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the Border Ares (La
EPA, and Ac         of UK SccicW
Mexico Border and

W-fF.RFAS the Mission Swletneni oflhii plan

 public health imd cnviratman on the U.S.- Mexico Border
Linda J'ishef ..
U S  Environmental
                            Agenc>', U.S. I
  Winston H
  Hcmora.T>' Witness
  Secretary tor En^ronmcntal
r the Environment and
     SliMARNAT

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BORDER 2012:
U.S.-MEXICO ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM
 A ^nA UnHStitn                  ^fSWf
*vEPA&Bntal *"di"1           >2iteHS SEIBIUI
EPA-160-R-03-001
The National Coordinators (EPA's Office of International Affairs and
SEMARNAT's Office of International Affairs) express appreciation to the Ten
Border States, the U.S. Border Tribes, the co-chairs and staff of the Border
2012 coordinating bodies, the EPA San Diego and El Paso Border Offices, the
SEMARNAT and PROFEPA Border Delegations, the Western Governors
Association, the Good Neighbor Environmental Board and SEMARNAT's
Advisory Council for Sustainable Development whose support was essential to
the completion of this document.

Special thanks to the members of the Border 2012 Drafting Committee.

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         The Border 2012 program is
           dedicated in memory of
                Patrick Whelan
                 (1964-2003)
   During his eight years at the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Patrick's efforts tangibly improved
 the lives of residents along the U.S.-Mexico border.
  He was a passionate steward of the environment
whose personal and professional actions were guided
   by this commitment. Patrick's good humor and
   boundless energy were critical to the success of
    binational efforts  to protect and improve the
 environment in the border region. He forged lasting
 friendships with partners based on a foundation of
  mutual trust, respect, and understanding. And he
 advanced  international environmental cooperation
         in significant and enduring ways.

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TABLE OF  CONTENTS
MISSION STATEMENT                                           2
BORDER 2012 GUIDING PRINCIPLES                               3
I.   INTRODUCTION                                             4
II.  BACKGROUND                                             8
III.  A NEW APPROACH                                         12
IV.  ACHIEVING RESULTS                                       13
    A.  Border 2012 Goals and Objectives                           13
       Goal#1:  Reduce Water Contamination                      13
       Goal #2:  Reduce Air Pollution                             15
       Goal #3:  Reduce Land Contamination                       16
       Goal #4 : Improve Environmental Health                     18
       Goal #5:  Reduce Exposure to Chemicals as a Result            19
               of Accidental Chemical Releases and/or
               Acts of Terrorism
       Goal #6:  Improve Environmental Performance through         20
               Compliance, Enforcement, Pollution Prevention,
               and Promotion of Environmental Stewardship
    B. Border 2012 Tools                                        21
V.  REGIONAL ISSUES                                         24
VI.  ORGANIZING FOR SUCCESS                                 25
    A.  National Coordinators                                    25
    B.  Regional Workgroups                                    26
    C.  Border-wide Workgroups                                  27
    D.  Policy Forums                                           28
    E.  Task Forces                                             28
    F.  Responsibilities of the Coordinating Bodies                   29
    G.  Providing Information to the Public                         29
    H.  Interagency Cooperation                                  30
    I.  Funding Sources                                         30
VII. REPORTING RESULTS                                       31
    A.  Implementation Reports                                   31
    B.  Progress Reports                                         31
    C.  Indicators                                              31
LIST OF ACRONYMS                                            32
CONTACT LIST                                                 33

MAY 5, 2003

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                                        ,iong federal, state and local,
                 governments in the United States and Mexico, and with
                 U.S. border tribes, the mission of the Border 2012 program is:

                 To protect the environment  and public
                 health in the U.S.-Mexico border region,
                 consistent with the  principles of
                 sustainable development.1

    Natural Protected Area
Mac/eras del Carmen, Coahuila
no present and Tuture
                                        BORDER 2012: U.S.-MEXICO ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM

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BORDER 2012 GUIDING  PRINCIPLES
The following Guiding Principles are designed to support the mission
statement, ensure consistency among all aspects of Border 2012, and con-
tinue successful elements of previous border programs.

§£•  Reduce the highest public health risks, and preserve and restore the
    natural environment.

§£•  Adopt a bottom-up approach for setting priorities and making decisions
    through partnerships with state, local and U.S. tribal governments.

§£•  Address disproportionate environmental impacts in border communities.

§£•  Improve stakeholder participation and ensure broad-based representa-
    tion from the environmental, public health,  and other relevant sectors.

§£•  Foster transparency, public participation, and open dialogue through
    provision of accessible, accurate, and timely  information.

§£•  Strengthen capacity of local community residents and  other stakehold-
    ers to manage environmental and environmentally-related public
    health issues.

§£•  Achieve concrete, measurable results while maintaining a long-term vision.

§£•  Measure program progress through development of environmental
    and public health-based indicators.

§£•  The United States recognizes that U.S. tribes are separate sovereign
    governments, and that equity issues impacting tribal governments
I    must be addressed in the United States on a government-to-govern-
    ment basis.

§£•  Mexico recognizes the historical debt it has with its indigenous peoples.
    Therefore, appropriate measures will be considered to address their
    (specific concerns, as well  as to protect and preserve their cultural
    integrity within the broader environmental  purposes of this program.
MAY 5, 2003

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I.
The U.S.-Mexico border region is one of
the most dynamic in the world. It extends
more than 3,100 kilometers (2,000 miles)
from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific
Ocean, and 100 kilometers (62.5 miles)
on each side of the international border.

The region includes large deserts,
mountain ranges,  rivers, wetlands, large
estuaries, and shared aquifers. The
region has various climates, a remarkable
biological diversity including many rare
and native species, and national parks
and protected areas.
                     (,DER 2012: U.S.-MEXICO ENVIRONMENTAL PROC

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While its people share natural resources like water and air, the border region is
characterized by many social, economic, and political contrasts

Ninety percent of the border population resides in 14 paired, inter-dependent sis-
ter cities.  Over the  last  20 years, population  has grown  rapidly in the border
region to  more than 11.8 million people. This figure is expected to reach 19.4
million  by 2020. Rapid population  growth  in  urban areas  has  resulted  in
unplanned development, greater demand for  land and energy, increased traffic
congestion, increased waste generation, overburdened or unavailable waste
treatment  and disposal facilities, and more  frequent  chemical emergencies.
Residents  in rural areas suffer from exposure to airborne dust, pesticide use and
inadequate water supply and waste treatment facilities. Border residents also suf-
fer  disproportionately from many environmental health  problems,  including
water-borne diseases and respiratory problems.

With the active participation of the ten  border states and U.S. tribal governments,
the U.S.  Environmental  Protection Agency (EPA) and  Mexico's  Secretariat of
Environment and Natural Resources  (SEMARNAT), in partnership  with the  U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Mexican Secretariat of Health
(SS) and other federal agencies, have developed the Border 2012 program to pro-
tect the  environment and the public's health in the U.S.-Mexico border region.

The ten-year Border 2012 program emphasizes a bottom-up, regional approach,
anticipating that local decision-making, priority-setting, and project implementa-
tion will best address environmental issues in the border region.  It brings together
a wide variety of stakeholders to produce prioritized and sustained actions that
consider the environmental needs of the different border communities.
                                                           —   "jsvi

                                                                                 San Diego, CA
MAY 5, 2003

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    The draft Border 2012
framework was revised to
 incorporate many of the
   recommendations and
 priority issues that were
     conveyed by border
 stakeholders in an effort
      to more effectively
   address environmental
  problems facing border
          communities.
The proposed  Border  2012 Program was announced  in September 2002  in
Mexico at the meeting of the environmental authorities of the ten border states,
and in the United States in the Federal Register. These announcements launched
a 60-day comment period, during which EPA, SEMARNAT, the ten border states,
and U.S. tribes engaged in an intensive public involvement process that included
a combination of binational and domestic meetings in  27 cities along the U.S.-
Mexico border. EPA and SEMARNAT also solicited input from  interested commu-
nity and  stakeholder groups via additional  meetings, internet exchanges, and
written correspondence.

