¦ • JE| EPA Region 6 1 445 Ross Avenue, Suite 1200 Dallas, Texas www.epa.gov/region6/beyondtranslation ------- FOLLOW-UP REPORT Beyond Translation leaders forum Cultivating Hispanic Community Involvement Las Cruces, New Mexico November 17-18, 2009 EPA Region 6 - 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 1200 - Dallas, Texas http://www.epa.gov/region6/beyond translation/index.htm 2 ------- TABLE OF CONTENTS Report Summary Page 4 Beyond Translation Leaders Forum Background Page 5 Summary of Presentations Page 6 Health and Environmental Challenges of the Hispanic Community in the Rio Grande Area General Session Panel: Page 7 Environmental Challenges and Opportunities 1. Rural Issues - Pesticides and Chemical Poisoning 2. Water Issues 3. Storm Water Runoff and Flooding 4. Air Quality - Impacts from Natural & Man-made Sources General Session Panel: Page 11 Improving Services to Hispanics 1. Reaching Out to Colonias and Underserved Communities 2. Promoting Healthier Communities Special Presentation: Page 13 "El Moscas" Y Los Pesticidas" Elected Officials Meeting Page 14 Eco Cafe Page 15 Student Forum: Preparing The Next Generation Page 18 Commitments for 2010 Page 19 Attachments Page 20 A. Welcoming Remarks from Senator Jeff Bingaman Page 21 B. Welcoming Remarks from SenatorTom Udall Page 23 C. Comments About the Forum Page 25 D. Beyond Translation Forum Presentations List* Page 26 2009 Beyond Translation Planning Team and Partners Page 27 * Presentations can be viewed at www.epa.aov/reaion6/water/bevondtranslation 3 ------- REPORT SUMMARY This report summarizes the proceedings of the Beyond Translation Leaders Forum, sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 6, in partnership with the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED), the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Region 6, the Border Environmental Commission on Cooperation, the National Park Service (NPS), the New Mexico State University (NMSU), and the National Organization for Mexican American Rights (NOMAR). The forum was held at the Ranch and Farm Museum in Las Cruces, New Mexico, on November 18, 2009, with 125 community leaders in attendance representing southern New Mexico. The purpose of the Forum was to discuss environmental challenges and opportunities in southern New Mexico, explore ideas for improving service to Hispanics and enhance partnerships and networks for rural and underserved communities. Participants were treated to a short version of "El Moscas and Los Pesticidas," a comical, interactive community play created to increase safety awareness for individuals who work in areas that are treated with pesticides, and the "take-home" risks they may be bringing to their families. The forum also provided an opportunity for organizations to share information at the Eco- Cafe about their resources and services available to communities. In addition to the Leaders Forum, on November 17, 2009, the EPA and NPS hosted a Beyond Translation Student Forum at the Chamizal National Memorial in El Paso, Texas. One-hundred middle school students from the Gadsden Independent School District participated in interactive sessions, where EPA, NMED, and NPS presenters connected science, technology, engineering and math to creating and preserving a healthy environment for the future. 4 ------- BEYOND TRANSLATION LEADERS FORUM Background Presented by: Miguel I. Flores, Director Water Quality Protection Division EPA Region 6 Mr. Flores spoke about the Beyond Translation effort's development, which began five years ago as a result of recommendations made by a group of EPA employees in Region 6 on how to most effectively reach out to the fastest growing minority population in this region. The innovative suggestion was for EPA Region 6 to go beyond the translation of documents into Spanish as the main outreach mechanism and instead have meaningful conversations with Hispanic leaders about their environmental issues of highest concern. To date, EPA has held forums in San Antonio, Houston, McAllen, TX, Research Triangle Park, NC, and Washington, DC. He explained how the Beyond Translation initiative focuses on establishing a transparent, interactive dialogue with community organizations and their leaders about their communities' most pressing environmental concerns. By focusing on tangible results, this grassroots approach to policy development and implementation has been a useful vehicle for addressing key environmental and related health problems in a manner that directly benefits local communities, maximizes the use of limited EPA, state, and local resources, and promotes environmental stewardship among the Hispanic population. Importantly, this approach has recently been adopted as a template in other regions of the country experiencing similar, rapid growth in the numbers of Hispanics and/or other ethnic/racial minorities. Mr. Flores indicated that EPA recognizes that reaching out to the Hispanic community must go beyond this event and hopes to be able to count on New Mexico's leadership in attendance at the forum to help establish goals jointly to address southern New Mexico's priority environmental concerns. 