^OER ^
UNITED STATES-MEXICO ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM
BORDER 2020

HIGHLIGHTS REPORT
WINTER 2014-2015
*3
SEMARNAT
SECRETARIA DE MEDIO AMBIENTE
Y RECURSOS NATURALES
I

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PAGE 2
HIGHLIGHTS REPORT WINTER 2014-2015
MESSAGE	FROM	THE NATION
In August 2012, the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Secretary
of Environment and Natural Resources of Mexico commenced binational activities on
border cooperation under the Border 2020 Environmental Program. These efforts con-
tinue nearly three decades of collaboration between our nations to achieve tangible
goals that benefit the environment we share and the communities on both sides of our
border.
Through the Border 2020 Program, we continue to foster our strong binational partner-
ship allowing us to reinforce the message that cooperation is the best way to achieve
comprehensive solutions to the environmental issues challenging our countries. Our
model of cooperation has been fundamental to ensuring that border communities de-
velop sustainably and in harmony with their environment.
Activities undertaken through the Border 2020 Environmental Program are being im-
plemented and we are pleased to report that our border cooperation continues. Many
projects started under our previous binational initiative came to a close these past two
years, and this report highlights some of the most significant achievements of 2013-
We wish to acknowledge the support and commitment to the Program from all individ-
uals, communities, organizations, and institutions involved in the numerous activities
and whose participation is essential to improving environmental and public health con-
ditions in the border region. As National Coordinators for the Program, we recognize
and celebrate your efforts, your dedication, and your commitment, which are the essen-
tial ingredients for the successful completion of our ambitious goals and objectives.
Finally, we invite you to join us in renewing our dedication and commitment to devel-
oping comprehensive binational solutions to the environmental challenges that persist
in the border region. As we implement the Plans of Action for 2015-2016, let us take
stock of our recent accomplishments, make adjustments where needed, and continue to
be responsible stewards of our shared resources.
Thank you very much!
2014.
Jane Nishida
National Coordinator, United States
Enrique Lendo
National Coordinator, Mexico

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HIGHLIGHTS REPORT WINTER 2014-2015
PAGE 3
Introduction
The first two years, 2013-2014.
The U.S.-Mexico Environmental Program: Border 2020 is the fourth iteration of
the border cooperation between U.S. and Mexico under the La Paz Agreement of 1983.
The purpose of the Program is to address the environmental and health related challeng-
es facing border communities. The Program officially began its implementation in Au-
gust of 2012 with the development of the first 2-year Actions Plans. In January 2013 the
implementation of the Action Plans began and since then the Policy Fora and Regional
Workgroups have guided projects that will fulfill the goals and objectives of the Pro-
gram.
Similar to past Border Environmental Programs, the Border 2020 Program is a
partnership between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Secretariat for En-
vironment and Natural Resources of Mexico, the ten Border States, the U.S. Border
Tribes, Mexican Indigenous Communities, NGOs, communities and stakeholders. The
Border 2020 Program also embraces a strong partnership with the Border Environment
Cooperation Commission (BECC) to administer EPA's resources to implement projects
and to provide technical assistance and support regional and the National Coordinators
convenings.
The Border 2020 Program convenes Task Force and Regional Workgroup meet-
ings to discuss progress, share information, discuss challenges, and identify needs and
emerging environmental issues. Meetings take place every 3 to 6 months and a National
Coordinator's Meeting is convened once every 2 years, where stakeholders discuss pro-
gress, priorities, and future actions.
This highlights report contains short summaries of border projects that were still
ongoing during the transition between the Border 2012 and Border 2020 Programs and
cover a range of activities including scrap tire management, environmental health aware-
ness, air quality, emergency response, and wastewater treatment, among others. The pro-
jects highlighted in this report represent an investment of approximately $24 million
USD in grants and include the construction of the first renewable energy powered
wastewater treatment plant in the border region.
To see more detail on the goals and objectives of the Border 2020 Program,
please refer to the Border 2020 Framework Document on the EPA and/or SEMAK-
NAT web pages.

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PAGE 4
HIGHLIGHTS REPORT WINTER 2014-2015
Feature
Introduction
The New River originates 20
river miles south of the international
border and, after crossing the border,
travels 65 river miles northward
through Calexico; and the Imperial
Valley of California before emptying
into the Saltan Sea. This transbounda-
ry river was recognized as significantly
polluted as early as the 1940s. Subse-
quently, solutions to New River con-
tamination from untreated sewage
originating in Mexico have been the
topic of four International Treaty
Minutes between 1980 and 1995.
Up until 2007, approximately
15 million gallons per day (mgd) i.e.
(675 liters per second (lps)) of untreat-
ed wastewater from the City of Mexi-
cali flowed into the New River. The
untreated wastewater, making up
about 10% of the Mew River flow at
die U.S.-Mexico border, posed serious
public health and environmental
threats both in the U.S. and Mexico.
Border Environment Infrastructure
Program
To address this problem, the
United States and Mexico invested in
multiple wastewater treatment pro-
jects in Mexicali, including the con-
struction of a wastewater treatment
plant called Las Arenitas, which was
completed in 2007. These projects
have benefited an estimated 635,000
people and have removed nearly all
untreated wastewater from the river.
The source of the U.S. invest-
ment is l-'P.Vs Border Environment
Infrastructure Fund (BEIF), The
Bill' funds construction projects
through a cooperative agreement with
North American Development Bank
(NADB). As a general rule, all BEIF
projects must have a U-S.-side benefit
and be funded at least 50% by Mexi-
co. In this case, the $42 million in U.S.
investment in Mexicali was matched
by approximately $100 million in
funding from Mexico, El\\ also sup-
ports project development through a
cooperative agreement with the Bor-
der Environment Cooperation Com-
mission (BECC).