During the public comment  period, more than  1,000 individual comments were
received from border communities and other stakeholders representing industry,
non-governmental organizations, academia, state, federal and local governments,
and the general public. Based on these comments, the draft Border 2012 frame-
work was revised to incorporate many of the recommendations and priority issues
that were conveyed by border stakeholders in an effort to more effectively address
environmental  problems facing  border communities. The Border 2012 Response
Summary Report provides a detailed account of the comments received and how
they were incorporated into the final  document. In addition, program partners
developed the Border 2012 Operational Guidance to assist partners, stakeholders
and the general public to understand how the  program is implemented.

                                                                              -*

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The Border 2012 Framework Document, Response Summary Report, and
Operational Guidance can be found at: www.epa.gov/usmexicoborderand
www.semarnat.gob.mx/frontera2012 or by contacting EPA and SEMARNAT.

Implementation reports will be prepared every two years to review the status of
activities under Border 2012. In addition, a  five-year progress report will be
released in 2007,  and a final report on Border 2012 will be available in 2012.

All Border  2012 partners will disseminate information  regarding their activities
and project progress through web sites and/or list servers, local media and public
meetings, and by participating in other public forums,  including environmental
fairs and environmental education programs.

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II.
The 1983 Agreement on Cooperation for the Protection and
Improvement of the Environment in the Border Area (La Paz
Agreement) was signed in La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico,
and is the legal basis for the Border 2012 program. It empowers
the federal environmental authorities in  the United States and
Mexico to undertake cooperative initiatives and is implemented
through multi-year binational programs.  EPA and SEMARNAT
serve as National Coordinators for these  programs.


Geography

The La Paz Agreement defines the U.S.-Mexico border region as extending more
than 3,100 kilometers (approximately 2,000 miles) from the Gulf of Mexico to the
Pacific Ocean, and 100 kilometers (approximately 62.5 miles) on either side of the
border. The border region has a variety of climates, ranging from Mediterranean
conditions in the San Diego-Tijuana area to desert lands in Arizona-Sonora, New
Mexico-Chihuahua, and Texas. This climatic variety supports a remarkable biolog-
ical diversity. Stark natural beauty and unique history can be appreciated within
the region's many national  parks and protected  areas.  The binational border
region also contains multiple jurisdictions including ten states, local governments,
and U.S. Tribes, and a complex legal framework.

Demography

Today, the border region is home to more than 11.8 million people, with approx-
imately 6.3 million in the United States and 5.5 million in Mexico. Approximately
90 percent of the population resides in 14 paired sister cities, with the rest living
in  small  towns or rural communities. There are  26  U.S. federally-recognized
Native American tribes in the  border region, which range in size  from  9 to
17,000 members. Some of these tribes share extensive family and cultural ties to
indigenous peoples in the border region of Mexico.

Rapid Population Growth

Projected population growth  rates in the  border region  exceed  anticipated
national average growth rates (in some cases by more than  40percent) for each
country. If current trends continue, the border population  is expected to increase
by 7.6 million people by 20202.

2 Southwest Center for Environmental Research and Policy (SCERP) Monograph #1 "The U.S.-Mexican Border" (SDSU, 2000).

8                                 BORDER 2012: U.S.-MEXICO ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM

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Mexican  Indigenous
Peoples  in the
Border Region
Papagos
Kikapues
Cochimi
Cucapa
U.S.  Tribes in the
Border Region

Barona Band of Mission Indians
Campo Band of Mission Indians
Capitan Grande Band of Mission
Indians
Cocopah Indian Tribe
Cuyapaipe Band of Mission Indians
Fort Yuma Quechan Tribe
Inaja-Cosmit Reservation
Jamul Indian Village
Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas
La Jolla Band of Luiseno Indians
La Posta Band of Mission Indians
Los Coyotes Reservation
Manzanita Band of Mission Indians
 Kiliwa
 Kumiai
 Pai Pai
 (Source: Institute Nacional Indigenista)
Mesa Grande Band of Mission Indians
Pala Band of Mission Indians
Pascua Yaqui Tribe
Pauma Band of Mission Indians
Pechanga Band of Mission Indians
Rincon Band of Mission Indians
San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians
Santa Ysabel
Sycuan Band of Mission Indians
Tohono O'odham Nation
Torres-Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indian
Nation
Viejas Band of Mission Indians
Ysleta del Sur Pueblo
Sister Cities  on
the U.S.-
Mexico  Border

San Diego - Tijuana
Calexico - Mexicali
Yuma - San Luis
Nogales - Nogales
Naco - Naco
Douglas - Agua Prieta
Columbus  Puerto Palomas
El Paso - Ciudad Juarez
Presidio - Ojinaga
Del Rio - Ciudad Acuha
Eagle Pass Piedras Negras
Laredo - Nuevo Laredo
McAllen - Reynosa
Brownsville - Matamoros
MAY 5, 2003

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                             Urban populations along the border have increased significantly over the past 20
                             years,  due in part to the maquiladora program, begun in 1965, which provided
                             economic  incentives to foreign  (mostly  U.S.-owned) assembly plants located in
                             the border region.  The rate of industrial  development increased further after the
                             North  American  Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)3, with about  1,700 plants oper-
                             ating in Mexico in  1990. By 2001, that  figure had more than doubled to nearly
                             3,800  maquiladora plants, 2,700 of which were in the border states.

                             In Mexico, the border region has a very low unemployment rate and high wages
                             compared  to other regions  of  the country.  While economic growth has con-
                             tributed  to employment, the region's  infrastructure  has  not kept pace.  As a
                             result, natural  resources are strained  and the environment and public health are
                             adversely affected  on both sides of the border.

                             Environmental Degradation

                             Rapid  population growth in  urban areas  has resulted in unplanned development,
                             greater demand  for land and energy, traffic congestion, increased waste gener-
                             ation,  overburdened or unavailable waste treatment and disposal facilities, and
                             increased frequency of chemical emergencies. Water quality, air quality, and nat-
                             ural  resources  also have been adversely  impacted.
                              The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) removed most barriers to trade and investment among Canada, the
                              United States and Mexico. In order to address environmental pressures that could be caused by increased trade and devel-
                              opment associated with NAFTA, the parties created the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC),
                              the Border Environment Cooperation Commission (BECC) and the North American Development Bank (NADB). The CEC's
                              goals are to focus on regional environmental concerns, help prevent potential trade and environmental conflicts, and pro-
                              mote environmental law enforcement. The BECC and NADBank were created to provide environmental infrastructure along
                              the U.S.-Mexico border.
                                                                      '.'••'•'.  ••«.
El Paso- Ciudad Juarez  •
                                                                    BORDER 2012:
                                                                                           IRONMENTAL PROGRAM

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Rural communities along the border are confronted with a host of environmental
problems, including illegal dumping, agricultural drainage, and  degradation of
natural resources and ecosystems.

