Table of Contents:
EPA Administrator visits the
Border 1-2
Healthy Homes 2
Children's Environmental
Excellence Awards 3
Children's Health Symposium -
Brownsville, Texas 3-4
Rio Grande / Rio Bravo Extreme
Heat and Health Binational
Workshop 5
Children's Health Symposium
(Brownsville, Texas) 6-7
Joint Advisory Committee (JAC)
Meeting 6-7
Programa de Gestion de Calidad
de Aire (ProAire).. 7-8
E-Waste Recycling Event in
Cuidad Juarez, Chihuahua 8-9
Emergency Response Bi-national
Exercises & Drills 9
Region 6 L.EPC Border
Workshops" 10
Junta de Los Rios Task
Force 10-11
Four-State Regional Workgroup
Meetings 11-15
EPA REGION 6 Environmental
Justice Summit 15-16
Emergency Response Sister-City
Plan Updates in Four-State 16-17
Emergency Response
Preparedness Conference for
Colonias 17-18
Border Breakfast 18-19
3-State and 4-State Partner
Calls 19-20
Region 6 U.S.-Mexico Border
Team 21
4 State RWG Contact 22-23
3-State RWG Contact 24
Office of Environmental Justice,
Tribal and International Affairs
EPA Region 6
El Paso Border Office
OEJTIA Director. Arturo Blanco
Border Office Director: Carlos A.
Rincon
EPA Region 6: US-MX Border 2020
Program Newsletter Vol.2 (July 2016 -
October 2016)
'VrERf^
EPA Administrator visits the Border
In July 2016, EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy
visited the border to learn more about the
environmental health issues that residents who
live in border colonias and rural communities in
West Texas and Southern New Mexico still face.
Through her meetings with local stakeholders
she also conveyed EPA's role in public health.
During her visit to El Paso, Texas, Administrator
McCarthy was able to meet with pediatricians
from the Southwest Center for Pediatric
Environmental Health (SWCPEH), staff at the
West Texas Regional Poison Center, and students
enrolled in public health at the University of
Texas Houston School of Public Health and Texas
Tech University, as well as, University of Texas at
El Paso - EPA summer interns. During the
meeting, attendees discussed regional concerns,
like poor air quality and its effect on respiratory
health, and how food swamps — areas inundated
with junk food — propagate diabetes and obesity. "A lot of people don't know it, but
the EPA is fundamental for public health," McCarthy said. "It's about bringing safe
drinking water; it's about clean air; it's about what products you use and what kind of
exposures to toxic chemicals you may face."
EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy
addresses pediatricians and medical
students in El Paso, Texas.
Administrator McCarthy is also looking
towards building stronger relationships with
medical institutions to help solve the
environmental health problems faced by
communities. By utilizing the SWCPEH,
jointly funded by EPA and CDC, EPA is able to
work more closely with the medical
community and utilize their expertise for
outreach and trainings. "Medical
professionals really have an important part to
play in all of this," she reminded her
audience. "They can tell us what they're
seeing in terms of health impacts. They can
help communicate to individuals about what
to do to reduce those environmental
exposures."
Volume 2: June 2016 - September 2016
http://www.epa.gov/border2020
EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy
(right) and Region 6 Administrator
Ron Curry (left), met with staff from
the SWCPEH and toured its facilities.
llUHn Poison Center
America * First 24-Hour Bilingual Rcgioml ( autr
Certified by
The American issociation of Poison Control Centers"
And Accessible Healthcare
Border Program Staff: Maria
Vasquez; Debra Tellez;Maria
Sisneros
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EPA Region 6: US-MX Border 2020 Program Newsletter
EPA Administrator visits the Border Cont'd
As part of her visit, Administrator McCarthy toured several sites in Chaparral and Vado, New Mexico, These
communities and many other similar border communities, often have sub-standard housing, unpaved roads,
illegal dumping, standing water, and minimal infrastructure to support basic services such as electricity and clean
water. During one of the site visits, Dona Ana County District i Commissioner, Billy G. Garret, stressed that
Southern New Mexico communities face a serious issue of illegal dumping that poses a threat to public health.
Overall, Administrator McCarthy's visit reiterated EPA's support of border communities and willingness to work
with community stakeholders to improve the public health of its residents. Through the EPA Border Program,
several grants in the past have been designated towards clean-up of illegally dumped scrap tires, environmental
education public outreach campaigns and to help implement scrap tire management plans. More information:
Paula Selzer (selzer.paula(a)epa.qov) or Maria Sisneros (Sisneros. maria(a)epa.gov)
Healthy Homes Trainings
Through funding from EPA Region 6's Lead Based Paint Program and support from the Children's Health and US-
Mexico Border Programs, three border communities were able to receive Healthy Homes Training in 2016. The
trainings, which were provided by a small grant to the University of Texas School of Health Science Center in
Houston, took place in June (El Paso, Texas) and August (McAllen and Harlingen, Texas). Approximately 103
persons received the training in these communities. Unlike the El Paso and McAllen trainings which focused on
the initial "Healthy Homes Training" Curriculum, people who attended the Harlingen training received training on
"How to start a Healthy Homes Initiative in your Community". The training covered materials that empowers
stakeholders who have already taken the initial Healthy Homes training with tools that they can use to launch a
healthy homes program within their community.
In addition to the trainings provided by EPA Region 6, the SVVCPEH
became certified to teach Healthy Homes in 2016. Having accessto this
new partner will give EPA Region 6 the opportunity to continue training
around the Region at no cost to local communities. Having the ability to
certify trainers and educate about environmental asthma triggers, lead
based paint, household chemicals and pesticides, the training also
serves as an incentive for communities to partner with EPA to develop sustained relationships on children's
environmental health protection. More information: Paula Selzer ( ) or Maria Sisneros
(Sisneros. maria(a)epa. gov)
Southwest Center
Environmental Health
f'
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EPA Region 6: US-MX Border 2020 Program Newsletter
Children's Environmental Health Excellence Awards
On October 13, 2016, the Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Children Health Protection
(OCHP) recognized the 2016 Children's Environmental Health Excellence Awardees at the Children's
Environmental Health Network's inaugural Children's Environmental Health Day Event in Washington,
D.C, The awardees were recognized for their significant impact to increase the number of health
professionals who can address children's environmental health concerns. Maria Sisneros, from the El
Paso Border Office, had the privilege of attending the event. One of the award recipients was Dr. Genny
Carillo, a long-time EPA Region 6 Partner to the Children's Health and Border Program Offices and U.S.
co-facilitator of Gulf Task Force Environmental Education and Health Committee.
Dr. Carillo, who works at Texas A&M Health Science Center, School
of Public Health was recognized for her work on asthma along the
US-Mexico Border. In particular, Dr. Carrillo found that there was a
high hospitalization rate in South Texas due to asthma.
Determined to use her background in environmental health to help,
she forged relationships with health professionals and
organizations in the community, that later formalized into the
McAllen Asthma Coalition . This group focused their efforts on
creating awareness of asthma in local communities. Dr. Carrillo also
developed an asthma program that provides education to both,
children diagnosed with asthma, and their families. A major
component of this program is a curriculum developed by Dr.