In addition to this invest-
ment, die: Mexicali water utility agency
from die State of Baja (CESPM) and
the Mexican Federal Water Commis-
sion (CONAGUA) continue to fund,
build, and operate wastewater infra-
structure projects to keep pace with
population growth in die city.
BEIF has also funded pro-
jects in U.S. communities that dis-
charge wastewater to die New River,
including Brawley, Westmorland,
Heber, Seeley, and Calexico.
Border 2012 Program
Through the bmational Bor-
der 2012 Program, EPA and the
BECC funded the non-profit Sonoran
Institute to help design 250 acres of
artificial wedands in Mexicali, immedi-
ately downstream of die Las Arenitas
wastewater treatment plant. These
wedands were constructed widi SI. 1 \ 1
from die State of Baja California's
Secretariat of the Environment (SPA),
CESPM, SEMAKNAT and the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).
They provide additional treatment of
the wastewater, create habitat for
birds and odier wildlife, and create
opportunities for environmental edu-
cation. Since dieir construction, over
140 species of birds have been seen in
the area, including the endangered
Yuma Clapper Rail.
~ NATIONAL
GEOGRAPHIC
Story: The New River
Cover of the National Geographic article on the Las Arenitas wetlands funded, in part, by Border 2012 Program.
Full article can be found in the National Geographic website.
NewsWatch
Once a Smelly Nuisance, Mexican's Wastewater
Now Brings Life to the Colorado Delta
Posted by Sandra Postol of National Geographic's Freshwater Initiative on May 9. 2013

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HIGHLIGHTS REPORT WINTER 2014-2015
PAGE 5
Furthermore, as prescribed in
Border 2012 and 2020 Program goals,
CONAGUA has been working to
ensure that slaughterhouses provide
treatment to their wastewater when
these facilities discharge directly to the
New River.
Water Quality Results
Monitoring conducted by the
International Boundary and Water
Commission (IBWC) and the Califor-
nia Regional Water Quality Control
Board (CRWQCB) have shown the
benefits of the investments: the 12-
month average measurement of dis-
solved oxygen in the river jumped
from just above 1 mg/1 to above 5
mg/1, which is EPA's water quality
criterion for warm water (see graph
below).
In addition, levels of the indi-
cator bacteria, fecal coliform, have
dropped exponentially.
Next steps
The Binational Technical
Committee, which is chaired by the
Mexican Section of the IBWC
(CILA), and whose members include
the IBWC, EPA, CESPM, State of
Baja California Water Commission
(CEA), CONAGUA, and CRWQCB;
believe that the most cost-effective
and expeditious way to further im-
prove water quality in the New River
is by treating and/or preventing pollu-
tion at its source in Mexicali. Through
this committee, the United States and
Mexico continue to work together to
address these sources. A collector re-
habilitation project, for example, will
be jointly funded for construction
later this year to address collapses and
leaks impacting the New River.
EPA is also working with the
BECC to develop wastewater im-
provement projects in Brawley and
Heber that will benefit the New River.
Finally, through the Border 2020 Pro-
gram, EPA will be funding a trash
cleanup and prevention program in
Mexicali as a means of reducing the
trash that flows across the border.
Conclusion
These projects highlight the
importance of the Border 2012 and
Border 2020 Programs in reducing the
sources of binational pollution. EPA
and SEMARNAT recognize the con-
tinued need for coordination among
the many governmental agencies in-
volved in designing, funding, and im-
plementing the solutions. Binational
agreements, such as the Border 2020
Program, established under the La Paz
Agreement, as well as the 1944 U.S.-
Mexico Water Treaty and subsequent
Minutes, allow for such coordination
and joint investments to occur.
U.S. SECTION, IBWC
Water Quality Monitoring Program
IBWC Minute No. 264
NEW RIVER AT INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY
DISSOLVED OXYGEN
January 2005 - March 2014
~ ~ ~ Minimum DO
DO STANDARD 5. m
The Regional Water Quality Control Board of California's standard
for dissolved oxygen (DO) for warm water is not less than 5 mg/1. As
evidenced in the graph, this level is now being achieved much of the
time.
Graph showing reducing in bacteria (fecal coliform) at border. The
"standard" of 30,000 coliform forming units/100 ml was a goal set in
the IBWC Treaty Minute. The Regional Water Quality Control Board
of California's fecal coliform standard for water contact recreation
(REC I) is 200 MPN/100 ml based on a minimum of not less than
five samples for any 30-day period. Also, more than ten percent of
total samples during any 30-day period may not exceed 400 MPN per
100 ml. While fecal coliform levels have dropped significandy, this
level has not yet being achieved.
1E+006-
-1E+005-
STANDARD - 30,000 CFU/1001
U.S. SECTION, IBWC
Water Quality Monitoring Program
IBWC Minute No. 264
NEW RIVER UPSTREAM OF DISCHARGE CANAL
FECAL COLIFORM 2 YEAR ROLLING GEOMETRIC MEAN
January 2005- June 2014

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PAGE 6
HIGHLIGHTS REPORT WINTER 2014-2015
Scrap Tire Clean-Up Program in Ojinaga, Chihuahua
Inadequate disposal
of scrap tires has negative
effects on environmental
and public health in border-
communities. For example,
burning tires in open fields
result in die human expo-
sure to fumes from hazard-
ous material and substances
that affect air quality. In
addition, scrap tires can be-
come habitats that enable
diseases caused by distinct
agents, such as rabies
through rodents, or dengue,
yellow fever or west Nile
from mosquitoes.