Water  is the most limited resource in this  primarily arid region.  Surface  and
groundwater resources are threatened by contamination, including agricultural
runoff, industrial discharge, and untreated sewage. Increasing demand for water
has led to the rapid depletion of aquifers. Inadequate water supply and ineffi-
cient use of water could limit future regional development.

Environmental Health Problems

As a result of regional environmental degradation, some border  residents suffer
from environmental health problems,  including waterborne and  respiratory dis-
eases. These health problems can  be  related to air pollution, inadequate water
and sewage treatment, or improper management of pesticides,  and hazardous
and solid wastes. The elderly and children are especially at risk. Tribal communi-
ties and residents of some unincorporated communities also are at greater  risk,
as they are more likely to have inadequate water supply and treatment systems.

Recognizing  these environmental and  public health problems, the United States
and Mexico have agreed to act jointly to address them, consistent with principles
of environmental protection, resource conservation and sustainable development.
MAY 5, 2003


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                            III. A NEW APPROACH
 Border 2012 emphasizes
  a bottom-up approach,
   anticipating that local
decision-making, priority-
     setting, and project
 implementation will best
  address environmental
     issues in the border
               region.
Toward the end of the Border XXI Program (1996-2000) which
preceded Border 2012, EPA and SEMARNAT held  discussions
with state and tribal governmental partners and local  com-
munity stakeholders to explore ways to improve binational
environmental planning efforts in the border  region.

Based on this input, the ten-year Border 2012 program was created by EPA and
SEMARNAT in  partnership with  other  federal  agencies including  the  U.S.
Department of Health and  Human Services and  the Mexican  Secretariat of
Health, the ten border-state governments, and U.S. tribal  governments. Border
2012  emphasizes a bottom-up approach, anticipating that local  decision-mak-
ing, priority-setting, and project implementation will best address  environmental
issues in the border region. Border 2012 has evolved from previous  binational
programs: the Integrated  Border Environmental Plan and Border XXI.

Under Border XXI, nine workgroups focused on particular  border-wide environ-
mental issues, such as air quality or water quality. Border 2012 has four region-
ally-focused workgroups to facilitate active participation of local communities,
local governmental agencies, and U.S. tribes. It also  builds upon historic and cur-
rent agreements of the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC),
and on the work of NAFTA institutions such as the North American Commission
for  Environmental Cooperation (CEC), the Border Environment Cooperation
Commission (BECC), and the North American Development Bank  (NADB).

Although the management and preservation of natural resources  are not direct-
ly addressed by Border 2012, the program is supplemented  by  other bilateral
instruments and mechanisms. As such, appropriate actions are coordinated by
authorities responsible for managing and protecting natural resources4.
                            4 In Mexico, these include SEMARNAT's National Commission for Natural Protected Areas and Director General for Wildlife,
                             National Institute of Ecology, National Forest Commission, and Federal Attorney General for Environmental Protection. In the
                             United States, these include the U.S. Department of the Interior and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
                            12
                                                               BORDER 2012: U.S.-MEXICO ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM

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IV
Program goals and objectives were identified to  meet the
serious environmental and environmentally-related public
health challenges in the border region. These objectives
guide the implementation of all activities under  Border 2012.
Program partners work to meet these objectives  and  may
support additional activities consistent with the  overall
mission and goals of the program.


A. Border 2012 Goals and Objectives

                REDUCE WATER CONTAMINATION

                Under  Border XXI, federal, state, and local institutions and
                agencies participated in border area efforts  to improve water
                quality through the construction of infrastructure and develop-
                ment of pretreatment programs. Specifically,  Mexico's National
                Water Commission (CNA) and EPA have provided funding and
                technical assistance for project planning and construction of
                infrastructure.  The  International  Boundary and  Water
                Commission (IBWC) also provided assistance and coordination
                in the development of infrastructure facilities.

                Since  1995, the  NAFTA-created  institutions, the Border
                Environment Cooperation Commission (BECC) and the North
                American Development Bank (NADB), have had the primary
                role in working with communities to develop and construct
                infrastructure projects.  BECC supports  efforts to evaluate,
                plan, and implement financially and operationally sustainable
                water and wastewater projects;  NADB helps project sponsors
                develop the appropriate financial package.

                When the Border XXI Program began in 1996,  only 88 percent of
                border households in Mexico had potable water service; 69 per-
                cent were connected to sewers; and 34 percent were on sewer
                systems that were connected to wastewater treatment facilities.
                Those numbers improved by the end of 2000 to 93, 75 and 75
                percent, respectively. In addition, Border XXI supported efforts to
                monitor surface and sub-surface water quality in a number of key
                basins. A list of specific projects can be found on the BECC and
                NADB websites (www.cocef.org and www.nadbank.org). The fol-
                lowing objectives build on these earlier efforts.
MAY 5, 2003
                                                                   13

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                 By 2012, promote a 25 percent increase in the number
                 of homes connected to  potable  water  supply and
                 wastewater collection and treatment systems.

                 For objective 1, the baseline is the annually cumulative num-
                 ber of full public water services, including potable water sup-
                 ply, distribution  capacity, common sewers, and wastewater
                 treatment capacity made available to residents.

                 By 2012, assess significant shared  and transboundary
                 surface waters and achieve a majority  of water quality
                 standards currently being exceeded in  those waters.

                 For objective 2, the baseline is the shared and transboundary
                 surface waters as  defined, identified and  evaluated for the
                 United States  in the Clean Water Act §305(b) State reports
                 and for Mexico by  SEMARNAT. Objective 2  is measurable and
                 is in conformance with the current regulatory systems of both
                 governments for protection from surface pollutants of both
                 point and  non-point sources.  There is  no  equivalent system
                 for groundwater. Watershed controls other than the forego-
                 ing also are not available.

                 By 2006, implement a monitoring system for evaluating
                 coastal water quality at the international border beach-
                 es. By the end  of  2006, establish a 2012 objective
                 toward meeting  coastal water quality standards  of
                 both countries.

                 For objective 3, the baseline will be established  by the end of
                 2006 in accordance with federal or state standards that either
                 exist  or for which the  Border 2012  program will support
                 development.  The  current evaluation of coastal waters in the
                 State of Veracruz could be considered for coastal areas with-
                 in the limits established by the La Paz Agreement (i.e., Texas,
                 Tamaulipas, California, and Baja California) if additional ben-
                 efit obtained from objectives 1, 2, and 3 can be shown and
                 resources identified to complete.

                 By 2005, promote the assessment of water system con-
                 ditions in 10 percent of the existing water systems in
                 the border cities  to identify opportunities for improve-
                 ment in overall water system efficiencies.

                 For objective  4, the institutional  capacity of water service
                 providers, the lack of resources  available to  provide  infra-
                 structure, the  cost of operation, and the pricing policies are
14
                                   BORDER 2012: U.S.-MEXICO ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM

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                 complex matters with social repercussions that directly affect
                 the quality of services provided and prevent the agencies that
                 operate and administer water in Mexico from being self-suf-
                 ficient  and  sustainable. For objective 4, the baseline is the
                 number of communities with public water systems.

   GOAL #2:     REDUCE AIR POLLUTION

                 For the past  18 years, the United States and  Mexico have col-
                 laborated to help safeguard the health of border residents by
                 protecting and improving border air quality.  The two govern-
                 ments, in partnership with border tribal, state, and local gov-
                 ernments, have worked to increase the knowledge about pol-
                 lution sources and their impacts on  both sides of the border,
                 establish monitoring networks  in several key areas, conduct
                 emissions inventories, and build local capacity through train-
                 ing. Through these efforts, the two countries  have estab-
                 lished a foundation for binational  air  quality planning and
                 management programs. The overall program goals are to:

                 • determine ambient concentrations from pollutant emissions;

                 • assess contributing  emission sources  and their  relative
                   impacts; and

                 • develop and implement cost-effective control strategies.