5 ------- SUMMARY OF PRESENTATIONS Health and Environmental Challenges of the Hispanic Community in the Rio Grande Area Presented by: Diana Bustamante, Executive Director of the Colonias Development Council in Dona Ana County Ms. Bustamante opened up her presentation with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948 - Article 25: "Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his/her family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care." Historically minorities have been the most affected by industry contamination. There is a need to improve the standard of living for America and the planet. Clean air is a universal right. A healthy environment equals healthy access. The Center for Disease Control is currently working on standards for the amounts of pesticides farmers should be exposed to in their work environment. Referencing the Rhino Case, which in 2005, the New Mexico Supreme Court issued a groundbreaking decision in Colonias Development Council v. Rhino Environmental Services, Inc., (Rhino) holding that the New Mexico Environment Department had to consider environmental justice factors—such as the socioeconomic status of the population, the cumulative environmental impacts borne by the community, and the social impact of living in an area surrounded by waste sites—during solid waste facility permitting decisions. The court's holding was based primarily on the public participation requirements of the state statute. Ms. Bustamante spoke of the three basic assumptions of the Environmental Justice Movement, which are: 1. All Americans have a basic right to live, work, play, go to school, and worship in a clean, healthy, sustainable, and just environment. 2. Every community, regardless of its ethnicity, race, or economic level, should have to participate in the decision-making process and that their input should carry as much weight as that of technical evidence in the public hearing process. 3. We must acknowledge that the role of Environment Departments is to regulate pollution. Ms. Bustamante also talked about environmental factors and what vulnerable communities want. This information is attached to this report. Her final thought was all Americans have a basic right to live, work, play, go to school, and worship in a clean, healthy, sustainable, and just environment. 6 ------- General Session Panel: Environmental Challenges and Opportunities 1. Rural Issues - Pesticides and Chemical Poisoning Presented by: Stephanie Moraga-McHaley, Epidemiologist, New Mexico Occupational Health Surveillance Program, New Mexico Department of Health Ms. Moraga-McHaley discussed conditions reportable to New Mexico's Poison and Drug Information Center (NMPDIC) and those related to Occupational Health Indicators. New Mexico has twice as many Acute Work-Related Pesticide- Associated Illnesses and Injuries reported as other states per 1000 workers. These are all mostly related to pesticides. It is important to understand pesticides and its effects. A study was conducted to gain a better understanding of the risk factors of farmworkers exposure to pesticides in the New Mexico border region in order to assess pesticide exposure and illness prevention activities. The conclusion was that employers (farmers and contractors) of farm workers are not compliant with Worker Protection Standards (WPS) training requirements; disparity existed in training between men and women; knowledge and self-reported behaviors can be improved through trainings, especially WPS training, and the effects of training on health beliefs needs to be explored. Other needs and future steps include increase pesticide illness and injury recognition among health care providers; increase health care provider reporting to NM Occupational Health Registry; improve training rates through collaboration with pesticide safety training groups (address misconceptions and gaps), and that the Study can serve as a pilot to provide baseline information for future studies involving biological sampling. Upcoming NMDOH Environmental Health Epidemiology Bureau Projects are • UNM Project ECHO pesticide illness recognition and management - telemedicine presentation Decembers, 2009 • Pesticide Prevention Training Inventory Project - Spring, 2010 • Possible biomonitoring project in border region - Spring/Summer, 2010 7 ------- 2. Water Issues Presented by: Olga Morales, Rural Development Specialist, Environmental Rural Community Assistance Corporation, New Mexico Ms. Morales discussed water issues, challenges and opportunities along the border. Capacity challenges along the border are that it is managed and operated by volunteers, and there are limited enforcement abilities, limited financial capacity, lack of managerial capacity and increased decision makers liability. How do you make a community sustainable when its population isn't? What constitutes sustainability in a community in the border area? Regulatory requirements for contaminants in the area include: arsenic, fluoride, and uranium. Now a new regulation includes the Ground Water Rule. Contaminants are under six-year review and there are 71 chemicals. Currently we are under reactive vs. strategic planning. There is inadequate infrastructure and no room for growth, rate structures that generate inadequate revenues to cover O&M expenses, but inadequate reserve systems and no capital, operating, emergency or debt reserve systems. There are opportunities for regionalization, but when is it an option: When compliance is a challenge; the aging infrastructure can no longer be sustained; the ability to operate a system is no longer feasible; or when existing water sources cannot meet capacity? 3. Storm Water Runoff and Flooding Presented by: Paul T. Dugie, CFM, P.E. Flood Commission Assistant Director In summary, Mr. Dugie explained we have not taken into account drainage/flooding with developments for a long time. We have progressed slowly and need to continue to take a pro-active approach to this issue. As our population continues to grow we need to assure that we work with the natural surrounding and work with nature. We also need to remember that the flood control infrastructure that is out there is at the end of its design life and needs attention as well as developing new facilities. 