The BECC Board of Directors held its XVII Public Meeting on September 24 in El Paso, Texas. Although the Board did not consider any projects for certification, BECC Staff gave a dynamic power-point presentation on the status of all projects in the BECC pipeline. The Board also openly discussed with the audience several programs and initiatives.

Among the most two important issues discussed with the public were BECC. s Technical Assistance and Sustainable Development programs. Additionally, a . Complaint Procedures from Groups Affected by Projects. and a . Procedures for Independent Assessments. were submitted for a 30-day public review.

Also, BECC General Managers and the Advisory Council highlighted the progress of BECC. s 24 certified projects, which have an estimated cost of $600 million benefiting seven million people along the border region.

In addition, the Board informed that BECC is working on developing infrastructure projects for future certification in several communities along the border.

In the U.S., staff is working in Douglas, AZ; Brawley, Descanso and Heber in California; several colonias in Doña Ana County, NM; and in Texas Sanderson and the Lower Valley.

In Mexico, staff has also been deployed to Tecate, Baja California; Agua Prieta, Nogales, Sonoyta and San Luis Rio Colorado in Sonora; Ciudad Acuña, Piedras Negras, the Carbonifera and Cinco Manantiales regions in Coahuila; and Valle Hermoso and Matamoros in Tamaulipas.

By all accounts, the project current status presentation by BECC Project Managers was not only impressive, but very useful and informative to those present.

Below please find a summary of the projects certified, projects in progress, total estimated costs of the projects, amounts in BECC technical assistance provided and name of project manager in charge of the region. The projects in progress include Step I projects.

Region 1

Project Manager: Salvador Lopez

CALIFORNIA - BAJA CALIFORNIA

Certified:

CA: Brawley, Calexico, San Diego.

BC: Tijuana, Ensenada, Mexicali, Ecoparque in Tijuana.

Estimated Costs: $217.7 million

Technical Assistance Approved: $360,721

In Progress:

CA: Westmoreland (2), Descanso, Brawley, Heber (2), Palo Verde, Winterhaven.

BC: Mexicali, Tijuana, Ensenada (2), Tecate.

Estimated Costs: $27.5 million

Technical Assistance Approved: $1.14 million

Region 2

Project Manager: Linda Allen

ARIZONA - SONORA

Certified:

AZ: Douglas, Somerton,

SON: Agua Prieta, Naco, Nogales, Puerto Peñasco.

Estimated Costs: $49.1 million

Technical Assistance Approved: $538,016

In Progress:

AZ: Gadsden, Patagonia (2), San Luis (2) Bisbee, Tombstone, Wilcox,

Nogales.

SON: Agua Prieta, Cananea, Sonoyta, San Luis Rio Colorado (2), Nogales.

Estimated Costs: $167 million

Technical Assistance Approved: $1.928 million.

Region 3

Project Manager: Maria Elena Giner

NEW MEXICO - *TEXAS - CHIHUAHUA

*El Paso to Middle Rio Grande Valley

Certified:

TX: El Paso (3), Lower Valley

CHIH: Ciudad Juarez

Costs: $179.2 million

Technical Assistance Approved: $706,213

In Progress:

NM: Doña Ana County, Berino, Chamberino, El Milagro, Chaparral,

La Union, Salem/Ogaz, San Pablo, Vado/Del Cerro

TX: El Paso, San Elizario-Grant MUD & Clint.

CHIH: Cd. Juarez (3), Ojinaga, Palomas, Nuevo Casa Grandes.

Estimated Costs: $45.1 million

Technical Assistance Approved: $3.2 million

Region 4

Project Manager: Bernardino Olague

*TEXAS . COAHUILA

*Middle Rio Grande Valley to Webb County

Certified:

TX: Del Rio

Estimated Costs: $40.3

Technical Assistance Approved: $0

In Progress:

TX: Eagle Pass (Pueblo Nuevo), Crystal City (Middle Rio Grande Valley), Sanderson.

COAH: Region Cinco Manantiales (2), Region Carbonifera (2), Piedras Negras,

Cd. Acuña.

Estimated Costs: $84.2 million

Technical Assistance Approved: $561,403

Region 5

Project Manager: Adolfo Urias

*TEXAS . TAMAULIPAS - NUEVO LEON

*From Webb County to Gulf of Mexico

Certified:

TX: Alton, Donna, Mercedes.

