
grant).
The training portion under this grant is being provided in
conjunction with the WEAT training schedule. 20-hour
training courses were held in Piedras Negras, Mexico in
February 1996, and in Monterrey, Mexico in November 1996.
Status
The training portion of the grant will continue in 1998 after the
translation of the first TEEX training manual is completed in
August 1998. The translation of all six of the TEEX training
manuals are scheduled to be completed on or around
September 30,1998.
Participant(s)
The partners in the project are EPA Region 6 and the Texas
Section of the American Waterworks Association.
250
U.S. Contact(s)
Mike Vaughan, EPA Region 6,214-665-7313,
vaughan.michael@epa.gov;
Dave Reazin, EPA Region 6,214-665-7501,
reazin.david@epa.gov;
Mike Howe, TXAWWA, 512-238-9292
WATER WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border
IBS
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Mexicali Wastewater Infrastructure
Funding
EPA is providing $37,300,000 on the Mexicali and Nogales
wastewater infrastructure projects. Additional funding may
come from CNA and the BEIF.
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to improve public health and
environmental quality by constructing needed wastewater
infrastructure.
Project Description
The project consists of the planning, design and construction
of wastewater infrastructure. Components include the
rehabilitation of the existing collection, conveyance and
treatment system (total cost=$7.6 million; EPA share $4.2
million) and the construction of a new treatment system (total
cost = $50 million; sources to be determined in cooperation
with NADBank).
Status
Construction has occurred on several of the rehabilitation
projects. Plans for the new system were certified by the
BECC. Pretreatment and operator training were discussed
binationally. Construction of the rehabilitation projects and
financing of the new system will be completed in 1998.
Discussions regarding pretreatmentand operator training will
continue.
Participant(s)
EPA; CNA; IBWC; CESPM; SWRCB; RWQCB 7; City of
Mexicali; Imperial County; BECC; NADBank
U.S. Contact(s)
Eugenia McNaughton, EPA, 415-744-1162,
mcnaughton.eugenia@epa.gov
251
,.V1. WATER WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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South Bay Ocean Outfall \
Baseline Monitoring
Funding
EPA has provided about $3,000,000 to this effort as part of
the Tijuana international wastewater infrastructure project.
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to establish a baseline in order
to measure possible effects due to discharge from the South
Bay Ocean Outfall.
Project Description
IBWC and the city of San Diego are monitoring the Pacific
Ocean in the vicinity of the South Bay Ocean Outfall.
Extensive monitoring is being conducted for three years
during construction of the ocean outfall. The results will
establish a baseline from which to measure effects of the
discharge through the ocean outfall. Discharge will begin
when construction is completed in 1998.
Status
The monitoring of surf zone and offshore water quality,
benthic invertebrates, and fish will continue until construction
is completed. Once discharge begins, monitoring will be
conducted in accordance with the discharge permit.
Participant(s)
City of San Diego; IBWC; EPA; CNA; RWQCB 9
U.S. Contact(s)
Alan Langworthy, City of San Diego, 619-692-4939
252
'•. '• , " .7
,.-..„ .WATER WORKGROUP -ncp
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Binational Wastewater
Operators Training
Funding
EPA initially provided $100,000 to WHAT to conduct the
designated training in June 1995. An additional $50,000 was
provided in September 1995 for Spanish translation of EPA
manuals.
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to have the WEAT, formerly the
WEF, conduct training for wastewater treatment plan
operators along the border in a bi-national forum and to
provide Spanish translation of related EPA manuals.
Project Description
Wastewater plant operators will be trained in the importance
of source protection (surface and ground water supplies),
treatment techniques, and the importance of testing and
quality control as well as methods to maintain the treatment
plant and the collection system. Additional tasks include the
Spanish translation of three EPA manuals.
Status
The first 20 hour training courses were held in Piedras
Negra, Mexico in February 1996, with an attendance of over
70 professionals from both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border.
The second course was held in Monterrey, Mexico in
November 1996. Two of the three EPA manuals that were
scheduled to be translated into Spanish are near completion.
EPA is waiting for the third manual to be completed.
Participant(s)
EPA Region 6; WEAT
U.S. Contact(s)
Mike Vaughan, EPA Region 6,214-665-7313,
vaughan.michael@epa.gov;
Isabel Fung, WEAT, 713-621 -565-3158
253
WATER WORKGROUP
Compericlium of EPA)L).S.vMexic6'Border Activities
-------
Nogales Water and
Wastewater Infrastructure
Funding
EPA has provided $37,300,000 for wastewater infrastructure
projects in Nogales and Mexicali. Additional funding for
wastewater may come from CNA and the BEIF. Other
funding sources are available for water infrastructure.
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to improve public health and
the environment by providing reliable drinking water and
wastewater infrastructure to Ambos Nogales.
Project Description
The project consists of a drinking water component and a
wastewater component. The objective of the drinking water
component, which has been certified by BECC, is the
sustainable development of the Nogales, Sonora, water
supply. Funding forthis component is being determined.
The objectives of the wastewater component include the
immediate rehabilitation of the collection systems in the U.S.
(total cost = $3.4 million; EPA share = $2.1 million) and in
Mexico (total cost=$3.9 million; EPA share = $2.1 million)
and the planning, design, and construction of additional
treatment capacity. EPA is providing the funding for the
planning phase, through the IBWC. Funding for construction
will be determined in cooperation with NADBank.
Status
Several projects to rehabilitate the wastewater collection
systems were completed and additional projects were
initiated. Several alternatives for providing additional
treatment capacity were developed. The rehabilitation
projects will be completed in 1998. In 1999, a proposal for
providing additional treatment capacity will be presented to
BECC for certification.
Participant(s)
CNA; EPA; IBWC; ADEQ; City of Nogales (Arizona); BECC;
NADBank
254
U.S. Contact(s)
Evelyn Wachtel, EPA, 415-744-1167,
wachtel.evelyn@epa.gov
WATER WORKGROUP
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
U.S.-Mexico Peer Matching Wastewater Treatment
Facilities Operation Demonstration Project
Funding
On July 12,1994, EPA awarded $150,000 to the Texas
Engineering Extension Service (TEEX), a division of Texas
A&M.
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to foster ongoing peer relation-
ships between wastewater treatment operators and manag-
ers in the U.S. and Mexico to facilitate the exchange of
information and technology.