The municipality of
Ojinaga, Chihuahua re-
ceived approximately $7,100
in funding from EPA Re-
gion 6 thru the- BECC to
address the disposal of scrap
tires in their community.
Institutions such as I PA.
BECC, and SEMARNAT
collaborated on the project
m partnership with the local
government. Ojinaga.'s mu-
nicipal government adopted
BECC's strategy on how to
manage scrap tires.
A total of 12, 745
scrap tires were disposed
during the project's 3-
month period. The 12,745
scrap tires represent 25% of
all disposed tires in the city
of Djinaga's temporary dis-
posal site. More than 26,000
individuals Of the municipal-
ity of Ojinaga benefitted
from the implementation of
this project.

Inadequate disposal of scrape tires in open field
12,745 scrap
tires properly
disposed in
Ojinaga,
Chihuahua,
25% of all
disposed
tires in the
city
Estimates of Health Costs Associated with Air Pollution in Mexicali
and Tijuana, Baja California
A study was con-
ducted by the Autonomous
University of Baja California
that estimated the social
costs (health costs and lost
work day costs) due to high
levels of particulate matter
less than 10 microns in di-
ameter (PMT0) and carbon
monoxide (CO) in Mexicali
and Tijuana. The study esti-
mated social costs under
various scenarios for both
cities.
Assuming no ac-
tions were taken to reduce
PM10 and CO in Mexicali
between 2013 and 2020, the
study estimated that the
total social costs would be
USD$1,659 million for
PM10 and USD$2,503 mil-
lion for CO- This represents
5.6% and 8.5% of the
State's gross domestic prod-
uct, respectively. However,
if it were assumed that Mex-
icali reduced PMIO emis-
sions by about 8% per year
starting in 2013 and thereby
attain Mexico's PM10 stand-
ard by 2020, the savings on
social costs could reach
USD$633 million. Likewise,
implementation of actions
to reduce CO levels can
translate into savings of
USD$2,129 million in social
costs.
For Tijuana, PM10
and CO pollution levels
were projected to decrease
between 2013 and 2020, If
this trend continues, and
there are further actions to
reduce PM or CO, this
would result in a net social
costs of USD|447 million
(1.51% of the State's GDP)
for PM and USD$264 mil-
lion (0.9% of the State's
GDP) for CO-
Study
highlights the
economic
benefits of
reducing air
pollution in
Tijuana and
Mexicali

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HIGHLIGHTS REPORT WINTER 2014-2015
PAGE 7
Over 300
people
participated in
the Healthy
Homes
Training
Healthy Homes Training in New Mexico
Green cleaning kit
Regional early care conference in Deming,
NM on November 2013.
The Southern Area
Health Education Center at
Hew Mexico State Universi-
ty (SoAHEQ received
$25,000 in funding to con-
duct die Healthy Homes
training for pregnant moth-
ers, children and low in-
come families in the disad-
vantaged and undcrsen ed
New Mexico communities'
of Sunland Park, Deming,
Lordsburg, Chaparral, Co-
lumbus and Las Cruces.
The Healthy Homes project
developed from the need to
continue educating pregnant
mothers, families with
young parents, elderly, and
low income families about
the interconnection between
health and the household
environment. It is estimated
that children spend 70% of
their time in the home and
the elderly spend 90% of
their time in the home. It
has been well documented
through research the links
between everyday house-
hold substances or other
environmental triggers in
the home can lead to illness-
es; for example lead paint
contributing towards lead
poisoning and tobacco use
can trigger asthma or even
contribute to lung cancer,
among many others.
At the conclusion
of the project, 87 communi-
ty health workers were
trained in the National Cen-
ter for Healthy Housing
jpSCHHJj for Community
Health Workers Program.
Additionally, 120 pregnant
or new teen parents re-
ceived training in children's
environmental health and
healthy homes. The pro-
gram also provided training
to 151 child care providers
(Community Action Agen-
cy, Families and Youdi Inc.,
Help Hew Mexico, and
Childcare Connection cli-
ents) in the seven healdiy
homes principles. Overall,
350 participants participated
in die various training
events. Additional activities
conducted during die pro-
ject included surveys, pre
and post knowledge tests,
300 kit distribution (Help
Yourself to a Healthy Home
Booklet, How to Control
Pest Safely-Health Homes
Guide, Preventing Rats on
Your Property) and agency
partner. The post-test indi-
cated substantial improve-
ments in understanding the
triggers of lead paint poi-
soning and asdima, among
odier improvements, for
both English and Spanish
speaking participants. The
average scores for Spanish
speaking participants went
up from pre-test scores of
65% to post-test scores of
82" 
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PAGE 8
HIGHLIGHTS REPORT WINTER 2014-2015
"Eco-Driving" Training Workshops for Commercial Truckers
Promoting
"Eco-Driving"
techniques in
border cities
Eco-ejficiency driving training sessions in
Monterrey.
The Clean Air Insti-
tute received approximately
$92,500 in border funds to
conduct training sessions at
four major ILLS. Mexico
border cities as part of a
larger plan called "National
Neimrk of Trainers on Ew-
Driviftg' developed by this
Institute, supported by the
public and private sectors,
which has as its main goal to
promote skills and tools that
will enhance eco-driving
throughout the region. The
project focused its efforts m
the northern border region
of Mexico in 4 important
cities (Tijuana, Juarez, Mon-
terrey, and Nuevo Laredo).
