Meeting Notes from November 15, 2011

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The notes from the November 15, 2011 meeting.

U.S Mexico Border Environmental Program: Border 2020
Tribal Consultation Meeting
November 15, 2011
Campo Band of Kumeyaay Indians
9:00 am
Minutes

I. Blessing by Michelle Cuero

II. Introductions, Objectives and Ground Rules
Tomas Torres welcomed attendees and opened the meeting. Asked attendees to sign in and take information. All attendees introduce themselves. Members from La Jolla, Tohono O’odham Nation, Viejas, Manzanita, Rincon, Pauma, Cocopah, La Posta, Ewiiapaupy, Campo were present as well as a representative from Caltrans

Lisa Almodovar explained the objective of the meeting, and told the attendees that she is e here to listen and to take into account the public comments and to answer questions on how we can better serve you and not to make decisions.

Tomas Torres share some accomplishments and explained the area that includes the new program, talked about U.S. Border Region and its jurisdiction, a member of the public asked for a copy of the presentation. Cynthia Manuel said that the reservation Tohono O’odham from AZ, is always paired up with San Luis as a sister city but it is so far that they have nothing to do and that this reservation is never included in the planning, that her reservation is closer to Nogales.

The presentation showed some slides of the quality of life on the border, it was brought up the concern about the infrastructure at the border crossing. It was mentioned some of the factors that affect the quality of life like poor air quality, the problem of water, improper management of solid wastes and landfills. It was also mentioned how in Mexico a lot of the waste is recycled. The contamination of water right at the border was also mentioned.

It was also mentioned that there is the Bi-national Commitment to the Border Environment and was given an overview of how these relations were developed and how the EPA presence was established along the border. Tomas Torres continued to explain all the programs that have been developed to work along the border. He also talked about the programs to bring drinking water systems and mention some of them. He also talked about the air quality monitors as an ongoing system that operates at the border states. He also talked about land contamination and the contamination produced by immigrants that cross the border, it is an ongoing project.

Tomas Torres talked about environmental Health and remediation for nitrates. It was mentioned how the levels of nitrate affect the water that is next to a nursery.

He also mentioned the emergency response plan and the need to continue with the dialogue about it to refine the program and to train the people that may participate in case of emergency. He also talked about Environmental Stewardship and its impact to the communities. A Member from the public wanted to affirm the importance of the programs along the border and mentioned specifically the importance of the drinking water issue and the problems with nitrates in water.

Lisa Almodovar talked about how the Department of Interior always look for funds to support the programs along the border and the its continued efforts to work with their counterparts on the other side of the border.

She explained the Border 2020 program and how it works to address new emerging issues. This program has very little similarities with the previous program but a lot of new issues to work on. The development of this program needed to be consistent with the La Paz agreement and continue to work with the programs that go bottom up and to show that there is an environmental and health benefit. The funding for Border programs is going down 20% each year and need to work with the limited resources that are provided. It focuses on what Mexico is doing that Affect the US and viceversa.

III. Border 2020 Presentation (EPA)

Lisa explained that the framework is an 8 year modified programs and talked about the five main strategies that focus on the children and that the underserved communities needed to be included, as well as the tribes in order to achieve the goals of the program. There is a 2 year action plan that will work with communities to establish priorities. Two committees were created for communication and indicators. She explained the six goals. A member of the public asked how the tribes that do not meet the criteria to participate in the accomplishment of the goals like generating green house gases can participate. Tomas Torres explained that are other ways that they can participate.

Lisa Almodovar explained the goals of the program:

Goal 1: Reduce conventional Air and Greenhouse gases: Lisa explained how EPA will focus on air pollution and maintain quality monitoring.

Goal 2: Improve access to clean and safe water: Lisa explained how this is part of a different program that is managed by the office of Water from the EPA and explained in detailed how that works. This goal is also to reduce the level of metals, sediments and will include water management and monitoring where the water is coming from.

Goal 3: Develop capacity to improve the use of e-waste, develop scrap tire pile prevention. The issue of floods was mentioned and how some people use the used tires to make little damps. The issue of trash that runs off with rain affects everybody.

Goal 4: Improve Environment and Public Health through Chemical Safety. A new proposal was presented at the National Coordinators Meeting but has not reached a national agreement. This goal will minimize agricultural chemicals, reduce exposure to chemicals and asthma triggers, Tomas Torres explained how in the agricultural communities were collected lots of obsolete pesticides. Pesticide affects everybody. It was a pilot program and now it a full running program. A question was raised about CBC priorities. Lisa explained the difference in programs and what CBC does. One of the tribes has been asking for direct funding for EWIS?, Lisa explained how EPA is very specific for funding. This goal also includes the reduction of exposure of farm workers and the training of health care workers and promotoras programs.