Project Description
The objectives of this peer match project are to: 1) design a
process so that water professionals may share knowledge
and further develop relationships; 2) develop a baseline
profile of the current wastewater services infrastructure in
border communities including management, financial,
workforce, education/training, transportation/energy, treat-
ment facilities, water conservation/reuse, and sludge
management; 3) conduct peer-matching sessions in
selected border communities to foster the sharing of
information that assist with identifying solutions of common
technical, management, and financial issues of concern to
participants; and 4) create an outline for demonstration
modules for the EPA.
Status
Sites have been selected, training modules have been
developed, and coordination was initiated with Mexican
contacts. Delays have been experienced due to replace-
ment of Mexican contacts following the election and loss of
TEEX personnel assigned to the project.
Participant(s)
EPA Region 6; Texas Water Utility Association and other
TEEX Divisions
U.S. Contact(s)
MikeVaughan, EPARegionB, 214-665-7313,
vaughan.michael@epa.gov;
Billy Black, EPA Region 6,214-665-7168,
black.billy@epa.gov;
Sallie Moore, TEEX, 972-222-1300, ext. 238;
Christine Landphair, TEEX, 1-800-252-2420
255
WATER WORKGROUP
.Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
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Naco Water Quality Monitoring
Funding
EPA provided $30,000 to ADEQ in 1997.
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is to determine the quality of
surface and groundwater in the area of Naco, Arizona.
Project Description
The International City and County Management Association
is conducting a water quality monitoring program in the Naco/
Agua Prieta/Cananea area. The aquifer in the area is used
as a public water supply and there is concern that it could
become contaminated. EPA provided funding to support
laboratory analysis of samples collected in the U.S. by
ADEQ.
Status
Water quality samples were collected and analyzed by
ADEQ. No additional funding for sample analysis will be
provided, but EPA is continuing to fund a position at ADEQ to
allow them to participate in the project. Between 1993 and
1997, EPA provided over $600,000 to ADEQ to enable them
to participate and provide technical assistance on this and
similar border water quality projects.
Participant(s)
ADEQ; CNA; EPA
U.S. Contact(s)
Mario Castafteda, ADEQ, 602-207-4409
256
WATER WORKGROUP .„.,
Compendium of EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Activities
-------
Interagency Agreement Between the (IBWC)
and the EPA in the Administration of Reynosa,
Piedras Negras, and Ciudad Acuna, Mexico
Wastewater Initiatives
Funding
In accordance with the Appropriations Act of 1995, EPA
awarded $10 million in January 1995 to the IBWC.
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project is the planning of wastewater
facilities to control wastewater discharges from Mexico into
the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo and the protection of human
health.
Project Description
Funds from this IAG are to be used for the planning of
wastewater collection facilities in the three designated
Mexican cities. Planning will be in accordance with criteria
developed by the BECC.
Status
Wastewater planning and development has been completed
for Reynosa, Mexico. Piedras Negras and Ciudad Acuna are
in the final planning phase, with completion by Fall 1998.
Participant(s)
EPA's primary contact will be the U.S. Section of the IBWC;
however, the Mexican Section of the IBWC will participate as
will the CNA in Mexico.
U.S. Contact(s)
Oscar Cabra, Jr., P.E., 214-665-2718;
cabra.oscar@epa.gov;
Carlos Pena, Jr., P.E., IBWC, 915-832-4145
257
WATER WORKQRQUP
Cqmopndiunj, of'EPA U.S,-MexiGo: Borde'r Activities
. '(J1V1 , - i f : ..-, . .,•{'•.'?)* i' , t . , * /'I ( * )',- ' ;..'-'*-'•." C'', ' * P£ , *
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Glossary Of Abbreviations
ACAAN Acuerdo de Cooperacion Ambiental del Norte (see NAAEC)
ADEQ Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
ADGF Arizona Department of Game and Fish
ADHS Arizona Department of Health Services
ADWR Arizona Department of Water Resources
AFRL Alternative Fuels Research Laboratory
AID U.S. Agency for International Development
A.I.R.E. Action and Intelligence in Recovering the Environment
AMIGO Arizona - Mexico International Green Organization
APCD Air Pollution Control District
APHIS Agriculture Pest Health Inspection Service
ASU Arizona State University
ATSDR Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry
AVWVA American Waterworks Association
AYUDA Adults and Youth United Development Association
BANDAN Banco para el Desarollo de America del Norte (see NADBank)
BBS Bulletin Board System
BECC Border Environment Cooperation Commission (see COCEF)
BECS Binational Electronic Communication System
BEEC Borderplex Environmental Educational Center
BEIC Borderplex Environmental Information Center
BEIF Border Environment Infrastructure Fund
BHO Border Health Office
BIG Borderlands Information Center
BLLs Blood lead levels
BLM Bureau of Land Management
BMP Best Management Practices
BOR Bureau of Reclamation
BRD Biological Resources Division of USGS
Cal-DTSC California Department of Toxic Substances Control
CAMEO Computer Aided Management of Emergency Operations
CAMX Meterological Model
GARB California Air Resources Board
CATC Clean Air Technology Center (USEPA technical center under OAQPS)
CCA Comision de Cooperacion Ambiental de America del Norte (see CEC)
CCPC Comite Consultivo Publico Conjunto de la CCA (see JPAC)
CDC Centers for Disease Control
CDFG California Department of Fish and Game
CDHS California Department of Health Services
CD-Rom Compact Disc-Read only memory
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CEAS Comision Estatal de Aguas y Saneamiento de Coahuila
(Coahuila State Commission for Water and Sanitation)
CEC Commission for Environmental Cooperation (see CCA)
CENSA Mexican Center for Environmental Health
CEPA Campo Environmental Protection Agency
CEPPO Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention Office
CEQ Council on Environmental Quality
CERCLIS Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act Information System
CES Centra Ecologico de Sonora (Sonora Ecological Center)
CESAR Center for Earth Systems Analysis Research
CESPM Comite Estatal de Servicios Publicos de Mexicali (State Committee for Public Services of Mexicali)
CESPT Comite Estatal de Servicios Publicos de Tijuana
(State Committee for Public Services of Tijuana)
CFC Chlorofluorocarbons
CFE Federal Electrical Commission (Comicion Federal de Electricidad)
CFP Cooperative Fisheries Program
CICA U.S.-Mexico Information Center on Air Pollution
CICOPLAFEST Comision InterSecretarial para el Control de Plaguicidas, Fertilizantes y
Subtancias Toxicas (Interagency Commission for Control of Pesticides,
Fertilizers and Toxic Substances)
CICTUS Centra de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnologicas
(Center for Scientific and Technological Research)
CIDESON Centra de Investigacion y Desarollo de Sonora
(Sonora Center for Research and Development)
CIESIN Consortium for International Earth Sciences Information Network
CILA Comision Internacional de Limites y Aguas (see IBWC)
CITES Convention on International Trade for Endangered Species
CLAM Comite Local para Ayuda Mutua (Local Committee for Mutual Assistance)
CNA Comision Nacional de Agua (National Water Commission)
CO Carbon monoxide
COAPES Comision de Agua Potable y Alcantarillado del Estado de Sonora
(Sonora State Commission for Drinking Water and Sewers)
COCEF Comision de Cooperacion Ecologico Fronterizo (see BECC)
COLEF El Colegio de la Frontera Norte (College of the Northern Border)
CONABIO Comision Nacional para el Conocimiento y Uso de la Biodiversidad
(National Commission for Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity)
CONACYT Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia
(National Advisory Council for Science and Technology)
COSAE Comision de Servicios de Agua del Estado de Baja California
(Water Utilities Commission for the State of Baja California)
CPE Comprehensive Performance Evaluation
CREAS Centra Regional de Estudios Ambientales
CSTE Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologist
CUNA The Native Cultures Institute
CWS Canadian Wildlife Service
DCP
DEH
DEM
Data Collection Platforms
Department of Environmental Health
Digital elevation model
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DEQ Department of Environmental Quality
DFG Department of Fish and Game (California)
DGE Direccion General de Epidemiologica
DGPS Differential Geographic Positioning System
DHHS U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
DIAAPROY Diseno, Asesoria, y Administracion de Proyectos, S.A. de C.V.