Other collaborators includ-
ed SEMARNAT, the EPA,
the Transportation and
Communications Ministry
of Mexico), the World
Bank, and the Global Envi-
ronment Facility.
The project was
created to strengthen and
build capacity training of
instructors to advise freight
drivers on the importance
of eco-efficiency in driving
which improves fuel con-
sumption and reduces emis-
sions (15 to 40%) in corpo-
rate freight operations
among others. It is essential
to understand that freight
transportation in Mexico
produces large quantities of
greenhouse gas emissions,
and consumes a great deal
of energy. The principal
objective of the project was
to find the necessary means
to promote the benefits of
eco- driving in a sustainable
fashion at the national level,
and as a result strengthen
transportation, environmen-
tal and energy fields.
Through the imple-
mentation of the four train-
ing workshops, approxi-
mately 55 instructors were
educated in efficient driving
techniques for freight trans-
portation, as well as having
37 drivers trained; a grand
total of 92 individuals were
trained (future trainers and
drivers). Prior to the train-
ing between 65% and 90%
of all participants had no
prior experience in eco-
driving. Results obtained in
the study shows that eco-
driving in cities such as Jua-
rez and Tijuana have a posi-
tive effect on fuel consump-
tion, reduced by 40%, and
C02 emissions, are also
reduced by 40%. To learn
more about eco-driving
visit the web page of the
Clean Air Institute.
Hazardous Waste Surveillance at California Ports-of-Entry
California's Depart-
ment of Toxic Substances
Control (DTSC) has place-
based inspectors working at
Otay Mesa and Calexico
Ports of Entry conducting
inspections associated with
northbound and south
bound surveillance and en-
forcement of hazardous
waste shipments.
Inspectors at the
California Port of Entry
work collaboratively with
U.S. Customs and Border
County, and others. DTSC
monitors waste shipment
activities, as necessary, by
taking representative sam-
ples and conducting follow-
up communications. DTSC
also provides compliance
assistance to Mexican busi-
ness and brokerage compa-
nies and government agen-
cies on requirements for
both U.S. federal and Cali-
fornia's state hazardous
waste manifest and
transport requirements.


Otay Mesa hand Port of Entry.
Protection, San Diego
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HIGHLIGHTS REPORT WINTER 2014-2015
PAGE 9
Household Hazardous Waste and e-Waste Management and
Collection in Juarez, Chihuahua
Residuos peligrosos en el hogar


Awareness campaign.
In 2013, die com-
pany Ecorecikla, in conjunc-
tion with the US-Mexico
Border 2020 Program and
BECC, conducted an out-
reach campaign on the man-
agement of household haz-
ardous waste and included
two waste collection events
in Juarez, Chihuahua. The
project was carried out with
the support, and in partner-
ship, with the municipality
of Juarez and the State of
Chihuahua. The project
consisted of an awareness
campaign on the manage-
ment of household hazard-
ous waste where over
20,000 flyers, 5,000 educa-
tional brochures, and 500
technical data sheets were
distributed to the public and
public schools. The out-
reach campaign also consist-
ed of several radio, newspa-
per and television an-
nouncements, and an offi-
cial press event. Several lec-
tures were conducted at
local schools, fire stations,
and at public events.
The objective of
the outreach campaign was
to increase citizen awareness
of the household hazardous
waste problem and how to
identify household chemi-
cals, proper disposal of
these items, and how these
items affect health and the
environment. Ultimately,
the goal is to change the
behavior of citizens to be
mindful of proper house-
hold waste management.
The household haz-
ardous waste collection
events took place in Juarez
from April 9 through April
11 and the Ecological Fair
on May 31, 2013 where over
150 tons of hazardous waste
was collected. At both
events, citizens were asked
to bring their domestic
household hazardous waste
for proper disposal. In ad-
dition, on October 25-27,
2013, another event collect-
ed over 150 tons of e-waste.
The events were announced
through media. The cam-
paign had a strong positive
environmental and social
impact that, if continued,
may create a culture of
proper management of
household hazardous waste.
300 tons of
household
hazardous
waste and
e-waste
collected
Reducing Children's Environmental Health Risks in Imperial Valley,
California
A $50,000 Border
grant was awarded in 2012
to Comite Civico del I ralle and
Clinicas de Sab id del Pueblo,
focused on targeting educa-
tion to improve children's
environmental health in Im-
perial County, California,
which has the highest rates
of asthma hospitalizations
among children in the State,
the highest rates of emer-
gency department visits for
asthma among children, the
fourth highest rates of
blood lead levels between
4.5 and 9.5 ug/dl, and the
third highest percent of days
above the PM10 national air
standard. These indicators
were the impetus for focus-
ing limited funding in this
area of the U.S.-Mexico
Border.
The project target-
ed childcare providers and
families of children under 5
years of age, to provide in-
formation on children's en-
vironmental health issues,
such as pesticide safety,
chemical exposure, indoor
air quality and asthma trig-
ger awareness and lead ex-
posure. Promotoras distribut-
ed lead and information kits,
and gave presentations to
over 1,100 parents, caregiv-
ers, and childcare providers
during the course of the 6
month project.
This project was
accomplished in partnership
with the Office of Chil-
dren's Health Protection
(EPA Headquarters) and the
Children's Environmental
Health Program (EPA Re-
gion 9).
Children's
environmental
health
campaign in
Imperial
Valley reaches
1,100 parents
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PAGE 10
HIGHLIGHTS REPORT WINTER 2014-2015
Assessment of Existing and Future Markets for Recycled Rubber from
Scrap Tires
Retreading process, one of the scrap tire
processing technologies.