Goal 5: Enhance Joint Preparedness for Environmental Response
Lisa explained how these programs are looking at being tri-national, which is to include Indian Nations. There is a need to update the sister cities and the joint contingency plans, the concern of wild fires was brought up by one of the tribal members and mentioned the recent wildfire that was coming from Mexico and affected their air quality. It was suggested that this goal promote the tribal participation because tribes can create their own programs for emergency response. Viejas tribe has started to do that. This goal limits the ability to work because of the laws and regulations of respective countries between Mexico and the U.S.

Lisa explained the timeline for the program. EPA is at the second stage of the public comments that closes on November 30, 2011. In August 2012 is when the approval will be signed and the program will start in 2013 in Tijuana.

Lisa talked about the opportunities for public comments, via internet, e-mail, letter, fax.

The meeting was open for questions and answers.

A member from the public mentioned how important is to make comments in order to shape the guiding principles. The burning of trash is an issue that needs to be included to address the boundary issue.

Tomas Torres mentioned that the tribes that are established along the border will be included in the map that was shown at the beginning of the presentation. A member from the public asked for more advance notice in order to plan the attendance to the meetings. Tomas Torres explained how there has been efforts to improve the communication and participation.

A member asked what is the status of the task force being co-chaired by tribes. Tomas Torres said that there are none task force groups that are co-chaired by tribes at this moment but the tribes should apply.

Lisa open the discussion to promote communications, she said that she can send lots of e-mails but is open to different ways of communications like letters, phone calls, etc. She asked what is the best way that EPA can keep the tribes well informed about the developments. Most people agreed that e-mail is the best way but would like to receive a formal communication via letter to the officials of the tribes. A member of the public suggested to update a list of emergency contacts (directory) in case of contingency. It was also mentioned that skype is a good way to stay communicated, webinars, conference calls.

Tomas Torres said that most of the tribes are included in an e-mail directory that includes more than 4,000 addresses and they just started sending communications this way. Some people said that like to receive a hard copy of the quarterly report. It was suggested that this report should be also sent directly to the tribal officials as hard copy.

Lorena Lopez-Powers reminded people that the sign in sheet include a space for e-mail address and if they want to be included in the e- mail communications, they should sign in, most of the communications are in English and Spanish. Tribes requested more time to include items in the agenda, at least 30 days. A representative from the Tohono O’odham tribe said a lot of the information goes only to the officials of the tribe and they are too busy to attend the meetings or respond, it was suggested that other people be included in the communications in order to participate. Tribes have different levels of access to communications.

A member from the public asked why the Mexican tribes were not invited. It was explained that Mexico has not recognized the tribes as Nations. A member from La Posta Reservations came at the end.


A member of the public asked what was the coordination of all the border programs to avoid duplication of efforts among all the border programs. Lisa said that there is a lot of coordination at the level of the task force work groups. There is no coordination at the tri-lateral level but that is something that is going to be worked on this coming year.

Tomas Torres said that now every two years are going to be done the NCM. Lisa explained what is the NCM and what they do in those meetings.

A member from the public said that at the task force groups had been brought up the issue of the sister cities and that Mr. Chaboya is aware of it.

Lisa asked to the public if this meeting has worked for everybody, the public said that is a really good opportunity to see everybody face to face but the directions were complicated and needed better maps to get to the place. E-mails are good but it is better to meet face to face. Lisa mentioned that there is a possibility to do some training on grant writing and other issues. A member from the public said that a lot of tribes do not apply to the BECC programs. Tomas Torres said that they are working on trainings that are only for tribes. A member from the public said that tribes compete for grants with cities. It was also mentioned that the grants are very complicated format and they should be more like BIFF. It was also mentioned that it would be nice if some of the drinking wells can be rehabilitated. People asked how the tribes can apply for grants for cleaning trash, recycling, etc. Tomas Torres said that EPA just partnered up with BLM to get more funding for that purpose. Lisa explained how the funds are restricted to the objectives and goals that were shown in the presentation. Lisa explained that BECC has no resources other than for the Border projects.



The meeting was adjourned at 11:30 am


Dave Fege
San Diego Border Office
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
610 West Ash St., Suite 905
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 619-235-4769
Fax: 619-235-4771
http://www.epa.gov/border2012