TX-COAH-NL-TAUM RWG 2-Year Action Plan (2013-2014 English)

BORDER 2020 2013-2014 Action Plan for the TX-COAH-TAMP-NL Regional Workgroup

August 27, 2013

The Four-State Regional Workgroup is the most complex of the four regional workgroups, because of its geographical expanse and the number of municipalities. The region includes parts of three states and a total of at least 29 municipios on the Mexican side, and 168 cities and towns on the U.S. side. Recognizing this, the workgroup divided itself into three geographically based Task Forces—Amistad, Falcon, and Gulf, each of which has established subject-specific committees related to its priority concerns. During the first half of 2012, the various committees have held meetings to discuss initial priorities for the Border 2020 program, and a regional meeting of leaders was held in June to develop a consensus of priorities at the task force and regional workgroup levels.

Regional Priorities 1. Improve air quality through the following approaches: a. Analyze emissions and emission sources in specific airsheds b. Engage in both road-paving and reforestation (using native species) c. Establish or improve vehicle inspection programs in those cities where the respective federal governments require them d. Increase energy efficiency at the consumption level and the use of renewable energy at all appropriate levels 2. Improve water quality by taking the following actions: a. Evaluate the portion of the Rio Grande watershed that is in the region b. Reduce contamination by providing wastewater treatment to unserved communities in the watershed c. Improving the existing treatment facilities by applying the most effective technologies and providing training to operators d. Develop more applications for the re-use of water e. Reduce non-native species in the water bodies f. Continue and expand environmental education efforts such as “Adopt the River” and “Day of the River”

3. Address problems of improper waste disposal: a. Develop comprehensive plans for solid waste management, including special wastes (such as sludge from wastewater treatment plants, scrap tires, and used electronic products) and hazardous wastes (residues from pesticides, extraction of fossil fuels, and medical facilities), looking for economic/productive uses of wastes whenever possible b. Expand environmental education related to waste issues c. Close and remediate open dumps wherever required by regulation 4. Assure that each project includes a component of environmental education (such as teacher training or building an environmental library), at least one indicator related to public health, and inspection and surveillance

Individual Task Force Priorities

Amistad Task Force 1. Reduction of energy consumption in buildings and street lighting 2. Increased use of alternate and renewable energy sources (such as landfill gas and solar energy) 3. Construction of sanitary landfills 4. Attention to waste disposal in gas drilling operations 5. Continuing attention to emergency response 6. Harmonization of protocols related to coal mining and remediation and to petroleum materials 7. Improvement of vehicle inspection programs in Coahuila 8. Joint programs in communication and environmental education, and development of an environmental educators group

Falcon Task Force 1. Re-use of treated water 2. Monitoring of drilling operations in the Eagle Ford Shale 3. Finalizing the cross-border contingency plan

Gulf Task Force 1. Improvement of water-related infrastructure, and increased attention to wáter conservation and re-use 2. Increased recycling 3. Continuing capacity-building at the local, state, and federal levels of government 4. Technical exchanges, including best practices and lessons learned

Border 2020

2013-2014 Action Plan Grid for the Four-State Regional Workgroup

Legend:

Activity covers at least two task force areas

Gulf Task Force

Falcon Task Force

Amistad Task Force

GOAL # 1: Reduce Air Pollution

Project Collaborating Anticipate Source(s) of Points of Contact Progress Towards Description of Project 2013-2014 Target # Organizations d Cost funding Target

Objective 1: By 2020, reduce the number of vehicles operating in the border region that do not comply with the respective vehicle emissions standards, and reduce vehicle emissions at ports-of-entry through anti-idling and other feasible measures Coahuila initiated vehicle inspections in border cities in June 2012. SEMA (Coahuila), Inspect 40% of the Continue to develop Coahuila’s vehicle Miguel Ángel Leal SEMA signed a COMIMSA, Municipio vehicles in Acuña, inspection program, partly in SEMA Reyes (SEMA) Memorandum of 1.1.01 de Piedras Negras, $700,000 Piedras Negras, consultation with Texas regarding the Coahuila miguel.reyes@sema. Agreement with the Municipio de Acuña, Monclova, Saltillo, and latter’s experience. gob.mx TCEQ in May 2013; TCEQ Ramos Arizpe . specific forms of collaboration are being negotiated. 3