.Abandoned scrap
tires continue to plague
communities along the U.S.-
Mexico border. Tecnologim de
Monterrey received approxi-
mately $40,000 to conduct a
study On the potential mar-
ket for recycled rubber ob-
tained from scrap tires or
their byproducts. In addi-
tion the study looked to
identify future markets,
technologies, and applica-
tions for the rubber byprod-
ucts that could be imple-
mented in close proximity
to areas where the stockpiles
are generated.
To achieve these
objectives, the following
activities were undertaken: a
review of the current status
of tire generation in the re-
gion; an estimate of the use
of tires in 2015; research
into technologies available
to process scrap tires or use
rubber reclaimed from scrap
tires; and an energy balance
that consisted of the analysis
of the energy investment
required to generate a new
tire versus energy derived
from a recycled tire.
Results from the
study concluded that cur-
rently the primary use of
scrap tires has been for fuel.
Based on the research con-
ducted, a wide variety of
products and applications
derived from scrap-tire rub-
ber have been identified.
However, market research
shows that these products
have not been fully imple-
mented by either lack of
interest or lack of infor-
mation. Another problem
that companies that use re-
cycled rubber face is the
uncertainty of supply.
Greater educational efforts
are needed to communicate
the benefits of using recy-
cled rubber as raw material
in place of virgin rubber and
other materials that do not
necessarily come from vir-
gin rubber.
The energy balance
shows that the proposed
practice of recycling is sus-
tainable from an energy
standpoint provided the raw
material for the recycled tire
is based on the cold emul-
sion technique. It was also
concluded that the farther
tires are transported and the
smaller their presentation
(powder, chips, chunks,
etc.), the lower the energy
benefit. A copy of the full
study can be found in
BBCC's website.
Tijuana Host the First Urban Compost Center in the Border Region
In January 2013, the
city of Tijuana, Baja Califor-
nia, celebrated the opening
of the first urban compost
center of its kind for Mexi-
can residents in the border
region. Led by the HGG
Tijuana CaHdad de Vida
(TCV), the pilot project was
funded with a $94,000 Bor-
der grant and was complet-
ed in December
2014. Through a partnership
with the City of Tijuana,
TCV collected landscape
cuttings supplied by the city
and a unused road easement
as the facility's location. San
Diego's Miramar Greenery
worked with TCV to share
expertise and knowledge.
The Compost Cen-
ter generated 153 tons of
compost, used to plant over
140 trees and 300 shrubs. It
educated over 800 people
on zero waste and compost
practices, reached thousands
through press and social-
media outreach, and pre-
sented at numerous profes-
sional international confer-
ences including Biocyle. The
compost center is serving as
a catalyst to promote zero
waste initiatives. In 2014,
TCV signed an agreement
with The Federal Energy
Commission to compost
their landscape greenery
generated through maintain-
ing high-intensity lines in-
stead of sending it to the
landfill.

Tijuana Urban Compost Center.
The Tijuana
Compost
Center
generated 153
tons of
compost, used
to plant over
140 trees and
300 shrubs
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HIGHLIGHTS REPORT WINTER 2014-2015
PAGE 11
The Clean Transportation Program Designs a Strategy to Reduce PM
Emissions from Commercial Trucks
The port of entry at
Laredo-Nuevo Laredo has
the highest concentration of
truck traffic across the US-
Mexico border with approx-
imately 35% of all Mexican
freight crossing the border
through this region. Due to
current commercial traffic
processing, high volumes of
commercial fleet congestion
from drayage trucks at the
port of entry have resulted
in high emissions levels
from the truck and
transport sector. The Texas
A&M Transportation Insti-
tute (TTI) received approxi-
mately $41,000: in border
funding through the U.S.-
Mexico Border Program to
conduct a study of the cur-
rent flow of truck or freight
transport through the Lare-
do Nui-vo Laredo region
Port of Entry. The aim of
the study was to analyze and
determine possible retrofit
technologies that have the
greatest potential to reduce
particulate emissions,, as well
as, to propose a preliminary
program that could be po-
tentially implemented in the
region with those technolo-
gies.
The initial part of
the study involved identify-
ing the type of trucks, in-
cluding the age and engine
type, within the drayage
fleet. It was estimated that a
total of 4365 trucks cross
daily up to 1.5 roundtrips.
Regarding the characteristics
of the truck, 50% of the
trucks sampled were model-
year 2000 or earlier (i.e. with
an age of over 13 years) and
84%: are model-year 2006 or
earlier (i.e. aged 7 years or
mote). Additionally, the
study found that approxi-
mately 43% of trucks in
operation in the region were
100%
20* f
1054
Eo % S3 5
A i1 o -»
-year truck histogram.
Kenworth engines, model-
year 2001-2004.
It was concluded
that the strategy to reduce
emissions from the truck
fleets was dependent on a
number of factors: 1) cost
of emissions reduction strat-
egy, 2) type of reduction
that is implemented, 3) ap-
plicability of strategies or
technologies proposed, 4)
fuel type, and 5) mainte-
nance of the technology
implemented. The recom-
mended technology for the
project area was the installa-
tion of Oxidation Catalysts
(OC) which could be imple-
mented in the immediate
future. It was estimated that
the installation of the OC in
a fleet ofl,700 trucks could
reduce up to 11.8 tons of
fine particulate matter (PM).
This translates to a health
benefit of approximately :$
9.5 million annually to the
populations of Laredo and
X'ucvo Laredo. A copy of
the full study can by found
in BEEC's website.