Carrillo that is certified by the Texas Department of State Health
Services and offers continuing education credits. The goal of this
component is to provide training to health professionals such as
community health workers, respiratory therapy students, school
nurses and physician assistants. These individuals use the
knowledge gained to provide asthma education to children and theirfamilies and also provide training
to peers and colleagues via a "train-the-trainer" model.
For more information on this event and awardees please visit:
Protection Or contact: Maria Sisneros (Sisneros.maria(a)epa.qov)
Children's Health Symposium - Brownsville, Texas
In 2015, the Office of Children's Health and the US-MX Border 2020 Program partnered to bring a
greater focus to children's health issues along the US-MX Border. In September 2015, Region 6
partnered with PEHSU to host the first Children's Health symposium in El Paso, Texas. Due to the
success of the event, on August 25, in Brownsville, Texas, the second children's health symposium in
Region 6 took place. The event brought together new partners to the table, including the White House
Initiative "Strong Cities, Strong Communities", the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV),
Dr. Ruth Etzel (EPA Director of OCHP)
presents Dr. Genny Carillo (Texas
A&M) with the Children's
Environmental Health Excellence
A ward in Washington, D. C.
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EPA Region 6: US-MX Border 2020 Program Newsletter
Children's Health Symposium - Brownsville, Texas Cont'd
who hosted the event at their Brownsville campus. Like the first symposium topics included: Asthma &
Air pollution, diabetes/obesity, vector-borne illnesses, fracking, tobacco and e-cigarettes, prenatal
exposures, leukemia in the environment. Unlike the first symposium, the second symposium brought
both US and MX speakers to speak about each of the topics, in order that participants could hear both
countries perspectives and actions being done. Opening remarks were provided by Regional
Administrator, Ron Curry, UTRGV School of Medicine Associate Dean, Dr. Leonel Vela, as well as, City
of Brownsville Director of Public Health, Arturo Rodriguez, who attended on behalf of Mayor Tony
Martinez. Regional Administrator, Ron Curry, said protecting children's health is one of EPA's most
important priorities, "a goal that factors into nearly all our decisions."
Dr. Leonel Vela, UTRCV School of Medicine
senior associate dean for Education and
Academic Affairs, welcomed participants, to the
Children's Environmental Health Symposium on
Aug. 26, at the UTRCV Brownsville Campus.
(Photo copyright: )
Ron Curry, Region 6 Administrator (left), being
interviewed by local television station said protecting
children's health is one of EPA's most important
priorities, "a goat that factors into nearly alt our
decisions."
symposium also supports the EPA Border
Collaborative Agreement with the US-MX Border
Commission. Other partners included in the planning
process included: Southwest Center for Pediatric
Environmental Health, City of Brownsville, UTRGV,
Texas Tech University, US/Mexico Border Health
Commission, Border Environment Cooperation
Commission, Department of Health and Human
Services, Texas Dept. of State Health Services Office
of Border Health. More information: Paula Selzer
( ) or Maria Sisneros
Sisneros.maria(a)epa.qov)
A plenary session focused on ZIKA gave participants the
latest developments of the disease from Dr. Gredia
Huerta, a member of EPA's Children's Health Protection
Advisory Committee and from Puerto Rico, an area that
has seen some of the most activity with regards to ZIKA
There was also a session focused on Promotoras and an
EPA-White House Session focused on "Collaborative
Partnerships". Rafael Casanova, from EPA's Superfund
Program, also delivered a presentation on the Superfund
site of Donna Canal.
Overall, the event was attended by 130-140 participants,
coming from El Paso, Laredo with the majority being from
LRGV. Participants included community health workers,
local, federal and state agency, and academics. The
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EPA Region 6: US-MX Border 2020 Program Newsletter
Rio Grande / Rio Bravo Extreme Heat and Health Binational Workshop
On July 13, 2016, the Rio Grande / Rio Bravo Extreme Heat and Health binational workshop, took place
in El Paso, Texas. The workshop brought together varying sector agencies from across the US, Mexico
and Canada, with the goal of working towards developing an International Integrated Heat Health
Information System. The vision of the system is such that agencies or different stakeholders can
integrate and disseminate information to best deal with public health in regards to heat-illnesses and
prevention of heat related deaths.
Dr. Carlos Rincon, who served on the workshop steering committee, and two EPA Border office summer
interns, helped workshop sponsors by contacting Mexico National Senior Officials from the ministry of
Health, along with gathering participation of local emergency responders, and water utilities staff.
Speakers included staff National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Office of Resilience
and Sustainability in El Paso, New Mexico Department of Health, UTEP, Arizona State University, El
Paso National Weather Service and Proteccion Civil in Juarez, presented on how their agency or offices
currently monitor and/or deal with heat related public health information.
The morning session presentations provided the audience
with a glimpse at how different agencies monitor weather,
deal with heat related emergencies, agencies which offer
help to those who are in need of relief from extreme heat,
and other city-wide solutions in areas prone to high heat
indexes. One talk focused on the current pilot programs
that are implemented in Arizona, such as, a "cold-button"
located at bus stops, in which, a button when pressed will
release a fast cold gust of air from above to try to cool of
pedestrians as they wait for their bus. Other talks focused
on how their agency provides resources for people from
lower socio-economic programs, for instance, delivering
cooling fans to those who cannot afford one.
The afternoon session had workshop participants break ou'
into five work teams: i) Historical Climatology and
vulnerability; 2) Linkages between heat parameters and health outcomes; 3) Prediction, outlooks, early
warning; 4) Communications and engagement; 5) Capacity building and training. The break-out
sessions helped identify needs or gaps, as well as, strengths and opportunities that currently exist for
the specific topic. Breakout groups discussed key strategies or solutions for the gaps and finding the
parties that would be principal leaders or partners to help formulate an action. In addition, participants
discussed finding resources, identifying key steps, volunteers and committee leaders who lead these
efforts and help achieve these actions. This effort will continue until June 2017. More information: Carlos
Rincon ( con.carlos(a)epa.qov)
Participants from the US, Canada and Mexico
gather at the Tech H20 in El Paso, Texas to
discuss an international Integrated Heat Health
Information System.
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EPA Region 6: US-MX Border 2020 Program Newsletter
Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) Meeting
On September 22, 2016 the Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) for Air Quality Improvement on the El
Paso, TX, Doha Ana County, NM and Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua shared air-basin, held its 67th meeting
at the Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine facilities in Las Cruces, New Mexico. US Co-chair,Mark
Hansen, of EPA R6 Multi-Media Division, and MX Co-Chair, Ana Patricia Martinez, Director General for
the office of Air Quality Management and Registry of Emissions and Transfer of Contaminants within
Mexico's Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Secretariat (SEMARNAT), gave welcoming
remarks, and an overview of the meeting agenda.
The meeting consisted of four presentations:
• Dr Carlos Rincon presented the air quality report of the binational air-basin for the months of
January thru April 2016;
• Dr. David DuBois, the New Mexico Climatologist and professor at NMSU, gave a report on the
conceptual plan for the 2017 El Paso Ozone Transport;
• Cesar Rene Diaz, Director of Juarez's Ecology Department, reported on Ciudad Juarez's Air
Quality Monitoring Network;
• Alfredo Ruiz, The State of Chihuahua Secretariat for Urban Development and Ecology presented
the State of Chihuahua PROAIRE (comparably to a State Implementation Plan in the U.S.)