8 ------- 4. Air Quality - Impacts from Natural & Man-Made Sources Michael Baca, Environmental Analyst New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) Mr. Baca spoke about the two air pollutant categories: criteria pollutants and non- criteria pollutants and the health effects on people in the southern New Mexico area. He explained that in March of 2008, the federal government lowered the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ozone from 0.08 parts per million (ppm) to 0.075 (ppm). Due to the lowering of the federal standard, the Governor is recommending that Sunland Park, NM (including the communities of Santa Teresa and La Union) be designated as nonattainment of the new 8-hour ozone standard. The state has worked closely with EPA Region 6 in developing their recommendation to help ensure that only areas where possible contributing sources to the violations of the ozone NAAQS are included in the recommendation for nonattainment designation. He also spoke of the Natural Events Policy 2007 amendment and Natural Events Action Plan (NEAP). In recent years, Doha Ana County has not met the federal ambient air quality standards for the PM10 (PM10 standard includes particles with a diameter of 10 micrometers or less), which are largely due to dust storms throughout the area. While much of the dust in the Doha Ana County area is caused by natural events such as high wind speeds and ambient dry conditions, man-made dust sources are on the increase as the County becomes more populated and development increases. A NEAP for Doha Ana County was submitted to EPA for review, which focuses on controlling man-made sources of wind blown dust. This plan includes agreements between primary stakeholders (such the New Mexico State Highway and Transportation Department and New Mexico State University) and the State of New Mexico Environment Department (NMED), dust ordinances on both the city and county level, educational outreach tools, documentation of exceedances, and tools to minimize the public's exposure to PM10. Audience Feedback: How can EPA, and other agencies represented, help in these areas? Q. Regarding poisoning events; do you have a breakdown by ethnicity? A. No, it is done on a volunteer basis and people can just call and convey information. Note that all reports in existence are based around farm workers - Stephanie Moraga-McHaley Q. What do you see in the future as far as pesticides? 9 ------- A. To raise awareness. We need to implement more community training and go beyond farmers. Everyday more and more evidence of pesticide effects comes, and farmers are going to have to demand more control. - Stephanie Moraga-McHaley Q. What are some of the local problems? A. Masks are not enough to protect workers from pesticide effects, for example. There is a gap between what people are exposed to and accountable for. But no final solutions are in place yet. - Stephanie Moraga-McHaley A. Not enough regulatory tools for air quality. Although, USDA is in charge this needs to be a collaborative effort from all agencies as well of local communities. One single entity is not going to have all tools, just as we don't have them. Successful measures are going to take community-wide and multi-agency efforts. - Michael Baca A. For air, chemical analysis could be one of the first potential projects, for example. - Thomas Ruiz Q. How much volume of pesticides is most hazardous? I think we should have a list of pesticides in use across New Mexico and the amount of people exposed to these. Similarly there needs to be some sort of reports of the illnesses caused by these. Why not take precaution before impact? In other words, we need to take a more proactive action. Farmers usually don't have healthcare or any compensation. We need to combine policy issues like these. - Diana Bustamante A. EPA just completed a study of air samples of volatile organic compounds for an Environmental Justice community. Why not tell EPA about your concerns so we can all see how to better characterize these pollutants of concern. I encourage you today to come and say something. The other thing we are currently doing is identifying vulnerable communities and how to prioritize these. I think there is lot of room for help in here. With your expertise you can come and advise us if we are on the right track, for example. And I am sure there are a lot of other things we can collaborate on. - Miguel Flores Q. In colonias with 30-60 homes it might be too expensive to put entire water systems. Have you considered individual systems versus community systems? A. Because public water systems with more than 15 connections automatically fall under the federal Safe Drinking Water Law compliance to small systems is more challenging than it is for large entities. The main deterrent to point of use (POU) as a compliance option is the potential liability it creates. 