TAMPS: Reynosa, Matamoros.

Estimated Cost: $121.6 million

Technical Assistance Approved: $51,180

In Progress:

TX: Laredo(2), Roma, Rio Grande, Weslaco, Mercedes, Brownsville.

TAMPS: Camargo, Frontera Chica, Diaz Ordaz, Matamoros, Mier, Miguel Aleman (2), Nuevo Laredo, Nuevo Progreso, Nueva Cd. Guerrero (3), Reynosa, Valle Hermoso.

NL: Los Ramones, China (2), General Bravo (2).

Estimated Cost: $175.7 million

Technical Assistance Approved: $563,875

Technical Assistance From BECC Spurs Development Of Water, Wastewater And Solid Waste Infrastructure In Coahuila.

BECC. s work in the border municipalities of Coahuila has been enhanced with Technical Assistance support in the amount of $353,000 for projects with an estimated initial investment of $55.5 million.

Among the most advanced projects in their development and administration are water, wastewater and municipal solid waste management in the Carbonífera and Cinco Manantiales regions. Their respective masterplans were presented to the eight Mayors in both regions at two different meetings. Rogelio Ramos Oranday, Secretary of Social Development for the State of Coahuila and a member of BECC. s Board presided at these meetings held on September 9 and October 6.

The Septembner 9^th meeting, was hosted by City of Piedras Negras Mayor Claudio Mario Bres Garza. Mayors and Councilmembers of both Regions for a technical breifing of the Water/Wastewater and Comprehensive Handling of Solid Municipal Waste master plans for each region.

Master plan costs approved by BECC. s Technical Assistance Program are as follows: The Master Plans for Water and Wastewater has a cost of $76,000 for the Carbonífera Region and $95,000 for the Cinco Manantiales Region. Master plans for Comprehensive Handling of Solid Municipal Waste has a cost of $84,500 for the Carbonífera Region and $97,500 for the Cinco Manantiales Region. In addition

In addition to the work in the above regions in Coahuila, the BECC has been readying two wastewater projects for Ciudad Acuña and Piedras Negras for upcoming certification. Mr. Rogelio Ramos stated that Governor Rogelio Montemayor expects an open consultation process and consensus reached in the projects slated for certification. It is within this context that these meetings were organized to provide information to municipal authorities of the two regions.

At the meeting held on October 6^th the actual Water/Wastewater Master Plan for the Cinco Manantiales region was presented to the local authorities. The Master Plan for the Carbonifera region was to be delivered at a later date. Mr. Ramos recognized BECC. s work in this effort and publicly thanked staff present their support. He stated that with these Master Plans, the regions now have a diagnosis of the systems with a long term vision to modernize them.

As far as Solid Waste, besides the presentation of the Master Plans on water/wastewater, it was reported that the executive project for the Cinco Manantiales Region is finished. They are to be sent to the Ministry of Social Development for actual delivery to the municipalities of this region. The Carbonífera Region solid waste project has yet to define a location. Two sites will be reviewed, one in the controlled landfill of Sabinas and another new site in Nueva Rosita.

BECC Training Workshop On Administration Of Hydraulic Resources Takes Place In Nuevo Leon.

By Adolfo Urías

Background

BECC. s Training Program has completed seven workshops, three on solid waste and four on water and wastewater management. On the latter, the fourth workshop entitled . Managerial Administration of Hydraulic Resources. took place September 2-4 in Monterey, Nuevo Leon. The workshop was jointly organized by BECC, the State Government of Nuevo León and the Water and Drainage Services of Monterrey, with the participation of the National Water Commission (NWC), and the following companies: Servicios de Ingeniería e Informática, S.C. (SI+I), SEINPRO and Grupo Profesional de Planeación y Proyectos, S. A. (PYPSA).

The workshop took place in the "Raúl Rangel Frias" Library at the Autonomous University of Nuevo León. The workshop objectives were to provide decision elements to the Mayors and Directors of the Operating Boards of drinkable water, sewer system and sanitation services along the border municipalities of the state of Nuevo León.

The workshop highlighted established norms in this sector, the need for of drinkable water, sewer and wastewater project that benefit the health and well-being of the community; BECC. Procedures for Certification of Projects and the Technical Assistance program available for communities.