                 Although substantial gains have been made, air quality is still
                 a major concern throughout the border region. The pressures
                 associated  with  industrial  and population growth,  the
                 increase in the number of old vehicles, differences in gover-
                 nance  and  regulatory  frameworks, and  topographic  and
                 meteorologic conditions present a  challenging  context  in
                 which to address air quality management. These same factors
                 also present many opportunities for binational cooperation.

                 Recognizing that pilot projects could spur the development of
                 innovative and progressive air quality management approaches,
                 the two  governments  announced the Border  Air Quality
                 Strategy (BAQS) in November 2002. The BAQS will build on
                 existing efforts by helping to improve exchange of informa-
                 tion and  encouraging coordinated  planning, management,
                 and innovation.  BAQS projects will help evaluate feasibility of
                 coordinated  airshed  management  and  inform the work
                 undertaken  by the Border 2012  Regional Workgroups and
                 border-wide Air Policy Forum.
-
MAY 5, 2003
                                                                      15

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                 Pollutants from a number of sources including motor vehi-
                 cles, power plants and industrial facilities, agricultural opera-
                 tions, mining, dust from unpaved roads, and open burning of
                 trash have affected urban and regional air quality along the
                 U.S.-Mexico border. The most common and damaging pollu-
                 tants from these sources include sulfur dioxide, suspended
                 particulate matter (PM-10  and  PM-2.5),  nitrogen dioxide,
                 ground-level ozone, and carbon monoxide.

                 By 2012 or sooner, reduce air emissions as much as pos-
                 sible toward attainment of respective national ambient
                 air quality standards, and reduce exposure in the bor-
                 der region,  as supported  by the following interim
                 objectives:


                 By 2003, define baseline and  alternative scenarios for
                 emissions reductions along  the  border, and  their
                 impacts on air quality and human exposure.


                 By 2004, based on  results from interim  objective 1,
                 define  specific emission  reductions strategies and air
                 quality and exposure objectives to be achieved by 2012.

                 REDUCE LAND CONTAMINATION

                 Annex III of the La Paz Agreement establishes the importance
                 of  cooperation between the  United States  and Mexico on
                 issues related  to hazardous waste and hazardous substances
                 in  the  border region. The  Hazardous  and  Solid Waste
                 Workgroup was active in the  Border XXI  program. The
                 Workgroup assessed hazardous and solid waste problems in
                 the border area, improved the monitoring of the  trans-
                 boundary movements of hazardous waste  in the border
                 region, identified the hazardous waste generators and  man-
                 agement facilities in the region and established a system to
                 notify its  counterpart country of new facilities. The Border
                 2012 Policy Forum for Hazardous and Solid  Waste will con-
                 tinue and expand these efforts with the following objectives:

                 By 2004, identify needs and develop an  action plan to
                 improve  institutional and  infrastructure capacity for
                 waste management  and pollution prevention as  they
                 pertain to hazardous and  solid waste  and toxic sub-
INTERIM
OBJECTIVE 1
INTERIM
OBJECTIVE 2
GOAL #3:
16
                                  BORDER 2012: U.S.-MEXICO ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM

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                stances along the U.S.-Mexico border. Starting in 2005,
                the plan will be implemented and concluded by 2012.

                Waste "management  capacity"  (both  institutional and  in
                terms of infrastructure) means having the techniques, organ-
                izations, expertise and technology to effectively handle and
                dispose of waste. Where a lack of capacity is identified, the
                Border 2012 program will work to develop the needed capac-
                ity to ensure the appropriate management of waste.

                By 2004, evaluate the hazardous waste tracking sys-
                tems in the United States and Mexico. During the year
                2006, develop and consolidate the link  between  both
                tracking systems.

                Currently, both the United States and Mexico have their own,
                separate  computer systems for tracking the movement of
                hazardous waste across  the border.  If  these systems  were
                linked it would lead to a better exchange of information, and
                to a more complete and effective tracking of the movement
                of hazardous wastes across the U.S.-Mexico border.

                By 2010, clean up three of the largest sites that contain
                abandoned  waste  tires  in  the  U.S.-Mexico  border
                region, based on policies and programs developed in
                partnership with local governments.

                Piles of scrap tires are an environmental problem because they
                pose a risk to health and the environment from emissions from
                tire fires,  which are difficult to extinguish,  and because they
                serve as breeding grounds for  mosquitoes. The Border  2012
                program intends to put the tires which are cleaned up to pro-
                ductive use, such as having them recycled or reused.

                By 2004, develop a binational policy of clean-up and
                restoration resulting in  the productive use of aban-
                doned sites contaminated  with  hazardous waste  or
                materials, along the length of the border, in accordance
                with the laws of each country. By 2007, apply this poli-
                cy at least once in each of the four geographic regions.

                There  are a number of  contaminated  sites in the border
                region that are of concern to both countries. Mexico and the
                United States will develop a policy on having  sites cleaned up
                and  restored to productive use. The policy also will identify
                priority sites in the border area.
;

MAY 5, 2003
                                                                    17

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                 IMPROVE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

                 Protection of public health is a key element of the Border 2012
                 program  and it is an integral part of all program activities.
                 Border environmental health efforts focus on reducing the risk
                 to border families, especially children, that may result from
                 exposure to air pollution, drinking water contaminants, pesti-
                 cides and other toxic chemicals. If successful, there should be
                 improvements in border health such as reductions in air-related
                 respiratory diseases, decreases  in  water-borne illnesses  and
                 markedly fewer pesticide-related poisonings.

                 Environmental  health efforts under Border 2012  improve
                 capacity to conduct surveillance, monitoring, and research on
                 the relationship between human  health and  environmental
                 exposures; deliver environmental health intervention, preven-
                 tion and educational services; and enhance public awareness
                 and understanding of environmental exposure conditions and
                 health problems.  Program activities focus on  strengthening
                 data gathering (including  the development/application of
                 indicators to assess changes in specific human exposure and
                 health conditions), training and education to build infrastruc-
                 ture; and provision of critical information to decisionmakers
                 to achieve  improved environmental health in the border
                 region.

                 (AIR): By 2006, evaluate various measures of respiratory
                 health  in  children  that  might  be  tracked to assess
                 changes that may result  from  actions to  improve  air
                 quality in border communities.

                 (WATER): By 2006, evaluate  various  measures  of gas-
                 trointestinal illness that  might be tracked to assess
                 changes that may result from actions to improve water
                 quality in border communities.

   OBJECTIVE 3    (PESTICIDES):

   OBJECTIVE SA:   By 2006, an assessment and pilot program will  be com-
                 pleted that explores the feasibility of harmonizing a bina-
                 tional system for reporting acute pesticide poisonings.

   OBJECTIVE BB:   By 2007, reduce pesticide  exposure by training 36,000
                 farmworkers on pesticide risks and safe handling, includ-
                 ing ways to minimize exposure for families and children.
18
                                    BORDER 2012: U.S.-MEXICO ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM

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   OBJECTIVE 4

   OBJECTIVE 4AI
   OBJECTIVE 4B:
   GOAL #5:
   OBJECTIVE 1
   OBJECTIVE 2
(CAPACITY BUILDING):

By 2006, establish  a "distance-learning", post-graduate
degree program to support advanced training on environ-
mental health in  conjunction with Pan American Health
Organization regional offices and academic institutions.