Objective 5: By 2020, reduce emissions and associated impacts, through energy efficiency and/or alternative/renewable energy projects UT issued RFP in October 2012. An independent committee reviewed applications and recommended six David Eaton (LBJ Implement a competitive grants program projects that were then University of Texas at School), Complete all projects 1.5.01 aimed at local governments, dedicated $175,000 EPA and TCEQ funded by UT—two Austin, LBJ School [email protected] by August 2013 to improvements in energy efficiency. cities, an irrigation du district, and three school districts—in early 2013. As of end of July, all six projects had been completed. Initiate Phase 2 of the State Climate Econometric evaluation Action Plan for Coahuila (PEAC): Coahuila State Tomás Balarezo, 1.5.02 $275,000 BECC of mitigation policies In process. Quantification of the mitigation policies Government and BECC BECC selected in Phase 1. selected in Phase 1. Five technical groups Initiate Phase 2 of the State Climate Selection of a number began work in July 2012, Action Plan for Tamaulipas (PEAC): Tamaulipas State Tomás Balarezo, of prioritized mitigation 1.5.03 $100,000 BECC and the project is in Quantification of the mitigation public Government and BECC BECC public policies for process with support policies selected in Phase 1. climate change. from the BECC. A forum was held in SEMARNAT Delfino.ramirez@se Conduct research and Research the potential for harnessing SEMARNAT and October 2012. No 1.5.04 will seek marnat.tamaulipas.g explore business wind power for electricity in Tamaulipas. information available SEDUMA funds ob.mx opportunities since then. Establish wind monitors Mexican Norma Rangel (SDS, in selected areas of the Research the potential for harnessing Secretaría de federal Nuevo León), state by the end of SDS continues to search 1.5.05 wind power for electricity generation in Desarrollo Sustentable $10,000 funds/CONAC normaarangel@gmai 2013, and begin for funding. Nuevo León. de Nuevo León YT l.com generating wind maps in 2014. A feasibility study was Municipio de Nuevo Private sector; Sergio Martínez Construct and operate a facility that completed 2008 with Laredo and Setasa a company López Have the facility in full extracts methane gas from the Nuevo $3.5 funding from USAID. 1.5.06 (Servicios de will be sergiomartinezlopez operation by the end of Laredo landfill and burns it to generate million Issuance of a tender for Tecnología Ambiental selected and @hotmail.com 2014. electricity for the municipality. construction is pending S.A.) then will build and operate (the municipio needs to 4

the plant, obtain the property selling the title). electricity to CFE and giving a portion of revenues from carbon credits to the municipio. Ing. Eduardo Olivares (SEMARNAT-Clean Implement a pilot program to diagnose Transportation the existing Mexican fleet of heavy-duty Program), commercial trucks in cross-border trade eduardo.olivares@se SEMARNAT and the EPA border in the Laredo -Nuevo Laredo area, marnat.gob.mx, Complete the project 1.5.07 Municipio of Nuevo $50,000 grant through In process. identify retrofit technologies that would by the end of 2014. Laredo the BECC and Osvaldo Valencia reduce emissions, and share information (Municipio de Nuevo on those technologies, their costs, and Laredo—Ecology suppliers at a binational forum. Program), valencia_osvaldo@h otmail.com Have air quality SEMA has begun Miguel Ángel Leal monitoring network in Establish an air quality monitoring SEMA (Coahuila), working with local Reyes (SEMA operation for Piedras network in the areas of Piedras Negras- Municipio de Piedras SEMA officials to include these 1.5.08 1,400,000 Coahuila) Negras-Nava Region, Nava, Acuña, Sabinas, and Saltillo, Negras, Acuña, Nava, Coahuila projects in the plans of miguel.reyes@sema. Acuña, Sabinas Region Coahuila. Sabinas, Saltillo the applicable ob.mx and Saltillo Region, “Metropolitan Zones”. Coahuila Involve municipal The project is still in the Apply retrofit technologies to public SEMA (Coahuila), Olga Rumayor (SEMA agencies through a planning phase, and will buildings in Piedras Negras and Acuña, Municipio de Piedras SEMA Coahuila) series of workshops 1.5.09 $500,000 be proposed to the Coahuila that will reduce energy Negras y Municipio de Coahuila olga.rumayor@sema. and select at least 10 BECC to obtain support. Acuña gob.mx buildings to pilot consumption. retrofit technologies. Have vehicle Pilot program focused Design and implement vehicle emission Ing. Humberto Rene To be SEDUMA/ verification program in on the state-owned fleet 1.5.10 verification programs or campaigns in SEDUMA Salinas defined SEMARNAT the border area of the was initiated in early Tamaulipas. seduma@tamaulipas state by end of 2014 2013.