Residential Wastewater Service Extended in Sierra Vista, Arizona
Sulger Subdivision, Sierra Vista
In August 2014, the
City of Sierra Vista, Arizo-
na, completed a project ex-
tending wastewater collec-
tion service to approximate-
ly 374 residents in the city's
Sulger subdivision. The pro-
ject's $2 million construc-
tion cost was funded with
EPA funding administered
by the North American De-
velopment Bank. This pro-
ject includes the installation
of approximately 9,700 line-
ar feet of 8-inch gravity sew-
er pipe and 20 manholes,
the connection of 154
homes to the existing
wastewater system, and the
decommissioning of the
existing septic tanks compli-
ant with ADEQ regulations.
Flows from these homes
will be treated at the city's
wastewater treatment plant,
eliminating discharges of
inadequately treated sewage
and reducing environmental
pollution and the risk of
waterborne diseases.
374 residents
of Sierra Vista
connected to
the city
wastewater
system
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PAGE 12
HIGHLIGHTS REPORT WINTER 2014-2015
Wastewater Conservation in Puerto Palomas, Chihuahua
Home gardens in Puerto Palomas.
Puerto Palomas is a
small border village consist-
ing of approximately 3,000
people, located in Chihua-
hua, Mexico- Over the past
decade, residents of Palo-
mas have been experiencing
severe drought conditions
resulting in poor soil quality
and limited access to low-
cost water. In addition to
these environmental chal-
lenges, die town lacks a
strong economy, leaving
residents without the means
for proper nutrition which
can lead to additional health
problems. In 2012, Border
Partners received a :|10,000
grant from US EPA Region
6 administered through the
Bl '.O for a water conserva-
tion project. The project
consisted of building effi-
cient, low-cost systems for
reusing gray water and har-
vesting rainwater in order to
provide water for high-
intensity, year-round vegeta-
ble gardens and to divert
rainwater from streets in
Palomas.
The project assisted
with installing 26 gray water
systems at residential homes
and an additional system at
die public library that reused
water from kitchen and
badiroom sinks, showers,
and washing machines to
irrigate gardens and or-
chards. In addition, three
rainwater systems were built
(funeral building and two
residential homes). Through
the project, Border Partners
was also able to install two
solar water heaters and a dry
toilet. Approximately 120
individuals benefitted from
the gray water system instal-
lations and an additional 100
individuals attended work-
shops diat introduced diem
to this low-cost sustainable
technology. The project will
indirectly increase die size
and number of home gar-
dens, in order to be able to
grow more produce
(vegetables), and will em-
ploy low-cost sustainable
technologies that will con-
fine energy and water re-
sources in inhospitable envi-
ronments.
The U.S.-Mexico Border Health Commission and Border 2020 Partner
to Improve Environmental Health
The Border 2020
Program and the U.S. Sec-
tion of the U.S.-Mexico
Border Health Commission
(BHC) will leverage their
collective resources to ad-
dress public healdi and envi-
ronment challenges along
the I'.S. Mexico Border.
The new collabora-
tion will bring new synergy
and institutional expertise to
fulfill the environmental
healdi goals in the U.S.-
Mexico Environmental Pro-
gram Border 2020 and the
public healdi goals in the
upcoming Border Health
Commission's Healthy Bor-
ders 2020 Program.
For die past 2 years,
negotiations have resulted in
identification of areas of
mutual interest and collabo-
ration to improve environ-
mental health along the U.S.
-Mexico Border. In August
of 2013, die final draft of
the Collaborative Agree-
ment between die Border
2020 Program and die U.S.
Section of the Border
Health Commission was
released, detailing the areas
of commitment that will
guide die partnership. For
additional details, please
visit die Border 2020 web-
site.

^nterixa
aOER J,J

Building
alliances to
improve
quality of life
in the border
region
-------
HIGHLIGHTS REPORT WINTER 2014-2015
PAGE 13
Building Capacity: Assessment on Scrap Tire Management along the
US.-Mexico Border
It is estimated that
more than 1.5 million scrap
tires are discarded illegally in
die border area between the
Mexican states of Chihua-
hua, Coahuila, Tamaulipas
and Nuevo Leon and the
US state of Texas. The in-
sufficient management of
illegally dumped scrap tires
creates environmental and
public health hazards that
directly affect citizens living
in these areas.
The Secretariat of
Sustainable Development
for tile State of Nuevo Leon
received Border funding to;
help better address the issue
of illegally dumped scrap
tires in die Texas, Coahuila,
Nuc-vo Leon, Tamaulipas
region (Four-State Region)
and develop a plan to help
strengthen the way the re-
gion addresses scrap tires in
the future. The project con-
ducted an assessment of the
current conditions and in-
frastructure for die manage-
ment of scrap tires among
die various states and mu-
nicipalities witiiin the Four-
State Region. Second, the
project developed a manual
of best practices for die
management of scrap tires
that includes potential finan-
cial sources and recommen-
dation for strengdiening
local programs.
The project con-
cluded tiiat diere are areas
of opportunity in die short
term that would aid with tire
management in die region:
1) improve the infrastruc-
ture within die municipali-
ties with die proper equip-
ment to reduce scrap tires,
2) improve local and state
regulations regarding die
disposal of tire rims, 3) im-
prove communication and
education between govern-
ment and die public with
regards to die prevention
and control of scrap tires, 4)
develop a regional scrap tire
management plan that will
involve all stakeholders in
scrap tire management in
such a way that it establishes
environmental stewardship
and cooperation while en-
couraging new markets for
scrap tires. For a copy of
the full report please contact
Nuevo Leon's Sustainable
Development Secretariat.