10 ------- Accessing private homes to operate and maintain the units can be challenging because of the legal implications. This is not to say it is not a possible solution. Arizona for example, has been able to implement POU to achieve compliance; however, in New Mexico the logistics have not been worked out. In our state, once a unit goes out of compliance, the entire system is out of compliance. Currently, the Environment Department does not promote POU as the best compliance measure. - Olga Morales General Session Panel: Improving Services To Hispanics 1. Reaching Out to Colonias and Underserved Communities Reverend Ricardo Ramirez Bishop of Las Cruces Bishop Ramirez stated that he supported the stakeholders from various sectors of the community including Hispanic leaders gathered together to: develop a better understanding of the environmental issues of greatest concern to Hispanics; look for ways to improve communication between the agencies and the Hispanic community; explore opportunities to increase involvement with the community; and assess mechanisms to enhance sharing of information on issues such as environmental regulations, funding of environmental initiatives, and other assistance we may be able to provide Hispanic communities. Also, his message spoke about the "see-judge-act" which is a process the diocese used to begin many programs. First, they listen to people in their communities through one-on-one interviews where they themselves identify the needs and issues of the community. Then they facilitate larger meetings, such as town hall meetings or listening sessions where individuals come together to discover the mutual needs of the community and to identify leaders. Those leaders are then given additional training and are encouraged to educate themselves about the issues and to "judge" them in light of scripture and the church's social teachings. The local leaders then meet with those who have the power to affect the needed changes in their community and negotiate a solution. 11 ------- 2. Promoting Healthier Communities Paul Dulin New Mexico Office of Border Health Mr. Dulin gave a presentation on the challenges and strategies of serving a culturally and linguistically diverse population. Approximately 12 million people reside in the US-Mexico Border Region (2000 Census); a figure expected to double by 2025. Challenges to the health services delivery model in the bi-national border region include: numerous uninsured indigents and undocumented patients with no way to pay that results in high levels of write-offs by healthcare services providers; linguistic and cultural differences that lead to miscommunication among clinicians and patients; the "closed border," with increased militarization, raids and fencing by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement are driving undocumented workers and their families underground; a culture of deferral of preventive/primary care until criticality requires emergency room and/or costly clinical care; and absence of a logical, equitable and comprehensive immigration policy that exacerbates efforts to establish medical homes and services to residents. The current system for providing healthcare to Hispanic and Mexican immigrants and migrants in New Mexico include community health centers, local public health offices, private providers in rural areas, and hospitals. In the interest of public health, nobody is turned away, and residence status is not a question posed to clients as a condition to access services. The first barrier to immigrants and migrants is learning to navigate the U.S. healthcare system for fee for-services. Mr. Dulin also spoke about strategic approaches to increasing healthcare literacy and access in Hispanic and immigrant/migrant communities; increasing access to healthcare resources; culturally and linguistically-appropriate promotion and outreach; and directly addressing binational public health needs in the shared Border Region with State of Chihuahua, Mexico Health Services and environmental health, justice & civic engagement. i* 12 ------- Audience Feedback: How can EPA and other agencies represented improve the services we provide these communities? - The problem as I see it is that money goes by fast. We need $1 billion of funding together with prescriptive recommendations if we want to make an effective change. But we need better education on issues such as climate change. - Antonio Lara - By discussing what can be done in collaboration with other entities. - Claudia Moncada-Trueblood - We must see each other as partners. This is a national project that requires federal, state, and local collaboration. - Paul Dulin - Change is made from the ground up. We got to go back to the community to be aware of those voices not being heard, so I recommend you to attend community meetings. We have to push for consensus by changing paradigms. The way we look at relationships is no longer operational or competitive. - Oscar Vasquez Butler - One good place to go to are schools. There are many opportunities and people willing to help. I encourage you to considering engaging parents and schools more. - Becky Hamling Special Presentation: "El Moscas" Y Los Pesticidas "El Moscas" y los Pesticidas (by Nephtali De Leon) is a comical, interactive community play created to increase safety awareness for individuals who work in areas that are treated with pesticides, and the "take-home" risks they may be bringing to their families. While this information could be viewed as dull or not very interesting in a typical presentation, "El Moscas" and his friends deliver a dialogue that is clever, funny, and most important, gets the key messages across. For more information on how to get a copy of the script, please contact Linda Falk at (214) 665-8535 or via e-mail at falk.linda@epa.gov 13 ------- Elected Officials Meeting Participants: Bill Luthans (EPA), Miguel Flores (EPA), Carlos Romero, (NMED), Gina Weber (EPA), Espy Olguin (HUD), Oscar Vasquez Butler (Dona Ana County Commissioner), Paul Dulin (Border Health), Karl McElhaney (Projects Director - Congressman Silvestre Reyes Office), Jake Redfearn (Field Representative - Representative Harry league's office), Dara Parker (Field Representative - Senator Jeff Bingaman's office), Xochitl Torres (Field Representative, Senator Tom Udall's office), Jake Rollow (Field Representative - Senator Jeff Bingaman's office), Anna Apodaca (Field