Prepare action plan for Promote and encourage the use and Ing. Humberto Rene nine wind power Baseline information is exploitation of renewable energy sources To be SEDUMA/ Salinas 1.5.11 SEDUMA projects and state’s being collected. and alternative energy potential in defined SEMARNAT seduma@tamaulipas strategic energy Tamaulipas. .gob.mx program Ing. Humberto Rene By 2014, the system Federal resources will be Strengthen Tamaulipas’ atmospheric Por SEDUMA/ Salinas will operate at 100% 1.5.12 SEDUMA requested. monitoring system. definirse EPA/COCEF seduma@tamaulipas with programmatic

.gob.mx consistency standards Ing. Humberto Rene Implementation of a environmental By 2014, train 100% of SEDUMA/ Salinas No information 1.5.13 management system as a strategy for SEDUMA/Municipios $ 100,000 the border EPA/COCEF seduma@tamaulipas available. energy efficiency in Tamaulipas. municipalities .gob.mx

Goal # 2: Improve Access to Clean and Safe Water

Collaborating Anticipate Source(s) Progress Towards Project Description of Project Points of Contact 2013-2014 Target Organizations d Cost of funding Target # General Norma Rangel (SDS, SADM, Build and begin operation of a Servicios de Agua y Nuevo León), BECC, and Have the plant in desalination plant in Nuevo León, using Drenaje de Monterrey [email protected] 2.0.01 National operation by the end of Awaiting information. renewable energy as the energy source (SADM, Nuevo León’s om y Carlos Avila, Water 2014. for the plant. water utility) [email protected]. Commission mx The summit was held on State Representative February 1, 2013. More Organize a “Water Awareness Summit” to Eddie Lucio III, TCEQ, than 200 people cities and their water educate the public in the Lower Rio Local Claudia Lozano (TCEQ) attended. The audience utilities, the Rio Grande Valley about where their water $10,000- funding [email protected] Hold the conference in was very interested and 2.0.02 Grande Regional comes from, how the planning process 15,000 efforts/spo xas.gov early 2013 appreciative and Water Authority, and nsors requested a follow-up works, what the outlook is, and the the Lower Rio Grande conference in 2014, importance of conservation. Valley Development which is now being Council planned.

Objective 2: Help drinking water and wastewater service providers in the border region to implement sustainable infrastructure practices to reduce operating costs, improve energy efficiency, use water efficiently and adapt to climate change.

Funding Texas Partnership for Teachers &/or needed Water Education students, as well as Provide teacher training workshop(s) varies with Karen Bick, (TPWE): EPA, WEAT, Various interested community and/or on-site facilitators to # of EPA, Region 6 TAWWA funding members will have implement educational water quality participants (214) 665-7539 2.2.01 possibilitie identified monitoring Awaiting information monitoring events in conjunction with Scout Troops, ISDs, : [email protected] s will be site. Sampling results 2012/13 World Water Monitoring informal Testing Kits explored are submitted to Challenge. environmental $25/ 30 TPWE’s WWMC education (EE) individuals/ Program Coordinator. providers site. Partner with a Promote energy management university to conduct practices among Texas water and meetings, trainings wastewater utilities by conducting and on-site energy Hold quarterly quarterly meetings on energy assessment involving Various meetings to develop management planning, training on a Funding engineering students. funding David Reazin, EPA energy management pumping-system assessment tool, and sought: 2.2.02 2012 partners are the possibilitie Region 6 plan and benchmark Awaiting information on-site energy efficiency assessments $75,000/yr Texas Manufacturing s will be energy use and costs, 1 (key cities include Laredo, Roma, or $150,000 (214) 665-7501 Assistance Centers at explored PSAT training, and 2 on- Mission, Agua Specialty Utility District, the University of Texas site assessments. Edinburg, McAllen, Pharr, Weslaco, at Arlington and the Mercedes, Harlingen, and University of Texas Brownsville). Pan American. A binational workshop was held in March 2013. More than 360 people, Hold the workshop by including the spring of 2013 and Organize a workshop in Laredo for representatives from the EPA then follow-up water utilities and the restaurant Karla Robles (City of maquiladora and City of Laredo water border meetings with utilities industry to discuss best practices Laredo Utilities) restaurant sectors, 2.2.03 utility, Webb County, $23,000 grant to discuss related to abatement of discharges of [email protected] attended the event. and Nuevo Laredo through implementation of FOG fats, oils, and grease (will also involve Utilities staff will meet the BECC programs in the Nuevo Laredo). with municipalities and summer and fall of utility officials to share 2013. their experiences and provide guidance on how to apply FOG practices in their 7

communities.