(Project Design, Assistance, and Management, Inc.)
DLG Digital Line Graph
DOC U.S. Department of Commerce
DOD U.S. Department of Defense
DOE U.S. Department of Energy
DOI U.S. Department of Interior
DOJ U.S. Department of Justice
DOQ Digital ortho-quadrangles
DOS U.S. Department of State
DOT U.S. Department of Transportation
DRGs Digital Raster Graphics
DUMAC Ducks Unlimited de Mexico, A.C.
ECOTEC Instituto de Investigaciones Ecotechnologicas
EE Environmental Education
EECC Environmental Education Council for the California's
EOF Environmental Defense Fund
EDI Electronic Data Interchange
EHWG Environmental Health Workgroup
EIP Environmental Improvement Plan
EIRW Environmental Information Resource Workgroup
EJ Environmental Justice
ELI Environmental Law Institute
EPA Environmental Protection Agency
EPA/OFA Environmental Protection Agency-Office of Federal Activities
EPA/OIA Environmental Protection Agency-Office of International Activities
EPA/ORD Environmental Protection Agency-Office of Research and Development
EPA/OW Environmental Protection Agency-Office of Water
EPA R6 Environmental Protection Agency-Region 6
EPA R9 Environmental Protection Agency-Region 9
EPCCHED El Paso City and County Health and Environment Department
EPOMEX Programa de Ecologia, Pesca, y Oceanografia del Golfo de Mexico
(Gulf of Mexico Program for Ecology, Fisheries, and Oceanography)
ESL Effects Screening Levels
ESRI Environmental Systems Research Institute
ETI Environmental Technology Initiative
ETSI Education and Teaching Services Institute
ExciTES Excellence in Technology, Engineering and Science
FBI Federal Bureau of Investigation
FCC U.S. Field Coordinating Committee (DOI)
FDA Food and Drug Administration
FGDC Federal Geographic Data Committee
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FONSI Finding of No Significant Impact
FPM Fine Participate Matter
FWS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
FY Fiscal Year
GCD Grupo Coordinador Estatal del Proyecto de Descentralizacion
(State Coordinating Group for the Decentralization Project)
GCVTC Grand Canyon Visibility Transport Commission
GGA Grupo de Gestion Ambiental Estatal
(State Environmental Management Group)
CIS Geographical Information Systems
GLOBE Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment
GNEB Good Neighbor Environmental Board
GPS Global Positioning System
HAZTRAKS Hazardous Waste Tracking System
HC Hydrocarbons
HEAT Hygiene Education and Appropriate Technologies Model
HHS U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
HMMD County of San Diego-Hazardous Materials Management Division
HWM Hazardous Waste Manifest
HRSA Health Resources and Services Administration
HSW Hazardous and Solid Waste
HUC Hydrologic Unit Code
HUD U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
HW Hazardous Waste
1AG InterAgency Agreement
IB Instituto de Biologia, UNAM (Biology Institute, UNAM)
IBEP Integrated Border Environmental Plan, Integrated Environmental
Plan for the U.S.-Mexico Border Area, First Stage (1992-94) (see PIAF)
IBWC International Boundary and Water Commission (see CILA)
ICC Interagency Coordinating Committee
ICMA International City/County Management Association
IECD U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-International Enforcement and Compliance Division
IID Imperial Irrigation District
IMADES Instituto del Medio Ambiente y el Desarollo Sustentable del Estado de Sonora
(State of Sonora Institute for the Environment and Sustainable Development)
formed through the joining of CIDESON and CES
IMSS Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (Mexican Institute for Social Security)
IMVEEC Imperial/Mexican Valleys Environmental Education Coalition
INAH Instituto Nacional de Antropologia e Historia
(National Institute for Anthropology and History Inc. Incorporated (see S.A. de C.V.)