Representative, Senator Tom Udall's office); Dan Solis (NOMAR), Trey Williams (Rep. for Las Cruces Mayor Miyagishima), Maria Flores (Rep. from Las Cruces Public Schools). Comments: Communication - There is a consensus in the perception that EPA has not done enough for communities. Outreach - EPA's attempts at designing effective national policies must include community outreach. - Need increased outreach from El Paso Office. - El Paso Office is underutilized. Services - There is a need for EPA to tailor services to the communities' needs. - Challenges are urgent and communities need immediate help. There is a need for constructive programs from the ground up and not top down. - Communities have less access to technical expertise from state and federal regulators in the permitting process than does industry. Need to change the balance as communities need the expertise more, and industry can/does hire consultants. Funding - There is a need for more resource sharing and collaboration. - More funding needs to be available to smaller communities. - Why doesn't EPA help with more funding? - Not sure how stimulus funding can help especially since qualifications and reporting are so complex. - State keeps money and doesn't get to small communities. State came up with its own criteria so money didn't filter down. How can we be partners and be a resource? 14 ------- - Region should design a strategic plan to identify most pressing issues and secure funding and collaboration. El Paso Office staff should build the infrastructure. - ARRA (Stimulus Act) funds/procedures are put out of reach of many small communities due to factors such as onerous reporting requirements. Need to simplify and provide assistance to small communities in order to have better access to stimulus funds. Eco-Cafe Exchange of information on grants, contracts, resources, and opportunities for communities Forty three (43) representatives from different organizations participated in the Eco- Cafe, providing information about resources and services they have available for communities. According to information obtained from attendees, most of the participants were seeking environmental justice information, outreach opportunities, health information, and grants and partnership information. The four sessions that had the most participation were EPAs Environmental Justice office, Border 2012, and Grants and Procurement. The fourth session was New Mexico Environment Department's Border and Environmental Justice office. Based on the comments received, this session was extremely helpful to attendees. Organizations represented at the Eco Cafe: 1. Border Environment Cooperation Commission (BECC), Renata Manning-Gbogbo Senior Policy Advisor, US: (877) 277-1703 - http://www.cocef.org 2. Texas A&M Kingsville - Research On Environmental Sustainability Of Semi-Arid Coastal Areas, CREST-RESSACA, Rose M. Rodriguez Associate Director, (361) 593-5556 www engineer.tamuk.edu/crest 3. EPA Office of Public Outreach /Multilingual Communications Task Force, Una Younes, Chair, (202) 564-9924 - www.epa.gov 15 ------- 4. EPA Region 6 Border 2012 Program, Debra Tellez, El Paso Border Office, (915) 533-7273 http://www.epa.gov/usmexicoborder/reqional/workqroup-nm.html 5. EPA Region 6 Funding Opportunities For Pesticide Programs, And For Asthma & Children's Environmental Health, Gerardo Acosta, (214) 665-8042 and Paula Selzer (214) 665-6663 - http://www.epa.gov/region6/6pd/pd-t-kid/ 6. EPA Region 6 Office Of Environmental Justice And Tribal Affairs Office, Linda S. Falk, (214) 665-8535 - www.epa.gov/region6/6dra/oejta/index.html 7. EPA Region 6 Grants and Procurements Opportunities, Debora N. Bradford, (214) 665- 7460 http://epa.gov/region6/gandf/index.htm 8. EPA Region 6 Supplemental Environmental Project, Tony Robledo, (214) 665-8182 ttp://www.epa.gov/region6/6en/6en-sep. htm 9. Houston Department of Health and Human Services/ Bureau of Community and Children's Environmental Health, Rosalia Guerrero-Luera, (713) 794-9452 http://www.healthyhomestraining.org/UTexas.htm 10. Mesilla Valley Hospice, April T. Anaya, Marketing Coordinator, (575) 525-5709 ww.mvhospice.org 11. Nonprofit Enterprise Center (NPEC), Terry Minjares, MPH Advocacy Fellow, (915) 590- 1333 www.nonprofitec.org 12. New Mexico Department of Health, Environmental Health Epidemiology Bureau, Deyonne Sandoval, (888) 878-8992 -www.health.state.nm.us/eheb/envtracking.shtml 13. New Mexico Environment Department - Environmental Justice, Thomas Ruiz, NMED Border/Environmental Justice Liaison, (575) 528-6029 - www.nmenv.state.nm.us/Justice 14. New Mexico Environment Department - Permitting And Compliance For The New Mexico Liquid Waste Regulations, Frank Fiore, District 3 Manager New Mexico Environment Dept, (575) 524-6300 - http://www.nmenv.state.nm.us/fod/LiquidWaste/ 15. New Mexico State University - Agricultural Programs and Resources, Julie Maitland (575) 646-2642 - http://nmdaweb.nmsu.edu/natural-resources 16. New Mexico State University - Institute For Energy & The Environment (IEE) Christopher M. Campbell, (505) 843.4251 - http://iee.nmsu.edu/ 17. New Mexico State University - Outreach and Engagement, Paul Gutierrez, Vice Provost for Engagement, (575) 646-7500- http://sustainability.nmsu.edu/outreach 18. Office Of Senator Udall's Federal Legislative Update, Xochitl Torres, (575) 526-5475 httoMomudall.senate.gov/?p=press release&id=373 19. Rural Community Assistance Corp, Olga Morales, (575) 382-6992 http://www.rcac. org/ 20. Safe Routes to School, Katherine Staley - www.naomastaley.com 21. Sunspot Solar Energy Systems, LLC, Manny Garcia & Mellow Honek, (915) 590-1333 http://www.sunspotenergy.com/ 16 ------- 22. Texas Clean Rivers Program for the Rio Grande Basin - International Boundary And Water Commission, Elizabeth Verdecchia, (800) 262-8857 - http://www.ibwc.gov/CRP/lndex.htm 23. U.S.