Conduct training for small businesses EPA Mauricio Chalons in the Reynosa area on best practices border (Municipio of Reynosa), Organize a workshop or Project canceled. 2.2.04 related to discharges of fats, oils, and Municipio of Reynosa $16,000 grant 899 263-3798, training event(s). grease (will include before and after through ecologiareynosa@hotm measures). the BECC ail.com Workshops were coordinated with the Implement a public campaign to Fifteen cities in the Cities of Harlingen, San increase awareness of problems of Lower Rio Grande Javier Guerrero (Lower Benito, La Feria, Palm non-point-source pollution in the Valley (LRGV) that are EPA Rio Grande Valley Valley, Primera, Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas, members of the Texas border TPDES Stormwater Task Weslaco, Donna, Alamo, through signs posted on roadways and Pollution Discharge Complete the project $40,000 grant Force, Texas A&M San Juan, La Joya, at public facilities, messages on a Elimination System by the end of 2013. 2.2.05 through University-Kingsville), Edinburg, Palmview, and school district television station, Stormwater Task the BECC 956- 457-3023 Mission. A total of 104 presentations at numerous public Force, Texas A&M signs were installed by events and meetings, and newsletters Kingsville, school [email protected] those cities at various of various organizations. districts, and NGOs locations, and those locations were GPS’d. Terms of reference were developed that serve as Implement a binational Lower Rio TCEQ, EPA, the framework used by Establish the Grande Water Quality Initiative (from IBWC, and participating entities in TCEQ, EPA, IBWC, collaborative 2.2.06 Falcon to the Gulf) that characterizes federal, Kelly Holligan (TCEQ), the collaboration. In CONAGUA, and partnership by early the state of the river, develops a state, and 512-239-2369, February and July 2013, federal, state, and 2013, and make strategic plan to improve local [email protected] TCEQ hosted training (Sub-Obj. local government substantive progress on environmental conditions, and governme as.gov sessions on water quality 3a) agencies objectives by the end of proposes a monitoring plan to nt modeling software 2014. document progress. agencies (QUAL-TX and LAQUAL) for Mexican agency and EPA staff. Claudia López Aguilar Install/upgrade new sewer lines North BECC certified the 2.2.07 (Comisión Municipal de connected to Nuevo Laredo’s COMAPA and American project in September Agua Potable y Complete the project wastewater treatment plant to Municipio de Nuevo $5,000,000 Developm 2012. COMAPA will (Sub-obj. Alcantarillado— by summer 2013. prevent contaminated discharges to Laredo ent Bank complete the 2b) COMAPA) the Rio Grande. (NADB) construction of four claudialopez@comapan sewer collectors to the 8

uevolaredo.gob.mx wastewater treatment plant by August 2013 and will work with CONAGUA on securing funding to address sewer discharges (about 280,000 GD) from La Joya Creek to the Rio Grande.

Objective 3: Work binationally to identify and reduce surface water contamination in transboundary waterbodies or watersheds.

Center for Global Environmental Approx CGEE- Tracy Fredin Recruit and establish an $100,000 advisory board, produce Develop and produce region-specific Education (CGEE)- Various in 2013 Karen Bick, videos and other Exploratory discussions supplemental materials necessary to Hamline University. funding EPA, Region 6 materials, identify one were underway in 2.3.01 produce a Waters to the Sea- Rio Harte Research possibilities $ 50,000 in (214) 665-7539 or two ISDs to pilot 2012. No information Grande module. (Place-based education Institute @ A&M- will be 2014 [email protected] program, and conduct since then. with comprehensive watershed focus). explored Corpus Christi. training for at least 25 EPA R6, WEAT, teachers in 2014. AWWA. CEAS has completed Conduct feasibility studies for Alejandra Carrera the feasibility studies wastewater treatment plants in the CEAS Coahuila, SEMA CNA, (SEMA Coahuila), Complete the studies by and is making efforts to 2.3.02 $15,000 municipalities of Hidalgo and Guerrero, Coahuila Coahuila alejandra.carrera@sem early 2014 implement water Coahuila. a.gob.mx management programs in those municipalities. Coahuila will fund Design and implement local public SEMA Coahuila, Alejandra Carrera Begin implementing the first part conservation campaigns and land Municipio de Piedras (SEMA Coahuila), campaigns and conclude 2.3.03 $400,000 and will be No progress yet. conservation agreements for Rio San Negras and Municipio alejandra.carrera@sem the agreements by the seeking Rodrigo and Arroyo Las Vacas. de Acuña a.gob.mx end of 2014. funding for the rest