INE Instituto Nacional de Ecologia (National Institute for Ecology)
INEGI Instituto Nacional de Estadistica, Geografica y Informatica
(National Institute for Statistics, Geography, and Information)
INIFAP Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agricola y Pecuaria
(National Institute for Investigations of Forests, Agriculture and Livestock)
INP Instituto Nacional de Pesca (National Institute of Fisheries)
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ISO 14000 International Standards Organization 14000
(14000 is a series of standards on environmental management)
ISSSTE Institute de Seguridad Social y Servicios para los Trabajadores del Estado
(Institute for Social Security & Services for State Workers)
ISCLT3 Industrial Source Complex Long Term Modeling Version 3
ITESM Institute Tecnologico de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey
(Technology Institute of Superior Studies of Monterrey)
ITJ Technical Institute of Cd. Juarez
ITT Tijuana Technical Institute
IWIC International Waste Identification Codes
IWMB Integrated Waste Management Board
IWRC Iowa Waste Reduction Center
IWTP International Wastewater Treatment Plant
JAC Joint Advisory Commitee
JCP Joint Contingency Plan
JMAS Junta Municipal de Alcantarillado y Saneamiento de Ciudad Juarez
(Sewer and Sanitation Municipal Authority for Ciudad Juarez)
JPAC Joint Public Advisory Committee for the CEC (see CCPC)
JRT Joint Response Team
LAN Local Access Network
LEPC Local Emergency Planning Committee
LEPC Local Emergency Planning Committee
LG Local Government
LIDAR Light, intensity, distancing, and ranging
LOI Letter of Intent
LPs Liters Per Second
LRGV Lower Rio Grande Valley
MCPA Mexico Civil Protection Agency
MEXUS MOU on fisheries investion between Mexico and the U.S. for the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean
MMS U.S. Minerals Mines Service
MSWM Municipal Solid Waste Management
MOU Memorandum of Understanding
NAAEC North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation (see ACAAN)
NAAQS National Ambient Air Quality Standards
NACEC North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation
NADBank North American Development Bank (see BANDAN)
NAERG North American Emergency Response Guidebook
NAFTA North American Free Trade Agreement (see TLC)
NAS National Audubon Society
NASQAN National Stream Quality Accounting Network
NAWCC North American Waterfowl Conservation Commission
NAWQAP National Water Quality Assessment Program
NBEP Northern Border Environmental Program (see PAFN)
NBII National Biological Information Infrastructure
NCEH National Center for Environmental Health
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NETI National Environmental Training Institute
NGO Non-Governmental Organization
NHANES National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey
NHEERL National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory
NHEXAS National Human Exposure Assessment Survey
NIEHS National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
NIH National Institute of Health
NIWTP Nogales International Wastewater Treatment Plant
NJDEP New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
NMBHO New Mexico Border Health Office
NMDFG New Mexico Department of Fish and Game
NMDOH New Mexico Department of Health
NMED New Mexico Environment Department
NMEO New Mexico Engineer's Office
NMFS National Marine Fisheries Service
NM-GIC New Mexico Geographic Information Council
NMSU New Mexico State University
NMWRRI New Mexico Water Resource Research Insititute
NOAA U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NOS U.S. National Ocean Service
NOV Notices of Violation
NOx Oxides of Nitrogen
NPS National Park Service
NRCS U.S. Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service
NSDI National Spatial Data Infrastructure
NTDs Neural Tube Defects
NWR National Wildlife Refuge
O3 Ozone
OAQPS Office of Air Quality of Planning and Standards
OBH Office of Border Health
OC U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-Office of Compliance
OECA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance
OCED Organization of Economic and Cooperative Development
OCEF&T U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-Office of Criminal Enforcement, Forensics, and Training
OCRM Ocean and Coastal Resource Management
ODS Ozone-Depleting Chemicals
ONG Organizaciones no Gubernamentales (see NGO)
OP1 Organizacion Popular Independiente
OPPTS U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances
OPS Organizacion Panamericana para la Salud (see PAHO)
ORE U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-Office of Regulatory Enforcement
OWM Office of Wastewater Management
P2 Pollution Prevention/Prevencion de la Contaminacion
PAFN Programa Ambiental de la Frontera Norte (see NBEP)
PAH Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon
PAHO Pan American Health Organization (see OPS)
Pb Lead
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PCBs Polychlorinated Biphenyl
PCI Project Concern International
PCS Permit and Compliance System
PDAP Project Development Assistance Program
PE Professional Engineer
PEMEX Petroleos Mexicanos (Mexican Petroleum Company)
PGR Procuradoria General de la Republica
PHS Public Health Service
PM-2.5 Particulate mater (size = less than 2.5 microns)
PM-10 Particulate matter (size = less than 10 microns)
PND Plan Nacional de Desarollo (Mexico's National Development Plan)
POTWs Public Owned Treatment Water Systems
PPM Parts Per Million
PROBEA Proyecto Bioregional de Educacion Ambiental
PROFAUNA Asociacion para la Proteccion de la Fauna, A.C. (Association for the Protection of Wildlife)
PROFEPA Procuraduria Federal de Proteccion al Ambiente
(Federal Attorney General for Environmental Protection)
PRTR Pollution Release and Transfer Registry
PSL Physical Science Laboratory
PSD Pennsylvania State University
QA/QC Quality Assurance/Quality Control
RCRA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
RGA Rio Grande Alliance
RGCOG Rio Grande Council of Governments
RMRS Rocky Mountain Research Station
RTP Research Triangle Park
RWQCB Regional Water Quality Control Board (S.A. de C.V. Sociedad Anonima de Capital Variable (see Inc.))
SAGAR Secretaria de Agricultura, Ganaderia, y Desarollo Rural
(Mexican Secretariat for Agriculture, Cattle, and Rural Development)
SAHOPE Secretaria de Asentamientos Humanos y Obras Publicas del Estado
(Baja California State Secretariat for Human Housing and Public Works)
SAIC Science Applications International Corporation
SAPCC San Antonio Poison Control Center
SARH Secretaria de Agricultura y Recursos Hidraulicos
(Mexican Secretariat for Agriculture and Hydraulic Resources)
SBAP Small Business Assistance Program
SCREENS EPA screening Model version 3 (Air modeling)
SCT Secretaria de Comunicaciones y Transportes
(Mexican Secretariat of Communication and Transportation)
SCERP Southwest Center for Environmental Research and Policy
SDBO Environmental Protection Agency San Diego Border Office
TOG Total Organic Compound
TON Tohono O'odham Nation
TPWD Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
TRI Toxics Release Inventory
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SDCDEH San Diego Department of Environmental Health
SDSL) San Diego State University
SDTR San Diego-Tijuana Region
SDWA Safe Drinking Water Act
SE Secretariat of Energy
SEAGO Southeastern Arizona Governments Organization
SEC Secretaria de Educacion y Cultura
SECTUR Mexico's Secretaria de Turismo
SEDESOL Secretaria de Desarollo Social (Mexico's Secretary for Social Development)
SEDUE Secretaria de Desarollo Urbano y Ecologia
(Mexican Secretary for Urban Development and Ecology)
SEEN Southern Environmental Enforcement Network
SEMARNAP Secretaria de Medio Ambiente Recursos Naturales y Pesca
(Mexico's Secretary for the Environment, Natural Resources, and Fisheries)
SEP Supplemental Environmental Project
SFFS Subsecretaria Forestal y de la Fauna Silvestre (Subsecretariat for Forestry and Wildlife)
SIP State Implementation Plan
SIRDO Sistema Integral para el Reciclamento de Desechos Organicos
(Integral System for the Recycling of Organic Waste)
SIRREP Sistema de Rastreo de Residues Peligrosos (Hazardous Waste Tracking System)
SIUE Secretaria de Infraestructura Urbana y Ecologia, Sonora
(Secretary for Urban Infrastructure and Ecology, Sonora)
SLP Systematic Lupus Erythematosus
SMP Strategic Mapping Program
S02 Sulfur dioxide
SPMDs Semi-Permeable Membrane Devices
SRE Secretaria de Relaciones Exteriores - (Mexico's Secretariat for External Affairs)
SRN Subsecretaria de Recursos Naturales,
(Undersecretariat for Natural Resources, under SEMARNAP)
SSA Secretaria de Salud (Mexico's Secretary of Health)
STAR Spray Techniques Analysis and Research
STEERC South Texas Environmental Education Research Center
SWRCB State Water Resources Control Board (California)
TAME Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering
TAMU Texas A&M University
TAPP Transboundary Air Pollution Project
TB Tuberculosis
TDA TDA Research Inc.