The JAC has been recognized as a model for binational collaboration amongst the three levels of
government, academia, private sector and non-governmental organizations. The U.S.-Mexico border
area, and specifically the Tri-State region (El Paso, Texas, Doha Ana County, NM, and Ciudad Juarez,
Chihuahua) has benefited from the partnerships working to improve the air shed under the Clean Air Act
and the 1983 La Paz Agreement through synergy and cooperation from the diverse stakeholder group.
At the JAC's 67th meeting an innovative interpretation technology for those in the room and for people
that joined remotely via phone or video was used. The technology allowed remote participants to have
simultaneously interpretation just as if they were physically present at the meeting. Participants with
questions or comments, either called an English - language or Spanish-language channel and when they
spoke it was seamlessly interpreted into Spanish or English for people in the room. Simultaneous
interpretation is a vital part of the meeting, since government officials participate from Washinton D.C.,
Dallas, Austin, Chihuahua City, Mexico City, and other places. This creative tool allows also for program
presenters that have conflict for physically attending the meeting, to do so from their office. More
information: Carlos Rincon ( 3incon.carlos@epa.gov)
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Attendees at the 6yth meeting of the Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) in El Paso, Texas on September 22, 2016.
Overthe past yearthe Ecology Department of Ciudad Juarez, the SEMARNAT, the TCEQ, the EPA, arid
many others have collaborated on enhancing air quality monitoring in the binational airshed. The group
held a half dozen binational planning calls with simultaneous interpretation and up to 20 participants
from both sides of the border, In August management and technical staff from Ciudad Juarez visited
TCEQ headquarters in Austin, and laterthat month, an air quality subcontractor performed an extensive
on-site audit of the three continuouos air monitors in Ciudad Juarez.
Based on the recommendations from the project report, Ciudad Juarez' Director of Ecology reported
the results of the audit and the long-term status of the network. The group will continue to work
together to improve air monitoring for reliable data collection ultimately leading to improved decision
making in the politically and geographically complicated airshed.
Programa de Gestion de Calidad de Aire (ProAire)
On September 6, the Programa de Gestion de Calidad de Aire
(ProAire) for the State of Chihuahua was presented to the Governor
of Chihuahua, and on Septemberi6 to members of the Joint
Advisory Committee. It is the first state-wide ProAire that has been
developed for the Mexican states along the U.S.-Mexico Border.
The ProAire is the equivalent to the USEPA Clean Air Act's State
Implementation Plan (SIP). The two previous ProAire programs in
the state of Chihuahua were only designed to include data from
Ciudad Juarez . Ciudad Juarez and Chihuahua's Ecology
Department, with support of the JAC, have implemented two
comprehensive ProAires since the JAC was formed in 1996. The
PROAIRES strengthen the existing SIPs in the El Paso area.
Volume 2: June 2016 - September 2016
http://www.epa.gov/border2020
INFORME FINAL
SEMARNAT
MEXICO
Programa de gestion para mejorar la calidad
DEL AIRE EN EL ESTAD0 DE CHIHUAHUA
2016 - 2025
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EPA Region 6: US-MX Border 2020 Program Newsletter
Programs de Gestion de Calidad de Aire (ProAire)Cont'd
Although Ciudad Juarez's Pro A ire and the Texas SIP have
made great strides in improving the air quality of the b-
national airshed, Mexico's Ministry of Environment and
Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) launched an initiative of
producing State-wide Pro A ires, through leadership of the
State of Chihuahua's Ministry of Urban Development and
Environment (SEDUE).
Similar to the SIP process in the US, the two agencies,
SEMARNAT and SEDUE, along with members of the JAC,
dedicated resources towards conducting 11 public
meetings to include stakeholder input, that included the
general public, stakeholders from various sectors such as
local and federal governments, academia, public health
non-governmental organizations, industry, chamber of
commerce, transportation, and international trade and
custom brokers. The State of Chihuahua Pro A ire
program, will serve as a template for the other 5 Northern (Border) Mexican States on how to engage
and leverage various resources and collaborations, that include, possible contributions from their U.S.
corresponding partners. More information: Carlos Rincon ( )
E-Waste Recycling Event in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua
On August 12th thru the 14th, a three-day Electronic Waste Collection event was held in Ciudad Juarez
to collect of Electronic Waste (E-waste) for recycling, while supporting City schools by receiving
computers, and the community was greeted with a small tree for reforestation. Dr. Carlos Rincon as part
ofthe B2020 E-waste recycling steering committee joined the State of Chihuahua Governorand the
State of Chihuahua Urban Development and Ecology Secretary, whom along with Ciudad Juarez
Mayors and Keep Juarez Beautiful (Juarez Limpio) kicked off the three-day E-waste collection event,
which was held at "Plaza Sendero" Parking lot in Ciudad Juarez . The E-waste recycling steering
committee is presided by Juarez's Mayor, The SEMARNAT Delegate in the State of Chihuahua, Brenda
Rios Prieto, State of Chihuahua Ecology and Urban Development Secretary Arq. Nieves Maloof, along
with Juarez's Chapter of Mexico's National Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Small
Industry Manufacturing, the US Consulate in Ciudad Juarez, the Television and Radio Multi Media
Association members Televisa, Azteca, Channel 44, Channel 5, local NGOs and School District, the
Juarez's Vehicle Emissions Inspection Association and E-waste collection corporation Ekorecikla. E~
waste collected exceeded its set Goal of 50 Tons, by totaling 80 Tons plus other special waste collected
as well, such as spent oil, batteries, used tires, toners, domestic cleaning and pest control chemicals.
More information: Carlos Rincon ( irlos@ )
On September 6, the ProAire was presented to the
Governor of Chihuahua at the State Buidting in the
city of Chihuahua.
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EPA Region 6: US-MX Border 2020 Program Newsletter
E-Waste Recycling Event in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua Cont'd
Emergency Response Bi-national Exercises & Drills
On July 5, 2016 Maria Sisneros and Dr. Carlos Rincon participated on a B2020
Emergency Response bi- national tabletop exercise, joined by City of El Paso
Emergency Management, Chief Villanueva and Lt. Quinn. Participation by US
partners was supported by using GoToMeeting which allowed for PROFEPA,
State of Chihuahua Civil Protection, Ciudad Juarez Civil Protection, Juarez's
LECP, and others to virtually communicate (live) during the binational tabletop
exercise. The exercise involved the release/spill of a chemical at the Zaragoza
POE on the Mexican Side. The Tabletop exercise focused on the Mexico's local,
state and federal response and communication with its US counterparts. The drill exercised the local
Sister City Plan between Ciudad Juarez and El Paso. The drill is part of an annual event PROFEPA holds
each July to commemorate the Agency's anniversary.