By 2004, extend current efforts in  binational  environ-
mental health training for 100 health care providers each
for pesticides and water.

REDUCE  EXPOSURE TO CHEMICALS  AS A  RESULT OF
ACCIDENTAL CHEMICAL  RELEASES AND/OR ACTS OF
TERRORISM

Annex II of the La  Paz Agreement provided  for the establish-
ment of a Joint Response Team (JRT). The JRT includes repre-
sentatives from all federal agencies responsible  for chemical
emergency prevention, preparedness, and response, as well
as state and local officials. Annex II further  required that the
JRT develop a  Joint Contingency Plan (JCP) that would estab-
lish cooperative measures for responding effectively to haz-
ardous substance  incidents along the  border. The first JCP
was completed in 1988. A revised version was completed and
signed in June 1999.

Co-chaired in  the United States by the EPA and  in Mexico by
the Federal Attorney General for Environmental Protection
(PROFEPA), the JRT  develops and  implements  policies and
programs within the context of the JCP, including the diverse
activities of emergency response planning, drills,  conferences,
and other training initiatives.

By 2004,  a  chemical  emergency advisory/notification
mechanism between Mexico and the  United States will
be clearly established.

A notification  mechanism was established as part of the 1999
United States-Mexico Joint  Contingency Plan.  However, it
must be further revised,  updated, and exercised in order to
reflect changes in technology and protocol.

By 2008, joint contingency plans for all 14 pairs of sister
cities will be  in place and operating (including exercises),
with  the  establishment of  binational  committees  for
chemical emergency prevention (or similar border forums).

MAY 5, 2003
                                                                    19

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                 The concept of sister city contingency plans was established
                 in  1983 by the JRT. Recognizing that chemical emergencies
                 affect the local community first,  JRT members agreed that
                 subsequent planning efforts would be needed for the 28 sis-
                 ter cities - 14 in Mexico and the adjacent 14  in the United
                 States - that could be affected by a major  hazardous sub-
                 stance release. The sister city contingency plan program was
                 created  to meet that need.

                 As of January 1, 2003, 10 sister city plans have been complet-
                 ed, with the remaining sister city plans in various planning
                 stages, and at least half of the sister cities with completed plans
                 have conducted exercises.

                 By 2012, 50 percent of sister city joint contingency plans
                 will  be supplemented with  preparedness and preven-
                 tion related efforts, such as risk and consequence analy-
                 sis, risk reduction, and counter-terrorism.

                 With the completion of 10 sister city plans, the JRT is work-
                 ing to expand efforts into prevention. While some risk identi-
                 fication  has  been completed in the United States,  including
                 commodity flow studies and hazard analysis, the JRT is work-
                 ing on a more coordinated plan of action for risk identifica-
                 tion and reduction  in order to better protect  border commu-
                 nities from chemical accidents.

   GOAL #6:     IMPROVE ENVIRONMENTAL  PERFORMANCE  THROUGH
                 COMPLIANCE, ENFORCEMENT, POLLUTION PREVENTION,
                 AND PROMOTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

                 Previous Border XXI efforts in this area were handled by a vari-
                 ety of workgroups, with projects cutting across a variety sec-
                 tors. Enforcement  coordination  focused on  cooperation
                 around specific enforcement cases as well as targeted training
                 and  information-sharing. Compliance assistance efforts con-
                 sisted of seminars,  workshops, training and dissemination of
                 materials to help businesses understand and comply with envi-
                 ronmental requirements. Pollution prevention  efforts were led
                 by a workgroup and resulted in increased exchange of infor-
                 mation on technologies via workshops and training and mul-
                 tiple voluntary programs with measurable waste reductions
                 from individual participants. Under Border 2012, border-wide
                 efforts will rely upon regional enforcement task forces to con-
                 tinue these efforts to achieve the following objectives:
20
                                    BORDER 2012: U.S.-MEXICO ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM

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                 By 2006, increase by 50 percent the number of indus-
                 tries along the U.S. - Mexico border implementing vol-
                 untary compliance and/or self-audits (such as the devel-
                 opment  of an  Environmental Management  System
                 [EMS] or  participation in voluntary assessment  pro-
                 grams),  using 2003 as a baseline year.

                 In order to achieve this objective, program partners will estab-
                 lish minimum requirements for inclusion in the baseline. Once
                 established, the qualifying programs would be targeted for new
                 or continued funding and coordination through regional efforts.

                 By 2006, determine the pollution sources in the border
                 area that  present high risks to human health and the
                 environment that are subject to regulation and set pri-
                 orities for actions to lower the risk.

                 Program  partners will identify priority sectors based on avail-
                 able data for their respective regions. Once identified, the
                 appropriate enforcement Task Forces would  propose and
                 implement priority activities.

                 By  2012,  increase  compliance in the  priority areas
                 determined in Objective 2 by assessing and responding
                 to  citizen complaints, compliance assistance,  compli-
                 ance incentives, compliance monitoring, and enforce-
                 ment  to reduce the  risks from non-compliant facilities
                 and encourage voluntary pollution prevention.

                 This represents a continuation and  expansion of targeted
                 efforts to address the areas of highest risk through a range of
                 programs.  Border 2012, through  objectives 2 and 3, will
                 improve  priority-setting and encourage long-term planning
                 for activities by  regional and local  officials.

B. Border 2012 Tools
To achieve these goals and  objectives, Border 2012 uses a variety of tools. The
following list of tools has been identified  to underscore their importance, but it
is not intended to be all-inclusive:
Pollution Prevention Techniques

Pollution prevention should be a key component of all environmental media pro-
grams (i.e., air, water, hazardous and solid waste). Pollution prevention tech-
niques can include:
MAY 5, 2003
                                                                    21

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«
• Capacity Building:  Identification of training needs  and support for training
  efforts  to address these needs. For example,  training  could  be provided  to
  industrial enterprises on efficient and cost-effective methods to reduce volatile
  organic compound (VOC) emissions from process operations.

• Technical Assistance: Site-specific technical  assistance  could  be provided  to
  conduct voluntary multi-media site assessments to identify cost-effective pollu-
  tion prevention opportunities.

• Environmental Stewardship: Projects that promote good stewardship  and
  responsibility, such as conducting and promoting EMS training for industry,
  governments, and others are encouraged.

Public Health Interventions

Mechanisms will be developed among  federal, state, local and U.S. tribal agencies
to reduce exposure to environmental contaminants and to  alert residents to possi-
ble exposure. Examples include developing innovative health education techniques,
providing community training and other environmental  health outreach efforts.

Sustainable Management of Water Resources

Given the importance of water in the border region,  water resources must  be
managed in a sustainable manner. Some tools available to  promote this approach
include analysis of  the  links  between  water quality  and  quantity, studies  of
groundwater  availability,  improved  measurement of surface flows, removal  of
invasive species, and increased  efficiency measures. In many cases, promotion of
this approach  requires coordination between organizations  having complementary
jurisdictions.  For example, regulation of water quality is the responsibility of the
respective national environmental agencies, EPA and SEMARNAT, while regulation
of water  quantity (i.e., source development and allocation  of supplies) for certain
transboundary rivers is the binational responsibility of IBWC. In the United States,
source development falls under the Department  of the Interior and allocation is
done within the framework of state law. In Mexico, source development and allo-
cation are overseen by the National Water Commission (CNA).
        Environmental Information

        Collection, management and exchange of environmental data are essential to effec-
        tive environmental management. Some examples include harmonizing binational
        environmental  protocols  or  information management systems (e.g.,  hazardous
        waste tracking systems) and developing effective data collection and information
        exchange mechanisms between  Border 2012 partners and border stakeholders.