TDH Texas Department of Health
TEEM Training and Environmental Eduaction Materials
TEEX Texas Engineering Extension Services
TOPS Texas Department of Public Safety Texas (STEP) Texas Small Towns Environment Program
TGIC Texas Geographic Council
TGLO Texas General Land Office
TIGER Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing
TLC Tratado de Libre Comercio (see NAFTA)
TNRCC Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission
TNRIS Texas Natural Resource Information System
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TRIP Transboundary Resource Inventory Program
TRW Tijuana River Watershed
TRWA Texas Rural Water Association
TDS Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facility
TSM Total Suspended Matter
TSP Total Suspended Particulates
TWDB Texas Water Development Board
TXAWWA Texas Section American Water Works Association
TX-GISPC Texas Geographic Information Systems Planning Council
UAAAN Universidad Autonoma Agraria Antonio Narro (Antonio Narro Autonomous Agrarian University)
UABC Universidad Autonoma de Baja California (Autonomous University of Baja California)
UACH Universidad Autonoma de Chihuahua (Autonomous University of Chihuahua)
UAG Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara (Autonomous University of Guadalajara)
UAM Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana (Autonomous Metropolitan University)
UAM-Azc Universidad Aut6noma Metropolitana de Azcapotzalco
(Autonomous Metropolitan University of Azcapotzalco)
UAM-V Urban Airshed Model - V
UANL Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon (Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon)
UAS Universidad Autonoma de Sonora
UAT Universidad Autonoma de Tamaulipas
UCANP Unidad Coordinadora de Areas Naturales Protegidas, INE
(Division of Coordination of Natural Protected Areas)
UCAI Unidad de Coordinacion de Asuntos Internacionales, (Office of Coordination of International Activities)
UCD University of California at Davis
UNAM Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (Autonomous National University of Mexico)
UNEP United Nations Environment Program
UNISON Universidad de Sonora (University of Sonora)
UNM University of New Mexico
UNT University of North Texas
UofA University of Arizona
USAGE U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
USCS United States Custom Service
USD United States Dollars
USDA U.S. Department of Agriculture
USFS U.S. Forest Service
USGS U.S. Geological Survey
USMBHA U.S.- Mexico Border Health Association
UT University of Texas
UTA University of Texas at Austin
UT-BEG University of Texas at Austin, Bureau of Economic Geology
UTEP University of Texas at El Paso
UofU University of Utah
VOCs Volatile organic compounds
WHAT Water Environment Association of Texas
WEF Water Environment Federation
WERG Wind Energy Research Group
WGA Western Governors Association
WSP Western States Project
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Appendix 1: Directory of Contacts
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Directory of Contacts
National Coordinators
U.S.
William A. Nitze
Assistant Administrator
Office of International Activities
U.S. EPA(2650R)
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
Phone: 202-564-6601
Contacts
Patrick Whelan
Coordinator
U.S. EPA(2650R)
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
Phone: 202-564-6428
Fax: 202-565-2412
Email: whelan.patrick@epa.gov
Sarah Sowell
Assistant Coordinator
U.S. EPA (2650R)
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
Phone:202-564-0145
Fax: 202-564-2412
Email: sowell.sarah@epa.gov
Larry Sperling
U.S. EPA Environmental Attache
U.S.Embassy
Paseo de la Reforma 305
06500 Mexico, D.F.
Phone: 525-209-9100 ext. 4595
Fax: 525-208-6541
Email: SperlingLI@state.gov
Mexico
Jose Luis Samaniego Levya
Coordinador de Asuntos Internacionales
SEMARNAP
Perferico Sur 4209, Fracc. Jardines en la Montafia
1421 O.Mexico, D.F.
Phone: 525-628-0650
Fax: 525-628-0653
Contact
Abraham Nehmand
SEMARNAP
Periferico Sur 4209, Fracc. Jardines
en la Montana
1421 O.Mexico, D.F.
Phone: 525-628-0600 ext. 2041
Fax: 525-628-0653
Email: anehmad@buzon.semarnap.gob.mx
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Air Workgroup
U.S.
Co-chair: David Howekamp
Division Director
Air Division
U.S. EPA-Region 9 (Air-1)
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
Phone: 415-744-1219
Email: howekamp.david@epa.gov
Mexico
Co-chair: Adrian Fernandez Bremauntz
Director General de Gestidn e Informacion
Ambiental
INE-SEMARNAP
Ave. Revoiucidn 1425
Colonia Tlacopac, San Angel
Delegacion Alvaro Obregdn
Mexico, DFCP 01040
Phone: 525-624-3456
Fax: 525-624-3584
Contacts
Gerardo Rios
U.S. EPA-Region 9 (A-1)
San Francisco, CA 94105
Phone: 415-744-1259
Fax: 415-744-1076
Email: rios.gerardo@epa.gov
Matthew Witosky
U.S. EPA - Region 6 (6PD-L)
1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 1200
Dallas, TX 75202-2733
Phone: 214-665-8015
Fax: 214-665-7263
Email: witosky.matthew@epa.gov
Contact
Dr. Victor Hugo Paramo
Director de Administracion de la
Calidad del Aire
INE-SEMARNAP
Ave. Revolucion 1425
Colonia Tlacopac, San Angel
Delegacion Alvaro Obregon
Mexico, DFCP 01040
Phone: 525-624-3450
Fax: 525-624-3584 or -3469
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Contingency Planning and Emergency Response Workgroup
U.S.
