&EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
International Activities
(2621)
EPA 160-R-96-001
June 1996
US/Mexico Border XXI Program
Summary Of Domestic Meetings
Recycled/Recyclable • Printed with Vegetable Based Inks on Recycled Paper (20% Postconsumer)
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BORDER XXI
This document incorporates comments received by EPA from domestic meetings in the
following U.S. border communities:
San Diego Calexico Yuma Nogales Douglas
Las Cruces El Paso Eagle Pass Laredo McAllen
Brownsville
CALIFORNIA
TEXAS
MOUXP.i\
BROWNSVILLE
This document is the product of the combined efforts of EPA Region 6, EPA Region 9, El Paso
Border Liaison Office, San Diego Border Liaison Office, with contractor support provided by
PRC Environmental Management, Inc. Reviewed and assembled by Brent Maier of EPA San
Diego Border Liaison Office.
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U.S./Mexico Border XXI Program
Summary of Domestic Meetings
This report summarizes public comments and views of U.S./Mexico border area residents
presented at a series of domestic public meetings about environmental concerns in the
development of a binational program entitled Border XXI. The meetings were held in San Diego
and Calexico, California; Yuma, Nogales, and Douglas, Arizona; Las Cruces, New Mexico, and
in El Paso Eagle Pass, Laredo, McAllen and Brownsville, Texas. This program is aimed at
defining a shared vision between governments and communities along the U.S./Mexico border;
a vision of a future that is committed to environmental protection and sustainable development.
The Border XXI Program is an effort to bring together the environmental expertise and resources
of the two countries and increase public participation in the decision-making process. The
Program will identify long-term goals specific to each region of the border, and guide the
development of annual Border XXI initiatives developed by nine subject specific Border XXI
Workgroups. The nine Workgroups are as follows: Hazardous and Solid Waste, Water, Air,
Pollution Prevention, Emergency Response and Contingency Planning, Cooperative Enforcement,
Environmental Information Resources, Environmental Health, and Natural Resources.
This document has been made available to the team responsible for creating the "Draft" Border
XXI Program Framework document, which will be made available for public comment. The
Border XXI Program Framework document will be based on both public participation and the
environmental expertise of governmental agencies. For additional information on U.S./Mexico
border program activities, please contact one of the below listed individuals or offices:
EPA Border Office - El Paso
Marvin Waters, Director
4050 Rio Bravo, Suite 100
El Paso, TX 79902
(915) 533-7273
EPA Border Office - San Diego
Colleen Marie Smith, Director
610 W. Ash Street, Suite 703
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 235-4765
EPA Office of International Activities
Lorry Frigerio
401 M Street, S.W. (Mailcode - 2620)
Washington, D.C. 20460
(202) 260-6623
In addition, an EPA "Toll-Free" telephone line has been established to assist in Border XXI outreach
efforts. Call (800) 334-0741 to hear announcements, request documents available by mail, or speak to an
EPA representative in either the San Diego or El Paso border office during normal business hours.
EPA Region 6
Gina Weber, Border Coordinator
1445 Ross Ave., 12th Floor
Dallas, TX 75202-2733
(214)665-8188
EPA Region 9
John Hamill, Border Coordinator
75 Hawthorne St., (RA)
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 744-1281
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U.S./MEXICO BORDER XXI PROGRAM
SUMMARY OF DOMESTIC MEETINGS
1.0 INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 BACKGROUND 1
2.0 DOMESTIC PUBLIC MEETINGS 2
2.1 COMMUNITY RESPONSE TO THE DOMESTIC PUBLIC
MEETINGS 3
3.0 SUBJECT AREA SUMMARIES 3
.3.1 HAZARDOUS AND SOLID WASTE 3
3.2 WATER 5
3.3 AIR 6
3.4 POLLUTION PREVENTION 8
3.5 EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND PLANNING . 8
3.6 ENFORCEMENT 9
3.7 INFORMATION MANAGEMENT 9
3.8 ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 11
3.9 NATURAL RESOURCES 12
4.0 AREA SPECIFIC SUMMARIES 12
Appendix A San Diego
Appendix B Calexico
Appendix C Yuma
Appendix D .•. . Nogales
Appendix E Douglas
Appendix F Las Graces
Appendix G El Paso
Appendix H Eagle Pass
Appendix I : . . .Laredo
Appendix J McAllen
Appendix K . . . Brownsville
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U.S./Mexico Border XXI Program
Summary of Domestic Meetings
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Border XXI is a binational program aimed at defining a shared vision between governments and
communities in the United States-Mexico border area; a vision aimed at realizing sustainable
development in the border region. The program seeks to bring together the environmental
stewardship, expertise, and resources of the governments of the United States and Mexico, and
increase the level of public participation in the environmental decision-making process. 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 decisions
which affect the binational environment. Specific components of the Border XXI Program
include the Border XXI Framework document, annual Border XXI initiatives, and issue specific
Border XXI Workgroups. The Border XXI Framework outlines long-term objectives for the
border environment and will guide the development of annual Border XXI initiatives aimed at
fulfilling those objectives. The annual Border XXI initiatives will be developed by subject-
specific Border XXI Workgroups who will integrate geographically based approaches, public
participation, decentralization of environmental decision making, institutional strengthening, and
interagency cooperation into their annual planning efforts.
1.1 BACKGROUND
In 1983, the Mexican and United States governments signed the La Paz Agreement, which
provides a framework for the environmental authorities of the two countries to work together to
protect, improve, and conserve the environment in the U.S.-Mexico border area.
Under the agreement, six binational workgroups formed to deal with the following border
environmental issues: air, hazardous waste, water, pollution prevention, contingency planning
and emergency response, and cooperative enforcement. Under the Border XXI Program, these
six workgroups will continue to function and three new workgroups will be established for
information management, natural resources and environmental health. Together, these nine
groups comprise the Border XXI Workgroups.
In February 1992, the two governments released the Integrated Border Environmental Plan for
the Mexican-U.S. Border Area First Stage 1992-1994 (IBEP). This plan identified priority
environmental issues in the border area and projects aimed at addressing those issues. The
Border XXI Program is the second stage of bi-national environmental planning.
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Summary of Domestic Meetings
Following the development of the 1992-94 IBEP, the border public expressed concerns about
failure on the part of both governments to effectively solicit public involvement from border
residents concerning environmental issues. Furthermore, the fact that the IBEP addressed the
entire border without distinguishing regional or geographic environmental concerns and issues
was questioned. Additionally, communities questioned the IBEPs limited scope and it's failure
to address natural resource and environmental health issues. By way of contrast, the Border XXI
Program is a regionally based environmental planning effort which includes the participation of
those government agencies responsible for natural resource and environmental health issues. In
addition, the Border XXI Program is characterized by a commitment by both nations to improve
public participation in future environmental planning for the border region. The United States
Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) public comment process for the Border XXI Program
included a series of eleven domestic public meetings in geographically representative border
communities along the U.S./Mexico border. This report summarizes and analyzes of these
domestic public meetings, as well as written and telephonic comments submitted to EPA through
November 1, 1995 on the development of the Border XXI Program.
2.0 DOMESTIC PUBJLIC MEETINGS
As an initial step in the development of the Border XXI Program, the EPA San Diego Border
Liaison Office held a series of public meetings during the week of October 16, 1995, in the U.S.-
Mexico border communities of San Diego and Calexico, California; and Yuma, Nogales, and
Douglas, Arizona. Concurrently, between October 11 and 24, 1995, the EPA El Paso Border
Liaison Office held a series of domestic public meetings in the communities of Brownsville,
McAllen, Laredo, Eagle Pass, and El Paso, Texas; and Las Cruces, New Mexico.
The California and Arizona meetings included breakout sessions that focused on specific topics
and, under the guidance of a facilitator, sought input from the meeting participants. Each
breakout group selected a representative, who reported back to the general meeting. In addition
to the breakout sessions; each of the meetings included plenary sessions which allowed time for
articulation of general problems and a question and answer session.
Although the Texas and New Mexico meetings did not have as many breakout sessions, they
included extensive discussions aimed at defining environmental problems, and often culminated
in a vote to prioritize the most important concerns. Each meeting opened with presentations by
federal representatives on projects and policies relevant to the local areas. Representatives of
state agencies were among the presenters and were called upon to discuss state projects and
answer questions from the audience.
In order to ensure that this summary focuses on "public input," the presentations, statements, and
opinions of officials for the organizing agency, EPA, as well as other federal agencies, are not
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Summary of Domestic Meetings
included in this report. State officials, however, are sometimes quoted. State officials were
invited to fully participate in the relevant breakout sessions.
2.1 COMMUNITY RESPONSE TO THE DOMESTIC PUBLIC MEETINGS
The attendees were predominantly regulators, representatives from non-governmental agencies,
environmental citizens' groups, local government officials, and interested citizens; a few
representatives of Mexican non-governmental organizations and Mexican academic institutions
also attended. Many citizens and members of non-governmental organizations stated that this
was their "first opportunity" to discuss the issues with federal, state, and local representatives
from the responsible agencies.
Overall, they wanted an opportunity to talk about and participate in the identification of problems
and priorities, rather than formulate, or review, specific projects. A consensus emerged that
most of the current federal, state and municipal projects and proposals were worthwhile and
should be implemented quickly. Concerns did emerge, however, as to the proportion of funding
that fell on the local tax base and the regional prioritization of funding.
There was extensive discussion as to the goals and objectives of the Border XXI Program.
Themes which consistently emerged were the need for increased public access to environmental
information and environmental education resources; the importance of local empowerment
through grants to border communities and decentralization of environmental decision making; and
increased interagency cooperation to decrease the burden that coordination with multiple entities
places on border communities.
3.0 SUBJECT AREA SUMMARIES
This report is organized according to the subject areas that correspond with the nine Border XXI
Workgroups. Detailed local comments by city are included in the appendices which follow this
summary report.
3.1 HAZARDOUS AND SOLID WASTE
Each of the local communities had concerns about hazardous and solid waste issues. Similar
concerns were repeated in all 11 meetings. Cross-border hazardous waste tracking was thought
to need strengthening. EPA's Hazardous Waste Tracking System (HAZTRAKS) was repeatedly
complemented, but the participants said it should be compulsory. Some meeting participants
suggested that HAZTRAKS should track inputs and outputs into the maquiladora facilities
located in the Mexican border zone, so that estimates of expected hazardous waste output could
be modeled and compared to actual reported amounts. San Diego, Nogales and Brownsville
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participants were most concerned with this issue. Nogales participants made some very specific
proposals for improvement of HAZTRAKS. They suggested using a one dollar per truck charge
to fund expansion of the system and requested a detailed capability to "figure out what should
be coming back" by "going to companies to check inventories and to track southbound flow".
Participating customs officials mentioned that they had largely stemmed the fraudulent movement
of chemicals and "were interested in helping at the local level" to expand the system of waste
monitoring.
A written statement by the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) included the following analysis:
"While well-intentioned, this rule (the requirement to return all hazardous materials which
originate in the U.S. to the U.S.) now has the unintended consequence of discouraging some
recycling and waste exchange between companies in Mexico. This rule may also increase both
the total distance that the waste is transported and the risk of spills. Binational efforts to increase
hazardous waste capacity in Mexico (handling, transport, storage, treatment, or disposal options)
should become a priority to permit the timely elimination of the waste return rule of the
maquiladora program." The EDF proposed strengthening initiatives such as the El Paso Foreign
Trade Association's privately sponsored training program for industry personnel in handling,
storing and managing solid wastes. The EDF also suggested a transborder deposit-refund system
under which the user acquiring a hazardous substance leaves a deposit with the environmental
authorities and is granted a refund after properly using and disposing of the substance. The EDF
further suggested integrating such a deposit-refund system into the existing HAZTRAKs database.
Problems with illegal dumps related to the colonias were reported in all of the Texas meetings,
and there was significant discussion regarding mechanisms of county incorporation that would
allow, and oblige, formal domestic pick up in these areas. New Mexico reported concerns about
the locations of municipal dumps and refuse generated by colonias. San Diego reported
inadequate unlined solid waste facilities. Nogales, Arizona reported an acute lack of existing
facilities. All domestic groups felt that the hazardous and solid waste facilities in their sister city
were inadequate and that they were directly impacted by burning in Mexican dumps.
Considerable discussion in the Texas meetings focused on the proposed low-level radioactive
waste site to be situated ninety miles east of El Paso and six miles east of Sierra Blanca. The
El Paso participants, and in particular residents near the site, were especially concerned, but
public comment on the issue was also made a considerable distance away in the Eagle Pass
meeting.
Overall, the participants called for improved binational coordination and, in the case of
controversial location of landfills in the border region, more national and international review of
the 'decision making process.
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3.2 WATER
The subject of water drew more comments from meeting participants than any other area of
concern. Drinking water quality was mentioned as an issue in many groups and high instances
of drinking bottled water in the border communities suggest a general lack of confidence in the
quality of the public water supply. In more in depth discussions, however, a consensus usually
emerged that, domestic tap water was discolored or contained sediment (as in the case of
Douglas), but was not dangerous. The exception was Calexico, where residents asserted that
while tap water is safe at its source, it becomes contaminated while traveling through open canals
and pesticide saturated fields on its route to the town's piped distribution system.
In Texas, domestic water supply is an issue. Participants called for basic service for the colonias.
An El Paso meeting participant indicated a serious equity concern in terms of tap water hi El
Paso, and outlined the situation faced by school children who do not have access to bottled water
during school hours. Discussion centered on the complexity of incorporating the colonias into
an existing water district and the issue of uneconomic service delivery. There was a call to
abolish, or loosen, the monopoly position of certain water corporations so as to allow alternative
providers the opportunity to offer a service directly to the colonias. The city of Edinberg cited
an example where the city was prevented from providing a water service to a colonia in its
jurisdiction. Water supply was cited as a restriction to growth in Nogales and San Diego.
Water distribution systems were felt to be antiquated and in need of replacement in Yuma and
Douglas regions, especially in the smaller towns of those areas.
The EOF drew attention to the Colegio de la Frontera Norte (COLEF) initiative for a "proven
passive and biological elements (process) to treat municipal wastewater," as well as other
treatment processes such as "constructed wetlands on site intermittent sand filter systems; or
hybrid systems." The Nogales water breakout participants also made a positive reference to
COLEF's Tijuana and Nogales proposals.
While the relationship between septic tanks and groundwater contamination was frequently cited,
no consensus emerged as to potential solutions. A detailed discussion on this subject occurred
in Nogales and the trade-off between a large lot septic tank style of ex-urban development and
tighter-clustered rural serviced lots (or simply city-style lots) was debated. Additional restrictions
on septic tank based rural subdivisions was seen as a good idea for new development, but no
consensus was reached as to whether the policy should be applied to existing subdivisions.
Many domestic groups commented on water quantity issues. The Calexico group stated they
would rather export water to Mexicali than San Diego because they saw more economic benefit
from Mexicali growth. Nogales, Arizona participants seemed intimately familiar with supply
problems on the Mexican side and discussed a project proposed for BECC certification that
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would recharge local aquifers. Douglas participants made detailed comments about the water
treatment facility that is to be located in Mexico and stated that recharging the aquifer in the U.S.
would attract more grant monies. A speaker at the Las Cruces meeting, stated: "This is a lot
of water being taken from the Rio Grande now and if that keeps up it's going to dry up. So
what we need to do is figure out some way to stop the ... excessive use of water for irrigation
(farming)... Excessive irrigation water is being used right now, that's what's upsetting the
ecology." Other speakers at Las Cruces commented on the need for more "sustainable" water
use in relation to the Rio Grande.
Surface water contamination was universally considered a problem. Calexico residents stated that
pesticides contaminated their local water supply because of the open canals that passed through
agricultural areas on their way to the city's water distribution system. All Texas groups focused
on the water quality in the Rio Grande and its tributaries. In addition, the Gulf of Mexico
beaches near Brownsville, the Pacific Ocean beaches near San Diego and the Gulf of California
were cited as areas of concern for surface water quality. All binational north-south or south-north
flowing rivers were cited, such as the Tijuana River, the Colorado River, the Santa Cruz and
Nogales Wash, and the Sulphur Springs River. Domestic concern was highest when the flow is
northward, such as in the case of Nogales or Tijuana, but there was a general concern for water
quality regardless of the local impacts.
Flooding concerns were mentioned in San Diego in relation to the Rodriguez Dam and in Texas
in relation to colonias built on flood plains. In addition, minor flooding was reported in the
Nogales Wash with impacts on the downtown area.
Overall, participants were concerned about drinking water, quality, .under-availability of
groundwater, groundwater contamination and depletion, and the poor quality of surface water in
the border region. ' .
3.3 AIR
In terms of air quality, in all of the meetings there was a call for more binational air monitoring
within the binational air basins of the sister cities. ' This was seen as an essential first step in
identifying air quality problems and working toward specific solutions. Meeting participants
suggested that much of the air quality information in Mexico was derived from modeled results
rather than actual field samples. U.S. assistance in setting up monitoring in Mexico was seen as
essential for understanding risk on both sides of the border.
Regional differences emerged with regard to air issues. The agricultural areas of Calexico, Las
Cruces, arid McAllen all cited extreme'concern about the use of pesticides by local farms. It was
felt that the existing regulations and enforcement did not guarantee public safety, even at some
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considerable distance from the farms in question. Sugar cane burning was a concern in McAllen.
Industrial contamination concerns were most prevalent in the heavily industrial sister cities of San
Diego and El Paso. Lead emissions in relation to the American Smelting and Refining Company
operation were a major concern in El Paso. Burning landfill sites in Mexico were raised as a
concern in every domestic meeting held in a city adjacent to the border.
A number of solutions to air quality problems were put forward. Numerous presentations
focused on state and municipal initiatives for binational air quality monitoring. These initiatives
were supported by all participants, even if the initiatives involved the expenditure of U.S funds
south of the border for training and technical assistance for Mexican counterparts. Increased
automobile emissions testing was called for on both sides of the border, but especially targeted
in Mexico and for Mexican vehicles crossing into the U.S. In a written submission, EDF
suggested that remote sensing at crossing points might provide some of the benefits of inspection
and maintenance programs with little or no inconvenience to automobile owners. San Diego
participants called for some form of inspections of vehicles crossing the border to ensure
compliance with U.S. standards. The relocation of the border crossing points such that less
traffic passed through the populated areas of the sister cities was also recommended.
Rail transport of goods was favored over road transport as a means of reducing air emissions.
In addition to being perceived as less damaging to air quality, rail shipment of freight was also
seen as less dangerous in relation to the movement of hazardous materials.
A Laredo participant suggested relocating customs check points for vehicles transporting heavy
goods so that inspections occur away from population centers. Requests were made for new
crossings located so as to divert vehicles transporting heavy goods from passing through city
centers. The Santa Teresa initiative (a new binationally designed truck crossing facility to the
west of El Paso, Texas) was complemented. Enforcement of heavy vehicle routes was mentioned
as a partial solution.
While the air breakout sessions did not tend to focus on industrial sources, additional air
monitoring to fully understand the extent of the contribution of industry to air emissions within
the bi-national air basin was requested.
Air quality was seen as having important health implications in the border region and was
perceived to be generally below U.S. standards. In addition to health concerns, the potential for
tourism in the region was discussed. One San Diego participant stated "brown air does not
attract tourists."
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3.4 POLLUTION PREVENTION
Pollution prevention was cited as a high priority concern by many meeting participants. As
stated by one participant, "we need to start changing the mentality of the industries and start
focusing on prevention instead of treating it". Examples of some of the pollution prevention
programs in place at some of the maquiladoras presented include reuse and recycle programs
targeted at industrial managers.
