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The importance of the BECC in the Border 2012 Program is recognized

Posted on May 25, 2011

The importance of the BECC in the Border 2012 Program is recognized

The Border Environment Cooperation Commission (BECC) was recognized as a strategic partner for the U.S.-Mexico Border 2012 Environmental Program, by having certified 179 projects with an estimated cost of US $4 billion, for the benefit of nearly 13 million residents along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Important audience the close plenary session of the 7th Meeting of Border 2012.This recognition was made at the closing session of the 7th Border 2012 National Coordinators Meeting, held on May 11th in San Antonio, Texas. The meeting was presided over by Mexico’s National Coordinator Enrique Lendo, Head of the International Affairs Unit at the Secretariat of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), and by Jane Mishida, on behalf of U.S. National Coordinator Michelle de Pass.

During this session, the status of the Program’s objectives and the vision for the succeeding program were also presented. Additionally, on behalf of Ojinaga, City Council Secretary Guadalupe Rivas signed on to the tire initiative presented at the event. Dr. Carlos Rincon, Director of the EPA Office in El Paso, participated as a witness during the signing of this commitment.

Enrique Lendo International Affairs Coordinator of Semarnat.In an interview, Enrique Lendo recognized the work of the BECC for the benefit of the border, and its contribution to the Border 2012 Program. In his closing speech, he was optimistic about the program’s achievements during its eight years of operation. In his opinion, the program is a model of international cooperation that promotes environmental governance along the border region. He noted that, although there are issues that have been carried over since the La Paz Agreement…" other issues have been included, such as climate change and green economies, which must be part of the program that will follow Border 2012, he said.

Mr. Lendo emphasized that, given the complexity of border environmental issues, the next program must "probe deeper into the synergies of environmental forums such as those sponsored by the BECC and the North American Development Bank (NADB)..." and those that occur in other bodies such as the Border Governors Conference and the International Boundary and Water Commission, among others.

Jane Mishida from EPA at the closing ceremony.Jane Misha, a senior official from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), recognized the great effort of all who are part of this program in the various working groups. She stressed that its achievements are significant, and for the next program, which will most likely be the 2020 Program, there is full awareness of the challenges. This program, the EPA official said, "is an example of success in the United States-Mexico relations."

BECC General Manager Maria Elena Giner was a speaker at the closing session, and said that the projects developed by the BECC in its 16 years of work are reflected in 19 water treatment systems and 32 water distribution systems, 53 wastewater treatment plants and 70 wastewater collection systems, 16 landfills, and more than 27 million kilometers of paved roads on both sides of the border.

In addition to these general results, said the General Manager, the BECC has operated as the administrator of the funds pledged by the EPA for the Border 2012 program, which have allowed the organization to provide assistance to border communities in the form of 183 projects during a six-year period, with an estimated cost of US $ 10 million.

Maria Elena Giner highlighted that the EPA’s support through the BECC has helped to develop various initiatives, including in the areas of waste management, greenhouse gas inventories, scrap tire disposal, flood control, engine conversion, institutional capacity building for emergency response, training in the use of pesticides, promotion of environmental-friendly practices, binational education to reduce pesticide exposure, volunteer health and environmental services for Tarahumara communities in Ciudad Juarez, public health information for the Paso del Norte region (Ecovida), pollution reduction at the Bridge of the Americas in El Paso, environmental cleanups in Ojinaga, electronic waste disposal in Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras, waste reduction and vector control along the Texas-Mexico border, and Day of the River sponsorship, among others.

Additionally, the Ms. Giner reported that, with the BECC’s assistance, the Border 2012 Program has contributed to various interactions with border communities, including pilot environmental projects, and the organization of workshops and forums to discuss issues such as paving, health and tires, which have strengthened the border’s environmental agenda.

Enrique Lendo said at the close of the event that environmental issues should be addressed with a focus on a cross-sectoral approach and, in the case of the successor to Border 2012, "the program should follow the voice of the community to ensure its legitimacy and continuity.”

Participation of Silvia Castro Director of Ecology of Chihuahua’s Government.Henry Darwin from Arizona’s Department of Environmental Quality.Global Environmental Fund grant is announced for water initiatives in the border.Important audience the close plenary session of the 7th Meeting of Border 2012.

Guadalupe Rivera, Ojinaga’s Municipal Secretary signs the initiative of tires. Carlos Rincon from EPA is witness of the act.Maria Elena Giner from BECC presented the environmental achievements in the border of this organization.




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