Co-chair: Jim Makris
U.S. EPA (5104)
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
Phone: 202-260-8600
Fax: 202-260-7906
Email: makris.jim@epa.gov
Contacts
Kim Jennings
U.S. EPA (5104)
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
Phone: 202-260-5046
Fax: 202-260-7906
Email: jennings.kim@epa.gov
Sherry Fielding
U.S. EPA (5104)
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
Phone: 202-260-6174
Fax: 202-260-7906
Email: fielding.sherry@epa.gov
Lauren Volpini
U.S. EPA - Region 9 (SFD-1-2)
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
Phone: 415-744-2333
Fax: 415-744-1917
Email: volpini.lauren@epa.gov
Mexico
Co-chair: Educardo Jimenez Lopez
Director General de Planeaci6n y Coordinacion
Procuradurfa Federal de Protecci6n al Ambiente
Periferico Sur 5000, Piso 4
Colonia Insurgentes Cuicuilco
Mexico, DF CP 04530
Phone: 525-528-5482 or -5483
Fax: 525-666-9452
Fendol Chiles
U.S. EPA - Region 6 (6SF-RP)
1445 Ross Avenue
Dallas, TX 75202-2733
Phone: 214-665-2283
Fax: 214-665-7447
Email: chiles.fendol@epa.gov
Contact
Ing. Carlos Gonzalez Guzman
Director de Clasificaci6n de Zonas de
Riesgo Ambiental
Procuradurfa Federal de Proteccion al
Ambiente
PerifeYco Sur 5000 Piso 4
Colonia Insurgentes Cuccilco
Mexico, DF CP 04530
Phone: 525-666-9450
Fax: 525-666-9452
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Cooperative Enforcement and Compliance Workgroup
U.S.
Co-chair: Michael Alushin
Director of the EPA International
Enforcement and Compliance Division
U.S.EPA(MC-2254-A)
401 M Street SW
Washington, DC 20460
Phone: 202-564-7137
Email: aiushin.michael@epa.gov
Bonnie S. Romo
U.S. EPA - Region 6 (6EN-HS)
1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 1200
Dallas, TX 75202-2733
Phone: 214-665-7264
Fax: 214-665-7264
Email: romo.bonnie@epa.gov
Efren Ordonez
U.S. EPA - Region 6 (6RC-EW)
1445 Ross Avenue
Dallas, TX 75202-2733
Phone: 214-665-2181
Fax: 214-665-3177
Email: ordonez.efren@epa.gov
Mexico
Co-chair: Lie. Miguel Angel Cancino Aguilar
Director General Juridico
Procuradurfa Federal de Proteccion al Ambiente
BlvdPfpilaNo.1,
Tecamachalco, Estado de Mexico
Mexico, CP 53950
Phone: 525-589-0166
Contacts
Tim Whitehouse
U.S.EPA(MC-2254-A)
401 M Street SW
Washington, DC 20460
Phone: 202-564-2315
Fax: 202-564-0073
Email: whitehouse.tim@epa.gov
John Rothman
U.S. EPA-Region 9
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
Phone: 415-744-1353
Fax: 415-744-1041
Email: rothman.john@epa.gov
Contact
Lie. Myriam Gonzalez
Direccion Juridica
Procuradurfa Federal de Proteccion al
Ambiente
BlvdPfpilaNo.1,
Tecamachalco, Estado de Mexico
Phone: 525-589-6505
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Environmental Health Workgroup
U.S.
Co-chair: Hal Zenick
U.S. EPA (87)
Associate Director for Health
National Health and Environmental Health
Effects Research Laboratory
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
Phone: 919-541-2283
Fax: 919-541-4201
Email: zenick.hal@epa.gov
Contacts
George Goldstein
National Health and Environmental
Effects Research Laboratory
U.S.EPA(MD-70)
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
Phone: 919-541-4903
Fax: 919-541-1831
Email: goldstein.george@epa.gov
Co-chair: Richard Walling
Director,
Office of the Americas and Middle East
Office of International and Refugee Health
U.S. DHHS
Room 18-74, Parklawn Building
Rockville, MD 20857
Phone: 301-443-4010
Fax: 301-443-4549
Email: rwalling@osophs.dhhs.gov
Virginia Gidi
Office of International and Refugee Health
Department of Health and Human Services
Rockville, MD 20857
Phone: 301-443-4010
Fax: 301-443-4549
Email: ggidi@sophs.dhhs.gov
Mexico
Co-chair: Dr. Gustavo Olaiz Fernandez
Director General de Salud Ambiental
Secretarfa de Salud
San Luis Potosf No. 192, Piso 4
ColoniaTlacopac, San Angel
Delegacion Alvaro Obregon
Mexico, DFCP 01040
Phone: 525-203-5011
Fax: 525-255-0501
Co-chair: Adrian Fernandez Bremauntz
Director General de Gestion e Informacion
Ambiental
INE-SEMARNAP
Ave. Revolucion 1425
Delegacion Alvaro Obregon
Mexico, DFCP 01040
Phone: 525-624-3456
Fax: 525-624-3584
Contact
Dr. Rosalba Rojas
Secretrfade Salud
San Luis Potosf No. 192, Piso 4
Colonia Roma,
Mexico, DF CP 06700
Phone: 525-584-6160
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Environmental Information Resources Workgroup
U.S.
Nora McGee
Assistant Regional Administrator
U.S. EPA- Region 9 (PMD-1)
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
Phone:415-744-1180
Fax: 415-744-1678
Email: mcgee.nora@epa.gov
David A. Parrish
U.S. EPA- Region 6 (6EN-X)
1445 Ross Avenue
Dallas, TX 75202-2733
Phone: 214-665-8352
Fax: 214-665-7446
Email: parrish.david@epa.gov
url: www.epa.gov/region6/gis
Mexico
Co-chair: Adrian Fernandez Bremauntz
Director General de Gesti6n e
Infomnad6n Ambientai
INE-SEMARNAP
Ave. Revoluci6n 1425, Nivel 8
Cotonia Tlacopac, San Angel
Deiegaci6n Alvaro Obregon
Mexico, DFCP 01040
Phone: 525-624-3456
Fax: 525-624-3584
Contacts
Marie Martel
U.S. EPA - Region 9 (PMD-10)
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
Phone: 415-744-1639
Fax: 415-744-1678
Email: martel.marie@epa.gov
Contact
Rolando Rios
Director de Informacion Ambientai
INE-SEMARNAP
Ave. Revolution 1425
Colonia Tlacopac, San Angel
Delegation Alvaro Obregon
Mexico, DFCP 01040
Phone: 525-624-3454
Fax: 525-624-3455
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Hazardous and Solid Waste Workgroup
U.S.