A written submission by the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) outlined several initiatives to
provide targeted pollution prevention site assistance visits for maquiladoras. The EDF drew
attention to the July 1995 agreement between the Mexican government agencies that deal with
environmental and industrial issues and the National Industrial Trade Group to promote
environmental protection and industrial competitiveness. There was a general desire to amplify
a program of technological exchange and transfer to aid the work of Mexican government
officials responsible for air quality monitoring, hazardous and solid waste transport and storage,
water quality and industrial monitoring. State and municipal initiatives that are already in place
were described and meeting participants called for further support for these programs. The "eco-
industrial park" in Brownsville was mentioned as a model which includes recycling between the
participating industries as well as the use of waste material for energy generation.
The prevention of noise pollution was mentioned in connection with the New Mexico White
Sands Missile range and testing that occurs there.
3.5 EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND PLANNING
A general perception emerged that the placement of emergency response teams does not meet
the needs of the border region. As specialized units, emergency response teams are often located
in the largest population centers in each state rather than within the border zone The large
movements of hazardous waste concentrated in the border zone result in a disproportionate level
of risk in relation to population for the border communities, and deployment of emergency teams
from areas outside the border region is often inadequate.
Tracking of hazardous materials was identified as essential for effective emergency response and
the inclusion of hazardous materials in the HAZTRAKS system was seen as necessary.
Several cities reported considerable binational cooperation in regard to emergency response. A
landfill fire in Nogales, Sonora was put forth as an example of U.S. response team assisting
Mexican counterparts.
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Improvements were called for in training and city emergency plans. A need for training for U.S.
Customs emergency staff was identified. A written submission suggested development of a
binational poison control team for the U.S.-Mexico border region and development of a response
team for emergency consultation. Flooding was mentioned as a potential concern in California
due to the seismic activity and dams. In El Paso, Texas concern was expressed regarding the
proposed low-level radioactive waste facility and the lack of emergency plans in case of a leak.
A need for interagency coordination between emergency response personnel was identified.
Overall, emergency response capability for the border region was considered to be incomplete,
especially considering the special needs and binational character of the border region.
3.6 ENFORCEMENT
A call for binational standards and enforcement of all air, water, and solid waste concerns within
the binational air basins and watersheds was put forth along the border. Enforcement in Mexico
was widely perceived to be less stringent than in the U.S. The North American Free Trade
Agreement (NAFTA) and the La Paz Agreement were identified as initial steps toward the
development of some sort of system of binational standards and enforcement. Binational
inspection and enforcement of laws and regulations of hazardous and solid waste generated from
the maquiladoras were requested.
f
A binational toxic release study underway in Texas-Tamaulipas was seen as an essential step in
assisting enforcement of point source contamination from maquiladoras. Enforcement of ocean
dumping restrictions was perceived as lax on both sides of the border. Enforcement of heavy
vehicle routes on the U.S. side of the border in Laredo was identified as inadequate.
A lack of information was considered to hamper enforcement efforts. Colonia representatives
in Las Cruces, New Mexico wanted existing regulations "translated" into layman's terms so the
local citizens could .assist in enforcing landfill regulations. At present they feel they lack the
ability to determine whether a violation has taken place, and local police forces were felt to be
insufficiently informed and trained to be helpful in this regard. Generally, it was felt that the
existing institutional structure needed further development in order to deal with pressing
enforcement concerns in the border area.
3.7 INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
Overall, meeting participants felt that information management is in its infancy in the border area.
Not only is the binational collection and distribution of information incomplete, but interagency
fragmentation is seen as hindering public access to and comprehension of environmental
information. Up to 20 domestic agencies participate in water issues, and a specific example of
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an environmental health issue involving 40 governmental and non-government entities, was cited
as exemplifying the problem of ensuring public access to information. Participants pointed out
that such complexity may be daunting even to a full time professional working in the
environmental field, and can be perceived by the average citizen as plainly disenfranchising.
There were many calls for simplification of access to information and for a lead agency to take
responsibility for multi-agency data dissemination, regardless of the original source of data. This
could take the form of a binational information service and data bank for environmental.concerns.
The International Boundary Water Commission (IBWC), EPA, and Border Environmental
Cooperation Commission (BECC) were mentioned as candidates for this coordinating role; as
were the four state governments. Some participants felt the job of coordination clearly requires
a federal agency lead; others saw potential in a more decentralized binational State led initiative.
Insufficient collection and inefficient dissemination of border environmental information was
raised as a significant issue. Improved binational information collection and dissemination was
a near universal request. Concerns were raised that current information is often available in an
inaccessible format and needs to be "put in layman's terms" in order to be useful. There was
a call for some type of binational clearing-house of environmental information. Requests were
made that this clearing-house be accessible through the Internet and other methods convenient
to citizens of the border region.
State representatives reported progress on an environmental health database that will have
binational coverage along the border. Concerns were raised that databases containing water and
air data information appeared to be less complete (on a binational multi-state basis) and lacked,
in particular, field testing results and reports on a consistent binational basis. Standardization of
methodologies and technical lexicon was called for to facilitate binational integration of
information. With regard to standardization of hazardous and solid waste information, the use
of the same classification system on each side of the border was put forth as an obvious first
step. There was a call for the use of ISO (International Standards Organization) 14000
standards. *
There were requests for more frequent meetings and for better information dissemination
publicized through more channels, such as local non-governmental organizations and local
governmental entities. The 1994 initiative by EPA to bring together environmental health groups
in Las Cruces, New Mexico, resulted in monthly state led coordination meetings. Both the initial
EPA program and subsequent state follow-up were complimented. Given the nature of
interrelated environmental concerns, meetings were felt to be more productive on a binational
sister city basis. Repetition of the meeting format where all domestic meetings on both sides
of the border were targeted singularly and then the binational element was concentrated into two
very large meetings for the whole border zone was not recommended. In spite of the complete
absence of publicity in Mexico regarding the U.S. domestic meetings, many Mexican citizens
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from the sister cities did attend the U.S. domestic meetings and were warmly received.
Education formed an important part of the respondents' strategy for improving information
management and dissemination. The Clean Coahuila program which implemented an
environmental awareness content in the high school curriculum in Mexico was complimented and
put forth as having potential for some form of domestic implementation. Outreach offices in the
colonias were strongly endorsed and empowerment through a human based information system
was seen as particularly relevant for low income groups. Libraries were mentioned as a good
place to distribute environmental information. Staff exchanges were seen as productive and the
Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC) - State of Coahuila staff exchange
was commended by meeting participants.
3.8 ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
Water-borne disease, such as tuberculosis, in the Texas and New Mexico colonias are linked to
a lack of sewer service. Mosquito borne diseases such as Dengue and encephalitis were a major
concern in New Mexico and Texas. The .close proximity of many colonias to solid waste
disposal sites was a health concern. In Brownsville, neurological defects linked to air
contamination were mentioned. Some anecdotal evidence was presented in several communities
in relation to the risk of drinking tap water and the high percentage of border residents using
bottled water. Private wells were considered a greater potential health problem than more closely
regulated municipal water supplies.
Participants expressed widespread concern about groundwater quality. Pesticide use was
identified as posing a clear health hazard, although it was also suggested that major new
regulatory initiatives would hurt jobs and would, thus, need to be implemented selectively.
Residents who live near the proposed low-level radioactive waste facility 90 miles to the east of
El Paso felt that the facility posed a potential health hazard and cited a finding that four out of
six of the existing facilities of this type had leaked. They called for a medical liability fund in
the event the proposed facility became operational.
There appears to exist an advanced network of governments and non-governmental binational
links in the environmental health field as reported by meeting participants and representatives of
local government agencies. Meeting participants expressed support for the expansion of
environmental health initiatives. A binational information data bank on environmental health
concerns was identified as an essential need.
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3.9 NATURAL RESOURCES
Domestic meeting participants who commented on natural resource issues tended to have a broad
geographic area of reference. Often, their focus was on renewable and natural resources on the
Mexican side of the border. The emphasis placed on the surface water quality of the Gulf of
California, Sea of Cortez, the Colorado Delta, and the Rio Grande was often based on interest
in species diversity and recreational opportunities. Concerns were voiced about the
environmental impact of shrimp farming in the Gulf of Mexico and the Laguna Madre. Mining,
off-road vehicles, hunting, and fishing on the Mexican side were raised as issues. Meeting
participants stated that marine animals were killed due to the lack of environmental regulations
over mining on the Mexican side. Participants commented on a lack of sufficient opens spaces
in Mexican border towns. Discussion of Mexican natural resources did not exclude discussion
about natural resource issues in the U.S.. A Brownsville participant suggested converting unused
salt mines into spas for tourism. Overgrazing of federal land was mentioned as a concern in Las
Cruces. Sand mining in the Tijuana River was cited as a concern, as was river bank erosion
along the Rio Grande.
Various area-wide management plans were called for to protect habitats. For example, it was
suggested that the four Colorado Delta states, two in Mexico and two in the U.S., develop a
binational natural resource management plan. Brownsville and Laredo participants detailed the
advances of the bi-national Rio Grande Alliance, and the work of the Clean River Committee.
The Rio Grande was generally perceived as subject to neglect. Geographical mapping systems
were called for to document wildlife habitats, especially along the Rio Grande, so as to avoid
habitat fragmentation. Las Cruces participants called for land use planning to limit urban sprawl
and habitat destruction. A lack of urban parks was mentioned in Brownsville.
Overall, participants appeared to regard the border zone as an area of natural beauty that retains
marine and wildlife habitats in need of protection.
4.0 AREA SPECIFIC SUMMARIES
The following eleven appendices highlight the issues and concerns raised during the domestic
public meetings. In addition, sustainable development is included as a separately analyzed topic.
Specific issues are presented as problem-solution pairs, unless solutions were not offered or
apparent. Some subject areas did not generate comments in some meetings. In such cases, the
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U.S./Mexico Border XXI Program
Summary of Domestic Meetings
subject area is not mentioned in the summary for a particular meeting. However, where the issue
fit into more than one subject area, the issue may be listed more than once under appropriate
subject areas.
Appendix A San Diego
i '
Appendix B Calexico
Appendix C Yuma
Appendix D Nogales
Appendix E Douglas
Appendix F Las Cruces
Appendix G El Paso
Appendix H Eagle Pass
Appendix I Laredo
Appendix J McAllen
Appendix K Brownsville
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Appendix A
SAN DIEGO
San Diego, California, was the largest of the cities within EPA Region IX consulted during the
Border XXI domestic public meetings. It lies approximately 20 miles to the north of the border,
on the pacific coast. Its sister city to the south, Tijuana, is also the largest of the Mexican sister
cities. There is a continuous band of urban development between San Diego and the border and
many participants were drawn from the communities within this area. Tijuana is very
industrialized and many of the problems mentioned by the participants were related to
urbanization and industrialization.
There were approximately 55 individuals at this public meeting. Issues and concerns presented
during the meeting are organized by workgroup topic area if discussed by the community
participants'. Specific issues are presented as problem-solution pairs, unless solutions were not
offered or apparent.
Workgroup Topic Areas
Hazardous and Solid Waste A-2
Water A-4
Air A-5
Pollution Prevention A-7
Emergency Response and Planning A-8
Enforcement : A-8
Information Management .< A-9
Environmental Health . . . A-10
Natural Resources A-ll
Sustainable Development A-12
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Workgroup Topic Area: Hazardous and Solid Waste
Hazardous Waste Tracking
a. Issue: The group stated that hazardous waste transported from Mexico to the
United States is tracked using the EPA Hazardous Waste Tracking system (HAZTRAKS),
however, the quantity of raw chemical materials that are being transported into Mexico
for the Maquiladora industry is unknown. There is not reliable data; any reporting is
strictly voluntary. Some group participants also stated that there are different definitions
of hazardous waste between the US and Mexico and even between the US and California.
b. Proposed Solution: The group strongly wants to see the current hazardous
materials tracking system tracking raw hazardous materials being transported north or
south through the border. Some of the group also felt that definitions of chemicals should
be standardized. An example was given to use ISO 14000 (i.e., the ASTM proposed
international standards) as a model to promote a unified product identification.
Hazardous and Solid Waste Disposal Facilities
a. Issue: The group stated that there is a lack of adequate facilities to dispose of
hazardous and solid waste in Tijuana and San Diego. In the San Diego area, there are
five county solid waste facilities and one city of San Diego solid waste facility, and 10
transfer stations. There is also a hazardous waste facility. There are insufficient existing
facilities, and they are not currently state of the art: they are typically unlined. For
Tijuana, the group stated there is one regulated municipal solid waste landfill. There is
a proposed solid waste facility in Baja, the Eco-Park 2000. There are no hazardous waste
disposal facilities south of the border.
b. Proposed Solution: Some members of the group proposed that it was important
to focus efforts on those environmental problems for which there are not market
incentives for industry to solve. Economic benefits can be obtained by solving the
problem of hazardous and solid waste generation through waste minimization, pollution
prevention, and recycling. Emphasis was placed on promoting pollution prevention.
Public Participation and Education
a. Issue: The group felt that more education was needed on the benefits of the
quality of life. Border XXI was considered to be to broad to invoke much public interest.
The group felt that more interest would be generated if there were more specific topics
on issues that would more directly impact the public. Some participants felt that there
was insufficient publicity for the San Diego domestic public meeting.
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San Diego Domestic Meeting
October 16, 1995
b. ' Proposed Solution: Some members of the group emphasized the need to establish
a community right-to-know program in Mexico and put more public resources into
education. One member of the group felt it was very important to fund local groups to
conduct educational workshops. Another group participant felt that the burden of public
involvement is on the local agencies. Most members of the group felt that public
meetings such as the San Diego domestic public meeting and the existing EPA San Diego
Border Liaison Office, were positive steps to improve communication. Some participants
suggested a clearing-house for border information, another felt that the clearing-house
should be "on-line," although he recognized that "on-line" access would only be good for
the United States and not Mexico.
Communication Within Government
a. Issue: The group felt strongly that bureaucracy in Mexico was frustrating, and
that communication between Mexico and the U.S. is difficult. The group also felt that
more intra-governmental involvement was important. There were not enough
opportunities to meet for the different intra-governmental or non-governmental
representatives. The group felt that intra-governmental communication within the San
Diego community and between Mexico has improved.
b. Proposed Solution: The group felt that the San Diego domestic public meeting,
the EPA San Diego Border Liaison Office, and a U.S.-Mexico information clearing-house
were considered important to improve knowledge and coordination. The group also
wanted to have EPA facilitate communication between the U.S. and Mexico and identify
shared objectives.
Emergency Response Planning
a. Issue: Some of the group participants stated that along with needing to know
what crosses the border for purposes of accounting for how much waste would be
generated from industry bound for disposal, it was also important in regard to emergency
response planning.
b. Proposed Solution: Hazardous materials tracking information should be available
for emergency response planning purposes.
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San Diego Domestic Meeting
October 16, 1995
Workgroup Topic Area; Water
International Water Management
a. Issue: The most important priority addressed by the group was that of
international water management. In order to be effective in this area it was pointed out
that there needs to be an agency that can take the lead with authority and the necessary
resources. The fact that the EPA has to go through 20 different government agencies to
administer a project was pointed to as an example of how the system is not able to
effectively address international water management.
b. Proposed Solution: Those in attendance felt that the International Boundary
Water Commission (IBWC) was the ideal candidate because of it's treaty authority and
that it works successfully with many agencies. In other ways it was pointed out,
however, that there would have to be a significant increase in their budget in order for
IBWC to effectively take on the lead role. Internationally, it was stated that the priorities
of the two nations would have to be combined.
Sustainable Water Supply
a. Issue: It was felt by the group that the development of a sustainable water supply
was a very high priority, having received forecasts that by the year 2,000 there will be
serious water shortages in the region. It was pointed out that dams were unnecessarily
releasing large amounts of water, when reservoir levels were high, due to a lack of
planning.
Balance of Spending
a. Issue: A more appropriate balance of spending was considered to be an important
priority. Historically, funding has been heavy on the side of wastewater management
with less resources allocated to areas such as ground water protection and flood control.
b. Proposed Solution: The solution for this problem was considered to be a political
one which requires that elected officials be convinced of the need to adjust funding
practices. New projects should be targeted at ground water protection and flood control
more than presently.
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San Diego Domestic Meeting
October 16, 1995
Emergency Planning and Response
a. Issue: Emergency planning and response were considered a very high priority by
the group, they cited recent occurrences in which flooding caused by failures at Fulsom
Dam had caused 400,000 acre feet of water to be released over the course of years, which
in this water management system would have had serious impacts.
b. Proposed Solution: This problem was seen as a lack of coordination between
agencies. The solution could be to greatly improve cooperation by creating an inter-basin
water management authority.
Water Pollution Originating in Mexico
a. Issue: Pollution of the ground water system and of the ocean environment by
sources in Mexico were discussed by the group as serious problems which required
priority status. Industries and sewage from Tijuana are seriously impacting these water
systems. Although great strides in the awareness and interest in these issues were
acknowledged to be happening on the Mexican side of the border, little has been done in
actuality to amend these conditions.
b. Proposed Solution: A partial solution to this problem is the new International
Wastewater Treatment Plant that is about to go online. This will greatly help to control
the sewage problem now affecting the marine system.
Workgroup Topic Area: Air
Air Quality Monitoring
a. Issue: At this time, Tijuana air quality condition reports are based on speculation
only. San Diego County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) receives calls from U.S.
citizens angry about Mexican citizens driving on the U.S. side without any emissions
controls on their vehicles. Air quality is bad, but Mexican scientists cannot tell Tijuana
citizens how bad until data is collected and interpreted. Air data must be publicly
available along with the emissions inventory.
b. Proposed Solutions: The group recommended that Border XXI work with the La
Paz Workgroups to establish air quality monitoring stations in Mexico. The group further
noted the need for an emissions inventory in Mexico.
Other recommended solutions were: APCD outreach to Tijuana citizens and auto
mechanics (Ciudad Juarez was mentioned as an example of a successful program);
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San Diego Domestic Meeting
October 16, 1995
provision of international air emission credits system for the Tijuana/San Diego air basin;
and public awareness efforts through billboards, newspaper, and radio.
Information Management Needs to Take Cultural Differences into Account
a. Issue: The group reported that the Mexican government has told U.S. officials
that it is not acceptable for the U.S. to talk about Mexican air quality. Changes in
Mexican government every six years have hampered environmental program coordination
efforts.
b. Proposed Solution: Once Tijuana air monitoring stations are in place, Border
XXI could emphasize that there must be a free exchange of the data and a dialogue
regarding standardization of air pollution indexes.
Index of Air Pollution Standards Different in Mexico
a. Issue: Even if the indexes were the same, they might be interpreted differently
in terms of different public health and environmental consequences to each group that
receives the data.
b. Proposed Solution: Border XXI could be used to streamline the flow of EPA
money to California Air Resources Board (ARB) and APCD.
Emergency Planning and Response
a. Issue: APCD uses public notifications beginning with an advisory, then Stage 1
Alert, Stage 2 Alert, and finally a Stage 3 Alert.
b. Proposed Solution: Try to always let the public know who to contact about
emergencies. Border XXI might be able to identify non-governmental organizations who
could support ongoing public outreach.
Importation of Air Pollution
a. Issue: The group indicated that in reality, 50% of the smog occurring in the San
Diego/Tijuana Air basin is imported from the Los Angeles area.
b. Proposed Solution: Border XXI might support South Coast and State ARB
efforts to reduce emissions in Los Angeles even though it is not a border city.