Scrap tires in the border region.
First Renewable Energy-Powered Wastewater Treatment Plant
Launched in Border Region
EPA partnered witii
Mexico to fund and inaugu-
rate the $17 million "Los
Alisos" Wastewater Treat-
ment and Conveyance Pro-
ject in Nogales, Sonora. The
Los Alisos plant has die
capacity to treat 220 liters
per second of raw sewage
and to receive wastewater
flows from approximately
20,300 existing residences.
The project also includes a
$4.5 million on-site solar
energy plant, the first of its
kind in Mexico and one
which was begun with EPA
seed money. The plant has
an installed capacity of near-
ly one Megawatt that will
supply die electricity needs
of the plant.
/ j>s Alisos If astnratn I'tvatwenf and(.on/ryancr Project and the on site solar energy plant.
Over $21
million USD
invested in
wastewater
treatment and
solar energy
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PAGE 14
HIGHLIGHTS REPORT WINTER 2014-2015
12,500 waste
tires used to
construct road
bed thru pilot
project in
Texas
Texas A&M Uni
versity-Kingsville received
$.15,000 in US-Mexico Bor-
der funds to demonstrate
and evaluate the perfor-
mance of utilizing tire bales
in a heavily-loaded highway
construction application at a
roadway located at a landfill
within the City of Browns
Waste Tire Reuse Piloted at the Landfill in Brownsville, Texas
viile. Texas. The aim of the
project was to; demonstrate
that there is improved long-
term performance for high-
way construction roadways
located in difficult soil areas
if tire bales are utilized as fill
material through enhanced
compaction and vibration
technology. The project also
aimed to assist rural com-
munities in developing a
long-term viable solution
for scrap tire management
and to help reduce land
contamination by diverting
scrap tires from landfills.
The data from the
project indicated that there
was adequate performance
for light-duty vehicle traffic;
however, additional vibra-
tion and re-compaction op-
erations are needed for bet-
ter performance under
heavier traffic conditions.
The data analysis from this
study will assist stakeholders
in further developing specif-
ic recommendation and
guidelines on the use of tire
bales for engineering appli-
cations. This demonstration
project safely disposed of
125 tire bales which include
approximately 12,500 waste
tires, thus reducing land
contamination while pre-
serving available, valuable
landfill space. When the
entire proposed road section
is built with the tires, about
500 bales (50,000 waste
tires) will have been dis-
posed of in the construction
at this single location in
Brownsville.
Tire bale.
U.S.-Mexico Webinars on Electronics Recycling Certification
Old discarded elec-
tronic waste or e-waste, pos-
es a challenge along the bor-
der region, where these ma-
terials often end up in land-
fills or in illegal dump sites
around the city posing a
threat to human health and
the environment. Reuse and
safe recycling of these mate-
rials is a goal of the Border
2020 Program and as such,
EPA's Regional Offices 6
and 9 co-hosted two Elec-
tronics Recycling Certifica-
tion webinars in 2013 and
early 2014, to introduce
electronics recyclers located
on the U.S. Mexico border
to the R2® and eStew-
,irds H " electronics recycling
certification programs. The
webinars were presented in
Spanish and drew over 150
participants representing
government, business, aca-
demia, and community-
based nonprofits. The webi-
nars also drew participants
from Mexico City, Hondu-
ras, and El Salvador. The
webinars available in Span-
ish and English are posted
on the Border 2020 web-
sites.
'Xl. '1 li: the Responsible Recycling Practices Standard (R2®) certification, recognized by ilu- KP.\, is a
set of voluntary principles and guidelines designed to promote and assess responsible practices for elec-
tronics recyclers.
Hie eStewards® Initiative: is an electronics waste recycling standard created by the Basel Action Net-
work that recognizes the companies that recycle electronics complying with the most stringent environ-
mentally and socially responsible practices when recovering hazardous electronic materials.
Promoting
sound
electronic
recycl ng
practices in
the border
region
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HIGHLIGHTS REPORT WINTER 2014-2015
PAGE 15
Water Quality Survey Assesses Water and Wastewater Infrastructure
in Vinton, Texas
Survey
identifies
actions to
improve water
quality in
Vinton
Vinton, Texas, is a
small town neighboring the
city of El Paso and currently
has a population of approxi-
mately 2,000 residents. The
residents of this predomi-
nantly-Hispanic border
town live in challenging
conditions. High levels of
unemployment and poverty
burden the town and there
is a lack of proper infra-
structure. One major infra-
structure problem includes
the absence of suitable
drinking water supply sys-
tems, with two out of the
three water supplies sus-
pected of being contaminat-
ed with industrial agents. In
addition, failing septic tanks
and open cesspools also
pose additional health risks
to residents.
The University of
Texas at El Paso (UTEP)
collaborated with the
BECQ with funding from
the Border Program, as well
as with the Pan American
Health	Organization
(PAHO) and the Town of
Vinton in order to develop a
baseline for a better under-
standing of current public
health conditions and to
improve existing water in-
frastructure and sanitation
conditions. The project it-
self was based on qualitative
and quantitative information
derived from water samples
gathered from different
households (a total of 113
samples,, on two distinct
sampling dates coming from
105 homes and seven busi-
nesses) and surveys of home
owners on their water use
and sanitation habits. After
analyzing distinct water
samples, the study conclud-
ed that in many cases the
water does not meet U.S.
drinking water standards
because it is contaminated
with arsenic at moderate to:
high risk levels, and high
concentrations of salt and
fecal contamination due to
the improper management
of septic tanks. Exposure to
these contaminants could
possibly be associated with
pathogens that cause gastro-
intestinal diseases, dysen-
tery, hepatitis, cramping,
and skin rashes.