Co-chair: Jeff Scott
Deputy Division Direct
Waste Management Division
U.S. EPA- Region 9 (WST-1)
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
Phone: 415-744-2120
Email: scottjeff@epa.gov
Bonnie S. Romo
U.S. EPA - Region 6 (6EN-HS)
1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 1200
Dallas, TX 75202-2733
Phone: 214-665-8323
Fax: 214-665-7264
Email: romo.bonnie@epa.gov
Mexico
Co-chair Cristina Cortinas de Nava
Directora General Materiales, Residues
Peligrosos y Actividades Riesgrosas
INE-SEMARNAP
Ave. Revolucion 1425, Nivel 13
Colonia Campestere, San Angel
Delegaci6 Alvaro Obregon
Mexico, DFCP 01040
Phone: 525-624-3390
Contacts
Chris Reiner
U.S. EPA- Region 9 (WST-2-1)
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
Phone: 415-744-2096
Fax: 415-744-1044
Email: reiner.chris@epa.gov
Willie Kelley
U.S. EPA- Region 6 (6PD-U)
1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 1200
Dallas, TX 75202-2733
Phone: 214-665-7264
Email: kelley.willie@epa.gov
Contact
Ing. Luis Wolf
INE
Ave. Revolucion 1425, Nivel 13
Cojonia Campestere, San Angel
Delegation Alvaro Obregon
Mexico, DFCP 01040
Phone: 525-624-3427
Fax: 525-624-3586
Email: lwolf@chajul.ine.gob.mx
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Natural Resources Workgroup
U.S.
Co-chain Susan Lieberman-Goodwin
Department of the Interior
MIB4426
1849 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20240
Phone: 202-208-5160
Fax: 202-501-6381
Email: susan_goodwin@os.doi.gov
Mexico
Co-chair. Javier de la Maza
Coordinadorde Areas Naturales Protegidas
INE-SEMARNAP
Ave. Revoluci6n 1425, Nivei25
Coionia Tlacopac, San Angel
Delegation Alvaro Obregdn
Mexico, DFCP 01040
Phone: 525-624-3329
Fax: 525-624-3589
Contact
Gabriela Lopez Vales or
Pia Gallina
INE-SEMARNAP
Ave. Revoluci6n 1425
Coionia Tlacopac, San Angel
Mexico, DFCP 01040
Phone: 525-624-3344
Fax: 525-624-3318
Email: mgallina@ine.gob.mx
Email: gvales@ine.gob.mx
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Pollution Prevention
U.S.
Co-chair: Sam Coleman
Director, Compliance Assurance
and Enforcement Division
U.S. EPA- Region 6 (6-EN)
1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 1200
Dallas, TX 75202-2733
Phone: 214-665-2210
Email: coleman.sam@epa.gov
Chris Reiner
U.S. EPA - Region 9 (WST-2-4)
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
Phone: 415-744-2096
Fax: 415-744-1044
Email: reiner.chris@epa.gov
Mexico
Co-chair: Adrian Fernandez Bremauntz
Director General de Gestion e Informaci6n
Ambiental
INE-SEMARNAP
Ave. Revolucion 1425, Nivel 8
Colonia Tlacopac, San Angel
Delegacion Alvaro Obregon
Mexico, DFCP 01040
Phone: 525-624-3570
Fax: 525-624-3584
Contacts
Joy Campbell
U.S. EPA- Region 6 (6EN-XP)
1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 1200
Dallas, TX 75202-2733
Phone: 214-665-8036
Fax: 214-665-7446
Email: campbell.joy@epa.gov
Contact
Juan Barrera
Subdirectorde Prevenci6n de
Contaminaci6n
Ave. Revolucion 1425, Nivel 8
Colonia Tlacopac, San Angel
Delegacion Alvaro Obregon
Mexico, DFCP 01040
Phone: 525-624-3665
Fax: 525-624-3570
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Water Workgroup
U.S.
Co-chain William Hathaway
Director, Water Quality Protection Division
U.S. EPA - Region 6 (WQ)
1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 1200
Dallas, TX 75202-2733
Phone: 214^65-7101
Email: hathaway.william@epa.gov
Contacts
Oscar Cabra
U.S. EPA - Region 6 (6-WQ)
1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 1200
Dallas, TX 75202-2733
Phone: 214-665-2718
Fax: 214-665-7373
Email: cabra.oscar@epa.gov
Mexico
Co-chain Ing. Jaime Tinoco Rubi
Coordinadorde Asuntos Fronterizos
CNA
Privado de Relox #16 5Piso
Colonia Chimalietac
Mexico DFCP 01000
Phone: 525-481-1150
Fax: 525-481-1152
Contact
Ing, Jose Mara Hinjosa Aguinre
CNA
Privado de Relox #16 SPiso
Colonia Chimalietac
Mexico DFCP 01000
Phone: 525-481-1150
Fax:525-481-1152
Eugenia McNaughton
U.S. EPA- Region 9 (WTR-4)
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
Phone:415-744-1162
Fax: 415-744-1078
Email: mcnaughton.eugenia@epa.gov
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Regional Contacts for the United States EPA Regional Offices
Gina Weber
U.S.-Mexico Border Coordinator
U.S. EPA Region 6 (6WQ-D)
1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 1200
Dallas, TX 75202-2733
Phone: 214-665-8188
Fax: 214-665-7373
Email: weber.gina@epa.gov
Wendy Laird-Benner
U.S.- Mexico Border Coordinator
U.S. EPA Region 9 (WTR-4)
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
Phone:415-744-1168
Fax: 415-744-1078
Email: laird-benner.wendy@epa.gov
EPA Border Offices
Darrin Swartz-Larson
Director
U.S. EPA El Paso Border Office
4050 Rio Bravo, Suite 100
El Paso, TX 79902
Phone: 915-533-7273 or 800-334-0741
Fax: 915-533-2327
Email: swartz-larson.darrin@epa.gov
Lorena Lopez
Director
U.S. EPA San Diego Border Office
610 West Ash Street, Suite 703
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 619-235-4768 or 800-334-0741
Fax: 619-235-4771
Email: lopez.lorena@epa.gov
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Appendix 2: Resource Guide
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Resource Guide
Border XXI Resources: Publications, Hotline and Home Page
For the publications listed below, a publication date and number have been provided. To order a document, call the
National Center of Environmental Publications and Information (NCEPI) at 1-800-490-9198.