PEMEX
w
PROTECCIQN CIVIL
CHIHUAHUA
On August 19, 2016 Carlos Rincon participated on a
binational emergency response exercise led by Ciudad Juarez
and State of Chihuahua's Civil Protection Directors, Efren
Matamoros and Alfredo Garcia Acosta, respectively. The
exercise was in coordination with Rafael Valenzuela, of
PEMEX-Gas, the PROFEPA Delegate and Local Emergency
Planning Committee partners or CLAM, as it is referred to in Mexico. The scenario exercised was that of
a Gas Valve, located on the Mexican side of the Rio Grande, that controls pressure to a transboundary
gas pipeline crossing the Rio Grande, experienced a gas release and explosion during a routine
maintenance procedure by PEMEX operator, who suffered major burns to his body. The explosion then
caused a vehicle nearby to catch on fire. The incident exercised the sister city plan, as well as the Joint
Contingency Plan, the explosion called for several blocks of the surrounding Juarez Residential
neighborhood to evacuate. Border 2020 partners included the Juarez Fire Department, the CLAM,
Juarez Civil Protection, Chihuahua Civil Protection, PROFEPA and notification to US partners. Overall
the exercise lasted 45 minutes. More information: Carlos Rincon ( ) or Maria
Sisneros Sisneros.maria(a)epa.gov)
K
MUM
OtMSSJl
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EPA Region 6: US-MX Border 2020 Program Newsletter
Region 6 LEPC Border Workshops
In 2016 EPA Region 6 conducted 32 Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) Workshops, with four
workshops along the US-MX border (Las Cruces - NM; El Paso -TX, Laredo-TX, Harlingen/Brownsville -
TX). The workshops were held to provide assistance and ideas to LEPCs and facilities on how to further
implement the provisions of the Emergency Planning Committee Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). EPA's
Steve Mason, led for this effort, along with OSHA, DHS, and state representatives collaborated to
present 32 workshops between May and October 2016. Over 100 local, state, federal government, and
industry representatives attended these four border workshops, along with Maria Sisneros from the
Border Office attended the El Paso workshop. The workshop agenda included presentations on:
EPCRA - 30 Year Anniversary
• Local Government Reimbursement Program
• Using Poison Control Centers during an Incident
• DHS - Chemical Safety Programs for your Facility
• Don't Forget the Other Groups for Your LEPC
• Gee, Where Do You Think That Release is Going?
• OSHA - Worker Safety During a Disaster
• State Programs / Issues
• Revisions to EPCRA / RCRA / RMP / SPCC as they
relate to LEPCs
Presentations used during the workshops are posted at: ittp://www.epaosc.orq/lepcworkshops
More information: Steve Mason (mason.steve@epa.gov) or Maria Sisneros (Sisneros.maria@epa.gov)
Junta de Los Rios Task Force
On July 20th, 2016 Carlos Rincon, of EPA R6 Border Office, and Gerardo Tarin, of Mexico's SEMARNAT
in Ciudad Juarez, conducted the Junta de Los Rios Task Force annual public meeting held at City of
Ojinaga, Chihuahua, City Council Chambers. Presiding over the meeting was both the Mayor of Ojinaga,
Miguel Antonio Carreon Rohana, and the Mayor of Presidio, John Ferguson, who serve as Co-Chairs of
the Junta de Los Rios Task Force. Stakeholders in attendance included the City of Ojinaga Ecology
Director, the City of Presidio Public Works and Economic Director (Brad Newton), Mexico's Consulate
located in Presidio (Lie. Sergio Francisco Salinas), Jake Geisbrecht, a Private Citizen representative of
the US - Mexico Trade and Economic for Port of Entry infrastructure improvement and extension
projects, and Carlos Nieto of Presidio, TX. Attending the meeting were also current administration City
Council members and the City of Ojinaga Mayor Elect, Martin Sanchez who was joined by the City
Manager elect, or SINDICO as it's called in Mexico.
Topics included:
• Update of PROAIRE for State of Chihuahua;
• B2020 Air Quality (AO) network in Ojinaga, that has been funded through a grant awarded by
BECC;
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EPA Region 6: US-MX Border 2020 Program Newsletter
Junta de los Rios Task Force Chihuahua Cont'd
• Status of the Task Force's 2-year action plan measures and priorities for 2015-2016 and
upcoming 2017-2018 action plan. Topics discussed for the action plans included a solid waste
and landfill in Qjinaga, used tires, water sanitation and its effect on public health with emphasis
on the health emerging issue: Zika Virus;
Strategies for continuing reporting air quality, training and supervision of Ojinaga's technical personnel
for AQ monitoring of Ojinaga's current PM10 units, and shipment of AQ Filters to CIMAV laboratory in
Chihuahua City under the supervision of Dr. Alfredo Campos Trujillo who will analyze the filters and will
have the data ready for publication, on the City of Ojinaga and on other Task Force partners' web page.
More information: Carlos A Rincon ( )
Four-State Regional Workgroup Meetings
The Four-State Regional Workgroup includes parts of three
Mexican States and a total of at least 29 municipalities in
Northern Coahuila, Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas, and 168
cities and towns on the U.S. side of the border.
The Four-State RWG is divided into three geographically
based Task Forces (TFs) — a) Amistad, b) Falcon, and c) Gulf,
each of which has established subject-specific committees
related to its priority concerns and the goals of the Border
2020 program. A brief narrative of the meetings that took
place at each of the three TFs in June 2016 is found below.
Amistad Task Force. - The Amistad Task Force meeting took place on June 21 at the Civic Center in Del
Rio, Texas with more than 25 stakeholders in attendance. Meeting participants included officials from
the USEPA Region 6 El Paso, TCEQ, SEMARNAT Tamaulipas (via web conferencing), the Border
Environment Cooperation Commission (BECC), Secretariat of Environment in Coahuila, City of Del Rio,
City of Eagle Pass, Ecology Department of Piedras Negras, Ecology Department of Ciudad Acuha, the
Kickapoo Tribe (via web conferencing) and other non-profit organizations.
The City Manager of Del Rio and representatives from local governments of Piedras Negras and Ciudad
Acuha, Coahuila issued welcoming remarks, joined by the representative from the Coahuila Secretariat
of Environment. Dr. Carlos Rincon of EPA along with Victor Wong of the TCEQ Region 16 Laredo office,
discussed the structure/purpose of the meeting and provided an overview of the Border 2020 Program.
The meeting agenda included: 1) an earth day event held in April by the City of Del Rio; 2) the Ciudad
Acuha ecology department presented the city's recycling program which used plastic and scrap tire
materials for road paving projects; 3) The Piedras Negras ecology department presented on its Program
"Strong Children for a Clean Piedras Negras," which consisted of involving the community, specifically
CHIHUAHUA »
COAHUILA
NUEVO
LEON
TAMAULIPAS
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EPA Region 6: US-MX Border 2020 Program Newsletter
Four-State Regional Workgroup Activities Cont'd
children (ages 6 to 14), in efforts related to the education, as well as, collection of scrap tires and plastic
bottles in the community and; 4) the Secretariat of the Environment in Coahuila and the ecological
group Green Tec Osos of Piedras Negras reported on the status of used electronics campaigns held
throughout the state.
Finally, the meeting included a session on projects funded underthe 2015-2016 Border RFP, as well as, a
group discussion on the close-out of 2015-2016 Border 2020 Two-Year Action Plan. More information:
Carlos Rincon ( )
Meeting Participants in Amistad Task Force on June 21, 2016 in Del Rio, Texas.
Falcon Task Force's Environmental Education and Health Committee - The meeting of the Falcon
Task Force's Environmental Education and Health Committee was held on June 22, 2016 at the Laredo
Environmental Services Department. There were more than 25 attendees. These included officials of
EPA Region 6 office in El Paso,TCEQ, SEMARNAT, Tamaulipas (via web conferencing), Secretariat of
Environment in Nuevo Leon (via web conferencing), the Border Environment Cooperation Commission
(BECC), Laredo Environmental Services, Texas Department of Health and Human Services, Mexican
Consulate in Laredo, Texas Engineering Extension Services (TEEX), and academic institutions.