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October 16, 1995
Air Pollution' Prevention
a. Issue: Air pollution prevention measures should be implemented on both sides
of the border.
b. Proposed Solutions: Border XXI could support auto emissions testing for
vehicles in the metropolitan Tijuana area. In addition, Border XXI could ensure that
Mexican funds are allocated to educate Tijuana industry about source reduction of air
emissions once the data from the monitoring and inventory are collected and interpreted.
Workgroup Topic Area; Pollution Prevention
Hazardous and Solid Waste Disposal Facilities
a. Issue: The group stated that there is a lack of adequate facilities to dispose of
hazardous and solid waste in Tijuana and San Diego. In the San Diego community, there
are five county solid waste facilities and one city of San Diego solid waste facility, and
10 transfer stations. There is also a Laidlaw hazardous waste facility. There are
insufficient existing facilities, and they are not currently state of the art: they are typically
unlined. For Tijuana, the group stated there is one regulated municipal solid waste
landfill. There is a proposed solid waste facility in Baja, the Eco-Park 2000. There are
no hazardous waste disposal facilities south of the border.
b. Proposed Solution: Some members of the group proposed that it was important
to focus efforts on those environmental problems for which there are not market
incentives for industry to solve. Economic benefits can be obtained by solving the
problem of hazardous and solid waste generation through waste minimization, pollution
prevention, and recycling. Emphasis was placed on promoting pollution prevention.
Pollution Prevention
a. Issue: Pollution prevention measures should be implemented on both sides of the
border.
b. Proposed Solutions: Border XXI could support auto emissions testing for
vehicles in the metropolitan Tijuana area. In addition, Border XXI could ensure that
Mexican funds are allocated to educate Tijuana industry about source reduction of air
emissions once the data from the monitoring and inventory are collected and interpreted.
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San Diego Domestic Meeting
October 16, 1995
Workgroup Topic Area; Emergency Response and Planning ,
Emergency Response Planning
a. Issue: Some of the group participants stated that along with needing to know
what crosses the border for purposes of accounting for how much waste would be
generated from industry bound for disposal, it was also important in regard to emergency
response planning.
b. Proposed Solution: Hazardous materials tracking information is important to
assist in emergency response planning.
a. Issue: Emergency planning and response were considered a very high priority by
the group, they cited recent occurrences in which flooding due to failures at Rodriguez
Dam had caused 400,000 acre feet of water to be released over the course of years, which
in this water management system would have had serious impacts.
b. Proposed SolutiomThis problem was seen as a lack of coordination between
agencies. The solution could be to greatly improve cooperation by creating an inter-basin
water management authority.
Workgroup Topic Area: Enforcement
Hazardous Waste Tracking
a. Issue: The group stated that hazardous waste transported from Mexico to the
United States is tracked using the EPA Hazardous Waste Tracking system
(HAZTRAKS), however, the quantity of raw chemical materials that are being transported
into Mexico for the Maquiladora industry is unknown. There is not reliable data; any
reporting is strictly voluntary. Some group participants also stated that there are different
definitions of hazardous waste between the US and Mexico and even between the US and
California.
b. Proposed Solution: The group strongly wants to see the current hazardous
materials tracking system tracking raw hazardous materials being transported north or
south through the border. Some of the group also felt that definitions of chemicals should
be standardized. An example was given to use ISO 14000 (i.e., the ASTM proposed
international standards) as a model to promote a unified product identification.
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San Diego Domestic Meeting
October 16, 1995
Water Pollution Originating in Mexico
a. Issue: Pollution of the ground water system and of the ocean environment by
sources in Mexico were discussed by the group as serious problems which required
priority status. Industries and sewage from Tijuana are seriously impacting these water
systems. Although great strides in the awareness and interest in these issues were
acknowledged to be happening on the Mexican side of the border, little has been done in
actuality to amend these conditions.
b. Proposed Solution: A partial solution to this problem is the new international
wastewater treatment plant that is about to go online. This will greatly help to control
the sewage problem now affecting the marine system.
Mining in the Tijuana River
a. Issue: The group expressed concern regarding the practice of mining sand from,
and then dumping fill into the Tijuana River Valley, without clarification about why this
happens, nor about why this happens at night.
b. Proposed Solution: The group recommended increased control and enforcement
of existing regulations for mining.
Workgroup Topic Area; Information Management
Public Participation and Education
a. Issue: The group felt that more education was needed. Border XXI was
considered to be too broad to invoke much public interest. The group felt that more
interest would be generated if there were more specific topics on issues that would more
directly impact the public. Some participants felt that there was insufficient publicity for
the San Diego domestic public meeting.
b. Proposed Solution: Some members of the group emphasized the need to establish
a community right-to-know program in Mexico and put more public resources into
education. One member of the group felt it was very important to fund local groups to
conduct education such as non-governmental organizations. Another group participant felt
that the burden of public involvement is on the local agencies. Most members of the
group felt that public meetings such as the San Diego domestic public meeting and the
existing EPA San Diego Border Liaison Office, were positive steps to improve
communication. Some participants suggested a clearing-house for border information,
another felt that the clearing-house should be "on-line," although he recognized that "on-
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October 16, 1995
line" access would only be good for the United States and not Mexico.
Communication Within Government
a. Issue: The group felt strongly that bureaucracy in Mexico was frustrating, and
that communication between Mexico and the U.S. is difficult. The group also felt that
more ultra-governmental involvement was important. There were not enough
opportunities to meet for the different intra-governmental or non-governmental
representatives. The group felt that intra-governmental communication within the San
Diego community and between Mexico has improved.
b. Proposed Solution: The group felt that the San Diego domestic public meeting,
the EPA San Diego Border Liaison Office, and a U.S.-Mexico information clearing-house
were considered important to improve knowledge and coordination. The group also
wanted to have EPA facilitate communication between the U.S. and Mexico and identify
shared objectives.
Information Management
a. Issue: The group identified the need to improve communications among the
different ongoing projects in data management and GIS, as one of the highest priorities.
b. Proposed Solution: It was recommended by the group that existing GIS could
be enlarged and promoted allowing integration among different parties (Academia,
government, NGOs), on both sides of the border.
Workgroup Topic Area: Environmental Health
Collaboration and Education
a. Issue: The group felt that the voice of the border community is weak and not
unified. This makes it hard to rally enough pressure to justify funding.
b. Proposed Solution: The issues cut across borders and that, the group felt, will
unite people in their efforts to raise a strong, unified voice.
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San Diego Domestic Meeting
October 16, 1995
Education and Public Outreach
a. Issue:, The group stated that the San Diego regional area does not believe an
environmental problem exists. One participant quoted a recent poll performed by a
national NGO involved in land protection as showing that only 7 percent of the regional
population feel environmental problems exist. They. were concerned with public
complacency and lack of awareness. They also expressed a need to find a way to raise
public awareness without framing issues in the context of a "crisis."
b. Proposed Solution: Focus on education of young people from the elementary to
college level. Use a diverse set of methods and tools such as computers, plays, etc. to
access young people. The group also suggested getting to older citizens that have settled
down in the area because of the climate and natural beauty. They suggested providing
for much more face-to-face discussion like these workshops. The group also suggested
that using the concepts of sustainable development and livability is the way to teach local
residents about the quality of the environment as it pertains to their children's and
grandchildren's health now and in the future.
Workgroup Topic Area: Natural Resources
Information Management
a. Issue: The group identified the need to improve communications among the
different ongoing projects in data management and GIS, as one of the highest priorities.
b. Proposed Solution: It was recommended by the group that existing GIS could
be enlarged and promoted allowing integration among different parties -(Academia,
government, NGOs), on both sides of the border.
Public Participation
a. Issue: The group felt that environmental projects and priorities are identified by
too few people, and those few that do participate represent particular interests.
b. Proposed Solution: The group solution was to promote a more equal
representation of concerns.
Sensitivity Analysis
a. Issue: The group was concerned about how Mexico determines what "sensitive
resources" are.
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San Diego Domestic Meeting
October 16, 1995
b. 'Proposed Solution: It was proposed by the group that clearer concepts related
to "sensitive resources" be developed by Mexico.
Workgroup Topic Area; Sustainable Development
Sustainable Water Supply
a. Issue: It was felt by the group that the development of a sustainable water supply
was a very high priority, having received forecasts that by the year 2,000 there will be
serious water shortages in the region. It was pointed out that dams were unnecessarily
releasing large amounts of water, when reservoir levels were high, due to a lack of
planning.
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Appendix B
CALEXICO
Calexico, California is sister city to the much larger industrial, university and administrative city
of Mexicali, Baja California to the south. There was a clear orientation of the Calexico
population economically and environmentally toward their sister city. To the north of Calexico
lies the productive Imperial Valley and many participants voiced agricultural concerns. The
interrelationship of urban and rural was brought into sharp focus by the perceived contamination
of urban water supplies by crop spraying.
There were approximately 30 individuals at this public meeting. Issues and concerns presented
during the meeting are organized by workgroup topic area if discussed by the community
participants. Specific issues are presented as problem-solution pairs, unless solutions were not
offered or apparent.
Workgroup Topic Areas
Hazardous and Solid Waste B-2
Water B-4
Air B-6
Emergency Response and Planning B-6
Enforcement B-6
Information Management B-7
Environmental Health B-8
Natural Resources B-9
Sustainable Development B-l 1
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Calexico Domestic Meeting
October 17, 1995
Workgroup Topic Area; Hazardous and Solid Waste
Economic Barriers to Enforcement
a. Issue: The group stated that Mexico does not have the capacity or incentive to
force industries to comply with environmental regulations. It is an economic factor. One
participant stated if they give the maquiladora industry any problems, the industries will
simply move to some other country. Some industries have already moved from California
to Texas. The group felt disappointed that more environmental controls were not in place
prior to passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement.
b. Proposed Solution: The group felt that for California's economy to improve,
there needs to be a more level playing field in terms of the economics of doing business.
When economics makes it more feasible to make adjustments in the process, then the
problems can be minimized. The group recognized that Mexico has formidable
environmental regulations. However, the group wants to see more equal regulation of
industrial process operations which generate hazardous and solid waste on both sides of
the border, as well as better enforcement.
Mexican Trucking Vehicle Requirements
a. Issue: The group stated that the US Department of Transportation will be
changing its requirements in allowing Mexican trucking vehicles into the United States.
The group was concerned about allowing trucks that mechanically would not meet US
DOT standards. Trucks that are poorly equipped would be a greater road hazard when
transporting hazardous and solid waste.
b. Proposed Solution: The group would like to see Mexican-owned vehicles operate
under the same standards of safety as those required of US-owned vehicles.
Emergency Spill Response Staff Needs
a. Issue: One group participant stated that U.S. Customs emergency spill response
staff are limited; there are only two trained staff in Calexico and none on the Mexican
side. He stated that Imperial County has an excellent emergency spill response team.
The emergency response teams have coordinated with the Mexican side because it is a
matter of immediate life threatening issues.
b. Proposed Solution: The group wants to see more local resources in emergency
spill response'training.
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Calexico Domestic Meeting
October 17, 1995
Coordination Between Local, State, and Federal Governments
a. Issue: The group felt that local governments at times have actually made progress
in communicating with their counterparts on the Mexican side; however, there are still
perceived barriers to communication by local governments with Mexican government
representatives. One group participant recognized that sometimes the local government
representatives have taken the initiative to coordinate their own meetings. The U.S.
federal government is preparing all the plans, but local communities have the best
knowledge. The federal government controls the money and sets policy and then the
local communities try to deal with the issues.
b. Proposed Solution: The group wants to see more coordination among all levels
of government on both sides of the border. Some felt that they wanted to see more
citizens attend meetings such as the domestic public meeting held by EPA. Another
group felt it was important to have more local agency participation in future meetings.
Coordination of Existing Environmental Protection Efforts
a. Issue: The group was concerned about EPA "reinventing the wheel," that is,
doing things that may already be underway locally. They do not want the Border XXI
Program impeding progress which is already being made.
b. Proposed Solution: The group wants EPA to be aware of existing documents
which already have proposed solutions. They also want EPA to use more local manpower
in solving border problems. Specifically two reports were cited for consideration by EPA:
the Border Environmental Indicators Conference and the Mesquite Regional Landfill Plan.
Community Education
a. Issue: The group stated that a lot of people do not know what hazardous and
solid wastes are. For example, hazardous waste can be simply a can of paint. The group
felt that environmental problems are long-range problems.
b. Proposed Solution: The group wanted to see more education at the household
level to raise awareness about hazardous and solid waste.
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Calexico Domestic Meeting
October 17, 1995
Workgroup Topic Area; Water
Water Availability/Water Export
a. Issue: One of the highest priority issues identified by the group, if not the highest
priority, was the issue of water availability and the related issue of water exports from
the region around Calexico to San Diego and the subsequent loss of local jobs that go
with the transfers.
b. Proposed Solutions: There were several solutions suggested in the course of
discussion. Firstly, a simple ban on exporting water to regions that had no economic
benefit to the local Calexico area was suggested. It was felt that transfers of this type
only benefitted land speculators "from San Diego" who were buying up local water rights.
Secondly, it was suggested, and strongly supported by the group, that it was much better
to export water to Mexicali for domestic and industrial consumption, than to other U.S.
cities because of the secondary economic benefits of growth in Mexicali for the local
Calexico community. Rural water conservation was also mentioned as a partial solution,
but not much optimism was expressed that this would solve the problem. It was
discussed, after prompting, that sustainable development was a potential solution and that
organic farming could make a contribution to water conservation and the overuse of
pesticides, as well.
Domestic Water Quality
a. Issue: Another of the highest priorities expressed by the group was domestic
water quality. It was noted that the local population had little confidence in the safety
of the supply. It was expressed by the group that perhaps the water was safe at the well
but was contaminated while passing tibrough the pesticide-contaminated air that passes
over the open canals that carry the domestic water supply to the town. It was noted that
there were a "lot of cases" of gastrointestinal problems "according to a number of local
doctors."
b. Proposed Solutions: There were two main categories of solutions to this
problem. Firstly, various ways of covering the canals were discussed. Secondly, various
controls on pesticide use were suggested. There was a feeling that the farmers were using
stronger pesticides than in past years and that this needed more controls both in the type
and quantity of pesticides used and the manner in which they are applied in the fields.
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Calexico Domestic Meeting
October 17, 1995
Information Exchange/Dissemination
a. Issue: The lack of information on pollution and contamination was expressed as
an important issue. Additionally it was felt that the Mexicali area was intimately
connected to the water supply and discharge problems of Calexico and that the lack of
information on the Mexican side was a problem, not only for Mexican nationals living
on'the Mexican side of the border, but for the U.S. residents in the Calexico area as well.
b. Proposed Solution: This was broadly discussed and several specific suggestions
were made. Firstly, it was requested that the amount of chemicals in the New River,
which originates in Mexicali needs to be analyzed, although it was also noted that
research should not be done in place of actions that put people first, such as domestic
supply projects. It was suggested that sometimes meetings, such as the Border XXI
public meeting they were participating in, were the only way the general public, and even
representatives of the non-governmental organizations (and especially those from the
Mexican side), can get information. It was noted that many doctors are "afraid to come
forward" in reporting pesticide related problems due to their financial ties to pesticide
users (the local farmers) and that better reporting procedures were needed. Grants to
grassroots organizations to assist in information gathering and dissemination was another
solution suggested.
Economic Growth and Environmental Regulation
a. Issue: There was concern expressed over the tradeoff between local economic
growth and the issues of regulations over pesticide use and water consumption. Also,
after prompting, sustainable development issues were discussed as concerns. It was felt
that high pesticide use and high water use were not sustainable development but it was
also noted that the Calexico region, pesticides and all, made a significant and positive
contribution to lessen the global food "shortage."
b. Proposed Solution: One of the solutions suggested was economic diversification
from uses that were very intensive of water per job to uses, such as light industry, that
were not. It was felt that light industry would be successful in the region. Another
solution suggested was organic farming, it was noted that some organic growers were
leaving to get away from high areas of pesticide use and some found it easier to operate
in Mexicali.
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Calexico Domestic Meeting
October 17, 1995
Workgroup Topic Area; Air
Pesticides
a. Issue: The group was concerned about the impact of pesticide use on the local
air quality.
b. Proposed Solution: The group suggested improved regulations to control use.
Workgroup Topic Area; Emergency Response and Planning
Emergency Spill Response Staff Needs
a. Issue: One group participant stated that U.S. Customs emergency spill response
staff are limited; there are only two trained staff in Calexico and none on the Mexican
side. He stated that Imperial County has'an excellent emergency spill response team.
They emergency response teams have coordinated with the Mexican side because it is a
matter of immediate life threatening issues.
b. Proposed Solution: The group wants to see more local resources in emergency
spill response training.
Workgroup Topic Area; Enforcement
Economic Barriers to Enforcement
a. Issue: The group stated that Mexico does not have the capacity or incentive to
force industries to comply with environmental regulations. It is an economic factor. One
participant stated if they give the maquiladora industry any problems, the industries will
simply move to some other country. Some industries have already moved from California
to Texas. The group felt disappointed that more environmental controls were not in place
prior to passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement.
b. Proposed Solution: The group felt that for California's economy to improve,
there needs to be a more level playing field in terms of the economics of doing business.
When economics makes it more feasible to make adjustments in the process, then the
problems can be minimized. The group recognized that Mexico has formidable
environmental regulations. However, the group wants to see more equal regulation of
industrial process operations which generate hazardous and solid waste on both sides of
the border, as well as better enforcement.
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Calexico Domestic Meeting
October 17, 1995
Information, Enforcement, and Regulation
a. Issue: The group stated that they lacked information regarding what is crossing
the border. The group felt that there was also a lack of enforcement and lack of
standardized regulations.
b. Proposed Solution: The group felt that compared to the other issues they raised
for their community, the need to standardize regulations was considered a more long-term
need.
Enforcement of Environmental Issues in Mexico
a. Issue: The group felt that Mexico needs to find a balance between natural
resources, industry, and recreational uses of its land. Currently, there are many problems
with mining, off-road vehicles, and hunting/fishing that are directly affecting the natural
resources and the conservation of the land. For instance, the group noted that many
marine mammals have been killed due to contamination from mining, and it is believed
that no enforcement action has been taken against the guilty parties.
Workgroup Topic Area: Information Management
Information Exchange/Dissemination
a. Issue: The lack of information on pollution and contamination was expressed as
an important issue. Additionally it was felt that the Mexicali area was intimately
connected to the water supply and discharge problems of Calexico and that the lack of
information on the Mexican side was a problem, not only for Mexican nationals living
on the Mexican side of the border, but also for the U.S. residents in the Calexico area.
b. Proposed Solutions: This was broadly discussed and several specific suggestions
were made. Firstly, it was requested that the amount of chemicals in the New River,
which originates in Mexicali needs to be analyzed, although it was also noted that
research should not be done in place of actions that put people first, such as domestic
supply projects. It was suggested that sometimes meetings, such as the Border XXI
public meeting they were participating in, were the only way the general public, and even
representatives of the non-governmental organizations (and especially those from the
Mexican side), can get information. It was noted that many doctors are "afraid to come
forward" in reporting pesticide related problems due to their financial ties to pesticide
users (the local farmers) and that better reporting procedures were needed. Grants to
grassroots organizations to assist in information gathering and dissemination was another
solution suggested.