        22
                                            BORDER 2012: U.S.-MEXICO ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM

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Regulation and Policy Development

Complex environmental problems  sometimes require regulation and/or policy
development. Examples include the development of domestic or binational poli-
cies to address used tire piles along the border (working with tire manufacturers
and vendors) and the development or strengthening of regulations to improve
wastewater reuse.
Cooperative Enforcement and Compliance Assistance

Effective  enforcement and compliance assistance requires constant and sus-
tained coordination among governmental agencies on both sides of the border.
One important tool is capacity building to establish  and implement effective
enforcement and compliance programs. Examples include training of customs
officials to spot suspect shipments of transboundary waste, and providing assis-
tance to  importers  of hazardous waste to ensure compliance with federal and
state waste management regulations.

Environmental Education and Training

Capacity  building through  environmental  education and training is critical  to
long-term environmental protection.  Environmental education  programs and
training  efforts  are integrated  within the Border 2012 framework to foster
greater community awareness  and engagement  on  environmental issues  at
regional and local levels. Tools to accomplish this include development of primary
and  secondary school curriculum  and training  to increase understanding  of
environmental risks and issues  at an early age;  and provision of support and
assistance from environmental education  organizations to help develop and/or
implement regional and/or border-wide environmental education strategies.
Environmental education
programs and training
efforts are integrated
within the Border 2012
framework to foster
greater community
awareness and engage-
ment on  environmental
issues at regional and
local levels.
Infrastructure Planning and Development

Important environmental infrastructure projects can be advanced from the plan-
ning stages to full implementation by optimizing the use of resources from state,
federal, and  local agencies, and from BECC and  NADB. More specifically, BECC
and  NADB support the management, development, and financing of environ-
mental infrastructure projects under their existing programs. They also play a role
in training Border 2012 participants and supporting  program implementation.
MAY 5, 2003
                                                                     23

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During the development of the Border 2012 framework, border
residents identified many regional issues of concern. An inten-
sive public outreach process provided opportunities for residents
of border communities to discuss local issues of importance from
their own perspectives. Many activities under Border 2012 are
implemented based on such input from local stakeholders.

There were many consistent themes received in the regional comments, such as the
need to have clean water and air in border communities. There also were some
uniquely regional concerns such as water deficiencies in the Colorado River Delta. A
matrix summarizing these regional issues can be found in the Border2012 Response
Summary Report, along with responses to region-specific comments. Following are
highlights of the environmental concerns identified by the public in each  region.

CALIFORNIA-BAJA CALIFORNIA Air quality, water supply and sanitation, haz-
ardous waste management, and cross-border emergency response capability were
among the issues identified in this region. Specifically, the public voiced air quali-
ty concerns regarding the proposed power plants in Mexicali,  soil particles in the
air from the Salton Sea, vehicle emissions and brick-kiln burnings in Tecate, as well
as trash burning in many cities. Water quality issues raised by the public included
the Salton Sea,  and  the Colorado River Basin, and often were related to new
power plants, untreated sewage, and the presence  of oil  in water and drains.

ARIZONA-SONORA:  Air quality problems stemming from dusty roads, vehicle emis-
sions, wood burning,  and border enforcement tire dragging were mentioned in this
region. The water issues of concern to this region included lack of reservoirs, lack of
wastewater treatment  infrastructure, and water contamination from smelters. Land pol-
lution problems mostly were associated with used tires and inadequate waste disposal.

NEW MEXICO-TEXAS-CHIHUAHUA: Residents pointed to the need for region-
wide plans for air basins and watersheds, such as the Paso del Norte Air Basin,
or in the Big Bend/Maderas del Carmen/Canon de Santa Elena area.  Other air
quality problems  focused  on  toxic gases,  and dust from trucks  in the
Marfa/Presidio area.  Water quality and quantity is of concern in the  Ciudad
Juarez-El  Paso area,  mostly due to the  steady overdraft of  the  Hueco Bolson
aquifer, and waste pollution in the Conchos and Rio Grande basins.

TEXAS-COAHUILA-NUEVO LEON-TAMAULIPAS: Issues of  concern  in this
region  included  water supply, hazardous waste and hazardous materials man-
agement. Also, many comments were received which were related to the need
for development of water and wastewater treatment infrastructure, as well as
reduction of contamination  by auto shops and from sugar cane burning.
24
                                   BORDER 2012: U.S.-MEXICO ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM

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VI. ORGANIZING FOR
EPA and SEMARNAT National Coordinators provide guidance
and oversight for three types of coordinating bodies under
Border 2012: Regional Workgroups, Border-wide Workgroups
and Policy Forums, and  for their respective Task Forces. Each of
these bodies work on border issues bringing to bear their
diverse but complementary perspectives, and they are
described in detail below.
A. National Coordinators
Consistent with the  terms of  the La Paz Agreement, federal-level National
Coordinators from the United States and Mexico, respectively, manage overall
program implementation, and ensure cooperation, coordination and  communi-
cation among all coordinating bodies.  Although the coordinating bodies have
autonomy, the National Coordinators ensure overall progress toward program
                          Nat

                          EPA
National Coordinators
              SEMARNAT
 r^\\f


       Regional
     Workgroups
 California-Baja California

 Arizona-Sonora

 New Mexico-Texas-
 Chihuahua

 Texas-Coahuila-Nuevo Leon-
 Tamaulipas
                            c^
     Border-wide
     Workgroups
 Environmental Health

 Emergency Preparedness
 and Response

 Cooperative Enforcement
 and Compliance


       Policy
       Forums
Air

Water

Hazardous and Solid
Waste
                                 Task Forces

  Address specific regionally- and community-identified concerns by implementing site-specific projects
MAY 5, 2003

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             goals. They assist the coordinating bodies in maintaining focus on binational and
             transboundary environmental and  public health issues consistent with the pro-
             gram's Guiding Principles.

             Based on an assessment of needs, and with guidance from program partners, the
             National Coordinators may create additional coordinating bodies to address short-
             or long-term, solution-oriented initiatives  (such  as  integration of data/informa-
             tion). The National Coordinators also ensure consideration of important cross-cut-
             ting  issues that are not  addressed by any formal  coordinating body.

             B. Regional Workgroups
             Regional Workgroups are the foundation of Border 2012. They are multi-media
             and  geographically-focused, and emphasize regional public health and environ-
             mental  issues.  They coordinate activities at the regional  level and support  the
             efforts of local Task Forces. Each Regional Workgroup has one state and one fed-
             eral  co-chair from each country.

             Four binational workgroups have been established in the following regions:

                 California-Baja California

                Arizona-Sonora

                 New Mexico-Texas-Chihuahua

                Texas-Coahuila-Nuevo Leon-Tamaulipas
      CALIFORNIA   I
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                                                              '  by the La Paz Agreement
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                                                                      TEXAS
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       ,'\&\   SONORA             / \0jinaga^x   /'     \ ne| Rio'\
       S  .  'y—                     —^\    V,/  CiudadAcuna(   \
            ( New Mexico-Texas-Chihuahua  )  ^^    /          ^agie Pass
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 ""  SUR   V                                      /

   '^A   V-       V
                                                                                   iAt^
Border 2012
Regional Workgroups
                                                 Leon-Tamaulipas
                                                   ^-,	=
                                                                     Nuevcf
                                                                     Lareda
                                                         launpas   i    IM IU"S

                                                         ") COAHUILA <^ ^B  V~s^ ^c
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                                              DURANGO   C
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                                                        ,	_J     SI LE6N<      (
                                                        ^ACATECAS  / ]    T(AMAULIPAS
             26
                                                   BORDER 2012: U.S.-MEXICO ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM

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In  addition to general roles and responsibilities described in Section F (below),
Regional Workgroups:

• Identify and prioritize regional environmental issues;

• Recommend  issues beyond  regional  scope  to  be  addressed  by  Border-wide
  Workgroups and/or Policy Forums; and

• Work with border-wide bodies to address those issues.