The meeting began with the committee co-facilitators issuing welcoming remarks. Dr. Carlos Rincon of
the EPA Region 6 office in El Paso and Victor Wong of the TCEQ Region 16 Laredo office discussed the
structure/purpose of the meeting and provided an overview of the Border 2020 Program.
The Laredo Health Department discussed efforts to address the Zika virus, among those actions there
exists a closely coordination with the Nuevo Laredo Jurisdiccion Sanitaria to conduct awareness and
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EPA Region 6: US-MX Border 2020 Program Newsletter
Four-State Regional Workgroup Activities Cont'd
prevention tools related to the Zika virus. The Autonomous University of Tamaulipas reported on the
status of an environmental education and legislative project funded by the Border 2020 Program, The
program consists of increasing training on environmental education tools and enhancing binational
cooperation to implement innovative environmental education programs.
Officials from Caterpillar (a global manufacturer of heavy equipment) are working with the Nuevo
Laredo Technological University on the design and construction of a wastewater treatment facility on
campus. The plant would treat wastewater using a combined anaerobic pre-treatment and aerobic
post-treatment process, replacing pits that store wastewater generated on campus.
The Rio Grande International Study Center (RGISC) reported on a project to restore the Manadas Creek
Wetland. RGISC is working with schools to pick up trash in one of the branches of the creek. Information
was shared to participants about Ciudad Acuna's plastic and scrap tire recycling program. There was
also a discussion on the close-out of 2015-2016 Border 2020 Two-Year Action Plan. More information:
Carlos Rincon ( jcon.carlos@epa.gov)
2005 WINNER
TEXAS ENVIRONMENTAL
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Meeting Participants in Falco Task Force (Environmental Health & Education Subcommittee) met on June 22, 2016 at the Laredo
Environmental Services Department meeting space.
Volume 2: June 2016 - September 2016
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EPA Region 6: US-MX Border 2020 Program Newsletter
Four-State Regional Workgroup Activities Cont'd
Gulf Task Force - Water Committee Meeting, met on Friday, June, 2015 in Harlingen, Texas. Maria
Sisneros from the E! Paso Border Office attended the meeting. The meeting was attended by
approximately 26 bi-national stakeholders from both the U.S and Mexico. Attendees included
representatives from EPA, TCEQ, Tamaulipas Secretariat of Environment and Sustainable Development
(SEDUMA), Comision Internacional de Limites de Agua (CILA), Brownsville Public Utilities Board
(BPUB), Attorney General's Environmental Protection Division, Matamoros Water Utilities, and
Secretary of State Colonias Director and other border partners.
The meeting included a presentation from the BPUB on their Border 2020 grant for $25,000 to help fund
a Fat, Oil and Grease (FOG) public outreach campaign. The goal of the project is to provide outreach
and education to improve water quality by reducing the number of sanitary sewer overflows from
commercial and residential customers while increasing environmental awareness of how fat, oil and
grease contribute to a potential health hazard if not handled correctly. Activities performed underthe
grant included:
• Public Outreach initiatives - FOG Best Management Practices (BMP's)
• Workshops/Public Presentations: from February to May 2016, BPUB presented the FOG program
to 540 people. From February - May 2016, distributed 1, 771 door-hangers & brochures.
• TV Commercial(s)/lnterviews http://www.rgvproud.com/news/local-news/brownsville-pub-
drainage-campaign
• April - 35 TV Spots (NVEO Brownsville)
• May - 37 TV Spots (NVEO Brownsvii Ie)
• May - 42 TV Spots (Telemundo 40)
• June -1 TV Interview (Univision 48)
• Newspaper/Website https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AL8PFo3SAtc
• Customer Site Visits
David Negrete from CILA shared information on the
Lower Rio Grande/Rio Bravo Water Quality Initiative
(LRGWQI). This pilot project will address the problems
and concerns in the Lower Rio Bravo / Rio Grande
below Falcon Dam to the Gulf of Mexico through
binational cooperation on water quality. The objective
is to develop a binational watershed-based plan to
reduce bacteria levels in the southern stretch of the
Rio Grande, other issues like salinity and dissolved
oxygen will be also addressed in this initiative. This
I iiibuc urnniPBOA*p|
Residential FOG Outreach Campaign by Brownsville Public
Utilities Board
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EPA Region 6: US-MX Border 2020 Program Newsletter
Four-State Regional Workgroup Activities Cont'd
initiative will serve as an institutional model to address the additional issues of transboundary water
quality in other parts of the Rio Grande. Mr. Negrete also provided an update on the Reynosa,
Matamoros, Camargo, Miguel Aleman, Diaz Ordaz, Ciudad Mier y Nueva Ciudad Guerrero wastewater
treatment plants and infrastructure projects certified by BECC.
Javier Guerrero and Agusto Sanchez from Texas A &M, shared information on Low Impact Development
(LID) Implementation and Education project funded by Border 2020 Program. The goal of this project is
promote specific research and educational topics emphasizing how green infrastructure strategies can
be utilized to mitigate stormwater runoff, to maximize local stormwater runoff detention at
development projects, to minimize localized flooding in urban, rural, and colonia settings, to manage oil
& grease and other illicit discharges from residential and commercial businesses using the water quality
treatment characteristics of low impact development, to mitigate illegal dumping and stormwater
floatables, and their impact on localized flooding and water quality. Mr. Guerrero also discussed several
LID projects in the Lower Rio Grande Valley.
Dr. David Eaton, from UT's LBJ School, presented on efforts to support local stakeholder participation in
the Lower Rio Grande/Rio Bravo Water Quality Initiative. These efforts include involving local
stakeholders in developing management practices and selecting investments to improve water quality
in all three of the bi-national stretches of the river, from: El Paso to Amistad Reservoir; rom Amistad
Reservoirto Falcon Reservoir; and from Falcon Reservoirto the Gulf of Mexico. The grant was at its
beginning stages but Dr. Eaton shared the goals/activities that would be accomplished under the
project.
Finally, Claudia Lozano, TCEQ, provided copies of the Gulf Task Force's 2-year action plan, water
projects only. Currently, there are several water projects that are in progress with eight new projects in
the Gulf Task Force Region that were approved at the end of 2015 to receive funding from Border 2020
Program. More information: Maria Sisneros >isneros.maria(a)epa.qo )
EPA REGION 6 Environmental Justice Summit
EPA Region 6 hosted a five-state Environmental Justice Summit on August 9-10, 2016, in Dallas, TX.