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Cttlexico Domestic Meeting
October 17, 1995
Resource Assessment
a. Issue: The group expressed a need to identify the existing natural resources as
well as beneficial ways of utilizing them.
b. Proposed Solutions: The group proposed that the protection of natural resources
be facilitated through:
(1) Information systems
(2) Technology for managing databases
(3) Involvement of NGOs.
Pesticide Management
a. Issue: The group's perception was that migrant agricultural workers do not have
the capability to adequately manage pesticides and that creates health risks, both for
themselves and for the quality of the agricultural products which they help produce. They
also felt that the level of dependency on pesticides should be decreased.
b. Proposed Solution: As a group, they proposed disseminating information
regarding appropriate ways to handle pesticides, as well as educating the public about
pesticides. They further recommended more research on alternatives to pesticide use.
Taking Responsibility for Environmental Problems
a. Issue: The group expressed concern over continued attempts locally to blame
environmental problems on Mexico. They all felt it is very important to find a way to
stop playing the "blame game" with Mexico.
b. Proposed Solution: Allow the public greater access to information and data
about environmental health issues. Make it usable. Raise people's awareness. Create
a well-publicized list of the top 20 regional environmental problems but do not identify
the issue by nationality. Focus on it to start breaking down the "us and them" mentality.
Workgroup Topic Area: Environmental Health
Responsibility and Accountability of Decision-Makers
a. Issue: The greatest concern in the group was that the Border XXI program would
fail like those that came before without responsibility and accountability of decision-
makers and their ability to influence programs and funding.
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Calexico Domestic Meeting
October 17, 1995
b. ' Proposed Solution: The group felt that the responsibility for problems needed
to be jointly or binationally shared in an agreement. Furthermore, the group felt that
dedicated people in key positions should be hired and that they should be given decision-
making authority. These people should be directly accountable for actions, funds, and
time schedules. This accomplished, the group felt that it would then be time to
communicate and educate.
Strengthening the Border Voice
a. Issue: The voice of the border community (U.S., Mexico, and indigenous peoples)
is weak. This makes it hard to rally enough political presence to justify sufficient funding
for programs.
b. Proposed Solution: Publicize events that cut across the borders that will help
to create a unifying of people. Use other solutions previously mentioned.
Workgroup Topic Area; Natural Resources
Biodiversity
a. Issue: The group feels that biodiversity is endangered because of urban
development and agricultural practices.
b. Proposed Solution: The group recommended an assessment of the region's
biodiversity and conservation practices, taking into account the richness of the delta
habitats.
Resource Assessment
a. Issue: The group expressed a need to identify the existing resources as well as
the beneficial ways of utilizing them.
b. Proposed Solutions: The group proposed that the protection of natural resource
be facilitated through:
(1) Information systems
(2) Technology for managing databases
(3) Involvement of NGOs.
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Calexico Domestic Meeting
October 17, 1995
Binational Natural Resources Management Plan
a. Issue: The group understood that the protection of this region's habitats
encompasses four different state administrations: two U.S. states and two Mexican
states.
b. Proposed Solution: The group recommended that the coordination among the
four states around the Colorado Delta be improved, in order to share the responsibilities
and benefits of the management of the area.
Pesticide Management
a. Issue: The group's perception was that migrant agricultural workers do not have
the capability to adequately manage pesticides and that creates health risks, both for
themselves and for the quality of the agricultural products which they help produce. They
also felt that the level of dependency on pesticides should be decreased.
b. Proposed Solution: As a group, they proposed disseminating information
regarding appropriate ways to handle pesticides, as well as educating the public about
pesticides. They further recommended more research on alternatives to pesticide use.
Urban Parks
a. Issue: The issue of the lack of open spaces in urban areas, primarily on the
Mexican side- of the border was brought forward by the group.
b. Proposed Solution: They proposed leaving open spaces in urban areas to serve
as parks. Parks would not be traditional, but would represent the regional landscape,
utilizing native plants (i.e., cactus). Animals would utilize these parks as well as people.
Parks need to be created to preserve natural resources, not only for urban purposes.
Tucson urban parks could be used as an example of appropriate landscaping techniques.
Enforcement of Environmental Issues in Mexico
a. Issue: The group felt that Mexico needs to find a balance between natural
resources, industry, and recreational uses of its land. Currently, there are many problems
with mining, off-road vehicles, and hunting/fishing that are directly affecting the natural
resources and the conservation of the land. For instance, the group noted that many
marine mammals have been killed due to contamination from mining, and it is believed
that no enforcement action has been taken against the guilty parties.
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Calexico Domestic Meeting
October 17, 1995
b. ' Proposed Solution: The group felt that stricter enforcement is a solution to this
problem.
Workgroup Topic Area; Sustainable Development
Water Availability/Water Export
a. Issue: One of the highest priority issues identified by the group, if not the highest
priority, was the issue of water availability and the related issue of water exports from
the region around Calexico to San Diego and the subsequent loss of local jobs that go
with the transfers.
b. Proposed Solutions: There were several solutions suggested in the course of
discussion. Firstly, a simple ban on exporting water to regions that had no econo'mic
benefit to the'local Calexico area was suggested. It was felt that transfers of this type
only benefitted land speculators "from San Diego" who were buying up local water rights.
Secondly, it was suggested, and strongly supported by the group, that it was much better
to export water to Mexicali for domestic and industrial consumption, than to other U.S.
cities because of the secondary economic benefits of growth in Mexicali for the local
Calexico community. Rural water conservation was also mentioned as a partial solution,
but not much optimism was expressed that this would solve the problem. It was
discussed, after prompting, that sustainable development was a potential solution and that
organic farming could make a contribution to water conservation and the overuse of
pesticides, as well.
Economic Growth and Environmental Regulation
a. Issue: There was concern expressed over the tradeoff between local economic
growth and the issues of regulations over pesticide use and water consumption. Also,
after prompting, sustainable development issues were discussed as concerns. It was felt
that high pesticide use and high water use were not sustainable development but it was
also noted that the Calexico region, pesticides and all, made a significant and positive
contribution to lessen the global food "shortage."
b. Proposed Solution: One of the solutions suggested was economic diversification
from uses that were very intensive of water per job to uses, such as light industry, that
were not. It was felt that light industry would be successful in the region. Another
solution suggested was organic farming, it was noted that some organic growers were
leaving to get away from high areas of pesticide use and some found it easier to operate
in Mexicali.
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Appendix C
YUMA
Yuma, Arizona is the center of an agricultural region near the intersection of the four states of
Baja California, Sonora, California and Arizona. It is also on the Colorado River. The sister city
is San Luis Rio Colorado, some 20 miles to the South and therefore Yuma does not suffer the
acute environmental problems associated with a large sister city that is adjacent. Participants
were drawn from several agricultural towns and their concerns were often focussed on the
difficulties of small towns to comply with the U.S. environmental standards. A small
representation of native people participated and brought to the discussion a perspective that
widened the area of concern to include the upper Gulf of California.
There were approximately 48 individuals at this public meeting. Issues and concerns presented
during the meeting are organized by workgroup topic area if discussed by the community
participants. Specific issues are presented as problem-solution pairs, unless solutions were not
offered or apparent.
Workgroup Topic Areas
Hazardous and Solid Waste C-2
Water ..'. C-3
Air C-5
Pollution Prevention C-6
Emergency Response and Planning ; . . . . C-6
Enforcement C-7
Information Management C-7
Natural Resources C-7
Sustainable Development : C-9
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Yuma Domestic Meeting
October 18, 1995
Workgroup Topic Area; Hazardous and Solid Waste
Emergency Response Capabilities
a. Issue: The group stated that among their greatest concerns were their poor
emergency response capabilities in Yuma. They described their lack of equipment,
reliance on volunteer staff that cannot always respond, and lack of proper training. The
group also stated that there is currently an inability to respond to chemical emergencies
in the industrial park of San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora.
b. Proposed Solution: The group felt that their highest priority was to obtain local
funding to build a binational infrastructure for emergency response that would include a
HAZMAT vehicle and a designated equipment storage and maintenance area.
Economics and Environmental Health
a. Issue: The group stated that unemployment in San Luis is 75% for six months
of the year, due to seasonal labor needs associated with the farming industry. It is
difficult to balance the need to keep one's job against the need to minimize health hazards
due to on-the-job exposure. The group emphasized that due to the economic situation in
their community, those with the greatest risk of exposure have the greatest concern with
"keeping food on the table."
b. Proposed Solution: The group felt that despite the dilemma between needing to
work and maintaining health, education was still felt to be important to raise an awareness
regarding occupational safety, for example, pesticide exposure in the fields. The group
felt strongly that they would like to see funds for public education. They identified
education associated with various occupations, including maquiladora operations and
farming. They felt that education should occur on both sides of the border. Education
was needed to raise consciousness regarding health impacts of exposure while on the job,
as well as to minimize exposure and on-the-job accidents. They also emphasized that
education was needed to focus on specific sectors of the population, namely children and
the elderly, since exposures to these populations were seen as having more acute health
impacts.
Transport Routes of Hazardous Wastes
a. Issue: The group discussed that currently, the access and egress routes from the
San Luis, Arizona border crossing, are limited to a single road. This causes delays at the
border crossing, resulting in transport of hazardous materials and waste through residential
neighborhoods, which is considered dangerous. Additionally, there is a lack of knowledge
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Yuma Domestic Meeting
October 18, 1995
regarding what is being transported across the border. This presents a problem whenever
there is an emergency at the border crossing. They also generally felt that transportation
of hazardous materials and waste should not be cornmingled with normal business traffic
because of the potential for serious accidents.
b. Proposed Solutions: The group stated that they want to see alternative access and
egress routes from San Luis, Arizona. They want to see the opening of a separate
commercial port away from the city; however, they saw this more as a long-term goal.
Additionally, they felt that future growth should be tied into current city plans.
Information, Enforcement, and Regulation
a. Issue: The group stated that they lacked information regarding what is crossing
the border. The group felt that there was also a lack of enforcement and lack of
standardized regulations.
b. Proposed Solutions: The group felt that compared to the other issues they raised
for their community, the need to standardize regulations was considered a more long-term
need.
Economic Diversity
a. Issue: The group stated that their community is currently economically dependent
on Mexico; lack of more economic diversity was felt to be a problem.
b. Proposed Solution: The group stated that they would like to see an increase in
wages, education, and stabilization of the Mexican currency.
Workgroup Topic Area; Water
Regional and Local Authority
a. Issue: One of the highest priorities expressed by the group was the need to
address problems on both a regional and local level. Because some problems originate
elsewhere in the region, local entities are often unable to address these issues thus making
the origin of water problems as important the ability to address them at the regional level.
b. Proposed Solution: It was suggested that priorities should be set locally with
advice from the state and other agencies.
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Yuma Domestic Meeting
October 18, 1995
Small Community Needs
a. Issue: A high priority expressed by the group was local need, everything from
technical assistance and regional awareness of local conditions to water lines and sewage
treatment systems. Small communities often cannot afford technical assistance, meet
federal standards; nor do they have the resources to attract agencies. Often their priorities
are left out in regional plans and they are sometimes unaware of treaty agreements and
other plans.
b. Proposed Solution: Public meetings were considered a good first step, as many
of the agencies that regulate or provide assistance to these communities seem distant or
available mostly for the larger communities. Suggestions included: the federal
government should take smaller river communities into consideration in the establishment
of international water treaties and agreements. The EPA should create strategies, with
priorities, to deal with problems, assist in linking communities to resources, with special
emphasis on providing funding to bring water systems into compliance, and recognize
local limitations. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) should
provide technical assistance, meet with local communities to identify individual needs,
work in a partnership arrangement with communities rather than use punitive enforcement,
and make adjustments to sampling requirements. The group would like to see interest in
local problems shown by the EPA.
Economic Effects on Water Contamination in Mexico
a. Issue: While sustainable development was not specifically discussed by the group
they did touch on issues of sustainability, such as the discharge of pollutants into the Gulf
of California (Sea of Cortez). This was expressed as having an important impact on the
fishing industry of small Mexican coastal communities which rely heavily on this source
of income, as well as creating an environmental imbalance. This decline in the local
fishing industry has lead to the disintegration of the communities in this area. People
have simply had to migrate to more economically favorable communities.
b. Proposed Solution:A couple of regional solutions were offered including the
cleanup of the wastewater discharged from the Mexicali area and the quality of water in
the Colorado River, especially the high salinity and possibility of pesticide contamination.
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Yuma Domestic Meeting
October 18, 1995
Workgroup Topic Area: Air
Quantity of Air Data
a. Issue: The group expressed a concern that there is not enough air data for the
region.
b. Proposed Solution: Expand the number of permanent air monitoring stations in
the region.
Public Awareness of Technical Issues
a. Issue: The group was concerned that public awareness of technical air issues in
the region is limited.
b. Proposed Solution: More air experts need to be available to assist local
communities on a regular basis. There needs to be a free-flow of data between scientists
from all nations affected by Border XXI and this information needs to be available to the
community at levels a layperson can understand. Standards, sampling methods, analysis
methods, etc. need to be unified amongst all experts and non-experts so that information
means the same thing to all persons. The group was additionally concerned that local
communities get better outreach so that they can understand the comparisons of data
versus standards and the ultimate relationships to health effects.
Land Use
a. Issue: The group expressed a concern with the impact local land use plays on
regional air quality.
b. Proposed Solution: Communities need greater involvement in land use decisions
. The public needs to obtain better education about the relationship of multiple land uses
and the subsequent air quality.
Enforcement
a. Issue: The group was very concerned with the enforcement capacities of Border
XXI.
b. Proposed Solution: The group wants Border XXI to help localize and strengthen
environmental regulatory schemes. It additionally needs to provide more enforcement
capabilities to the EPA, Mexico's Secretariat for Environment, Natural Resources and
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Yuma Domestic Meeting
October 18, 1995
Fisheries (SEMARNAP), and other related agencies. Overall they were generally
concerned with the political clout of the program. They felt that without political support
from applicable congressman, senators, and local politicians, the program will not work.
Public Participation in Mexico
a. Issue: The group had general multi-border public participation and cultural
diversity concerns.
b. Proposed Solution: The group wants to see an increase in public participation
in Mexico. They want assurance that it is real, open participation and not just "public
relations" by the Mexican government. Otherwise, solutions will be U.S. and indigenous
peoples sided only. They also were very concerned that the program is flexible to
accommodate rural life and issues. It cannot be written for only urban environments.
Workgroup Topic Area: Pollution Prevention
Public comments did not address this topic area directly.
Workgroup Topic Area; Emergency Response and Planning
Emergency Response Capability
a. Issue: The group stated that among their greatest concerns were their poor
emergency response capabilities in Yuma. They described their lack of equipment,
reliance on volunteer staff that cannot always respond, and lack of proper training. The
group also stated that there is currently an inability to respond to chemical emergencies
in the industrial park of San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora.
b. Proposed Solution: The group felt that their highest priority was to obtain local
funding to build a binational infrastructure for emergency response that would include a
HAZMAT vehicle and a designated equipment storage and maintenance area.
Information, Enforcement, and Regulation
a. Issue: The group stated that they lacked information regarding what is crossing
the border. The group felt that there was also a lack of enforcement and lack of
standardized regulations.
b. Proposed Solutions: They felt that compared to the other issues they raised for
their community, the need to standardize regulations was considered more long-term.
C-6
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Yunta Domestic Meeting
October 18, 1995
Workgroup Topic Area: Enforcement
Enforcement
a. Issue: The group was very concerned with the enforcement capacities of Border
XXI.
b. Proposed Solution: The group wants Border XXI to help localize and strengthen
environmental regulatory schemes. It additionally needs to provide more enforcement
capabilities to the EPA, SEMARNAP, and other related agencies. Overall they were
generally concerned with the political clout of the program. They felt that without
political support from applicable congressman, senators, and local politicians, the program
will not work.
Workgroup Topic Area: Information Management
Public Awareness of Technical Issues
a. Issue: The group was concerned that public awareness of technical air issues in
the region is limited.
b. Proposed Solution: More air experts need to be available to assist local
communities on a regular basis. There needs to be a free-flow of data between scientists
from all nations affected by Border XXI and this information needs to be available to the
community at levels a layperson can understand. Standards, sampling methods, analysis
methods, etc. need to be unified amongst all experts and non-experts so that information
means the same thing to all persons. The group was additionally concerned that local
communities get better outreach so that they can understand the comparisons of data
versus standards and the ultimate relationships to health effects.
Workgroup Topic Area; Natural Resources
Colorado Delta Management
a. Issue: The group's opinion was that the region's reserves are suffering from lack
of a comprehensive environmental plan.
b. Proposed Solution: The group felt that even though the Colorado Delta
environmental issues should be considered in the whole basin spectrum, an in-depth
analysis of the Delta as an ecosystem is recommended.
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Yuma Domestic Meeting
October 18, 1995
Environmental Education
a. Issue: The concept of environmental issues and solutions being not the same for
different people, in particular people from different countries (Mexico and the U.S.), was
cited by the group as a serious problem. They felt that it is very difficult to change actual
approaches and prejudices.
b. Proposed Solution: The group recommended the development of a basic
curriculum for environmental education, so that the next generations will develop a better
understanding of regional environmental issues on both sides of the border.
Marine Resources and Endangered Species
a. Issue: The group felt another serious problem is the number of species that are
endangered in the Sea of Cortez.
b. Proposed Solution: Their solution would consist of specifically monitoring the
quality of Colorado River water and giving assistance to Mexico for monitoring water
quality.
Interdisciplinary and Social Environmental Planning
a. Issue: The interaction between natural, social, and economic factors was seen by
the group as important to environmental planning.
b. Proposed Solution: They recommended working in diverse, but integrated groups
that may incorporate the views and concerns of different social, ethnic, and professional
sectors.
Desalination Plant
a. Issue: The group felt concerned about the environmental effects of the
desalination plant in the area, especially its effects on different habitats.
b. Proposed Solution: The group recommended that an evaluation of the
desalination plant should be performed, which would assess the consequences of the plant
in different habitats and other environmental factors as a priority issue. They
recommended that the evaluation of the desalination plant consider the multiple,
interrelated factors related to water management.
C-8
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Yiima Domestic Meeting
October 18, 1995
Workgroup Topic Area; Sustainable Development
Economic Effects on Water Contamination in Mexico
a. Issue: While sustainable development was not specifically discussed by the group
they did touch on issues of sustainability, such as the discharge of pollutants into the Gulf
of California. This was expressed as having an important impact on the fishing industry
of small Mexican coastal communities which rely heavily on this source of income, as
well as creating an environmental imbalance. This decline in the local fishing industry
has lead to the disintegration of the communities in this area. People have simply had
to migrate to more economically favorable communities.
b. Proposed Solutions: A couple of regional solutions were offered including the
cleanup of the wastewater discharged from the Mexicali area and the quality of water in
the Colorado River, especially the high salinity and possibility of pesticide contamination.
Costs/Benefits Analyses
a. Issue: The group was concerned with the economic impacts that existing and
potential land use' plays on the viability of the region.
b. Proposed Solution: The group felt that Border XXI should assist communities
in environmental/economic cost benefit analyses. They need ability to compare present
conditions to alternative land uses and energy/income resources such as solar energy,
wind power, eco-tourism, etc.
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Appendix D
NOGALES
Nogales, Arizona, twinned with its namesake to the south, has the largest concentration of
industrial jobs in Sonora. It is an area preoccupied with the environmental problems that are
often a byproduct of the proximity of a fast growing industrial sister city.
