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U.S., Mexico to Disclose All Existing, Proposed Border Hazwaste Sites

Release Date: 12/22/1999
Contact Information: For more information contact the Office of External Affairs at (214) 665-2200.

    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City announced the signing of a new bi-national, U.S.-Mexico arrangement committing both countries to publicly disclose information regarding all existing and proposed hazardous or radioactive waste sites within 100 km. of the border.  For the first time, government agencies and residents of both nations will have access to information about all such waste sites on both sides of the border.

     "This arrangement is an important advance increasing the level of openness and environmental cooperation between the U.S. and Mexico," EPA Regional Administrator Gregg Cooke said. "One of the most important issues to residents of the border area is access to information on both sides of the border. This arrangement highlights the growing access border residents have to information about the environment in their communities."

     The arrangement, known as a "consultative mechanism," covers hazardous and radioactive waste disposal sites as well as recycling, treatment and incineration facilities.  The mechanism was developed by the binational Hazardous and Solid Waste Workgroup, which includes representatives from the environmental agencies of both countries and the ten U.S. and Mexican border states.  

     The arrangement complements current efforts in both countries to increase openness in decisions on environmental and health matters. It also fulfills recommendations of the U.S. and Mexican Cabinets and the governors of 10 U.S. and Mexican border states, and reinforces both nations' commitment to binational environmental cooperation.  

     For more information, see EPA's Internet site, https://www.epa.gov/usmexicoborder.