The summit was the culmination of the state EJ Training Workshops and included sessions on the
development and implementation of the EJ Collaborative Action Plans for Arkansas, Louisiana, New
Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. The summit also highlighted examples of successful multi-stakeholder
collaborations to address EJ issues in communities across Region 6, as well as recent federal
government initiatives that can support local community efforts to address EJ issues. Nearly 170 people
attended the Summit including speakers and EPA support staff, that included Debra Tellez from the El
Paso Border Office and who currently serves as the New Mexico EJ State Liaison. Summit participants
included grassroots and community leaders, non-profit organizations, academia, industry, local, state,
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EPA Region 6: US-MX Border 2020 Program Newsletter
EPA REGION 6 Environmental Justice Summit Cont'd
and federal environmental justice partners. Border NGO and ARISE, delivered a presentation focused on
the Colonias-Lower Rio Grande Valley Texas Actions/Initiatives that both the Region 6 Superfund, EJ
and Border Program have been working on. More information: Debra Tellez ( ) or
Paula Flores-Gregg ( )
2016 EJ Summit Participants in Dallas, Texas (Photo: Air Alliance Houston)
Emergency Response Sister-City Plan Updates in Four-State Region
On July 13, 2016 City officials from Laredo
and Nuevo Laredo met to update the sister-
city plan. The cross border contingency plan
outlines instances when the City of Laredo
Fire and Nuevo Laredo Fire Department will
respond to cross-border emergencies and
put in place a communication notification
system for such events. More information:
Maria Sisneros gros.maria@epa.gov)
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EPA Region 6: US-MX Border 2020 Program Newsletter
Emergency Response Sister-City Plan Updates in Four-State Region Cont'd
binationa! disasters. More information: Maria Sisneros )
Emergency Response Preparedness Conference for Colonias
The OEJTIA office through both the EJ and Border 2020 Program began working with several non-
government organizations in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (RGV) region to assist them with hosting a
conference on emergency preparedness and recovery efforts for Colonias. The RGV Community
Emergency Preparedness Conference: Before, During and After was developed as a first-of-its-kind
event that provided colonia residents with hands-on, Spanish-language education about how to prepare
for, survive and recover from a disaster. The conference was held on Saturday, August 27 at the Primera
Iglesia Bautista de Alamo in Alamo, Texas. In total, 110 colonia residents were able to attend the all day
conference. The conference was developed and funded by a coalition of community groups, local
elected officials and faith based organizations that include; A Resource In Serving Equality (ARISE), La
Union del Pueblo Entero (LUPE), Texans Recovering Together, El Valle District of the United Methodist
Church, First United Methodist Church of Donna, Food Bank of the RGV, Alamo Water Supply
Corporation, the Community Development Corporation of Brownsville, Hidalgo County Precinct 2, Rio
Delta Engineering, be Workshop, and the Texas Secretary of State Colonia Program. Maria Sisneros,
from the border program, participated on the planning committee for several months leading up to the
conference. Paula Flores-Greg, from the EJ Program, assisted the day of the conference. The Border
2020 Program, through the BECC, provided approximately $4,636 in funding for the conference.
Several valley-wide organizations and agencies held informational 4.5-minute workshops in the
morning, followed by plenary sessions. The workshops covered information from fire prevention to food
safety and storage after an emergency. The plenary sessions included a review of the county
evacuation plans, a panel on disaster housing, and a family emergency planning session. Workshops
were held in Spanish with optional English translation, and takehome materials were provided in
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EPA Region 6: US-MX Border 2020 Program Newsletter
Emergency Response Preparedness Conference for Colonias Cont'd
Spanish as well. Due to the success of the conference, the
EPA EJ Program along with ARISE and several
other steering committee members will looking to expand
and build upon the conference to create a template or model
for future conferences, such as this, that can be held in other
colonias areas. Paula Flores-Gregg ( ) or
Maria Sisneros (Sisrieros.maria@epa.qov)
Colonia Residents at Fire Safety Workshop
Border Breakfast
The New Mexico Border Health monthly meetings highlighted several of our Border partner's activities
during the last few months of 2016. The NMSU Extension, Family and Consumer Services discussed the
Health Literacy Action team initiative, at the July 2016 meeting, which is working with patient, provider
interaction. They have determined Literacy skills is number one determinant of Health. They conducted
health literacy assessment of "at risk" audiences (low income levels, older adults, incarcerated
individuals, GED students). The three-year program will provide assistance to medical community with
resource development to address the need for patients to read and understand info given to them,
calculating prescription dosages, understanding medication levels, and interpreting test results.
The New Mexico Water Resources
Research Institute presented at the August
2016 meeting to discuss their study on the
Impact of Drought on Household Water
Quality in rural Southern New Mexico completed in June 2015. The study, funded by the New Mexico
Department of Health, focused on testing the quality of private well water and impact of five-year
consecutive drought on groundwater in the Mimbres Basin, a groundwater aquifer shared by New
Mexico and the Mexican state of Chihuahua. The Basin serves as the primary source of household water
for residents in NM's Luna County and portions of western Doha Ana and Southern Grant County. It also
supplies the Mexican border community of Puerto Palomas. NMDOH and WRRI concerned with the
high percentage of individuals in the Mimbres Basin served by unregulated, private wells, conducted
this well water testing project to determine if well owners were unknowingly at risk from elevated
concentrations of harmful contaminants in their drinking water. It is estimated 2,910 households
PS :
ml I ' te
New Mexico
Water Resources Research institute
A STATE-WIDE CONSORTIUM FOR WATER RESEARCH. EDUCATION. AND OUTREACH
I
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EPA Region 6: US-MX Border 2020 Program Newsletter
Border Breakfast Cont'd
obtain their household water from private wells. 143 individual wells samples were collected and tested
for arsenic, fluoride, nitrates, uranium, total coliform and E. coli. Of the samples tested, 16 or 11.2%
were measured at concentrations that exceeded one or more of the standards for healthy drinking
water. Four samples exceeded the standards for two or more contaminants, some as high as four times
the maximum concentration level. Project staff provided lab results in Spanish and English and met
with well owners to assist the well owner in understanding their probable source of contamination and
were instructed on methods of reducing or eliminating the contaminant from their household supplies.
The WRRI researchers concluded that the concentrations of contaminants in groundwater may rise
during periods of drought and as the drought advances in the border region, monitoring private
domestic water supplies becomes a more relevant exercise to help healthcare workers better identify
individuals at risk of drinking water contamination. The complete project results can be found at:
http://border.nm.edu/wellwatersamplinqproiect. They announced that additional well monitoring will
begin in Hidalgo County.
The Border Environmental Cooperation Commission (BECC)
presented at the September 2016 meeting to discuss some of the
strategic Initiatives promoting sustainable practices and
investment, energy audits and water audits. They identified the
lack of attention and strategies for addressing aging infrastructure
in the border region, unstainable rate structures and lack of water
storage capacity in some border communities. Doha Ana County
Health and Human Services (DACHHS) presented their efforts to streamline crisis response system for
mental health patients at the October 2016 meeting. They are identifying places to intercept folks
before detention and opportunities for pre-screening to get services (i.e. vets, direct them to
appropriate office). DACHHS is emphasizing citation, rather than incarceration and partnering with
ambulance service to transport crisis victims in vehicle rather than an ambulance. DACHHS is looking to
create assisted outpatient care program and bringing in crisis training for law enforcement and
emergency services. More information: Debra Tellez (tellez.debra@epa.gov)
3-State and 4-State Partner Calls
MONTHLY CONFERENCE CALL WITH BORDER PARTNERS: The El Paso Border Team began in 2006 having
monthly calls with Border 2020 Federal and State Co-Chair Border staff in orderto keep each of the agencies
updated on ongoing border meetings and efforts as they relate to the Border Program. The meetings are held
every 2nd Tuesday of month with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), the Secretariat of
Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT in Spanish), New Mexico Environment Department (NMED),
the Secretariat of Urban Development and Ecology for state of Chihuahua (SEDUE in Spanish) and Ysleta del Sur
Pueblo (YDSP). The conference callsfocus on environmental border events in the Texas-New Mexico-Chihuahua
(TX-NM-CHIH) region that each agency conducts. As events occur, updates are discussed to better prepare for
the event and receive input by the border partners.