There were approximately 40 individuals at this public meeting. Issues and concerns presented
during the meeting are organized by workgroup topic area if discussed by the community
participants. Specific issues are presented as problem-solution pairs, unless solutions were not
offered or apparent.
Workgroup Topic Areas
Hazardous and Solid Waste D-2
Water D-3
Emergency Response and Planning D-6
Enforcement D-6
Information Management D-7
Environmental Health D-7
Sustainable Development D-8
D-l
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Nogales Domestic Meeting
October 19, 1995
Workgroup Topic Area: Hazardous and Solid Waste
Cradle to Grave Hazardous and Solid Waste Tracking
a. Issue: Hazardous waste generated by the maquiladora industry must (per the La
Paz Agreement) be returned to the United States. However, there is a concern about not
knowing what, how much, when, and where raw hazardous materials are being
transported through Nogales, Arizona to Nogales, Sonora. Because of this, there is no
way of knowing what quantities of waste should be returning. The current U.S.-Mexico
hazardous materials tracking system in operation does not track raw materials being
shipped south into Mexico.
b. Proposed Solution: The current hazardous materials tracking system should
track raw hazardous materials being transported north or south through the border. A tax
on heavy vehicles crossing the border was proposed to fund the new system.
Binational and Intra-governmental Communication
a. Issue: There is a need to improve communication among the different local,
county, state, and federal levels of government and especially between the two countries.
The community feels that representatives from other government agencies should be
personally invited to participate in public outreach opportunities such as these domestic
meetings. In particular because of the many different federal government agencies having
various jurisdictional authorities in these communities, these various federal agencies
should be present at the domestic meetings.
b. Proposed Solution: Invite other government agencies to attend and really
participate hi addressing issues and solutions.
Emergency Response Needs
a. Issue: There are currently inadequate emergency response capabilities such as
expertise and equipment on both sides of the border, but particularly on the Mexican side.
The community gave as an example, the recent landfill fire in Mexico.
b. Proposed Solution: Provide funds, training, and equipment.
Adequate Hazardous and Solid Waste Facilities
a. Issue: The community does not have adequate facilities to handle hazardous and
solid waste being generated locally.
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Nogales Domestic Meeting
October 19, 1995
b. ' Proposed Solution: No real solution offered beyond just stating they are needed.
Community Education
a. Issue: The local communities need to be educated regarding hazardous and solid
waste and materials. Education was considered key so that people know what the health
hazards are and gain an understanding as to about what they should be concerned.
Education should result in greater public pressure on industry to be more responsible.
b. Proposed Solution: Support local educational programs through grants.
Educational media such as television should be considered. The communities most at risk
are on the Mexican side, additionally, there is also a large percentage of Spanish speakers
in U.S. border cities; therefore, bilingual education and Spanish language materials should
be available.
Information about Border Environmental Activities
a. Issue: The community felt there is insufficient information about environmental
activities such as grants given to border communities and regional reports regarding the
community. For example, they wondered what the La Paz work groups have been doing.
One community member, who happened to be a federal government representative,
indicated that he should know about what the La Paz work groups are doing, but in fact,
does not.
b. Proposed Solution: Provide a clearing-house for information dissemination about
ongoing border projects and work groups.
Workgroup Topic Area: Water
Drinking Water Quality
a. Issue: Drinking water quality was identified as one of the highest priorities by
the group. Concerns were expressed about the nitrate levels in the water giving people
headaches; such that many people have resorted to drinking bottled water. In contrast,
the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) representative stated that the
municipal water supply is not contaminated. City-owned wells do provide quality water.
Private well water quality is not known. Currently, the Nogales Wash is being
investigated by ADEQ. Agricultural uses with regards to water quality are not monitored.
Wastewater is a problem that adversely affects the aquifer.
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Nogales Domestic Meeting
October 19, 1995
b. ' Proposed Solution: It was suggested by the group that the water quality/quantity
issue be addressed as an entire watershed. Further, it was suggested that they need to
think about the future and consider a diversified system that pretreats water coming into
the area from other watersheds. More tests and studies of water quality were called for
as well as more public information about drinking water quality. The group was divided
on the advisability of limiting septic tank-based new subdivisions. One section felt
strongly that large lot size septic tank-based subdivisions drove up lot prices beyond the
means of the average residents. While cluster housing solved the environmental issue of
communal sewage facilities, it did not address the issue of the effects on affordability of
large lots. There was a consensus that fewer new subdivisions should be approved based
on septic tanks and more on communal systems, but no consensus regarding subdividing
existing septic tank-based subdivisions to create viable lot sizes for communal systems.
Alternative technologies developed on the Mexican side that address the issue of the high
cost of small communal wastewater systems were discussed and supported in principle.
Wastevvater Technology
a. Issue: Also expressed as a high priority by the group was the need for low-cost
wastewater technology. Because of the economic disparity between the sister cities,
Nogales, Sonora does not service a large number of the residents and businesses,
resulting in contaminants or pollutants flowing northward across the international
boundary. Industrial toxins such as mercury, petroleum products, and cyanide have been
detected in the wastewater from Nogales, Sonora. Unusually high rates of lupus and
leukemia occur in Nogales, Arizona. A recent study by the University of Arizona was
done to look at the possibility of a connection between these facts.
b. Proposed Solution: It was suggested by the group that by designing small
decentralized treatment plants for the colonias that this problem could be alleviated. An
example of a system for 2,000 people was referred to as a working model that would be
appropriate for this city. The effluent from these decentralized plants would then be used
to recharge the aquifer.
Water Quantity
a. Issue: Water quantity is another issue of high priority identified by this group.
Currently Nogales, Sonora is pumping water from outside its local watershed. This is
closely connected to Nogales, Arizona because the volume of water flowing transferred
from the Los Alisos watershed is so large that it directly affects the volume of sewage
flowing into Nogales, Arizona. The capacity of the binational sewage system is
inadequate for the volumes of sewage at peak times and flooding of raw sewage onto the
main streets has occurred on both sides of the border.
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Nogales Domestic Meeting
October 19, 1995
b. • Proposed Solution: The solution that was proposed included new systems on
both sides of the border. On the Mexican side, innovative, decentralized, closed systems
that use biological processes would be used. On the U.S. side it was noted that a new
binational facility is better located on the U.S. side due to the structure of the funding and
the credit given for reuse of the water that cannot be counted if the same facility
recharges the same aquifer but is located on the Mexican side. Better separation of sewer
and stormwater flows were part of the Nogales, Sonora system proposed, although this
was not discussed hi detail.
Septic System Dependence
a. Issue: A high priority issue was expressed by the group as an overdependence
on septic systems. These systems have been used extensively in the Rio Rico area north
of Nogales and are polluting the ground water.
b. Proposed Solution: One solution offered by the group was to train homeowners
how to use their septic system until they can be connected to an alternate system.
Dissemination of Information to the Public
a. Issue: Concerns were expressed about the lack of information.
b. Proposed Solution: More information was requested from all sources. The
Arizona Department of Environmental Quality was singled out as a potential source of
improved public information and awareness. More tests and studies in ground water and
surface water quality were felt to be necessary.
Sustainable Development
a. Issue: Although not discussed specifically under the heading "sustainable
development," the issue was raised in a number of places and the group was clearly
concerned.
b. Proposed Solution: A variety of sustainable development solutions were
discussed in detail. The alternative technology of a decentralized closed biological system
developed on the Mexican side was proposed as an alternative to the large-lot septic tank
subdivisions currently being approved on the U.S. side. Water conservation was
discussed in detail, including recharging the aquifers. Limits to growth on the U.S. side
were thought to be a concept that needed more study. Better separation of storm and
sewage flows on the Sonoran side of the sister cities was proposed as a way of allowing
more reuse. It was noted that Nogales, Sonora had an application before the Border
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Nogales Domestic Meeting
October 19, 1995
Environmental Cooperation Commission (BECC) for an environmental friendly water
supply and treatment project that concentrated on recharging the aquifer and decentralized
treatment of effluent.
Workgroup Topic Area; Emergency Response and Planning
Emergency Response Needs
a. Issue: There are currently inadequate emergency response capabilities such as
expertise and equipment on both sides of the border, but particularly on the Mexican side.
The community gave as an example, the recent landfill fire in Mexico.
b. Proposed Solution: Provide funds, training, and equipment.
Workgroup Topic Area; Enforcement
Cradle to Grave Hazardous and Solid Waste Tracking
a. Issue: Hazardous waste generated by the maquiladora industry must (per the La
Paz Agreement) be returned to the United States. However, there is a concern about not
knowing what, how much, when, and where raw hazardous materials are being
transported through Nogales, Arizona to Nogales, Sonora. Because of this, there is no
way of knowing what quantities of waste should be returning. The current U.S^-Mexico
hazardous materials tracking system in operation does not track raw materials being
shipped south into Mexico.
b. Proposed Solution: The current hazardous materials tracking system should
track raw hazardous materials being transported north or south through the border.
Decision Making Authority
a. Issue: The group was very concerned about who will actually have authority and
who presently has authority for making decisions.
b. Proposed Solution: The group wants more decision making authority to the
regional and local level. The hierarchical process needs to be softened. The group is
not advocating a total absence of state and federal representatives, however; state and
federal representatives are perceived as very necessary for input and enforcement.
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Nogales Domestic Meeting
October 19, 1995
Workgroup Topic Area; Information Management
Information about Border Environmental Activities
a. Issue: The community felt there is insufficient information about environmental
activities such as grants given to border communities and regional reports regarding the
community. For example, they wondered what the La Paz work groups have been doing.
One community member, who happened to be a federal government representative,
indicated that he should know about what the La Paz work groups are doing, but in fact,
does not.
b. Proposed Solution: Provide a clearing-house for information dissemination about
ongoing border projects and work groups.
Workgroup Topic Area; Environmental Health
Language and Cultural Concerns
a. Issue: The group was concerned with accessing the bilingual community and
identifying the issues on both sides of the border. They also expressed concern with
different styles of management found on either side of the border.
b. Proposed Solution: Bilingual materials and translators need to be made available
at all public outreach functions. Meetings need to have representatives from Sonora and
Arizona present to jointly hear the input from citizens. The entire program needs to have
a way of identifying issues and final goals but accommodating different styles and
schedules that each nation may take to achieve those goals.
Education and Public Outreach
a. Issue: The group stated that it was very important to provide education and
public outreach to citizens.
b. Proposed Solution: Education needs to be provided at all levels, i.e., formal and
informal and needs to be provided by multiple sources. Education support must use a
wide portfolio of approaches to target as many sectors of society as possible. The
program must avoid the syndrome of putting all the "education eggs in one basket." They
felt very strongly that education leads to empowerment and action.
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Nogales Domestic Meeting
October 19, 1995
Decision Making Authority
a. Issue: The group was very concerned about who will actually have authority and
who presently has authority for making decisions.
b. Proposed Solution: The group wants more decision making authority to the
regional and local level. The hierarchical process needs to be softened. The group is not
advocating a total absence of state and federal representatives, however; state and federal
representatives are perceived as very necessary for input and enforcement of schedule and
financial accountability.
Workgroup Topic Area; Sustainable Development
Sustainable Development
a. Issue: Although not discussed specifically under the heading "sustainable
development," the issue was raised in a number of places and the group was clearly
concerned.
b. Proposed Solution: A variety of sustainable development solutions were
discussed in detail. The alternative technology of a decentralized closed biological system
developed on the Mexican side was proposed as an alternative to the large-lot septic tank
subdivisions currently being approved on the U.S. side. Water conservation was
discussed in detail, including recharging the aquifers. Limits to growth on the U.S. side
were thought to be a concept that needed more study. Better separation of storm and
sewage flows on the Sonoran side of the sister cities was proposed as a way of allowing
more reuse. It was noted that Nogales, Sonora had an application before BECC for an
environmental friendly water supply and treatment project that concentrated on recharging
the aquifer and decentralized treatment of effluent.
Cradle to Grave Hazardous and Solid Waste Tracking
a. Issue: Hazardous waste generated by the maquiladora industry must (per the La
Paz Agreement) be returned to the United States. However, there is a concern about not
knowing what, how much, when, and where raw hazardous materials are being
transported through Nogales, Arizona to Nogales, Sonora. Because of this, there is no
way of knowing what quantities of waste should be returning.
b. Proposed Solution: The current hazardous materials tracking system should track
raw hazardous materials being transported north or south through the border.
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Appendix E
DOUGLAS
Douglas, Arizona, located on the eastern side of the Arizona-Sonora States and twinned with the
industrial city of Agua Prieta, has many of the characteristics of an older city in relationship to
infrastructure and environmental concerns. Many of the participants who attended came from
Bisbee and Naco and in economic and environmental terms, the three towns were very
interrelated.
There were approximately 25 individuals at this public meeting. Issues and concerns presented
during the meeting are organized by workgroup topic area if discussed by the community
participants. Specific issues are presented as problem-solution pairs, unless solutions were not
offered or apparent.
Workgroup Topic Areas
Water E-2
Air E-4
Enforcement E-5
Information Management E-5
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Douglas Domestic Meeting
October 20, 1995
Workgroup Topic Area; Water
Water and Sewer Distribution Systems
a. Issue: The highest priority issue appeared to be the antiquated sewer and water
distribution systems in several area communities. It was stated that in Bisbee, one-third
of the residents buy bottled drinking water. The prison in Nacb was said to be
discharging raw sewage and the community of Naco, Sonora was said to be discharging
sewage to Greenback Draw, where the wells servicing Naco and Bisbee, Arizona are
located. Mine tailings were thought to contaminate areas of ground water, although
documented cases of a health hazard did not surface in the discussion. Anecdotal
evidence, however, was presented of a drinking water related death in Douglas. It was
felt that the old pipes contaminated the drinking water, and caused heavy sedimentation.
It was also felt that the cost of replacement was beyond local means.
b. Proposed Solution: There were many solutions proposed. The construction of
additional ponds in Naco was proposed to alleviate the sewage spill problem. The
reconstruction of the distribution system was proposed and a local city manager stated
that their community would be willing to see a modest increase in the local water rate to
help fluid it. Monitoring and clean up was proposed for the problem of ground water
contamination.
Availability of Information to the Public
a. Issue: The lack of information on the problems and solutions including general
environmental awareness was considered an impediment to improving public participation
and raising environmental quality.
b. Proposed Solutions: There were various solutions suggested. Firstly, it was
stated that information was useless unless people knew how to use it. Education was
necessary in addition to availability. The Border Environmental Cooperation Commission
(BECC) was mentioned as an ideal candidate to be an international clearing-house for
binational information access. The North American Development Bank (NADBank) and
the International Boundary Water Commission (IBWC) were also mentioned. The group
was asked why they did not consider the State level as an implementation vehicle for a
binational clearing-house for information and it was stated that a binational committee did
exist on the environment between Baja California and California, but it was felt that this
would need to be strengthened to be more visible. It was noted that the Transboundary
Resources Inventory Project was already gathering information and this type of effort
needed more support. Electronic information was considered an important element to
supplement the traditional dissemination methodologies.
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Douglas Domestic Meeting
October 20, 1995
Surface Water Quantity and Quality
a. Issue: Surface water quantity and quality was considered an important issue. The
San Pedro River was thought to be in danger of over-pumping for drinking water needs
in Douglas and the riparian corridor was thought to be at risk. There was a concern about
the water quality of the effluent from the Douglas treatment plant. Lead levels were
thought to be high in the effluent. There were concerns expressed regarding the surface
water quality in the Sulphur Springs Valley.
b. Proposed Solutions: Many solutions were proposed that touched on issues of
sustainable development. There was the suggestion from a participant that there might
need to be some limits to growth, although this was received by the whole group without
enthusiasm. Recharging the aquifer was considered a better option and it was noted that
the existing project for waste water treatment for Douglas would let the treated effluent
flow south to Mexico where it would be mixed with untreated sewage and need
retreatment. It was felt that the treated effluent could be better used to recharge the
binational watershed, or be used for greywater for washing the streets or watering of
parks and green areas. The appropriate technology forum run at BECC meetings was
mentioned as a very good initiative.
Ground Water Contamination
a. Issue: Ground water contamination from the area mines, discussed on the U.S.
side and active on the Mexican side was considered an issue, although it was noted that
current data does not indicate a health hazard. The mine at Cananea and St. David were
mentioned.
b. Proposed Solution: Increased monitoring and information was requested. It was
noted that Nogales seemed to have more studies and information available than Douglas
and this was felt to require urgent correction. More testing of the ground water was
desired and more published results.
Wastewater Treatment Facility
a. Issue: The cost of new wastewater treatment facilities was considered beyond the
means of the local taxpayers. The project for Naco was stated to cost between four to
six million dollars for a town with only some 6,500 residents, or nearly $10,000 per
resident.
b. Proposed Solution: More grants, rather than loans, were requested from the
national and international agencies. Selling treated water was considered a means to
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Douglas Domestic Meeting
October 20, 1995
recover part of the costs. Local residents were expected to shoulder some, but not all, of
the burden. It was considered necessary to fully explore alternate or appropriate
technologies hi case there were cost savings for a project such as a treatment facility.
Workgroup Topic Area; Air
Air Quality Monitoring
a. Issue: Two members of the group felt that air quality in the area is insufficiently
monitored.
b. Proposed Solution: A Douglas/Aqua Prieta air study should be complete to
determine potential contaminants from old smelter dust, sewage sludge dust, burning tires,
burning refuse, and other local particulate matter. One of the two participants also felt
that local car emissions in the town of Douglas need to be studied and better controlled
because they are causing unhealthy air quality conditions. Two other members of the
group felt that there are no air quality problems on the U.S. side of the border and that
all the problems exist in Mexico. They were very opposed to additional money being
spent in Douglas or across the border on environmental issues.
Health Risks and Public Outreach
a. Issue: Two participants felt that more public outreach needs to occur concerning
air related health issues.
b. Proposed Solution: Douglas/Aqua Prieta/Bisbee needs a concentrated program
to determine if impacted health clusters (i.e., cancer, lupus, etc.) exist. They also felt that
air data needs to be made more accessible to the public in a format that the layperson can
understand. They were also concerned that local and state agencies need to coordinate
and focus on collection of anecdotal health information from the communities. Two other
participants were very opposed to additional research of local health issues. They felt that
if a problem really existed, it would have already been discovered. They felt that any
long range study should only be done on residents of Douglas who have lived there all
their life. Otherwise, the study will not get a true account of health issues related to
Douglas and will instead include data from people that have recently moved to the area.
Cost of Environmental Programs
a. Issue: While the majority. of the meeting participants favor continued
environmental efforts in the border region, two participants were very opposed to the
entire Border XXI program proposal.
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Douglas Domestic Meeting
October 20, 1995
b. ' Proposed Solution:' These participants do not feel that any money should be spent
on environmental issues. They were adamantly opposed to providing Mexico with any
additional loans or funds since they already owe the U.S. so much money. They feel that
this program will be a waste of U.S. dollars and that it is being pursed so that the EPA
can keep itself and its contractors in business. They wondered how the U.S. can afford
programs like these when the country is already in debt.