Regional Workgroups are broad-based and include representatives from local
communities from both sides of the border, as well as from binational organiza-
tions such  as BECC, NADB, IBWC,  non-governmental and community-based
organizations, academic institutions, and the private sector. In addition, Regional
Workgroups include relevant federal, state, local, and tribal governments, includ-
ing representatives from environment, health, natural resource,  and emergency
response agencies.

C. Border-wide Workgroups
Border-wide Workgroups concentrate on issues that are multi-regional (identified
as a priority by two or more regional workgroups) and primarily federal in nature
(requiring direct, high-level, and sustained leadership by federal program partners
in the United States and Mexico). For example, cross-border emergency response
requires the consistent application of a common protocol to ensure that effective
actions are taken. Development and communication  of this protocol is clearly a
federal responsibility, confirming the need for a Border-wide Workgroup.

Each of the three  Border-wide Workgroups have a federal co-chair from the
United States and Mexico, respectively, and address the following topics:

    Environmental Health

    Emergency Preparedness and Response (Joint Response Team)

    Cooperative Enforcement and Compliance

In addition to the general roles and  responsibilities described in Section F, Border-
wide Workgroups:

• Identify and prioritize border-wide/transboundary issues; and

• Implement programs and projects to address priority border-wide  issues.

For example, the Border-wide Environmental Health Workgroup will provide tech-
nical assistance and data  to Regional and other  Border-wide Workgroups and
Policy Forums to facilitate the implementation of regulatory, risk management and
pollution prevention actions to protect public health and the environment.
MAY 5, 2003
                                                                      27

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Border-wide  Workgroups  have broad-based stakeholder  participation  and
include non-governmental and community-based organizations, academic insti-
tutions, local, state, and tribal representatives,  and binational organizations from
both countries with expertise in the given workgroup's subject area.  However,
the confidential  nature of  enforcement investigations may  require that some
meetings of the  Cooperative Enforcement and Compliance Workgroup will not
be open to the public.

D. Policy Forums
Policy Forums have a media-specific locus and concentrate on  broad policy issues
that  require an ongoing  dialogue between both countries.  Policy Forums are
guided by the priorities of their  respective nations and by the policy needs iden-
tified  by  Regional and Border-wide Workgroups. Policy Forums may elect to
address policy issues through Task Forces and/or project-level  efforts.

Each Policy Forum has a federal co-chair from the  United States and Mexico. The
co-chairs are located at EPA and SEMARNAT headquarters where they can most
effectively influence national policy.

Three Policy Forums  address  policy  issues and provide technical assistance to
Regional  and Border-wide Workgroups in the following areas:

   Air

   Water

   Hazardous Waste and Solid Waste

In  addition to the general  roles and responsibilities described in  Section F, the
Policy Forums:

• Identify and prioritize border-wide, binational, federal policy issues;

• Address and resolve border-wide policy issues; and

• Target resources for regionally-based projects (emphasizing pollution prevention).

Policy Forums benefit from broad-based stakeholder input by including non-gov-
ernmental  and community-based organizations, academic  institutions,  local,
state, and tribal  representatives, and binational organizations from both coun-
tries with expertise in the given  Policy Forum's subject area.

E. Task  Forces
Border 2012 coordinating  bodies may create Task Forces to address specific
regionally- and community-identified concerns, to implement site-specific proj-
ects,  or to address issue-specific concerns. Task Force leaders and participants will
be selected  based on  the specific issue(s) or local initiative(s) to  be addressed.
28
                                     BORDER 2012: U.S.-MEXICO ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM

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They will be as representational as possible, including interested local communities;
relevant local, state,  federal and tribal  governments; binational organizations;
non-governmental and community-based organizations;  academic institutions;
and the private sector as appropriate. However, regional enforcement Task Forces
may not be as representative or open in their meetings due to the confidential
nature of discussions of enforcement investigations.

F. Responsibilities of the Coordinating Bodies
In support of the Border 2012 Guiding Principles (see page  3), the coordinating
bodies:

• Identify and build consensus on respective priorities;

• Identify Task Forces, including  leadership;

• Ensure adequate representation of stakeholders in order to  plan and imple-
  ment projects;

• Develop budgets and identify potential funding sources for Task Force efforts;

• Support development of indicators given the availability of adequate resources;

• Collect data to monitor progress of activities;

• Leverage resources  to achieve  program goals;

• Meet a minimum of once per calendar year;

• Manage organizational and logistical aspects of  meetings  (e.g., develop agen-
  das and schedules,  secure meeting venues, provide translation services, etc.);

• Facilitate communication among  coordinating bodies to avoid duplication of
  efforts; and

• Operate under guidence  from  and   report on progress  to  the  National
  Coordinators.

G. Providing Information to the  Public
Border 2012 coordinating bodies facilitate stakeholder participation and encour-
age open dialogue. All meetings are held in communities within the U.S.-Mexico
border region and will be open to the public. Meeting notice are provided at least
30 days in advance. Meeting locations alternate between the United States and
Mexico and the meetings  include simultaneous  interpretation. Agendas and
meeting results are provided in English and Spanish and are widely disseminated.
However, as noted above, regional enforcement Task Forces may not be as open
in their meetings due to the confidential nature of discussions of enforcement
investigations.
MAY 5, 2003
                                                                       29

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To ensure transparency and foster information exchange, the coordinating bod-
ies disseminate information regarding  their activities  and progress on specific
projects by posting information to Web  sites and list servers, through print media
and public meetings, as well as by participating  in environmental fairs and envi-
ronmental education programs.

In  addition,  program partners  have developed  the Border 2012 Operational
Guidance to assist partners, stakeholders and the general  public to understand
how the program is implemented.

H. Interagency Cooperation
Although Border 2012 is administered primarily by EPA, SEMARNAT, HHS, SS, the ten
border states, and  U.S. tribes, all program activities are selected and implemented by
coordinating bodies with full consideration of relevant activities implemented by other
institutions and the advice provided  by  the Good Neighbor Environmental Board
(GNEB), SEMARNAT's Advisory Council for Sustainable Development (CCDS) and other
organizations. These organizations represent a broad spectrum of programs  and per-
spectives from  governmental, non-governmental,  academic,  and private sectors.
Representatives of these organizations participate actively in the work of Border 2012
coordinating bodies, and they provide valuable context for Border 2012 activities.

I. Funding Sources
Achievement of the goals of Border 2012 will depend on continued availability and
efficient utilization of funding. Border 2012 coordinating bodies estimate on  an
ongoing basis the resources required and all potential sources of funding in order to
meet program objectives. In addition, it is essential that all parties fully participate in
developing the projects, policies and programs required to meet the objectives.

Funding  from  EPA and SEMARNAT is  an  important component of the overall
budget for border activities. However, federal funding  is allocated on an annual
basis based on requests to the legislatures of each country and it is  subject to
executive approval. The percentage of the annual appropriations allocated for
border activities is variable and cannot be estimated in advance.

In  addition to these  federal sources, strategic investments from state and local
governments and from the  private sector are required as are bilateral and multi-
lateral financing and  lending from the  NADB and the  World Bank. All  of these
organizations offer a  variety of grant and program funding and lending  sources,
and all offer opportunities for financial support for Border 2012 activities.