SEMA By the end of 2014, Alejandra Carrera Coahuila, increase the invasive Implement a program to remove SEMA Coahuila, (SEMA Coahuila) 2.2.04 $85,000 CONANP, species plant removal invasive plants in the Rio Grande. CONANP, Profauna alejandra.carrera@sem No progress yet. Profauna – program in the Rio a.gob.mx and will Grande. seek other

funding sources

Miguel A. Pescador Hold a regional Organize a regional workshop to [email protected] workshop in Laredo by Workshop was hosted disseminate “best practices” related to City of Laredo, EPA, City of x.us spring 2013, and by Laredo in March water conservation policy, programs TCEQ, TX Water Laredo, implement a new 2013. More than 100 2.2.05 (such as EPA’s Water Sense), and public Development Board, $6,000 EPA, TCEQ, Debora Browning campaign in two sister persons attended. No education, and implement enhanced Piedras Negras and local EPA, Region 6 cities by 2014. new WaterSense programs in at least one pair of sister Technological Institute sponsors browning.debora@epa. Partners by mid-July. cities. Enlist 10 new gov WaterSense Partners.

Goal # 3: Promote Materials Management, Waste Management and Clean Sites

Progress Towards Project Collaborating Anticipated Source(s) Description of Project Points of Contact 2013-2014 Target Target # Organizations Cost of funding

Objective 1: By 2020, increase local and state-level knowledge and experience in the area of sustainable material management practices. Program very successful in Tamaulipas--135 Reach 150 schools in schools are registered Link and promote the Mexican federal SEMARNAT/Tamaulip Delfino Ramirez the 3 Mexican States in the Green School program “Green Schools” in all three as and state agencies SEMARNA (SEMARNAT/Tamaulipas), by July 2013. Program, of which 33 3.1.01 ?? Mexican states in the region and explore in Tamaulipas, Nuevo T Delfino.ramirez@semarna Hold an information are in Nuevo Laredo, 50 possible use in Texas. León, and Coahuila t.tamaulipas.gob.mx exchange meeting in Reynosa and 9 in w/Texas 2014 Matamoros. Information not available from other states. Marcie Oviedo (Lower Rio Design and implement a bilingual Cameron County and Grande Development campaign against illegal dumping in the Valley Proud LRGVDC, Finish the project by The project has been 3.1.02 $10,000 Council), Cameron County, Texas, using billboards, Environmental TCEQ the end of 2013. completed. [email protected], newspapers, and workshops at schools. Council (956) 682-3481 Marcie Oviedo (Lower Rio As of mid-July 2013, Through purchase of equipment, The Cities of Pharr, Finish the five Lower Rio Grande Development four of the five entities enhance the recycling programs in three Mission, McAllen, separate but related 3.1.03 $160,000 Grande Council), had completed their local jurisdictions and composting and Mercedes, and projects by the end of Valley [email protected] projects; the project in operations in two jurisdictions. the Town of Bayview 2013. Developm (956) 682-3481 McAllen is in progress. 10

ent Council, TCEQ, and individual local governme nt Ing. Marco Antonio Garza Delgado y Lic. María The Guadalupe Herrera Keep Laredo Gateway Recruit reps of non- Rodríguez U.T. (Programa Establish an environmental organization Beautiful, Keep Rotary profit organizations No progress toward Zona Verde, Nuevo 3.1.04 to develop environmental awareness and America Beautiful, $5,000 Club and and school officials as target as of July 2013. Laredo) clean-up programs in Nuevo Laredo. and the Municipio de Keep members of a board

Nuevo Laredo America of directors in 2013. Lynne Nava (Keep Laredo Beautiful Beautiful), [email protected] Install the bins at all Osvaldo Valencia Environmental Expand a municipal recycling program elementary schools in (Municipio de Nuevo education conferences started in March 2012 in Nuevo Laredo Municipio 2013 and start Municipio de Nuevo Laredo—Ecology were resumed at city 3.1.07 and currently consisting of placing public ??? de Nuevo relevant Laredo Program) elementary schools in bins in parks, to include all elementary Laredo environmental February 2013. schools in Nuevo Laredo. valencia_osvaldo@hotma education programs

il.com for students.