-Mexico Border Program, Gina Weber, Associate Director, (214) 665-6787 www.epa.gov/region6/6xa/border 24. UTEP Center For Environmental Resource Management (Cerm), Veronica Corella-Barud and William L. Hargrove, (915) 747-6942 - http://research.utep.edu/Default.aspx?tabid=1513 17 ------- Student Forum Preparing the Next Generation In addition to the Leaders Forum at Las Cruces, New Mexico, a Student Forum was held in El Paso, TX on November 17, 2009. Through the assistance of one of the Forum's partners, the National Organization for Mexican American Rights, a connection was established between the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Park Service (NPS) - who ultimately joined efforts to plan the hosting of a Student Forum at Chamizal National Memorial. One hundred middle school students from the Gadsden Independent School District in New Mexico were brought to the Chamizal National Memorial to participate in the student forum. Presenters from EPA. New Mexico Environment Department (NMED), City of El Paso Fire Department HazMat team, and NPS talked about careers in the science, technology, engineering and math fields, and their connection to creating and preserving a healthy environment. In the opening morning session NPS made a power point presentation on the history and purpose of the Chamizal National Memorial's creation. EPA conducted an interactive presentation on the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) career tracks, asking students to keep an open mind and find out more about the STEM fields to consider these in their career planning options. Great emphasis is being placed by many federal agencies and other scientific organizations and corporations on increasing the number of students pursuing degrees in these fields. There is a demand for professionals in the STEM fields and the future job outlook is very promising for graduates with STEM degrees. In the afternoon, hands-on activities were conducted outside in the open with groups of students through demonstration projects on environmental topics such as stormwater management and emergency response. Agency representatives provided a brief overview of their professions and steps they took to obtain their degrees and their jobs with the federal and state government. These activities increased the students' awareness of the environmental issues handled by EPA, NMED and NPS. The student forums have been an integral component of the Beyond Translation Forums addressing the need to build a pipeline from grade school to college to mentor and expose students to the STEM fields. 18 ------- COMMITMENTS FOR 2010 1. Examine feedback provided by participants with EPA senior managers, state officials and community stakeholders STATUS: IN PROGRESS 2. Provide timely response to community leaders concerns brought up during the feedback sessions, at elected officials meeting, and on evaluation responses STATUS: IN PROGRESS 3. Identify areas of mutual interest STATUS: IN PROGRESS Areas identified from initial review V Conduct an awareness campaign focusing on the U.S.-Mexico Environmental Border 2012 Program, including priorities, resources, and partners V Provide public participation / permitting process outreach V Host an expanded Eco-Cafe - focusing on resources available to underserved communities and communities with potential EJ concerns V Update existing community resources information V Present contract / grant workshop(s) 4. Work with communities to develop strategies to address identified areas of concern STATUS: IN PROGRESS 5. Identify technical assistance and resources STATUS: IN PROGRESS 6. Provide progress reports to community stakeholders on a quarterly basis and when major milestones are achieved. STATUS: ON GOING 7. Conduct the 2010 Beyond Translation Leaders Forum in October in New Mexico, expanding the network serving Hispanic communities. STATUS: COORDINATION WILL BEGIN IN FEBRUARY 8. Collaborate with other organizations on an activity that promotes the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields and correlates to the creation of healthy communities. STATUS: COORDINATION WILL BEGIN IN FEBRUARY 19 ------- ATTACHMENTS A. Welcoming Remarks from U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman B. Welcoming Remarks from U.S. Senator Tom Udall C. Comments About the Forum D. List of Presentations available on the Beyond Translation website 20 ------- ATTACHMENT A iccr uiMrAtJAM 703 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING JEFF BINGAMAN Washington, dc 20510 NCW MEXICO (202)224-5521 IN NEW MEXICO-1-800 443 865B TDD (202) 224—1792 ftenator_bingamanwWngoman.Benate.gov United States Senate November 18, 2009 Dear Administrator Flores, Director Romero. Mayor Miyagashima, Mr. Ruiz, and Distinguished Guests: 1 am pleased to welcome you to the Farm and Ranch Museum and the Beyond Translation conference. 1 would like to first thank EPA Region 6 and all of the partners who worked hard to bring us together today to discuss a subject that is vital to our nation: how to promote healthier communities through a cleaner environment. While the very nature of this objective may seem simple, all of you in this room know that achieving this goal is complex and it will take all of us working together across a number of disciplines. In New Mexico, we have some additional challenges, particularly how to ensure environmental health and justice in our colonias. and Hispanic and other underserved communities. 