U.S.-Mexico Border XXI Program Framework Document
(October 1996, EPA#160-R-96-003)
U.S.-Mexico Border XXI Program Executive Summary
(October 1996, EPA #160-S-96-001)
U.S.-Mexico Border XXI Program Comment and Response Summary Report
(June 1997, EPA#160-R-97-003)
U.S.-Mexico Border XXI Program Summary of Domestic Meetings
(June 1996, EPA#160-R-96-001)
Compendium of EPA Binational and Domestic U.S.-Mexico Activities
(June 1995, EPA #160-6-95-001)
U.S.-Mexico Border XXI Program 1996 Implementation Plans
(1996, EPA#160-R-96-004)
U.S.-Mexico BorderXXI Program 1997-1998 Implementation Plans and 1996 Accomplishments Report
(1998, EPA#160-R-98-001)
U.S.-Mexico BorderXXI Program 1998 Implementation Plans
(1998, EPA#160-R-98-003)
United States-Mexico Border Environmental Indicators 1997
(1997, EPA#909-R-98-001)
U.S.-Mexico Border XXI Environmental Fact Sheets
Border XXI Home Page
U.S.-Mexico Information Line
The BorderXXI Framework Document is a product of broad public input which defines five-year objectives for the
border environment and describes mechanisms for fulfilling those objectives by facilitating federal, state, and local involve-
ment. The Border XXI Program establishes a flexible cooperative framework designed to empower border communities to
participate, along with governmental agencies from all levels, in the decision-making process.
The Executive Summary presents the mission, objectives, and strategies of the Border XXI Program as a more
condensed version of the Framework Document. It describes the participants involved in the program, including the nine
binational Workgroups that integrate the efforts of other entities and define specific projects to achieve the Program's
objectives.
The purpose of the U. S.-Mexico Border XXI Program Comment and Response Summary Report is to summarize
all public comments received during the Border XXI public comment period. This Summary Report consolidates all the major
issues raised during the public review of the Draft Framework Document and discusses how issues, concerns, and the
public's perspectives were addressed in the final Framework Document.
The Summary of Domestic Meetings contains public comments and views obtained by U.S.-Mexico border area
residents presented at a series of domestic public meetings about environmental concerns in the development of the
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binationa! program Border XXI.
The Compendium of EPA Binational and Domestic U.S.-Mexico Activities represents an effort by the Environmental
Protection Agency to compile a comprehensive inventory of ongoing United States-Mexico projects receiving EPA funding
and/or involving EPA participation.
The BorderXXI Program Implementation Plans, published for the years 1996 through 1998, reflects the United
States and Mexican governments' continuing efforts and commitment to provide the public with information on projects that
will advance the long-term objectives outlines in the Framework Document, based on federal funding levels fora given year.
One of the key objectives of the Framework Document is the development of environmental indicators to use in
evaluating the effectiveness of border environmental policy. The U.S.-Mexico Border Environmental Indicators for 1997was
prepared in response to that mandate, and marks the first time that the United States and Mexico have worked binationally to
develop environmental indicators for the border area.
The Border XXI Environmental Fact Sheets were developed to ensure meaningful public access to informa-
tion. The Fact Sheets present information about the Workgroups that make up the Border XXI Program. The series
also includes five Fact Sheets that highlight specific information on projects and programs that are being implemented
under the Border XXI Program.
Additional information about these publications and future projects is available directly from the contacts listed
and can be obtained through correspondence, telephone calls, or electronic mail messages. For further information
on the Border XXI Program or other border activities please visit the U.S.-Mexico Border XXI Home Page at http://
www.epa.gov/usmexicoborder. The site provides overall Program information, access to Border XXI documents in Spanish
and English, and links to other border-related web sites. Information is also available on the U.S.-Mexico Information Line.
The Information Line is a bilingual toll-free telephone line, available to the public and other interested parties during normal
business hours. The hotline allows callers to listen to announcements about the Border XXI Program, order documents, or
talk directly to staff of the San Diego and El Paso Border Liaison Offices. The hotline can be accessed by dialing 1-800-334-
0741.
Border-Related Web Sites
U.S. Government
U.S.-Mexico BorderXXI Program:
http://www.epa.qov/usmexicoborder
U.S.-Mexico Information Center on Air Pollution:
http://www.epa.gov/ttn/catc/cica
U.S.-Mexico Border Environmental Health Program:
http://www.epa.gov.orsearth
U.S.-Mexico HRSA Border Health:
http://158.72.105.163.borderhealth
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Department of Health and Human Services:
http://www.os.dhhs.qov
Department of Interior:
http://www.doi.gov
Department of Interior
Border Committee Website:
http://www.doi.gov/fcc
National Mapping Information:
http://mapping.usgs.gov
Department of Justice:
http://www.usdoi.gov
EPA Center for Environmental Information and Statistics:
http://www.ciesin.org
EPA Center of Environmental Information and Statistics (in Spanish):
http://www.epa.gov/ambiente/
Index of EPA Publications (in Spanish):
http://www.epa.gov/espanol
HAZTRAKS - U.S.-Mexico Hazardous Waste Tracking System:
http://www.epa.goV/earth1r6/6en/h/haztraks/haztraks.htm
National Park Services U.S.-Mexico Affairs Office:
http://www.nmsu.edu/~nps
U.S. Geological Survey:
http://www.usgs.gov
Mexican Government
Secretaria de Medio Ambiente
Recursos Naturales y Pesca:
http://www.semarnap.gob.mx
Institute Nacional de Ecologia:
http://www.ine.gob.mx
Procuraduria Federal de Proteccion al Ambiente:
http://www.profepa.gob.mx
Comision Nacional del Aqua:
http:/ywww.cna.gob.mx
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Comisi6n Nacional para el Conocimiento y Uso de la Biodiversidad:
http://www.conabio.qob.mx
Institulo Nacional de Estadistica
Georgrafia e Informatica:
http://www.ineqi.gob.mx
Secreteria de Salud:
http://cenids.ssa.qob.mx
Bilateral/Trilateral
Border Environment Cooperation Commission:
http://www.cocef.orq/
Commission for Environmental Cooperation:
http://www.cec.org
International Boundary and Water Commission:
http://www.ibwc.state.gov
North American Development Bank:
http://www.nadbank.org
United States-Mexico Chamber of Commerce:
http://www.asmcoc.org
North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation:
http://www.epa.qov/oia/aboutna.htm
Other
Border EcoWeb:
http://www.borderecoweb.sdsu.edu
Arizona Department of Environmental Quality:
http://www.adeq.state.az.us
California Environmental Protection Agency:
http://www.catepa.ca.gov
New Mexico Environment Department:
http://www.nmenv.state.nm.us
Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission:
http://www.tnrcc.state.tx.us
Southwest Centerfor Environmental Research and Policy:
http://www.scerp.org/scerp/docs/about.html
Borderlands:
http://www.txinfinet.com/mader/
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University of Texas at El Paso:
http://www.cerm.utep.edu
Colonias:
http://twdb.state.tx.us/colonias/index.htm
Transboundary Resource Inventory project:
http://www.bic.state.tx.us/trip/
Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy:
http://udallcenter.arizona.edu
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