Ing. Humberto Rene In progress; so far 30 Extend Tamaulipas’ environmental EPA/SEDU Reach out to 100% of Salinas schools in Matamoros 3.1.08 management system program (SIMA) to SEDUMA $ 300,000 MA/SEMA the border cities [email protected]. are registered in this private institutions, schools and shops. RNAT mx program. Extend the Ing. Humberto Rene Redesign and extend coverage of the E- dissemination of the Salinas (SEDUMA), 3.1.09 conexion Newsletter as strategy to share SEDUMA $ 30,000 SEDUMA E-Conexion to 100% of [email protected]. best practices. the Tamaulipas mx municipalities Objective 2: By 2014, identify priority waste streams and by 2020 develop sustainable material management practices that strengthen their respective market value. Sustainable EPA Norma Rangel Sevilla Prepare a “best Build capacity in scrap-tire management Development border (SDS, Nuevo León), practices” manual and Funding approved by 3.2.01 $35,000 throughout the region. Secretariat, State of grant [email protected] perhaps hold a regional BECC – In progress Nuevo León through m workshop 11

the BECC Sustainable By the end of 2014, Municipio Norma Rangel Sevilla Resources have been Use organic waste generated in Sabinas Development compost 100% of Mexican of Sabinas (SDS, Nuevo León), requested for 2013. A Hidalgo, Nuevo León to make compost Secretariat, organic waste collected 3.2.02 federal funds Hidalgo [email protected] new administration and then apply it to agricultural uses and SEMARNAT- by the municipality $67,000 Nuevo m y appears to be urban gardening. Municipio of Sabinas from large waste León supportive. Hidalgo, Nuevo León [email protected] generators. EPA Assess the feasibility of using scrap tires Texas A&M border Dr. Kim Jones Targets for 2013- No information 3.2.03 for heavy-duty road-bed construction in University – $15,000 grant [email protected] 2014??? received. Brownsville, Texas. Kingsville through the BECC

Carlos Montiel Saeb Currently the compost Develop a composting operation in is being applied to the (Comisión Municipal de The program, including Nuevo Laredo using sludge from the germination of seeds COMAPA and Municipio Agua Potable y applications and sales, wastewater treatment plant and yard and vegetables in the 3.2.04 Municipio de Nuevo $30,000 ¿? de Nuevo Alcantarillado— is expected to be in full wastes, and apply the product in greenhouse of the Laredo Laredo COMAPA) operation by sometime municipal parks as well as in homes municipio’s Research in 2013. (through sales to homeowners). carlosmontielsaeb@hot and Environmental mail.com Education Center. First steps to initiate Mauricio Chalons EPA program were taken in Implement a collection program for used (Municipio of Reynosa), border The project will be in August 2012, and it electronic products in Reynosa, Municipio of 899 263-3798 3.2.05 $30,000 grant full operation by spring continues. Tamaulipas. Reynosa ecologiareynosa@hotma through 2013 il.com They have collected the BECC about 20 tons and sent for recycling 14 tons. Ing. Humberto Rene Design and implement a state scrap tire SEDUMA/S Develop public policy Salinas (SEDUMA), No information availab 3.2.06 management program that includes SEDUMA $ 400,000 EMARTAN and management plan [email protected] le. valuation. T/EPA for scrap tires b.mx Ing. Humberto Rene Evaluate and take advantage of energy SEDUMA/E Salinas No information availab 3.2.07 potential of waste in Matamoros SEDUMA $ 300,000 Complete action plan PA le. landfills. [email protected] b.mx

Objective 3: By 2020, improve knowledge in every level of government (federal, state, local) to characterize and remediate contaminated sites. Complete the remediation of the Prior to 2012, 19.7 Municipio de Piedras State of remaining 10.3 acres by acres of the 30-acre site Negras and State of Coahuila Alfredo Lucero (PIedras Complete the remediation of old the end of 2013, after had been remediated. 3.3.01 Coahuila $300,000 environmen Negras), oxidation lagoons. which the municipality No new information environmental tal agency [email protected] will develop a road available. agency (SEMA) (SEMA) extension to and a green area at the site. City of Eagle Finish the remediation Pass plus an The city is still seeking Hector Chavez (Eagle in 2013, if Clean up an old waste disposal site near additional supplementary funding Pass) supplementary funding 3.3.02 the river banks of the Rio Grande in Eagle City of Eagle Pass $3.5 million funding to complete the can be identified, and Pass. source to [email protected] remediation of the site. then develop a green be s area on the site. determined

SEMA determined they need to perform a Establish a sustainable management plan Miguel Angel Leal Develop plan and place SEMA, Municipio de feasibility study on 3.3.03 for scrap tires in Piedras Negras, $400,000 ¿? ([email protected] in full operation by the Piedras Negras using coal pits as Coahuila. .mx) end of 2014 disposal sites for scrap tires.