1 pledge to support your efforts to build healthier, vibrant communities by providing funding for basic infrastructure like water and wastewater systems, assisting with the improvement of practices that impact the environment, protecting our natural systems, and enabling those with low incomes to increase the energy efficiency of their homes. For example, I am pleased to announce that the 2010 Agriculture Appropriations Bill includes $25 million for water and wastewater projects in colonias along the U.S.-Mexico border, and New Mexico is expected to get about $7.9 million of this funding. It also contains $350,000 for the Southern Great Plains Dairy Consortium, which would enhance the dairy industry's competitiveness while reducing the pollution created by dairy production. Just recently, 1 also joined my colleagues in introducing a bill which will help small farmers and food processors assure a safe supply of fruits and vegetables through improved agricultural practices and other mechanisms. This will help reduce the number of chemicals released into our rural areas and provide for healthier diets. I am also pleased that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $225,263 to the New Mexico Department of Agriculture to administer a comprehensive State Pesticide Regulatory Program and maintain an effective pesticide enforcement program. NMDA will also use the funds to maintain effective worker protection standards, develop and implement a program to protect water resources from pesticide risks, and protect threatened or endangered species from pesticides. 1 firmly believe that protecting our ecosystems protects human health as well as the economy by providing clean water, clean air, a diversity of wildlife and plants, and a higher quality of life overall. To that end, I have introduced legislation that will fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund which provides resources to protect sensitive landscapes. Along with Senator Udall 1 have introduced the Natural Resource Adaptation Act, which would help mitigate the impacts of climate change on habitats and water supplies. Finally, the American Clean Energy Leadership Act will provide significant funding programs to assist in retrofitting existing buildings and homes with more efficient features. This keeps residents safer when it's hot and cold out while reducing the money spent on energy bills. PLEASE REPLY TO: ~ 625 SILVER AVENUE, SW, SUITE 130 ( I 106-B WEST MAIN Itf] 148 LORETTO TQWNE CENTRE r~\ 200 EAST 4TH STREET. SUITE 300 Q 119 EAST MA.RCY, SUITE 101 ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87102 L~' FARMINGTON. NM 87401 505 SOUTH MAIN. SUITE 148 ROSWELL, NM 88201 SANTA FE. NM 87501 <505)346 8601 1505) 325-5030 LAS CRUCES, NM 88001 (575)822-7113 (505)988-8647 (575) 523-6581 21 ------- JEFF B1NGAMAN 703 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON. DC 20510 [20?) 224-5521 IN NEW MEXICO-1-800-443 8658 TDD <202} 224-1792 BOnaTOf_hinganian 0® bingaman.senate.gov United States Senate As you discuss these and other efforts to promote healthy environments, I encourage you to take full advantage of the resources and networking opportunities today's meeting will provide. There's much work to do and a strong need for close collaboration. Please accept my best wishes for a productive meeting, and I look forward to working with you to implement the strategies developed today. Please consider me and my staff partners in your efforts. Sincerely, Jeff Bingaman U.S. Senator JB/ldp PLEASE REPLY TO: 119 EAST MARCY. SUITE 101 SANTA FE, NM 87501 KTI 148 LORETTO TOWNE CENTRE T~\ 200 EAST 4TH STREET. SUITE 300 Qj 505 SOUTH MAIN, SUITE 148 ROSWELL. NM 88201 [—| G25 SILVER AVENUE. SW, SUITE 130 f~] 106-B WEST MAIN 1—' At bi mi icnm if mm rnifi? NM 87401 ALBUQUERQUE. NM 87102 1505) 346-6601 FARMINGTON, NM 87401 (505) 325-5030 IAS CRUCES. NM 88001 <57S) 523-6561 1575) 622-7113 <5051988 6647 22 ------- ATTACHMENT B Welcoming Remarks from Senator Tom Udall Environmental Protection Agency: Beyond Translation Wednesday, November 18th Thank you for inviting me to share a few words with you today. And thank you to all of the local partners who make this exchange possible. Forty-six years ago, my dad wrote a book on the conservation movement. In that book he asked, " What does material abundance avail if we create an environment in which man's highest and most specifically human attributes cannot be fulfilled?" You all know what he meant. Our family traditions are built and celebrated in the vast outdoors of New Mexico's varied lands. We rely on a safe and healthy environment to feed our nation and protect our children. And we strive to lead lives that will keep these treasures whole for future generations to enjoy. All of us who see and understand nature in this way share a common thread. It's a thread that ties us all together, regardless of ethnicity, language, or politics. That thread is the inherent value all of us place on America's natural resources. As a country, we are faced with one of the preeminent challenges of our generation. America and the world are face to face with a perfect storm; an energy crisis and a climate crisis. Meeting these twin challenges will mean once again working together to find that common thread. The status quo doesn't just threaten our economy and security; it threatens the basis for our way of life. Scientists predict that global warming could give New Mexico the same climate as the Sonoran Desert in Chihuahua, Mexico. If that happens, farmers who have worked the land for generations will be forced out of business. Forest fires will become more common and more dangerous. Our communities will face a bleak economic future. For the children of our state and our country - we cannot afford to stay on this path. I'm doing my best to combat this challenge in the Senate. In the Environment and Public Works Committee, I worked to make the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act serve New Mexicans, while putting the nation on a path toward energy independence. The legislation aims to reduce carbon emissions by 20 percent by 2020, and it protects local industry and American consumers in the process. I also voted for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which allocated $15.2 billion for environmental cleanup programs, local clean and drinking water infrastructure improvements, and loans and grants for much needed water and waste disposal facilities in rural areas. 