Workgroup Topic Area: Enforcement
Surface Water Quantity and Quality
a. Issue: Surface water quantity and quality was considered an important issue. The
San Pedro River was thought to be in danger of over-pumping for drinking water needs
in Douglas and the riparian corridor was thought to be at risk. There was a concern about
the water quality of the effluent from the Douglas treatment plant. Lead levels were
thought to be high in the effluent. There were concerns expressed regarding the surface
water quality in the Sulphur Springs Valley.
b. Proposed Solutions: Many solutions were proposed that touched on issues of
sustainable development. There was the suggestion from a participant that there might
need to be some limits to growth, although this was received by the whole group without
enthusiasm. Recharging the aquifer was considered a better option and it was noted that
the existing project for waste water treatment for Douglas would let the treated effluent
flow south to Mexico where it would be mixed with untreated sewage and be in need of
retreatment. It was felt that the treated effluent could be better used to recharge the
binational watershed, or be used for grey water for washing the streets or watering of
parks and green areas. The appropriate technology forum run at BECC meetings was
mentioned as a very
Workgroup Topic Area; Information Management
Availability of Information to the Public
a. Issue: The lack of information on the problems and solutions including general
environmental awareness was considered an impediment to improving public participation
and raising environmental quality.
b. Proposed Solutions: There were various solutions suggested. Firstly, it was
stated that information was useless unless people knew how to use it. Education was
necessary in addition to availability. BECC was mentioned as an ideal candidate to be
an international clearing-house for binational information access. NADBank and the
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Douglas Domestic Meeting
October 20, 1995
IB WC'were also mentioned. The group was asked why they did not consider the State
level as an implementation vehicle for a binational clearing-house for information and it
was stated that a binational committee did exist on the environment between Baja
California and California and Arizona and Sonora, but it was felt that this would need to
be strengthened to be more visible. It was noted that the Transboundary Resources
Inventory Project was already gathering information and this type of effort needed more
support. Electronic information was considered an important element to supplement the
traditional dissemination methodologies.
Ground Water Contamination . .
a. Issue: Ground water contamination from the area mines, discussed on the U.S.
side and active on the Mexican side was considered an issue, although it was noted that
current data does not indicate a health hazard. The mine "at Cananea and St. David were
mentioned.
b. Proposed Solution: Increased monitoring and information was requested. It was
noted that Nogales seemed to have more studies and information available than Douglas
and this was felt to require urgent correction. More testing of the ground water was
desired and more published results.
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Appendix F
LAS CRUCES
Las Cruces, located in the middle of the border region in New Mexico, shares some physical
characteristics with eastern and western halves of the border region. Las Cruces has no sister
city to the south. It does cover the general area of Sunland Park, Santa Theresa border crossing.
The closest Mexican city is Ciudad Juarez, which abuts El Paso, Texas. Las Cruces appeared
to be outside the El Paso-Ciudad Juarez air shed and the air concerns expressed were rural
concerns, such as pesticide use, rather than binational industrial contamination as was expressed
in El Paso. Las Cruces is upstream of the Texan and Mexican border towns and is not directly
affected by fellow American or by Mexican actions involving discharge in the Rio Grande.
Nevertheless, concerns were still expressed regarding the downstream effects. The existence of
two large, colonias hi the area, and meeting attendance of some representatives who were
residents of them, resulted hi much useful discussion regarding colonia needs and perceptions.
Meeting participants focused discussion on small community needs in applying for and financing
environmental improvements.
There were approximately 70 individuals at this public meeting. Issues and concerns presented
during the meeting are organized by workgroup topic area if discussed by the community
participants. Specific issues are presented as problem-solution pairs, unless solutions were not
offered or apparent.
Workgroup Topic Areas
Hazardous and Solid Waste F-2
Water F-3
Air -. F-4
Pollution Prevention F-4
Emergency Response and Planning F-5
Enforcement F-5
Information Management F-6
Environmental Health F-6
Natural Resources F-7
Sustainable Development F-7
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Las Cruces Domestic Meeting
October 25, 1995
Workgroup Topic Area: Hazardous and Solid Waste
Landfill Near Colonia Sunland Park
a. Issue: Sunland Park Colonia residents felt "particularly alone" in relation to
concerns over "what is being dumped" in the local landfill site. They also expressed
concern about the landfill being located so close to their residential area.
b. Proposed Solution: A resident suggested "put regulations in layman's terms in
order for us and the community to be that watchful eye and take into their own hands
enforcement if they see violations" Also called for was more information regarding what
is going into the dump. It was suggested that EPA should do more studies on the impact.
It was also suggested to call the state police if the residents had a strong suspicion of
illegal dumping. The fire marshal's office was suggested as a good collaborator.
Clarification of the chain of command was called for. Not renewing the local landfill
contract when it comes up in 5 years was mentioned as a possible solution.
Landfill Location
a. Issue: Concern was expressed about a landfill site located in the southern part of
New Mexico which would contaminate the Rio Grande in the Texas and Chihuahua
portions if runoff and seepage occurred.
b. Proposed Solution: It was proposed to use a law against the movement of waste
across the borderline to block a dump site that might discharge, by surface
runoff and subsurface seepage, waste downstream across a state or international boundary.
Greater interstate collaboration was also proposed. ,
Radioactive Material on the White Sands Missile Range
a. Issue: Concern was expressed by residents living close to the White Sands
Missile Range and Fort Bliss regarding "highly radioactive material" storage and the noise
and air contamination from the testing itself. It was stated that "our- houses are cracked
from the testing that goes on".
b. Proposed Solution: No solution was specifically stated.
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Las Cruces Domestic Meeting
October 25, 1995
Workgroup Topic Area; Water
Drinking Water Quality
a. Issue: A Columbus resident mentioned the community concern about excessive
fluoride in the local drinking water and the belief that the whole aquifer has excessive
fluoride levels. A concern was also expressed about pesticides filtering into the ground
water. Water quality in Sunland Park was reported as a high concern. The water was
considered too chlorinated for comfort. Concern was expressed that school children do
not have access to bottled water during the day.
b. Proposed Solution: More independent testing was called for.
Drinking Water and Sewer Service Availability
a. Issue: Desert Aire residents reported 1,000 persons have no drinking water. It
was reported that water is trucked in from outside and heated on stovetops for bathing.
Concerns were expressed that if they got running water they would be inundated with
sewage and the two services needed to be introduced together.
b. Proposed Solution: Grants were requested; as well as the desire for an
integrated water delivery and sewer plan for the community.
Grant Monies for Water Services for Colonias
a. Issue: Concern was expressed about the large number of colonias that have
contaminated water supplies (23 colonias in Dona Ana County alone were mentioned) and
the slowness of the grant process.
b. Proposed Solution: It was felt that "we have money sitting somewhere in the
State of New Mexico or out in Washington, whatever, it has not been used" and that
involvement of the stakeholders and better interagency coordination was needed. There
was a feeling that planning and disseminating information fragmented by several agencies
involved was "where all the money was going" instead of actions in the community.
It was suggested that all the agencies should "get together and do the same mission".
Water Quantity in the Rio Grande
a. Issue: Concern was expressed that too much water was being taken from the Rio
Grande and that this was affecting wildlife habitats along the river.
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Las Cruces Domestic Meeting
October 25, 1995
b. ' Proposed Solution: An integrated water basin plan was called for which gives
more weight to habitat protection instead of irrigation requests.
Water Quality in the Rio Grande and Area Ground Water
a. Issues: Concerns about pesticide contamination of the Rio Grande and ground
water were expressed. Also expressed were concerns about leaching and runoff from
dumps into the ground water and river.
b. Proposed Solution: Landfill sites were felt to need special review if located in
such a way that potential runoff would affect the river. The "National Water Quality
Assessment Program that been conducted from the head waters of the Colorado to El Paso
sponsored by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) out of Albuquerque was
mentioned as a start. Studies by the IBWC and EPA from El Paso to Brownsville of the
Rio Grande was mentioned. This work seemed strongly supported by the group and
copies were requested.
Workgroup Topic Area: Air
Pollens, Allergies, and Pesticides
a. Issue: Concern was expressed regarding the link between allergies and pesticide
use in the area. Also the link between what is being planted such as Mulberries and
pollens in the air.
b. Proposed Solution: Greater control over pesticide use was called for. No
specific solutions were suggested for pollens except that, perhaps, that pollination impacts
on local air quality need to be considered in some sort of permissions system for crop
selection.
Workgroup Topic Area; Pollution Prevention
Education
a. Issue: Concern was expressed that the ordinary public was not participating
enough in the prevention of pollution
b. Proposed Solution: Putting the regulations in layman's terms and disseminating
information in a clearing-house, libraries,,schools and outreach offices were suggested
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Las Cruces Domestic Meeting
October 25, 1995
Workgroup Topic Area; Emergency Response and Planning
Response Capabilities
a. Issue: Concern was expressed that the state-wide coverage of trained personnel
was incomplete. An example of an overturned truck carrying 50 gallon bags of pesticide
with the driver pinned was given and the closest response capability was in Albuquerque.
Mining emergency staff from Playas were pressed into service on that occasion, but the
concern remained about capability.
b. Proposed Solution: It was reported that a system of regional response centers
were needed and that the Fire Department of Las Cruces had been requested to be such
a center. However, the willingness of the municipally funded fire department to subsidize
a regional center was limited and full funding from the state was called for as the
beneficiaries were many municipalities.
Training
a. Issue: Concern was expressed regarding the lack of training for local fire
departments, police and other agencies regarding hazardous materials being transported
along the hazardous materials routes through the state.
b. Proposed Solution: The fire academy was mentioned as responsible and available
for awareness training. Local emergency plans were suggested as a vehicle to use to
integrate different agencies and to disseminate training and awareness in a consistent
manner.
Workgroup Topic Area; Enforcement
Sunland Park and Landfill Regulation Enforcement
a. Issue: Sunland residents called for more enforcement of the landfill regulations
of their neighboring site.
Pesticides
a. Issue: Concern was expressed over regulation of binational pesticide use.
b. Proposed Solution: A role for EPA in monitoring pesticide levels in imported
produce was called for as well as more regulations over use on the U.S. side.
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Las Cruces Domestic Meeting
October 25, 1995
Workgroup Topic Area: Information Management
Information Clearing-House
a. Issue: An information clearing-house was called for that would include all
environmental information for southern New Mexico.
b. Proposed Solution: Much progress was reported and strongly supported by the
participants who wanted the initiative expanded. A May 1994 initiative by EPA to bring
together all relevant agencies resulted in state-led monthly coordination meetings in the
environmental health area. In addition, a New Mexico database designed to be
compatible with disease surveillance databases in California, Texas, and Arizona linking
the environmental conditions information from all areas to the health status of the
communities. Binational training was also mentioned.
Information Dissemination
a. Issue: Information dissemination to non experts and stakeholders was desired.
b. Proposed Solution: Information should be sent to libraries and schools. Outreach
offices in the colonias was warmly supported.
Workgroup Topic Area; Environmental Health
Colonias
a. Issue: Concerns were expressed by colonia residents regarding the public health
impacts of the lack of sewer and water supply services as well as the proximity to landfill
site.
b. Proposed Solution: Basic services were requested as well as careful review of
landfill locations to consider the informal settlement pattern. More surveillance was
called for. Working with community groups on public health consultation and disease
control was suggested.
Pollens, Allergies and Pesticides
a. Issue: Concern was expressed regarding the link between allergies and pesticide
use hi the area. Also the link between what is being planted such as Mulberries and
pollens in the air.
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Las Cruces Domestic Meeting
October 25, 1995
b. ' Proposed Solution: Greater control over pesticide use was called for. No
specific solutions were suggested for pollens except that, perhaps, that pollination impacts
on the local air quality need to be considered in some sort of permissions system for crop
selection.
Workgroup Topic Area; Natural Resources
Maintain Existing Environment
a. Issue: Concern was expressed regarding maintaining the existing environment and
integrity of wildlife and ecosystems "we have left" in southern New Mexico.
b. Proposed Solution: Objection to the proposal for "lining the Rio Grande south
of Caballo" was made as well as calls for more consultation over proposals that have a
potentially negative impact on natural habitats. Habitat fragmentation was suggested as
a criteria to be used by NADBANK during review of projects.
Overgrazing
a. Issue: Overgrazing on public and private lands without consideration of the
habitat impacts was considered a problem.
b. Proposed Solution: No specific solution was mentioned, except for the
implication that more controls and monitoring were needed.
Workgroup Topic Area; Sustainable Development
Loss of Farm Land
a. Issue: Depletion of highly productive farm land for urban development in Dona
Ana county and elsewhere was mentioned as a concern.
b. Proposed Solution: No solution was mentioned but it was implied that
consideration should be given during the development planning process to farmland loss.
Overgrazing
a. Issue: Overgrazing on public and private lands without consideration of the
habitat impacts was considered a problem.
b. Proposed Solution: No specific solution was mentioned, except for the
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Las Cruces Domestic Meeting
October 25, 1995
implication that more controls and monitoring were needed.
Habitat Fragmentation
a. Issue: Concern was expressed about the impact of habitat fragmentation on
species diversity.
b. Proposed Solution: It was suggested that grant and loan giving agencies such as
NADBANK adopt a habitat protection criteria during their project selection process.
Preservation of coastal wetlands, resacas, brushland, and riparian vegetation and water
quality were cited as necessary to support the diversity.
F-8
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Appendix G
EL PASO
El Paso is located in the western edge of the State of Texas and is twinned with the Mexican
sister industrial city of Ciudad Juarez to the south separated only by the Rio Grande. In addition
to the substantial number of industries on the Mexican side, El Paso has a large concentration
of industrial developments of its own which were the subject of many participants concerns and
comments.
A proposal to locate a low-level radioactive waste disposal facility 6 miles east of Sierra Blanca
in Hudspeth County by the Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Authority generated
considerable controversy and several groups protesting the proposal were represented at the
meeting. The International Environmental Alliance of the Bravo, the Sierra Club, the Save Sierra
Blanca, the NAACP-Environmental Justice Program and local citizens form the Hudspeth
County area all made representations regarding the disposal site.
There were approximately 75 individuals at this public meeting. Issues and concerns presented
during the meeting are organized by workgroup topic area if discussed by the community
participants. Specific issues are presented as problem-solution pairs, unless solutions were not
offered or apparent.
Workgroup Topic Areas
Hazardous and Solid Waste G-2
Water G-3
Air G-5
Pollution Prevention G-6
Emergency Response and Planning G-7
Enforcement G-7
Information Management G-7
Environmental Health G-8
Natural Resources G-8
Sustainable Development G-8
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El Paso Domestic Meeting
October 24, 1995
Workgroup Topic Area; Hazardous and Solid Waste
Low-Level Radioactive Nuclear Disposal Site in Hudspeth County
a. Issue: Concern was expressed in relation to the low-level radioactive nuclear
disposal facility by local residents from El Paso. It was felt that the location 16 miles
from the Rio Grande was in violation of the La Paz agreement and that the disposal site
would be a danger to the local residents and the wider ecosystem, including the Rio
Grande. Seismic activity was reported to be high in the site area and there were fears of
ground water contamination and the possibility of eventual contamination of the Rio
Grande. It was stated that 4 out of the 6 existing sites have already leaked radiation "in
a very short number of years".
b. Proposed Solution: Although no alternative disposal location was suggested other
solutions were put forward. First, it was felt that any controversial waste generating
facility or environmental hazard located within the 100 mile border zone should go
through some sort of special binational and federal approval process. Secondly storage
of the waste at the site from which it was generated was suggested. Thirdly a medical
liability fund was called for.
Superfund Management
a. Issue: Concern was expressed about the "unnamed plating site" in El Paso which
is a state Superfund site because of its toxic subsoil characteristics.
b. Proposed Solution: It was proposed to remove the contamination instead of just
pave it over. It was suggested that the Superfund should clean the sites and not just do
remedial actions which were the cheapest options. It was suggested that the EPA budget
needed restoration to previous levels and that environmental laws needed strengthening.
Binational Information and Enforcement
a. Issue: Concern was expressed regarding the lack of information about toxic
releases from maquiladoras on the Mexican side of the border as well as the waste
disposal sites on both sides.
b. Proposed Solution: It was suggested that the EPA work with Mexico to conduct
a binational toxic release study. Public accessibility and involvement was suggested. The
La Paz work group on solid waste was referred to as a good initiative that needed
strengthening.' The Texas General Land Office outlined a data information system
(including GIS) which was binational and included all U.S. border states which will be
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El Paso Domestic Meeting
October 24, 1995
Internet accessible and will include a natural resources inventory, public health concerns,
and toxic release.
Chevron Pipeline Across Rio Grande
a. Issue: Concern was expressed over the proposed Chevron gasoline pipeline at
Lakeside that crosses the Rio Grande to Juarez. It was felt that in case of an accident
aquifers will be damaged.
b. Proposed Solution: Further checking of the "water near the refinery" and
surrounding grounds was suggested. It was suggested that the EPA should be more
involved and that the political influence of Chevron was inhibiting EPA and TNRCC who
needed to be more assertive.
Road Versus Rail Transport
a. Issue: The increased truck traffic due to NAFTA was felt to be harming the
environment, including the increased movement of hazardous and solid waste by road.
b. Proposed Solution: Movement by rail was suggested as well as the construction
of new border crossings, such as Santa Teresa, which segregate truck traffic from
established population centers.
Workgroup Topic Area: Water
Water Supply to Colonias
a. Issue: Water supply to the colonias was mentioned as a concern.
b. Proposed Solution: No specific solutions were suggested except that potential
water sheds needed to be protected such as Sierra Blanca.
Lack Of Treatment in Ciudad Juarez
a. Issue: The lack of wastewater treatment in Ciudad Juarez was a concern.
b. Proposed Solution: It appeared to be an assumption that a treatment plant in Cd
Juarez should be built.
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El Paso Domestic Meeting
October 24, 1995
Sierra Blanca Watershed
a. Issue: The Sierra Blanca watershed was thought to be at risk due the proposed
low- level radioactive Waste dump in the region and that El Paso may need the water in
the future.
b. Proposed Solution: It was proposed to cancel the proposal to locate the waste
facility.
Water Conservation
a.
Issue: Water Conservation was mentioned as a concern
b. Proposed Solution: No solution was suggested.
Industrial Sewage in El Paso
a. Issue: Sewage discharge from industry in El Paso was mentioned as a concern
b. Proposed Solution: It was suggested that all industry that contaminates, pollutes
ground water or air should be moved out of the metropolitan area of El Paso within the
next 5 years and that any improvements or additions (of contaminating industry) not be
allowed within the metropolitan area to avoid deterioration of the environment of El Paso.
Industrial Sewage in Cd. Juarez
a. Issue: It was expressed as a concern, that maquiladoras in Ciudad Juarez had not
been inspected for over 3 years and some were dumping raw sewage directly into the Rio
Grande.
b. Proposed Solution: Some form of binational inspections and enforcement under
the NAFTA agreement or through the La Paz process was called for. More citizen
participation in enforcement through public education and information dessemination was
desired.
Flooding
a. Issue: In a written submission a participant expressed concern regarding building
on the flood plain.
b. Proposed Solution: Laws and guidance from developers and residential
projects was called for.
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El Paso Domestic Meeting
October 24, 1995
Workgroup Topic Area: Air
El Paso Air Quality
a. Issue: Air pollution in El Paso was mentioned as a concern
b. Proposed Solution: It was suggested that all industry that contaminates, pollutes
ground water, or air should be moved out of the metropolitan area of El Paso within the
next 5 years and that any improvements or additions (of contaminating industry) nof be
allowed within the metropolitan area to avoid deterioration of the environment of El Paso.
Binational air quality monitoring was also suggested
Second Hand Cigarette Smoke
a. Issue: Air pollution inside buildings from second hand smoke (from cigarettes)
was mentioned as a concern.
b. Proposed Solution: Improved city ordinances were called for.