Goal #4: Enhance Joint Preparedness for Environmental Response

Project Collaborating Anticipate Source(s) of Progress Towards Description of Project Points of Contact 2013-2014 Target # Organizations d Cost funding Target Objective 2: By 2020, at least eight (8) of the sister city joint contingency plans will be supplemented with preparedness and prevention related activities such as certified training, risk analysis, and/or capacity building.

CAMPIR (Comite de Dr. Emilio EPA border Develop an emergency response plan for Ayuda Mutua del Sonderegger Arriola grant 4.2.01 the maquiladoras in Brecha E-99 in Parque Industrial $10,000 emilio.sonderegger@l ??? Project canceled. through the Reynosa,Tamaulipas. Reynosa) (Reynosa andisgyr.com Industrial Park BECC Mutual Aid

Committee) Fire departments A first exchange was from Texas and Hold a second “knowledge exchange” on held in July 2012. Mexican risk mapping for first responders on both municipalities in the Paige Delgado (EPA), sides of the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Hold the exchange As of July 2013, the Gulf Task Force EPA and [email protected] 4.2.02 Texas-Tamaulipas, for the purpose of $30,000(?) during the first half of project is on hold area, EPA, TCEQ, NORTHCOM ov identifying and gaining access to existing 2013 because of the Civil Protección sources of data on hazmat storage and EPA Region 6 uncertainty of funding Tamaulipas and determining additional needs. Mexico Civil from NORTHCOM. Protección

Lic. Juan Ernesto Hold the exercise after Civil Protection and Rivera Gómez (Civil the Mexican federal The Mexican Fire Department of EPA border Protección de Nuevo Hold a binational chemical-spill exercise at government has government has not Nuevo Laredo, grant Laredo), 4.2.03 the World Trade Bridge between Nuevo $5,000 approved a permit that issued a permit yet for Tamps., and the City through the proteccioncivilnuevola Laredo, Tamaulipas and Laredo, Texas. allows hazardous waste hazardous waste of Laredo Fire BECC [email protected] or to be transported on this transport. Department ernestorivera5775@h bridge. otmail.com

Develop a cross-border contingency plan Add appropriate for the Solidarity Bridge, involving first Civil Protección and information related to responders from Colombia (Nuevo León), EPA, COCEF, Jorge Camacho fire departments for $5,000 - the Solidarity Bridge to Nuevo Laredo (Tamaulipas), and Laredo PROFEPA, (Protección Civil de both Colombia and will be the Joint Contingency 4.2.04 (Texas), recognizing that Colombia, and Nuevo León). [See following project] Nuevo Laredo, looking for Plan for Laredo and upstream from the other two cities, is Protección jorge.camacho@nuev CODEFRONT, and funders Nuevo Laredo by the much smaller and yet shipments of Civil oleon.gob.mx the City of Laredo end of 2013 (see hazardous materials in the area are following project). currently directed to this bridge.

Eloy Vega (City of Laredo officials met in Laredo Fire Hold new meetings of May 2013 to analyze Finish updating the 1998 Cross-Border Laredo Fire Department), the staff of the two cities City of language related to Contingency Plan between the sister cities Department, [email protected] in 2013 in order to re- Laredo and response and security 4.2.05 of Laredo, Texas and Nuevo Laredo, Protección Civil de No cost visit the language of the Nuevo protocols on the Tamaulipas, in order to improve emergency Nuevo Laredo, and draft revision and Laredo Ernesto Rivera Mexican side included response communication and protocols. CILA (Protección Civil de possibly develop in the draft version of Nuevo Laredo), alternative language. the plan. It is currently proteccioncivilnuevola under review by city 14

