All News Releases By Date

Public Invited to Participate in International Border Environment Meeting

Release Date: 9/15/2000
Contact Information: For more information contact the Office of External Affairs at (214) 665-2200.

     The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) invites the public to participate in an international meeting on issues affecting public health and the environment along the U.S.-Mexico border Sept. 20-21 in El Paso, Texas.

     The National Coordinators Meeting will bring together federal entities from both sides of the border to continue work on the Border XXI Program, which seeks to promote sustainable development in the U.S.-Mexico border region while ensuring that public health and the environment remain protected.

     "This is an ideal opportunity for people to find out what work is planned along the U.S.- Mexico border to protect their children and families. I encourage everyone interested in the future of the border region to attend," said EPA Regional Administrator Gregg Cooke.

      In addition to air and water quality challenges, Border XXI seeks to enhance cooperation between the two nations on solid and hazardous waste management, environmental enforcement, information sharing, emergency response, pollution prevention, environmental health, and natural resources. Work groups will present progress reports on these issues.

     A poster display will explain progress made by groups and individuals who have received grant monies for environmental projects from EPA.

     Participants in the meeting will include EPA, Mexico's Secretariat for Environment, Natural Resources and Fisheries (SEMARNAP), the Good Neighbor Environmental Board, Mexico's Region 1 Sustainable Development Council, the Border Environment Cooperation Commission, the North American Development Bank, and state and local government representatives from the U.S. and Mexico.

     The meeting will be held at the Camino Real Hotel, 101 South El Paso Street, El Paso, Texas.  More information on the Border XXI Program, the National Coordinators Meeting and an agenda are available on the Internet at https://www.epa.gov/usmexicoborder/index.htm.