BECC
COCEF
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EPA Region 6: US-MX Border 2020 Program Newsletter
3-State and 4-State Partner Calls Cont'd
In the past months, updates that have been discussed include the Border 2020 2-year workplans for the TX-NM-
CHIH Regional Workgroup that focused on projects and actions that were completed or will be completed in 2015
through 2016, as well as, the new priorities for the 2016-2017 2-year workplans. In addition, border projects
funded and their status are shared amongst the group, as well as, any activities that took place as part of these
projects. Other discussions included taskforce meetings: The Joint Advisory committee (September 2016); Texas-
Chihuahua taskforce (July 2016); Amistad, Falcon and Gulf Task Forces (June 2016). Ongoing discussion regarding
the PROAIRE, which was signed in September 2016, the air quality management plan forthe state of Chihuahua.
Partner meetings that have taken place has included the Bi-national Health Council meetings in El Paso, Texas
and Presidio, Texas. More information: Maria Dora Vasquez (Vasquez.maria@epa.gov)
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EPA Region 6: US-MX Border 2020 Program Newsletter
Region 6 U.S.-Mexico Border Team
REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR - Ron Curry
DRA, Coleman , Sam 214-665-3110
R6 U.S. Federal Co-Chair for Border 2020
Blanco, Arturo - OEJTIA Director
EJ, Tribal and International Affairs Office 214-665-3182
Smith, Rhonda - Deputy Director 214-665-8006
• Laura Gomez Rodriguez- Team Lead, White House
Council on SC2 956-578-1547
• Paula Flores-Gregg, Texas EJ and Border Liaison
214-665-8123
El Paso Border Office
Main / Public Line 915-533-7273
Fax 915-544-6026
Conference Room ext. 226
VTC 915-532-3410
Border Program 1800# 1-800-334-0741
Address: Region 6, El Paso Border Office
4050 Rio Bravo, Suite 100, El Paso, TX 79902
Rincon, Carlos ext. 222
• Director, R6 El Paso Border Office,
Air Quality, Environmental Compliance Assistance,
Texas / Chihuahua Rural Task Forces, and
TX/Coahuila/Nuevo Leon / Tamaulipas Task Forces
Sisneros, Maria ext. 224
• TX/Coahuila/Nuevo Leon/Tamaulipas Regional
Workgroup Liaison
• Water Quality, Emergency Preparedness and
Response TF; Environmental Health Task Force;
Environmental Education TF for TX/NM/CHIH
Regional Workgroup
• Program Communications and Outreach
• Publications and Website
Tellez, Debra ext. 229
• NM/TX/Chih Workgroup Liaison
• Chihuahua / New Mexico Rural TF
• NM-EJ Liaison
Vasquez, Maria ext. 222
• OEJTIA Administrative Secretary
• El Paso Border Office Manager
Office of External Affairs
Gray David - Director 214-665-2200
Wang, Jonathan 214-665-2296
• Border/EJ Liaison
Vela, Austin 214-665-9792
• Congressional Liaison, NM & TX
Office of Regional Council
Payne Jr., James O 214-665-8170
• Office of Regional Counsel
Multimedia Division (Goals 1 and 3)
Stenger, Wren - Director 214-665-6583
Price, Lisa - Deputy Director 214-665-6744
Goal l:Reduce Air Pollution
Hansen, Mark 214-665-7548
• Chair, Joint Advisory Council & Technical Advisor
for BECC grants on Air
Goal 3: Promote Materials Management, Recycling and
Clean Sites
Bellew, Renee 214-665-2793
• Waste Policy Forum Liaison
• Technical Advisor for BECC grants on Waste
Lawrence, Rob 214-665-6580
• Energy and Climate Change
Selzer, Paula 214-665-6663
• Children's Public Health & Technical Advisor for
BECC grants on Children's Health
Wilson, Monica 214-665-6719
• Grants Administration
Water Division (Goal 2)
Honker, Bill- Director 214-665-3187 Goal
2: Improve Access to Clean and Safe Water
Tellez, Gilbert 915-533-7273
• Water Policy Forum Liaison & Technical
Coordinator for Border Water Infrastructure
Gandara, Salvador 214-665-3194
• Project Officer for BECC, NADB Infrastructure
Grant
Ruiz, Thomas 214-665-3153
• Community Outreach Coordinator
Superfund Division (Goal 4)
Edlund, Carl - Director 214-665-8124
Goal 4: Enhance Joint Preparedness for
Environmental Response
Todd, Brandi 214-665-2233
• Emergency Preparedness and Response
• Border 2020 Emergency Preparedness and
Response Policy Forum Liaison
• Representative on the U.S.-Mexico Joint Response
Team & Technical Advisor for BECC grants on
Emergency Response
Enforcement Division (Goal 5)
Gilrein, Steve - Acting Director 214-665-8179
Goal 5: Enhance Compliance Assurance &
Environmental Stewardship
Potts, Mark 214-665-2723
• Goal 5, Enforcement and Compliance
• Enforcement Group & Technical Advisor for BECC
grants Liaison
EPA Region 6: US-MX Border 2020 Program Newsletter
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Texas-Coahuila-Nuevo Leon-Tamaulipas Regional Workgroup Co-Chairs & Staff
U.S. Federal Co-Chair
Sam Coleman
Regional Deputy Administrator, U.S. EPA
Staff: Carlos Rincon, EPA/Region 6 Border Coordinator,
SeDa.aov 915-533-7273
Maria Sisneros. EPA Reaion 6 El Paso Office
Sisneros.maria@eDa.aov
Mexican Federal Co-Chair
Lie. Jesus Gonzalez Macfas
Delegate, SEMARNAT Tamaulipas
Horacio del Angel, Subdelegado de Proteccion al Ambiente
y Recursos Naturales, SEMARNAT Tamaulipas
834-318-5254
horaciodelanael@tamauliDas.semarnat.aob.mx
U.S. State Co-Chair
Bryan W. Shaw, Ph.D., P.E.