[email protected] officials and it will be an agenda item for City Council action soon. BECC contracted with Briselda Duarte Rio Grande Institute, (Border Environment which held two workshops for first City of Eagle Pass, Cooperation Update and improve the cross-border responders in the first Municipio de Commission), contingency plans for emergency response half of 2012 to discuss Piedras Negras, City EPA border for the sister-city pairs of (a) Eagle Pass, [email protected] Complete new plans by protocols and risks. of Del Rio, $130,000 grant 4.2.06 Texas and Piedras Negras, Coahuila and (b) and M.C. Mónica de the end of 2013. After no progress in the Municipio de through the Del Rio, Texas and Ciudad Acuna, Coahuila, Jesús Pérez Morales following 12 months. Ciudad Acuña, BECC which will include risk analysis and (Consultoría y BECC hired new BECC, and the Rio development of risk maps. Servicios en Seguridad contractor, which held Grande Institute Industrial y Medio workshops in July Ambiente, S.A. de 2013. Target for C.V.) updated plans still December 2013.

Multi-Goal Projects

Project Collaborating Anticipate Source(s) of Progress Towards Description of Project Points of Contact 2013-2014 Target # Organizations d Cost funding Target Projects potentially related to some combination of air quality, water quality, water conservation, or waste management Project completed -- through July 2013, trained 40 promotoras Organize educational campaigns featuring in the N. Laredo/ training sessions for health professionals, Laredo and Cameron The University of health students, and promotoras followed EPA border Claudia Miller, M.D., County/ areas on the by community outreach in the Laredo and Texas Health grant Complete the project by hazardous exposures in 6.0.01 $50,000 [email protected] Harlingen areas in Texas, addressing how to Science Center in through the the end of 2013. pregnancy and or [email protected] reduce pre-natal and childhood exposure to San Antonio BECC childhood and how to pesticides, lead, solvents, second-hand avoid these exposures. tobacco, and diesel exhaust. These promotoras have already provided outreach to 400 families.

Noemi Ochoa Project completed-- Produce the EPA-written Conduct educational workshops/plays on EPA border (Association of Student groups in play “El Moscas y los the safe handling and disposal of pesticides Migrants in Action grant Farmworker Laredo and Edinburg 6.0.02 $20,000 Pesticidas” using for farm workers in the Lower Rio Grande – Weslaco, Texas through the Opportunity performed the play students in two cities in Valley of Texas and in the Laredo area. BECC Programs), before more than 2,000 the first half of 2013 [email protected] people. Texas A&M Health Science Center, Genny Carrillo (Texas Identify the sources of environmental health Hold the “knowledge School of Rural EPA border A&M Health Science hazards through a “knowledge exchange” exchange” workshop Project on hold; Public Health, grant Center, School of 6.0.03 workshop and establish a binational $50,000 and establish the difficulty obtaining data PAHO, BECC, HIDA- through the Rural Public Health), database on epidemiological data related to database by the end of from the Mexican side. REY COBINA, BECC [email protected] these hazards. 2013. Hidalgo County .edu Health Dept. The grant ended in Address children’s environmental health May. More than 80 issues in Laredo, Texas and Webb County by schools and 1,000 surveying a sample of homes and identifying students were trained Waldo Lopez (City of health risks, tracking reported exposures EPA border on pesticide awareness Laredo Health through selected hospitals and clinics, Laredo Health grant Complete the project by and disposal tools. The 6.0.04 $50,000 Department) developing and implementing a public Department through the the end of 2014. health department is [email protected] outreach campaign regarding the identified BECC seeking to renew the s risks, and identifying and publicizing two grant and include relevant online courses available for outreach in more physicians. colonias and companies in the Eagle Ford Shale. Summit being planned Organize an annual Environmental Summit for October 4, 2013. TCEQ, and cities in Local Imelda Pena, TCEQ for the public in the Lower Rio Grande Hold an Environmental Currently signing up 6.0.05 the Lower Rio $15,000 sponsors , [email protected] Valley, in cooperation with State Summit in fall of 2013. speakers and Grande Valley EPA as.gov Representative Eddie Lucio III’s office. organizing logistics and outreach. Summit being planned Organize an annual Environmental Summit Carmen Ramirez, for October 17, 2013. Local for the public in Webb County, in TCEQ and the City TCEQ , Hold an Environmental Currently signing up 6.0.06 $15,000 sponsors , cooperation with State Senator Judith of Laredo carmen.ramirez@tceq Summit fall of 2013. speakers and EPA Zaffirini’s office. .texas.gov organizing logistics and outreach.