American Smelting and Refining Company
a. Issue: Concern was expressed that the smelter continues to contaminate El Paso
with lead emissions even though the project seems to have eliminated a lot of particulate
matter and sulfur dioxide. Concern was expressed about the high lead levels in zip codes
02 and 05 (Kern Place Mission Hills and the area around Chevron and Phelps Dodge) as
well as the wider El Paso/Cuidad Juarez area. A report was prepared by the City of El
Paso indicated that testing had taken place and that unusual levels were not found but the
concern remained and it was felt that the accumulative effect on people was the correct
way to measure the problem rather than only background levels in the air.
b. Proposed Solution: Improvement of "the so called bag house" was called for as
well as the participation of EPA in monitoring and enforcement.
Air Quality
a. Issue: Concern was made regarding the deterioration of air quality and its effects
on the Big Bend National Park area. Asthma was mentioned as a result. Presidio was
mentioned as a major trouble spot.
b. Proposed Solution: No additional solutions were mentioned.
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El Paso Domestic Meeting
October 24, 1995
Rail Versus Road
a. Issue: The increased truck traffic due to NAFTA was felt to be harming the
environment, including the increased air contamination of the sister cities. Also the traffic
idling at crossing points was felt to harm air quality in the downtown area.
b. Proposed Solution: Movement by rail was suggested as well as the construction
of new border crossings, such as Santa Teresa, which segregate truck traffic from
established population centers.
Workgroup Topic Area; Pollution Prevention
Low-Level Radioactive Nuclear Waste Disposal Site in Hudspeth County
a. Issue: Probably the number one pollution prevention concern expressed by local
residents and by many interested citizens was in relation to the proposed low- level
radioactive nuclear waste disposal site.
b. Proposed Solution: Some pollution prevention solutions were put forward.
Firstly it was felt that any controversial waste generating facility or environmental hazard
located within the 100 mile border zone should go through some sort of special binational
and federal approval process. Secondly it was implied that the generation of the waste
itself needs to be more carefully considered and alternatives found.
Chevron Pipeline Across Rio Grande
a. Issue: Concern was expressed over the proposed Chevron gasoline pipeline at
Lakeside that crosses the Rio Grande to Juarez and its potential to pollute.
b. Proposed Solution: Alternatives to the piped movement of gasoline was implied
as desirable.
Road Versus Rail Transport
a. Issue: The increased truck traffic due to NAFTA was felt to be harming the
environment, including the increased movement of hazardous and solid waste by road as
well as air pollution.
Maquiladoras
a. Issue: Concern was expressed regarding the contamination by maquiladoras in
Ciudad Juarez.
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El Paso Domestic Meeting
October 24, 1995
b. 'Proposed Solution: A TNRCC official outlined a pollution prevention program
which included assisting companies doing industrial activities, development of a public
education campaign and technical training and voluntary pollution reduction programs.
This appeared to be warmly received by the participants.
Workgroup Topic Area; Emergency Response and Planning
No specific comments were expressed during the meeting although hazardous and solid
waste movement was a concern from a potential spills perspective and the potential for
radioactive contamination from the proposed low-level radioactive dump was also a
general concern. Access to information about hazardous materials crossing the border
was felt to inhibit emergency response. In a written submission a writer suggested the
establishment of a binational Poison Control Center for the U.S. Mexican Border Region
with access to local consultants and municipal, state, and federal agencies.
Workgroup Topic Area; Enforcement
Binational Information and Enforcement
a. Issue: Concern was expressed regarding the lack of information about toxic
release from maquiladoras on the Mexican side of the border.
b. Proposed Solution: Some form of binational inspections and enforcement under
the NAFTA agreement or through the La Paz Agreement/Work Groups process was called
for. More citizen participation in enforcement through public education and information
dissemination was desired.
Workgroup Topic Area; Information Management
Education
a. Issue: There was a call to generally raise the awareness of the community about
the environment.
b. Proposed Solution: A more community oriented approach to public meetings and
education was suggested although specifically how was not outlined at the meeting. In
a written submission a participant called for a public hearing approach and "not a
conference, educational session, brainstorm, or consensus building session."
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El Paso Domestic Meeting
October 24, 1995
Workgroup Topic Area: Environmental Health
Water-Based Infectious Diseases
a. Issue: Concern was expressed about the water-borne diseases that were possible
from the low quality of surface water in the Rio Grande. Diarrhea, infectious diseases,
and cholera were mentioned.
b. Proposed Solution: It was desired that a cleanup of the Rio Grande be
implemented.
Workgroup Topic Area; Natural Resources
No specific concerns were raised under this topic heading but concerns were expressed
over water quality in the Rio Grande, resacas and river tributaries
Workgroup Topic Area; Sustainable Development
Sustainable development was not directly mentioned but concerns were raised regarding
protecting and improving the water quality of the Rio Grande as well as a general feeling
that the natural environment was in need of remedial actions.
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Appendix H
EAGLE PASS
Eagle Pass, is located in the central portion of the border between Texas and Mexico. It is paired
with the Mexican city of Piedras Negras, Goahuila. The participants cited concerns in the areas
of environmental health, water supply, water quality, hazardous/solid waste, colonias problems,
binational agreements, enforcement, river dumping, air pollution, temporary versus long-term
solutions, education (including interagency cross-training), and recycling. The binational effort
at designing and implementing a wastewater facility for the sister cities was highlighted.
There were approximately 35 individuals at this public meeting. Issues and "concerns presented
during the meeting are organized by workgroup topic area if discussed by the community
participants. Specific issues are presented as problem-solution pairs, unless solutions were not
offered or apparent.
Workgroup Topic Areas
Hazardous and Solid Waste H-2
Water . . H-3
Air H-3
Pollution Prevention H-4
Emergency Response and Planning H-4
Enforcement H-5
Information Management H-5
Environmental Health H-5
Natural Resources H-5
Sustainable Development H-6
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Eagle Pass Domestic Meeting
October 19, 1995
Workgroup Topic Area; Hazardous and Solid Waste
Illegal Dumping
a. Issue: Comments made indicate a general concern regarding illegal dumping
by the colonias of solid waste beirig disposed directly into the Rio Grande.
b. Proposed Solution: Suggestions included using the local community to assist in
reporting illegal activities. There were suggestions to incorporate the areas of the region
that have no access to solid landfills., such as the colonias. The border patrol, which is
currently monitoring the Rio Grande for illegal immigrant crossings, was suggested as
candidates to receive cross-training to report illegal dumping of waste into the river. A
Mexican representative from the Department of Ecology of the State government of
Coahuila commented on initiatives to establish more legal dumps in an attempt to
decrease the tendency towards illegal dumping, which was well received by the group.
Binational Standards
a. Issue: Lack of consistent binational standards and enforcement was a strong
concern expressed.
b. Proposed Solution: Aside from the obvious desire to see binational standards,
the participants made a number of suggestions for realizing that goal. First, they made
several references to the existing binational coordination efforts going on at the federal,
state and municipal levels. The inference was that these should be expanded to include
enforcement responsibilities. In addition, the participants talked about binational
environmental education efforts.
Radioactive and other Regional Waste Disposal Sites
a. Issue: There was a concern expressed that the border region was being used as
a site for waste generated throughout the state.
b. Proposed Solution: The group suggested minimizing waste generated through
recycling, as well as taking into account the highly populated, fast-growing nature of the
binational border region when selecting dump sites.
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Eagle Pass Domestic Meeting
October 19, 1995
Education
a. Issue: A lack of education for the public and regulated community was cited.
b. Proposed Solution: Educational outreach was cited as a solution, including some
part of the program oriented to the layman through schools and libraries. A State of
Coahuila representative outlined a detailed education outreach program called "Clean
Coahuila" in the schools that appeared to be well received as a model for the U.S. side.
Workgroup Topic Area; Water
Water Treatment in Maverick County
a. Issue: Various colonias in Maverick County were cited as lacking basic sewer
systems. One comment seemed to sum up the general mood "there are so may colonias
without sewer systems, we want something done now."
b. Proposed Solution: The group urged incorporation of the colonias in order to
make them eligible for funding. There was a suggestion that Maverick County take the
lead in obtaining the Certificate of Convenience and Necessity on behalf of the colonias,
and in reaching an agreement with Eagle Pass to treat the sewage.
Binational Rules and Regulations
a. Issue: The lack of binational rules and regulations was cited as a problem by
many participants. One participant stated: "the river needs to be operated under the same
rules on both sides in order for this river to survive and have something down the line
for generations to come".
b. Proposed Solution: It was suggested that the EPA should take the lead from the
state to "get some type of agreement" with Mexico. The initiative of the municipality of
Eagle Pass to coordinate directly with the State of Coahuila was strongly supported.
Workgroup Topic Area; Air
Binational Rules and Regulations
a. Issue: The lack of binational rules and regulations was cited as a problem, both
in general and specifically in relation to industries located on the Mexican side of the
border.
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Eagle Pass Domestic Meeting
October 19, 1995
b. ' Proposed Solution: Carbon 1 and Carbon 2 emissions from the Mexican side
were specifically cited as needing attention as well as the emissions from Big Bend Park.
Automobile regulations were cited as needing binational standards and enforcement.
Pesticides
a. Issue: Enforcement of regulations regarding pesticide use was thought to be lax
and pesticide use was thought to affect air quality in the area.
b. Proposed Solution: No specific solutions were raised apart from a concern than
not enough was being done.
Public Education
a. Issue: There was thought to be a lack of education on air contamination.
b. Proposed Solution: No specific solutions were mentioned.
Workgroup Topic Area; Pollution Prevention
Education and Monitoring
a. Issue: The group expressed a concern regarding the lack of
industries and the community in pollution prevention and awareness.
education of
b. Proposed Solution: Meeting participants suggested more industry monitoring
and identifying the point sources of contamination so that remedial regulatory and
educational efforts could be carried out. Minimizing usage of water through educational
and regulatory conservation efforts was mentioned as a strategy in minimizing the amount
of effluent. Recycling was mentioned. The Clean Coahuila program in Mexico was
mentioned as a model of environmental education.
Workgroup Topic Area; Emergency Response and Planning
No comments were made directly under this topic area but concerns were expressed regarding
the transport and storage of hazardous waste and materials.
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Eagle Pass Domestic Meeting
October 19, 1995
Workgroup Topic Area: Enforcement
Binational
a. Issue: Fears were expressed about different standards of enforcement within the
same water- or air shed on either side of the border.
b. Proposed Solution: Binational enforcement was suggested to establish a "level
playing field."
Workgroup Topic Area: Information Management
Information Exchange/Dissemination
a. Issue: Information was felt to be lacking, and the forms of information
dissemination were felt to be inadequate.
b. Proposed Solution: Public education in the schools was mentioned, including the
State of Coahuila's program to create environmental clubs at the school level. Increased
binational consultation and team working was mentioned at the municipal, state and
federal levels.
Workgroup Topic Area: Environmental Health
Pesticides
a. Issue: Pesticide use was thought to affect environmental health in the rural areas
of the region.
b. Proposed Solution: No specific solutions were mentioned.
Workgroup Topic Area: Natural Resources
No comments were made directly under this category although the concern often
expressed for the water quality of the Rio Grande indicated a public desire to have the
river and associated tributaries as a natural resource for aesthetic and recreational use.
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Eagle Pass Domestic Meeting
October 19, 1995
Workgroup Topic Area: Sustainable Development
Recycling
a. Issue: Recycling was felt to be lacking in the community.
b. Proposed Solution: A schools based program was suggested.
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Appendix I
LAREDO
Laredo, Texas, is situated on the Rio Grande in the crossing point of highways 3 and 85 which
connect Monterrey, Nuevo Laredo to San Antonio and Dallas-Fort Worth. As such, it is the
largest road and rail border crossing of the Eastern Region of the border zone. The'sister city
of Nuevo Laredo is an industrial city with maquiladoras. Laredo is the center of a agricultural
region and many of the participants were drawn from smaller communities in the area.
Hazardous and solid waste was a very high concern, not only local storage and disposal but the
transport and handling of hazardous materials across the border. Rural and small community
concerns were mentioned such as pesticide use and services to small and unincorporated
communities. Colonia concerns were expressed. Noise pollution was a concern likely connected
to the large traffic volumes due to the border crossings.
There were approximately 22 individuals at this public meeting. Issues and concerns presented
during the meeting are organized by workgroup topic area if discussed by the community
participants. Specific issues are presented as problem-solution pairs, unless solutions were not
offered or apparent.
Workgroup Topic Areas
Hazardous and Solid Waste I_2
Water j_3
Air 1-4
Pollution Prevention j_4
Emergency Response and Planning I_4
Enforcement j_4
Information Management I_5
Environmental Health I_5
Sustainable Development I_5
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Laredo Domestic Meeting
October 18, 1995
Workgroup Topic Area: Hazardous and Solid Waste
Warehouses Storing Hazardous Materials
a. Issue: Concern was raised regarding current locations of hazardous materials
storage facilities such as warehouses. Participants implied that some of these warehouse
facilities posed a risk to surface water bodies such as creeks because of potential or actual
drainage, perhaps associated with inappropriate storage or handling practices.
Illegal Disposal into the Rio Grande River
a. Issue: The issue of enforcement, relative to the safe disposal of hazardous waste
was raised, again with the concern that disposal is currently occurring into the river,
presumably the Rio Grande. The participants felt that the problem is border- wide.
Whatever is dumped, eventually may end up in the river.
Tracking of Hazardous Wastes Across the Border
a. Issue: Participants were concerned that they are not aware of what hazardous
waste is crossing their borders and through their city. They also wanted to differentiate
between raw material chemicals that are toxic or hazardous and hazardous waste which
is generated in a manufacturing process.
b. Proposed Solution: In part, the solution proposed was to have movements of
hazardous waste and materials tracked through international mechanisms.
Sitings of New Bridge Border Crossings
a. Issue: A participant was concerned about the proposed sitings of new bridges in
the community. In addition to hazardous waste and chemical safety concerns, two other
issues related to siting were mentioned, noise pollution and deterioration of roads, both
due to the heavy truck traffic.
Lack of or Insufficient Solid Waste Facilities
a. Issue: Participants raised the concern for the lack of solid waste disposal facilities
in their community. Specifically lack of landfills and lack of other resources to properly
operate a community garbage disposal program. An example was cited for two colonial
communities, El Canes and Rio Bravo, have not had their garbage picked up for over six
months. A dump truck was inoperative, yet parked with trash in the dumpster. They
stated that the area represents a population of 10,000. This was attributed to a lack of
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Laredo Domestic Meeting
October 18, 1995
funds, 'but probably more significance was placed on the lack of municipal requirements
for garbage collection.
b. Proposed Solution: It was stated that the state of Texas does not require counties
to provide for garbage pick-up at rural road sites. However, it was felt that if the state
did require that this service be provided to rural communities, then it would go a long
way to resolving the problem of illegal dumping in Texas. It was felt that the state.
agencies and many municipalities spend a lot of money curbing or fighting illegal
dumping. However, requiring that service be provided was felt to be a better solution,
than going after illegal dumpers. It was stated that other states provide dumpsters to be
located in rural areas.
Workgroup Topic Area: Water
Surface Water Quality
a. Issue: Amongst the most important priority raised in the meeting was the concern
for water quality, specifically in regard to supporting wildlife biodiversity, and a healthy,
sustainable environment. Concern was raised for the difference between regulations for
siting landfills, operating landfills, and safety training for landfill operators, both privately
and municipally-owned. It was felt that the regulations were more stringent on the US
side. The difference in practices was felt to potentially contribute to water pollution
border wide. While there appeared to be concern in general for the problem occurring
on both sides of the border, it also appeared that it was considered more in terms of a
Texas problem. ,
b. Proposed Solution: One person mentioned the need for an :appropriate level of
sewage treatment.
Drinking Water Availability
a. Issue: Concern was expressed about the availability of drinking water
b. Proposed Solution: No specific solutions were offered.
Impacts of Erosion on Water Quality
a. Issue: Concern was raised that increased erosion adversely impacts water quality.
One participant wanted to emphasize the relationships between river bank erosion and
natural resources and wildlife.
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Laredo Domestic Meeting
October 18, 1995
b. " Proposed Solution: Participants want to see more control of erosion along the
river banks and of pesticide laden agricultural runoff.
Workgroup Topic Area: Air
Reduced Air Quality Attributed to Increased Truck Traffic
a. Issue: One participant indicated that over the last 15 years they have seen quality
deteriorate: a brown haze over the city is common. It was felt that border crossing didn't
have to be strictly at the border along the banks of the river. Trucks were said to be
sitting at the bridge crossings idling for hours. Existing air quality was felt to only include
particulate monitoring
b. Proposed Solution: A solution was to conduct "some real good air quality
monitoring" presumably to begin to define the problem. It was proposed that customs
should be placed a few miles away from the actual border, on the US and Mexican sides.
It was felt this would, in part, minimize local contamination resulting from idling trucks
and that the cleared trucks would pass through town quickly. Enforcement of truck routes
was also proposed.
Workgroup Topic Area; Pollution Prevention
Sitings of New Bridge Border Crossings
a. Issue: A participant was concerned about the proposed sitings of new bridges in
the community. In addition to hazardous waste and chemical safety concerns, two other
issues related to sitting were mentioned, noise pollution and deterioration of roads, both
due to the heavy truck traffic.
Workgroup Topic Area; Emergency Response and Planning
Spill or Accidents
a. Issue: Concern was raised about potential hazardous to the community due to
spills or accidents with actual or future sitings of hazardous material storage or handling
facilities.
Workgroup Topic Area; Enforcement
a. Issue: Participants raised the concern that trucks use the appropriate routes. This
comment was raised in the context of several other concerns including relocation of
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Laredo Domestic Meeting
October 18, 1995
border' crossing a few miles away from the actual borders to minimize deterioration of
primary transportation routes and minimize air pollution within the confines of the city.
It was felt that there is an increased amount of traffic associated with heavy, overweight,
trucks.
b. Proposed Solution: A solution was offered for more enforcement of designated
truck routes.
Workgroup Topic Area: Information Management
Information Availability
a. Issue: One participant indicated she was involved in the preparation of an
environmental management plan, but has had difficulty accessing information about
wildlife habitat areas along the river.
b. Proposed Solution: No specific solutions were proposed expect for the
implication that more information should be publically available and accessible.
Workgroup Topic Area: Environmental Health
Infectious Diseases
a. Issue: Concern was raised that the border communities on the Texas side are
exposed to more contagious diseases; reference was made to tuberculosis and bubonic
plague. The border environmental health conditions were described as being third world
conditions.
b. Proposed Solution: The group felt that there is a lack of health facilities that
could be a resource for environmental health education. They want to see facilities that
can educate awareness of health hazardous and preventive measures related to health.
Another participant indicated that they felt that there were programs to provide education,
however, there usually was not funding for outreach to let the community know that these
programs are available.
Workgroup Topic Area; Sustainable Development
a. Issue: Habitat protection was a concern mentioned as well as improved surface
water quality as a means of coexisting with the environment in a more brotherhood way.
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Appendix J
McALLEN
The environmental issues raised in McAllen, Texas, were often associated with colonias. Similar
to other border communities, there was concern over impacts due to heavy traffic. Much
emphasis was placed at the beginning of the meeting by Texas agencies to describe efforts being
made to address the colonias. It was stated that Hidalgo county has more colonias and more
population of colonia residents than any part of the country. Much discussion was raised by the
meeting participants regarding the status of House Bill (HB) 1001 which would address colonias
environmental problems.