An important part of the development of cost estimates and identification  of fund-
ing sources is when coordinating bodies appoint Task Forces. Task Forces develop
project proposals and identify proposed funding sources. Coordinating bodies also
develop open and competitive  multi-year project funding  mechanisms  for Task
Forces that take into account the need to utilize a wide-range of funding  sources.
3O
                                     BORDER 2012: U.S.-MEXICO ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM

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VII. REPORTING RESULTS
A. Implementation Reports
A report describing the status of current and proposed activities under Border
2012  will  be  prepared every two years, and will be  made publicly available
through internet postings and/or other available media.


                                 Implementation Reports
2003

2004

2005

2006
2008
1 	

2009

2010

2011
                             Mid-Term Report

B. Progress Reports
Comprehensive reports describing program progress on meeting the overarching
goals and objectives of the Border 2012 program, including environmental indi-
cators, will be available through internet postings and other available media. A
mid-term progress report will be prepared in 2007,  and a final report will be
completed in 2012.

C. Indicators
To achieve Border 2012 goals and objectives,  it is essential that all actions taken
by the United States, Mexico, their respective border states, U.S. tribes and resi-
dents must have real, meaningful and measurable results. Indicators of environ-
mental progress will be developed and used to measure these results.

Based on the valuable work done under Border XXI, environment and health
indicators will measure progress being made toward Border 2012 goals and
objectives. These  indicators will  have specific definitions and protocols for col-
lection, analysis, interpretation and quality control. Border 2012 coordinating
bodies will participate in the development of these  indicators with support from
the network of  research  universities  in the  border states. The  National
Coordinators will  periodically review the indicators and report the result to the
Workgroups, Forums and the public. The results will be used to  help guide deci-
sions about which efforts are effective and  should  be  continued,  and which
should be redesigned or curtailed.
Final Report
MAY 5, 2003
                                                                    31

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LIST OF ACRONYMS


BANDAN     Banco para el Desarrollo de America del Norte (see NADBank)

BECC         Border Environment Cooperation Commission (see COCEF)

CCA          Comision para la Cooperacion Ambiental de America del Norte
              (see CEC)

CCDS         Consejo Consultivo para Desarrollo Sustentable

CEC          North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation
              (see CCA)

CILA         Comision Internacional de Lfmites y Aguas (see IBWC)

CIPAS        Centre de Investigation y Politica Ambiental del Suroeste

CNA          Comision Nacional de Agua

COCEF        Comision de Cooperacion Ecologica Fronteriza (see BECC)

EPA          U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

EMS          Environmental Management System

GNEB        Good Neighbor Environmental Board

HHS          U.S. Department of Health  and Human Services

IBWC         International Boundary and Water Commission (see CILA)

NADB        North American Development Bank (see BANDAN)

NAFTA        North American Free Trade Agreement (see TLCAN)

PROFEPA     Mexico's Federal Attorney General for Environmental Protection

SCERP        Southwest Center for Environmental Research and Policy

SS            Mexico's Secretariat of Health

SEMARNAT   Mexico's Secretariat for the Environment and Natural Resources

TLCAN        Tratado de Libre Comercio  de America del Norte (see NAFTA)
32
                                  BORDER 2012: U.S.-MEXICO ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM

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CONTACT  LIST
The following contacts can provide information on environmental issues and activities in their respective
states and regions.
 UNITED STATES
EPA OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
U.S. National Coordinator
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20460
Telefono:   (202) 564-6600
Fax:       (202) 565-2407
Internet: http://www.epa.gov/international
EPA REGION 9
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
Telephone:  (41 5) 972-3434
Internet:    www.epa.gov/region09


SAN DIEGO EPA BORDER OFFICE*
610 West Ash Street (905)
San Diego, CA 92101
Telephone:  (619)235-4765
ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
Arizona-Mexico Border Programs Unit
400 West Congress , Suite 433
Tucson, AZ  85701
Telephone:  (520) 628-6733
          (888)271-9302
Internet:   www.adeq.state.az.us


CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
Border Affairs Unit
1001 I Street, 25th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
Telephone:  (916)445-3864
Internet:   www.calepa.ca.gov


NEW MEXICO ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT
1190 St. Francis Dr.,
P.O. Box 26110
Santa Fe, NM 87502
Telephone:  (505) 827-2855
Internet:   www.nmenv.state.nm.us


TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY
Division of Border Affairs
MC-121
P.O. Box 13087
Austin, TX  78711-3087
Telephone:  (512)239-3600
Internet:   www.tceq.state.tx.us
EPA REGION 6*
1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 1200
Dallas, TX 75202
Telephone:  (214)665-6444
Internet:    www.epa.gov/region06


EL PASO EPA BORDER OFFICE
4050 Rio Bravo (100)
El Paso, TX 79902
Telephone:  (915) 533-7273
*Contact this office for Tribal Coordinator contact information.
MEXICO
UNIDAD COORDINADORA DE ASUNTOS
INTERNACIONALES DE SEMARNAT
Coordinador Nacional Mexico
Av. San Jeronimo 458, Col. Jardfnes del Pedregal,
Del. Alvaro obregon, c.p. 01900 Mexico, D.F.
Telefono:   (52-55)5490-2100
Fax:       (52-55)5490-2194
Internet:    www.semarnat.gob.mx/frontera2012


BAJA CALIFORNIA
Direccion General de Ecologia
Telephone:  (664) 624 2095
Fax:       (664) 624 2096
MAY 5, 2003
                                                                              33

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CONTACT  LIST  (Continued)
CHIHUAHUA
Direction de Ecologia
Telephone:  (614)4106440
Fax:       (614)4100474

COAHUILA
Institute Coahuilense de Ecologia
Telephone:  (844)4149213
          (844)412 5622,-22
Fax:       (844)412 5678,-22

NUEVO LEON
Subsecretaria de Ecologia
Telephone:  (818) 331 31 56,-64,-94
Fax:       (818)331 3156,-64,-94

SONORA
Direction General de Normatividad Ecologica
Telephone:  (662) 213 1966
Fax:       (662)2131966

TAMAULIPAS
Direccidn General de Desarrollo Sustentable
Telephone:  (834)3189450
Fax:       (834)3189466

DELEGACION SEMARNAT EN BAJA CALIFORNIA
Telephone:  (686) 551 8701
EMAIL:     bc_deleg@semarnat.gob.mx
DELEGACION SEMARNAT EN SONORA
Telephone:  (662)2592701
EMAIL:     son.deleg@semarnat.gob.mx_

DELEGACION DE PROFEPA EN CHIHUAHUA
Telephone:  (656)611  0166
          (656)611  0220
Fax:
EMAIL:
          chihprofepa@terra.com.mx
DELEGACION DE SEMARNAT EN CHIHUAHUA
Telephone:  (614)442 1501
deleg@chihuahua.semarnat.gob.mx

DELEGACION DE SEMARNAT EN NUEVO LEON
DELG. DE NUEVO LEON
Telephone:  (818)3698902
EMAIL:     nleon_deleg@semarnat.gob.mx

DELEGACION DE SEMARNAT EN COAHUILA
Telephone:  (844) 41 1 8402
EMAIL:     delegado@coahuila.semarnat.gob.mx

DELEGACION DE SERMARNAT EN TAMAULIPAS
Telephone:  (834)318 5251
EMAIL:     delegado@tamaulipas.semarnat.gob.mx
                                   END OF ENGLISH VERSION
                       34
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