23 ------- But none of these initiatives work unless communities create and implement local solutions. That's where gatherings like the Beyond Translation Conference come in. The Environmental Protection Agency understands that we all have a role in maintaining a healthy environment, and the only way to address the overwhelming challenge we face is to become partners in this endeavor. Thank you again for inviting me to share a few words today. I am proud to be working right beside you on this essential endeavor. Yours very truly, Tom Udall United States Senator 24 ------- ATTACHMENTC Comments About The Forum - My overall comments regarding the forum are that it was an incredible gathering, one of the best I can recall, of agencies, elected officials and community members/leaders. This is because there was adequate discussion on the topics which were presented. Of course this discussion also extended to the EcoCafe sessions, which was great... Thomas Ruiz, M.S., Border/Environmental Justice Liaison, New Mexico Environment Department, Office of the Secretary - The most helpful parts of the forum were the General Session Panels and the Eco-Cafe. I missed the "El Moscas y Los Pesticidas" presentation and heard that was fantastic. - Christina Chavez Kelley, Assistant Vice Provost for Outreach and Engagement, New Mexico State University - The information was very useful to me and was presented in such a way that I could re-tell the information to my communities, as it was not overly technical. - Nephtali De Leon - Yes...Very informational & helpful in that it opened up the communication lines between the community and the government operatives to work on the issues at hand. - Donna Martinez, Franklin Mountain Glass Recyclery - Learning more of what EPA's focus is and what it can do to help communities and build partnerships. You have so many different programs that our local governments can benefit from. - Priscilla C. Lucero, Executive Director, SWNM Council of Government - I think all participants felt that their participation was validated. For many, there was new information presented that was relevant to their own organizations and mandates. For me, the legislative workgroup was the most valuable. Paul Dulin, Director, New Mexico Office of Border Health 25 ------- ATTACHMENT D Beyond Translation Forum Power Point Presentation List The entire presentation can be viewed on our website at www.epa.gov/region6/water/beyondtranslation. 1. Health and Environmental Challenges of the Hispanic Community in the Rio Grande Area - Diana Bustamante, Colonias Development Council in Dona Ana County 2. Rural Issues - Pesticides and Chemical Poisoning - Stephanie Moraga- McHaley, Epidemiologist, New Mexico Occupational Health Surveillance Program, New Mexico Department of Health 3. Water Issues - Olga Morales, Rural Development Specialist, Environmental Rural Community Assistance Corporation 4. Storm Water Runoff and Flooding - Paul T. Dugie, CFM, P.E., Assistant Director, Doha Ana Flood Commission 5. Air Quality - Impacts from Natural & Man-Made Sources - Michael Baca, Environmental Analyst, New Mexico Environment Department 6. Reaching Out to Colonias and Underserved Communities - Reverend Richard Ramirez, Bishop, Diocese of Las Cruces 7. Promoting Healthier Communities - Paul Dulin, Director, New Mexico Office of Border Health 26 ------- Special Thanks. Special thanks to the planning team who coordinated this event, our partners who believed in the vision and goals of the "Beyond Translation" effort, our presenters, and the participants that took the time to begin the discussion of the challenges and needs of the Hispanic community in the southern New Mexico area. 2009 BEYOND TRANSLATION PLANNING TEAM Team Leader: Paula Flores-Gregg Senior Advisor: Miguel I. Flores Team Members: Gerardo Acosta Jack Arias Janie Acevedo Julia Alderete Olivia Balandran Debora Bradford Henry Brewer Sue Davis Linda Falk Salvador Gandara Esteban Herrera Valmichael Leos Yolanda Nixon Nelda Perez Tony Robledo Dora Rodriguez Jose Rodriguez Minerva Rojo Paula Selzer John Stadelman Debra Tellez Gina Weber Thomas Ruiz - New Mexico Environment Department Rosalia Guerrero - Healthy Homes Program Dr. Laura Gutierrez Spencer - New Mexico State University Dr. Brenda Reyes - Healthy Homes Program 2009 BEYOND TRANSLATION PARTNERS Border Environmental Commission on Cooperation EPA Office of Cooperative Environmental Management EPA Office of Environmental Information Department of Health and Human Services, Region 6 National Organization for Mexican American Rights National Park Service New Mexico Environment Department New Mexico State University U.S.-Mexico Border 2012 Environmental Program We would like to extend a special thanks to Mr. Dan Solis of the National Organization for Mexican American Rights for documenting our forum through photographs. An album of the entire event can be seen at www.epa.gov/region6/water/beyondtranslation. 27 ------- |