Issues and concerns presented during the meeting are organized by workgroup topic area if
discussed by the community participants. Specific issues are presented as problem-solution pairs,
unless solutions were not offered or apparent.
Workgroup Topic Areas
Hazardous Materials and Solid Waste J-2
Water j_2
Air j_4
Pollution Prevention J-4
Emergency Response and Planning J-5
Enforcement J-5
Information Management '. -. . . . J-6
Environmental Health J-6
Sustainable Development • J-8
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McAllen Domestic Meeting
October 12, 1995
Workgroup Topic Area; Hazardous Materials and Solid Waste
Tire Disposal
a. Issue: One of the problems mentioned by a meeting attendee is the lack of
frequent tire disposal amnesty days.
b. Proposed Solution: No specific solution was offered.
Workgroup Topic Area; Water
Binational Water Basin Plan
a. Issue: A participant wanted to know what was being done to develop a binational
water basin plan and a natural resource management plan. He indicated that he was
aware of an air shed initiative in El Paso and Juarez area, but felt that something with
similar scope should be defined for water.
b. Proposed Solution: A meeting participant stated that in McAllen they are at the
end of the pipeline, a reference to the upstream discharges reaching McAllen downstream.
The concern was for both water quality and quantity, the later being a reference to water
shortages due to droughts. Furthermore, with the water table declining due to droughts
and excessive water supply demands, water treatment is more costly, presumably because
of the increased concentration of contaminants. Consequently, this scenario was defined
as water quality becoming a water supply problem.
The same participant indicated he heard a lot of talk about the Nuevo Laredo, Mexico
wastewater treatment plant and that it had been going on too long. He also expressed
concern that of all the projects recently approved by the Border Environmental
Cooperative Commission (BECC), not one was approved for the Texas border, as far as
he was aware.
Water Quality Monitors
a. Issue: Without the water quality monitors, it was stated, it is not possible to
attribute or properly evaluate potential sources. One apparent situation was the accusation
going on about the potential impacts of the shrimp farms; it was now not possible to
assess the validity of the concerns.
b. Proposed Solution: Concern was raised that the water quality monitors at the
mouth of the Arroyo Colorado had been taken out about two or three weeks prior from
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McAllen Domestic Meeting
October 12,1995
the date of the public meeting. Coincidentally or not, it was noted that there was a
fishkill that same weekend. Additionally, a week prior, there had been a red tide bloom.
One official remarked that there were still four water quality monitors in the Arroyo
Colorado and six in the Bay, a reference to the Gulf of Mexico.
Infrastructure Services in the Colonias
a. Issue: Interagency coordination of basic municipal services in the colonias was
considered to be grossly inadequate.
b. Proposed Solution: Coordination was discussed relative to infrastructure needs.
Organizations such as the Water Development Board are working with the EDAP
Program and the CWTAP to coordinate access of water and wastewater needs.
Additionally, issues such as utilities, paving, and drainage are also being coordinated.
What apparently is an issue is that first the EDAP project is constructed, then paving and
drainage is provided. Finally, water and wastewater connections are provided, however,
that means the paved roads are broken to install the connections. This situation puts an
additional burden on the community leaders. There is a desire to allow for more
flexibility associated with these types of infrastructure issues, since it would be more
efficient and advantageous to the colonia residents.
Rio Grande Water Quality
a. Issue: One participant expressed concern with meeting federal and state standards,
particularly when the water comes from the Rio Grande. The water supply is even more
limited during drought periods such that it is even more difficult to meet the standards.
Using more chemicals for treatment is not the solution, because there are also limits on
them. Consequently, the water supply providers have difficulty meeting the standards.
Additionally, concern was expressed for meeting National Pollution Discharge Elimination
Standards (NPDES) in the future as the communities population continues to increase.
The question was raised, is there going to be some sort of bi-national standards for
communities such as McAllen and Brownsville, and secondly, how will the infrastructure
requirements be handled. The presence of colonias was identified as a unique problem
associated with addressing water quality problems.
Industry Treated Wastewater
a. Issue: Currently, Piedras Negras has proposed that the Carbon I and II industry
use treated wastewater. The question was raised as to whether Piedras Negras was in fact
really using surface water, and not just ground water. This was all considered a
significant political problem associated with water right defined in the 1908 treaty
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between Mexico and the United States.
b. Proposed Solution: The group offered an example of ground water use in
Piedras Negras. Apparently the situation there is that the coal industry, Carbon I and II,
was throwing out the water after it could not be assured that Piedras Negras would be
able to keep its water supply up. Mexican cities currently rely heavily on ground water.
Workgroup Topic Area: Air
Sugar Cane Burning
a. Issue: Air contamination resulting from local sugar cane was a concern. Another
person stated that the sugar cane industry is an important part of the farmer's livelihood
in the region, therefore, the communities need to identify means of co-existing. That is
addressing environmental protection and ensure a economic growth for this industry.
b. Proposed Solution: The group did not suggest restrictions or additional
regulations due to concerns over job losses. Still another person stated that the industry
is really mechanized and as such does not really provide as many jobs for the community.
Instead it was considered to generate far greater burden of public health than economic
benefits. Furthermore, the industry was considered seasonal. For nine months the crops
are grown and harvested mechanically; workers migrate north to find work for the greater
part of the year.
El Paso/Juarez Air Initiative
a. Issue: A participant was interested in the status of the El Paso/Juarez air shed
initiative.
b. Proposed Solution: No suggestion or other remarks were made regarding this
request.
Workgroup Topic Area; Pollution Prevention
Accountability of Environmental Problems
a. Issue: Reference was made in the context of making developers accountable for
preventing environmental problems. A Texas Department of Health official mentioned
that they are working with the Attorney General's Office to correct a situation dealing
with water hauling.
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October 12, 1995
Vehicle Dust
a. Issue: Concern was raised regarding how dust problems could be solved. A
situation was cited by a City of Progreso representative who described how dust migrates
into the sewers, turns to mud, then the mud clogs the drainage pipes. Dust is generated
from all the unpaved roads in the community. The question was posed of how can Texas
compete with Mexico for available infrastructure funds.
b. Proposed Solution: It was felt that other financial solutions were needed to
account for the inadequate local tax base. An example was raised, specifically, in
reference to the neighboring city of Nuevo Progreso. The community does not have the
tax base to apply for infrastructure loans that may be available from institutes initiated
from NAFTA or other loan vehicles. It was stated that if the US is truly to compete with
Mexico economically, then there should also be emphasis placed on solving funding
issues associated with colonias on the U.S. side.
Used Tire Disposal
a. Issue: A participant indicated that the annual recycling effort is an important
community service.
b. Proposed Solution: It was proposed that the recycling program designate what
precincts of the community would be included in this effort.
Workgroup Topic Area; Emergency Response and Planning
No specific comments were raised regarding this topic.
Workgroup Topic Area: Enforcement
Flood Plains
a. Issue: It was stated that some colonias are built on flood plains and are definitely
in non-compliance with county building codes.
b. Proposed Solution: No specific solution was offered.
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Workgroup Topic Area; Information Management
Community Education
a. Issue: The economic improvement of a community was linked to the health of
the community. If people do not know what the problems are and how they impact their
health and the economy, then people do not realize how harmful certain situations can be.
b. Proposed Solution: A participant stated that only with education can the
community begin to appreciate the issues related to the environment. • Specific reference
was made to link the benefits of environmental management with water to that of health
and the economy, for example.
Colonia Outreach
a. Issue: It was felt that colonia residents were not adequately informed regarding
subdivision regulations.
b. Proposed Solution: An official stated in reference to House Bill (HB) 1001
colonia issues, specifically, efforts to establish lot records and subsequent deeds of trust
for families, that more education was needed. It was felt that it was helpful to continue
dialogue to address the problems and perhaps in some circumstances exceptions could be
made by grandfathering a colonia to meet the standards of a subdivision and at the same
time allow for improvements to go in as if it were under HB1001.
Workgroup Topic Area: Environmental Health
Mosquito Related Diseases
a. Issue: A participant was concerned about health problems associated with
mosquitos, disease, and encephalitis. The mosquito problem stems in part from ponded
water in tire dumps in various cities. Apparently due to regulatory requirements on tire
disposal, disposal only occurs once a year when the State of Texas provides an exemption
from the tire disposal requirements.
b. Proposed Solution: The representative from the Texas Department of Health
offered an explanation of the efforts being made by his agency to curb the problem. This
included education to encourage people to practice source reduction by emptying
containers that can hold water where the mosquito larvae live. They have provided
literature and public service announcements. In addition, the agency has used insecticides
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October 12, 1995
to destroy the larvae and adult phase of the mosquito. Another participant who was a
home health nurse practitioner, stated that the educational materials are good, but she
would recommend having them available in both Spanish and English to the more than
65 home health agencies existing in the Texas valley region. Her experience in the
schools was that children receive the pamphlet to share with their parents, but some
parents do not read English.
Health Testing
a. Issue: A participant felt that there should be greater tuberculosis testing of
children in the school districts. The current policy is that children who are entering the
school system must be tested. However, it was not considered to be sufficient, because
every summer children from the Mexican border who are in the school district go back
to Mexico. Thus since they are exposed annually, it was felt they should be tested
annually. Also testing should be for all employees, anyone in contact with the kids,
including the teachers. There was also a desire to see information as to why the districts
are not requiring more updated chest x-rays of the children.
Colonia Lot Sizes
a. Issue: A concern was raised that colonias with lot sizes that are fifty by a
hundred feet are getting assistance to put in septic tanks and still there is no law saying
that you cannot put in septic tanks if it is under half an acre. Since these colonias are
already there, they need septic tanks or something. The concern was expanded to include
scenarios where a house was situated with other small housing units, such that it could
not qualify based on the footage per septic tank system. So the question was asked of
how to address these problems.
b. Proposed Solution: An engineering solution was posed by one of the meeting
participants. He stated that there are turnkey systems, and several variations to the
traditional septic tank system design. Instead of designing for a drain field, design a
collection system with similarly situated houses draining into a collection line that then
goes to a secondary treatment system. Another person stated that the Texas Water
Development Board has a lot of information on technologies to address concerns
associated with size requirements for septic tanks. Furthermore, it was stated that the use
of innovative technologies are given preference for funding. However, the same
participant who posed the question felt that this solution would not be realistic because
there would not be anyone to carry this out because of lack of funding.
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Workgroup Topic Area: Sustainable Development
Sugar Cane Burning
a. Issue: The group felt that sugar cane burning was an important local livelihood
that should be protected. Still another felt that the industry is really mechanized and as
such does not really provide as many jobs for the community. Instead it was considered
to generate far greater burden of public health than the economic benefits.
b. Proposed Solution: No specific solution was identified.
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Appendix K
BROWNSVILLE
Brownsville, Texas, is located close to the Gulf of Mexico and is paired with the larger Mexican
city of Matamoros, Tamaulipas to the south. The most frequently cited concerns were
environmental health, water supply, water quality, air quality, hazardous and solid waste and the
problems generated by the colonias. Environmental health was mentioned many times as a high
concern. Dengue fever was reported to be present in Hidalgo County. Encephalitis was also
cited as a problem. A self-help program, that decreased the lead times and cost of introducing
sewage treatment for a colonia in Cameron County, was mentioned as an example of helping
disease prevention efforts.
Issues and concerns presented during the meeting are organized by workgroup topic area if
discussed by the community participants. Specific issues are presented as problem-solution pairs,
unless solutions were not offered or apparent.
Workgroup Topic Areas
Hazardous and Solid Waste K-2
Water K-3
Air K-4
Pollution Prevention K-5
Emergency Response and Planning K-5
Enforcement K-6
• Information Management K-6
Environmental Health K-6
Natural Resources K-7
Sustainable Development K-7
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Brownsville Domestic Meeting
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Workgroup Topic Area: Hazardous and Solid Waste
Movement of Hazardous Material
a. Issue: Concern was expressed over the movement of dangerous materials across
the border and near the border.
b. Proposed Solution: More local hazardous solid waste facilities were suggested
to reduce the need for movement. The HAZTRACKS data base and tracking system was
mentioned by an official and this seemed to meet with the approval of the group in terms
of being a good initiative that perhaps needed strengthening.
Mexican Solid Waste Facilities
a. Issue: Concern was expressed regarding the disposal practices of Mexican
municipal and industrial solid waste facilities. It was felt that burning municipal and
industrial waste was impacting the binational air shed.
b* . . Pr°P°sed Solution: Monitoring and financing of Mexican solid waste disposal
facilities was suggested. It was suggested to do the monitoring at a time that airborne
pollution carried by the prevailing wind most affected Brownsville.
Illegal Dumping on Mexican Side of Solid Waste
a. Issue: Concern was expressed over the Mexican side illegal dumping of waste
in water bodies that affected the Rio Grande.
b. Proposed Solution: More enforcement resources as well as binational
enforcement was called for.
Industrial Hazardous Waste
a. Issue: A general concern was expressed about the reduction of hazardous and
solid waste by industry and commercial facilities such as paint shops.
b. Proposed Solution: No solutions were specifically enumerated.
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Colonias
a. Issue: Concern was expressed regarding the lack of a municipal or county
garbage pick up and disposal service for the colonias. Lack of landfill sites near the
colonias was mentioned.
b. Proposed Solution: Provision of a pick up and disposal service was desired.
Solid Waste Facility Location
a. Issue: It was felt that the geology of the topography on the Mexican side was
more favorable for siting of binational solid waste facilities and that the political border
was preventing the logical location of regional facilities.
b. Proposed Solution: Binational collaboration and operation was called for.
Recycling
a. Issue: Curbside recycling was felt to be incomplete in Brownsville. Canadian
bottle deposits were held up as a model. Small business recycling of repair and paint
shops were thought to need inclusion.
b. Proposed Solution: A curbside program was desired. A bottle deposit was
suggested. Taxing bottles, cans and repackaging was requested to discourage disposal.
•V ' r
Workgroup Topic Area; Water
Ocean Dumping
a. Issue: Ocean dumping was mentioned as a problem affecting the fishing industry
and destroying the beaches.
b. Proposed Solution: Controls and monitoring were implied as solutions.
Water Quality in the Rio Grande and Its Effects on Local Drinking Water Supplies
a. Issue: Concern was expressed regarding the dumping of Mexican point sources
into the Rio Grande or its tributaries in relation to its impact on the safety of drinking
water on the American side. Monterrey, Mexico, was mentioned as a large point source
of contamination.
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b. Proposed Solution: More monitoring was called for.
Water Availability
a. Issue: Concern was expressed regarding future water supply for Brownsville.
b. Proposed Solution: No specific solutions were suggested.
Resacas and Small Lake Protection
a. Issue: Concern was expressed about the resacas and small lakes along the Rio
Grande. As the Rio Grande is the water supply for those surface water bodies, all
contamination of the Rio Grande affects those bodies. Solid waste such as tires were also
reported to be tossed into these surface water bodies.
b. Proposed Solution: Cleaning up the resacas was called for. A City of
Brownsville resaca coordinator was introduced to the group and his appointment seemed
to be warmly received, "wonderful" was the expression used by a participant.
Workgroup Topic Area: Air
Implementation of Air Programs
a. Issue: Concern was expressed about how the concerns expressed about air
contamination would be carried through into policy changes and projects.
b. Proposed Solution: No specific solutions were proposed by the participants
although a report by a representative of the TNRCC which outlined a State to State
initiative between Texas and Tamaulipas on air quality monitoring was warmly received.
Air Impacts of Mexican Solid Waste Facilities
a. Issue: It was felt that burning municipal waste in Mexican solid waste facilities
was impacting the binational air shed.
b* Proposed Solution: Monitoring and financing of Mexican solid waste disposal
facilities was suggested. It was requested to conduct the monitoring at a time that the
airborne contaminants carried by prevailing wind most affected Brownsville.
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Brownsville Domestic Meeting
October 11, 1995
Workgroup Topic Area: Pollution Prevention
Minimize Generation
a. Issue: Pollution prevention was cited as a high priority concern. It was stated
that " we need to start changing the mentality of the industries and start focusing on
prevention instead of treating it"
b. Proposed Solution: A TNRCC representative outlined a pollution prevention
program that was binational and included the Tecnologico de Monterrey to provide
technical assistance to the maquiladoras in Reynosa and Matamoros. The Rio Grande
Alliance was also mentioned by. These State led initiatives were warmly received. The
Brownsville Industrial Park was mentioned where there exists an education program to
reuse and recycle targeted at industrial managers. The reuse and recycling even goes on
between themselves. They are also beginning to reuse waste energy.
Recycling
a. Issue: Curbside recycling was felt to be incomplete in Brownsville. Canadian
bottle deposits were held up as a model. Small business recycling of repair and paint
shops were thought to need inclusion.
b. Proposed Solution: A curbside program was desired. A bottle deposit was
suggested. Taxing bottles, cans and repackaging was requested to discourage disposal.
Workgroup Topic Area; Emergency Response and Planning
City Plans
a. Issue: The lack of city plans for emergency response was cited as an area of
improvement needed.
b. Proposed Solution: Binational planning and work was reported to be underway
with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Texas Department of Public Safety and
the EPA participating. This work was complemented. However, the lack of staffing and
funding was felt to be in need of correction.
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October 11, 1995
Workgroup Topic Area; Enforcement '
Ocean Dumping
a. Issue: Ocean dumping was mentioned as a problem affecting the fishing industry
and destroying the beach
b. Proposed Solution: Controls and monitoring was implied as a solution.
Illegal Dumping on Mexican Side of Solid Waste
a. Issue: Concern was expressed over the Mexican side illegal dumping of waste
in water bodies that affected the Rio Grande.
b. Proposed Solution: More enforcement resources as well as binational
enforcement was called for.
Workgroup Topic Area: Information Management
Information Dissemination
a. Issue: More information dissemination on all issues was called for and it be
available hi simple terms "so people can understand".
b. Proposed Solution: The Internet was mentioned, as was the public library, as a
possible venue for facilitating more public access. :
Workgroup Topic Area: Environmental Health
Air Pollution
a. Issue: The effects of the air pollution on local neurological defects was
mentioned
b. Proposed Solution: A comparative study of the border region was requested in
order to pool statistical clusters to reach conclusions of causal effects.
Encephalitis
a. Issue: Encephalitis and birth defects were reported as concerns in the region.
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October 11, 1995
b. ' Proposed Solution: More information in a format for the layperson was
requested.
Workgroup Topic Area: Natural Resources
Urban Park Land
a. Issue: Concern was raised regarding the small amount of park land in
Brownsville.
b. Proposed Solution: Preservation of what parkland exists against urban
encroachment was called for as well as funding an acquisition program.
Use of Area Salt Mines for Spas
a. Issue: The atmosphere within area salt mines was reported to have therapeutic
value for asthma and other breathing problems and it was suggested to make use of this
natural resource for tourism.
b. Proposed Solution: Government-salt mine owner cooperation was called for to
build the necessary hotel facilities connected to a abandoned mine.
Ecosystem Diversity
a. Issue: Concern was expressed regarding the Brownsville Valley ecosystem with
respect to habitat loss and urban encroachment leading to species loss. Road kills of
eagles were referred to as an example.
b. Proposed Solution: Wildlife education was suggested as a solution.
Workgroup Topic Area; Sustainable Development
a. Issue: Sustainable development was not directly mentioned but the concerns about
preservation of the resacas, the urban encroachment of public parks, the strong concern
about the water quality of the ocean and Rio Grande, the concerns about species diversity
and the general concern regarding the introduction of basic sewer services to the
colonias were all indicative of a concern about sustainability.
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