Recommendations
developed after analyzing
water samples and adminis-
tering surveys to the home-
owners included: 1) imple-
menting programs to treat
current water sources at the
source or at the point of
use, 2) connecting to El
Paso Water Utilities for wa-
ter and sanitation, 3) devel-
op an economic and com-
munity development strate-
gic plan and 4) conduct edu-
cation campaign for resi-
dents.
Arsenic-Arsenico
Averages/Promedios (ppb>*
_kj** SAtgusc 2012
Vinon EPA Pi-itury rtfcnie
Vdbp SarxSrt Water
£s txe	Worts
J (4-7-5) 17 (4.4-5 J)
IS (3-7-15-1) »<*¦*-<•-!)
Difference between and within wells is significant (ANOVA. p<0.001)
Significant correlation between Arsenic level and type of well (p=.03)
Arsenic average in Vinton and average standards.
Building Pediatric Environmental Health Capacity in Calexico, California
The Border 2020
Program partnered with the
U.S.-Mexico Border Health
Commission, the EPA Re-
gion 9 Office Children's
Health and Pesticides Pro-
grams and EPA Headquar-
ters' Office of Children's
Health Protection (Clean,
Green and Healthy Schools
Initiative) to fund the work-
shops.
Participants of the environmental health
training.
Two binational Pe-
diatric	Environmental
Health workshops were held
in El Centro, California on
February 6th and February
7th, 2013. The workshops
were conducted by doctors
from the Pediatric Environ-
mental Health Specialty
Units at the University of
California, San Francisco
and Irvine, as well as from
the University of California,
Berkeley's Center for Envi-
ronmental Research and
Children's Health.
The workshops
reached approximately 130
childcare providers, com-
munity health workers,
school nurses, Mexican offi-
cials, and public health and
nursing focused students
With information about how
to reduce children's expo-
sures to environmental con-
taminants in schools, child-
cares centers, homes, and
neighborhoods.
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PAGE 16
HIGHLIGHTS REPORT WINTER 2014-2015
Working to
improve water
quality in the
Lower Rio
Grande
Lower Rio Grande Quality Initiative
Through border
funds provided by EPA
Region 6 Office, adminis-
tered by the BECQ the Uni-
versity of Texas at Austin, in
partnership with the: Texas
Commission on Environ-
mental Quality (TCEQ),
provided a binational, two-
day water quality training
session in July 2013. The
focus of the training session
was part of the Lower Rio
Grande/Rio Bravo Water
Quality Initiative between
federal, state and local water
agencies.
The initiative looks
at addressing water quality
issues in the Lower Rio
Grande and will look to
review historical data, create
a water quality model that
will be used to assess im-
pacts from recommended
changes in the watershed,
create a larger water quality
monitoring network, and
develop and implement rec-
ommendations for improv-
ing water quality from point
and non-point sources.
Agencies who at-
tended the training included
die National Water Commis-
sion of Mexico,, the Mexican
and U.S. Sections of the
IBWCj the Mexican Institute
of Water Technologies, the
State Water Commission of
Tamaulipas, the EPA and
SEMARNAT, The two-day
training included sessions
on surveys, a discussion of
laboratory specifications and
requirements, mapping and
planning events, flow meas-
urement, and a field exercise
in addition to other agenda
items.
Rio Grande/ Rio Bravo.
Repurposing Trash to Improve Parks
10,000 native
plants planted
and 1,000 lbs.
of trash
recycled
As a broad effort to
improve binational water-
sheds and the environment,
die Border 2020 Program,
in partnership with 4Walls
International and the San
Diego Foundation, lever-
aged resources to improve
die binational Los Saucef
Park in Tijuana, Baja Cali-
fornia and Border Field
State Park in Imperial
Beach, California, This bi-
national park originates in
Tijuana and turns into Bor-
der Field State park as it
crosses the international
Border into the United
States. Trash and sediment
has been an ongoing chal-
lenge affecting die healdi of
the Tijuana River Estuary in
Imperial Beach, which is
home to eight threatened
and endangered species of
plants and birds and is rec-
ognized as a wedand of
international importance' by
the Ramsar Convention.
The project in-
volved planting 10,000 na-
tive plants, and construction
of park structures made
with 4,000 repurposed plas-
tic and 276 glass bottles and
1,000 lbs. of plastic, foam
and other trash all collected
from the Tijuana River wa-
tershed. The portion funded
by Border 2020 through a
$25,000 grant was leveraged
with SEMARNAT's Tem-
porary Employment Pro-
gram and $20,000 from the
San Diego Foundation. Ty-
ing the entire park togedier,
the San Diego Foundation
focused on similar park
structure improvements at
the entrance of Border Field
State Park.
Inauguration of the Border Field State park in Imperial Beach, California.
iorder Fiel
State Park
-------
UNITED STATES-MEXICO ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM: BORDER 2020
2o
A/TER^
iVisit our web pages!
www.epa.gov/border2020
www semarnat.gob.mx
MISSION STATEMENT
As a result of the partnership among U.S.
Border Tribes and federalstate and local
governments in the United States and Mexi-
co, the mission of the Border 2020 program
is to:
Protect the environment and public health
in the U.S.-Mexico border region, consistent
with the principles of sustainable develop-
ment.
-------