Inauguration

The workshop was inaugurated by Lic. José Luis Coindreau García, Secretary General of Nuevo León. s state Government. Also in atendance were Lic. Javier Cabrera Bravo, BECC. s General Manager, Mr. Abelardo Amaya Enderle, Mexico. s National Water Commission. s (CNA) Rio Bravo Regional Manager, Mr. Edelmiro Cantú Sada, Nuevo León. s Municipal Development Board Executive Member, Mr. Fernando Margain Berlanga, Nuevo León. s Social Development Secretary.

Agenda

The following issues were covered during the workshop:

· BECC. s general vision of the projects. certification process.

· National waters legal framework.

· Master Plan Concept.

· Hydrologic Basin Concept.

· Legal aspects, including the participation of the private industry.

· Typical components of a water systems operating board.

· Field visit to the Northeast treatment plant "Agua Prieta"

· Management and administrative aspects for the Institutional strengthening of the operating board.

· Case study (Nuevo Progreso, Tamaulipas.)

· Community participation, educational programs, and public health.

· Financial options for water projects.

· Evaluation of the workshop.

Instructors

The workshop was given by experts from the National Water Commission, Water and Drainage Services of Monterrey, BECC, Servicios de Ingeniería e Informática, S.C. (SI+I), SEINPRO and Grupo Profesional de Planeación y Proyectos, S.A. (PYPSA), to whom a recognition for their participation in the course was given by BECC. s General Manager

From BECC, staff from Public Participation, Project Development and Finance participated as instructors of their respective fields relative to the handling of hydraulic resources, technical assistance programs and public support for a project.

Attendance

A total of 36 from 17 different municipalities in Nuevo León. It should be mentioned that 9 Mayors from the municipalities of Los Aldamas, Bustamante, Ciénaga de Flores, China, General Bravo, General Treviño, Los Herreras, Lampazos de Naranjo, Los Ramones and Villaldama attended most of the course or, in some cases, left representatives. Also the municipalities of Anahuac, Cerralvo, Dr. González, García, General Zuazua, Los Herreras and Melchor Ocampo were represented at the workshop by various municipality officials, such as Directors from Public Works, Ecology and Social Development.

At the end of the workshop, BECC issued 21 diplomas.

Closing, conducted by Lic. Miguel Gómez, Executive Member for the Municipal Development from the State government and the delivery of recognitions.

Final Comments and Conclusions

After discussing the workshop with BECC staff and participants from the CNA, from the Water and Drainage Services of Monterrey, and those from the State Government of Nuevo León, the importance of continuing with these types of workshops was recognized. This was quite evident due to the great interest shown among the participants and to the existing need for transmitting this type of information to the authorities who make decisions in the administration of this service.

The need for greater awareness about technical assistance, as well as the other tools provided by the BECC, the CNA, Water and Drainage Services of Monterrey, and the State Government of Nuevo León was also recognized, particulalry during institutional strenghtening or water infrastructure projects.

It should be mentioned that before the . Solid Waste Management. workshop that took place on April 22- 24 of this year, the state of Nuevo León did not have any projects in the BECCs. pipeline. One of the benefits of these workshops is that BECC now has 3 projects submitted for certification.

Furthermore, the creation and formalization of a follow up committee for . Water, Wastewater and Solid Waste. should also be highlighted. It shows the commitment and interest of border communities, as well as the State of Nuevo León. s goverment, to submit a large quantity of viable projects to the BECC for their certification and potential financing by the NADB.

Technical Assistance Agreement Signed for Municipal Solid Waste Master Plan for Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua.

A technical assistance agreement was signed on November 3 for the a Muncipal Solid Waste Master Plan for Ciudad Juarez. The ceremony was presided by Mr. Gustavo Elizondo Aguilar, Municipal President of Ciudad Juarez and Mr. Javier Cabrera Bravo, General Manager of the BECC. This Master Plan will cost approximately $80,000 and will identify the problem areas regarding solid waste disposal, the status of solid waste collection and disposal in the landfill, and technical, financial and administrative options to improve the service. With BECC technical assistance this master plan will allow for long term planning and development of infrastructure needed to provide more efficient service.

Technical Assistance Agreement, for the Completion of the Master Plan for Water, Sewer System and Sanitation in Ojinaga, is signed.