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U.S., MEXICO TO DISCLOSE ALL EXISTING, PROPOSED BORDER HAZWASTE SITES

Release Date: 12/22/1999
Contact Information: Dave Schmidt, U.S. EPA, (415) 744-1578, Cynthia Fanning, EPA, (214) 665-2142, Josie Shumake, U.S. Embassy, Mexico 011-525-209-9100

     EPA HAILS NEW U.S.-MEXICO BORDER HAZWASTE INFORMATION SHARING PACT
                                 
    (San Francisco, Dallas, Mexico City) -- 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 new arrangement is a major leap forward in the level of openness and environmental cooperation between the U.S. and Mexico," said Felicia Marcus, Administrator of EPA's regional office in San Francisco, which serves California and Arizona. "Never before have residents of both nations had cross-border access to information about hazardous waste facilities -- and the opportunity to participate in decisions about siting new ones."

     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.  It complements current efforts in both countries to increase openness in decisions on environmental and health matters, 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, www.epa.gov/usmexicoborder.