Chairman, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
Staff: Steve Niemeyer. P.E., Border Affairs Manager and
Colonias Coordinator 512-239-3610
TCEQ- Austin
steve. niemever@tcea.texas.aov
Claudia Lozano-Clifford, REM.,
Lead Border Team Coordinator
TCEQ- Harlingen office, Gulf Task Force
956-430-6035
Mexican State Co-Chairs
Ing. Roberto Russildi Montellano, Secretary of Sustainable
Development, State of Nuevo Leon
Roberto. russildi@nuevoleon. aob.mx
81 2033 1950
Dr. Alfonso Martinez Munoz,
Subsecretario de Proteccion al Medio Ambiente y Recursos
Naturales
alfonso.martinezm@nuevoleon. aob.mx
81-2033-2100
Dr. Jose Gonzalez Salinas
Director de Planeacion
Victor Wong,
Border Program Coordinator
TCEQ- Laredo Office, Falcon and Amistad Task
Forces
956-753-4050
victor, wona@tcea.texas.aov
Eddie Moderow, Program Coordinator
TCEQ- Austin
512-239-0218
eddie.moderow@tcea.texas.aov
Desiree Ledet, Program Coordinator
TCEQ- Austin
512-239-6132
desiree. ledet@tcea.texas.aov
81-2033-2100
Mtra. Ana Fernanda Hierro
Secretaria Tecnica
81-2033-1950 ext. 52661
Biol. Eglantina Canales, Secretary of the Environment, State
of Coahuila
Oscar Flores, Subsecretario de Gestion Ambiental
844-698-1090
oscar.flores@sema. aob.mx
Alejandra Carrera, MC., Directora de Conservacion
844-698-1098
844-122-8932
Aleiandra.carrera@sema. aob.mx
Ing. Humberto Rene Salinas Trevino
Secretary of Urban Development and Environment, State of
Tamaulipas 834 107-8615
Ocean. Heberto Cavazos Lliteras,
Subsecretario de Medio Ambiente
834-107-8291
Dra. Silvia Casas Gonzalez
Direccion de Transversalidad y Cambio Climatico 834-107-
8261
silvia.casas757@amail.com
Lie Lucero Chavez 834-1078292
ssma@tamauliDas. aob.mx
Mexican Staff Liaison for Workgroup
Gustavo Pantoja Villarreal, 867-718-6336, 867-727-0486
CBECC contractor")
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Gulf
Falcon
Amistad
U.S.
Task
Force
Co-
Leaders
John Wood, Port of Brownsville
Commissioner 956-778-7175
iwarealtv@aol.com
Joe Rathmell, County Judge, Zapata County
956-765-9920
Pete Saenz Jr, Mayor of Laredo, TX 956-791-
7389
Staff: Riazul Mia, 956-721-2000
rmia@ci.laredo.tx.us
Ramsey Cantu, Mayor of Eagle
Pass, TX
Staff: Ivan Morua, 830-773-1111
imorua@eaaleDasstx.us
MX Task
Force
Co-
Leaders
Lie. Jesus de la Garza Dfaz del
Guante, Presidente Municipal,
Matamoros, Tamps.
868 8108000
Staff: Lie. Gerardo Morales
868 8108000
aGerardo.ma@hotmail.com
Lie. Oscar Enrique Rivas Cuellar, Presidente
Municipal of Nuevo Laredo, Tamps.
Staff: Lie. Luis Mata Bernal, 867 7147973,
8luismata
-------
2016 Texas-New Mexico-Chihuahua Regional Work Group Con
Name
Organization
Phone
Email
Support Staff
Phone
U.S. Federal
Sam Coleman, Deputy
Regional Administrator
EPA
214-665-6701
coleman.sam@epa.gov
Debra Tellez:
tellez.debra@epa.gov
915-533-7273
U.S. State
New Mexico
Butch Tongate, Acting
Secretary
NMED
505-827-2855
Butch.tongate.state.nm.us
U.S. State
Texas
Bryan W. Shaw, Chairman
TCEQ
512-239-5515
Curtis Seaton (for appts/mtgs):
Curtis.seaton@tceq.texas.gov
Steve Niemeyer:
steve.niemeyer@tceq.state.gov
Gina Posada:
eugenia.posada@tceq.texas.gov
512-239-3606
915.834.4962
Mexico
Federal
Brenda Rios Prieto
SEMARNAT
011-52-614-442-1501
brenda.rios@ semarnat.gob.mx
Gerardo Tarin
gerardo.tarin@semarnat.gob.mx
011-52-616-
6687
Mexico
State Chihuahua
Dra. Cecilia O. Olague
Caballero
SDUE
011-52-614-415-
7514
Cecilia. olaaue@hotmail. com
Claudia Munoz
Claudia.munoz(®chihuahua.aob.mx
011-52-614-
429-3627
US TRIBE
Frank Paiz, Governor
Ysleta del Sur
Pueblo
915-859-8053
fpaiz@ydsp-nsn.gov
Evaristo Cruz
ecruz(®vdsD-nsn.aov
915-859-7913
Task Force Co-leaders
Cou
ntry
Co-Leader
Organization
Phone
Email
1
Goal 1: Air
Objetivo 2: Aire
MX
Dra. Alba Yadira Corral
Universidad Autonoma de Cd. Juarez
UACJ
01152-656-688-1885
acorral@uacj.mx
US
Dr. Wen-Whai Li
University of Texas at El Paso
915-747-8755
wli@utep.edu
2
Goal 2: Water
Objetivo 1: Agua
MX
Dr. Rene Franco Barreno
Paso del Norte Water Task Force
656-611-1947
656-611-4989
rfra nco @fra ncoyasociados.com
US
Lorenzo Arriaga
Paso del Norte Water Task Force
915- 449-5479
Irnzrrg034@gmail.com
3
Goal 3: Waste
Objetivo 3: Residuos
MX
Rene Franco Ruiz
Franco & Associates
011152656-616-6609
renefranco@francoyasociados.com
US
Cristina Viesca-Santos
El Paso County District Attorney's Office
915-546-2050
Cristina.Viesca@ca.epcounty.com
4
Goal 4: Emergency Response
Objetivo 5: Emergencias Ambientales
MX
Efren Matamoros
Proteccion Civil
1656-318-4948
licmadominguez@hotmail.com
Mabe71 @hotmail.com
US
Lt. Jerry Villanueva
El Paso OEM Coordinator
915-838-3264
Cell: 9152403171
villanuevajj@elpasotexas.gov
5
Goal 5: Compliance Assistance
Objetivo 6: Cumplimiento de Ley
MX
Lie. Joel Aranda
PROFEPA
011-52-656-682-39-
90, ext 18253
jaranda@profepa.gob.mx
US
Pamela Aguirre
Pamela.aguirre.elp@gmail.com
6
Environmental Health
Salud Ambiental
MX
Dr. Enrique Suarez y Toriello
FEMAP
656-616-0833
esuareztoriello@msn.com
esuarez@femap.org
US
Bruce Sanfilippo
Memorial Medical Center
575-521-2218
Bruce.Sanfilippo@lpnt.net
7
Environmental Education
Educacion Ambiental
MX
Lie. Claudia Janet Laffont
Casta no n
Directora de Aqua 21, A.C
656-616-5228
656-613-1800
aqua21 ac@gmail.com
aqua21 @prodigy.net.mx m
US
Patricia Juarez
University of Texas at El Paso-CERM
915-747-7976
pJuarez@utep.edu
8
Chihuahua / New Mexico Task Force
MX
Ing Martin Palomares
Desarrollo LTrbano y Ecologia Acension, Chih
636-112-5145
lmpcera@gmail.com
US
Jorge Salomon Guiterrez Maloof
Econ. Pres of Chamber of Commerce
Columbus
915-588-0998
gtzmaloof@gmail.com
9
Chihuahua / Texas Task Force
MX
Martin Sanchez Vallez
Presidente Municipal, Ojinaga, Chih.
626-100-5101
US
Cindy Guevarra
County Judge, Presidio
432-729-4452
eljuez@att.net
acts Co-Chairs
Volume 2: June 2016 - September 2016
http://www.epa.gov/border2020
24
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