Message from the Chairman of the Board of Directors

BECC General Manager and Deputy General Manager Submit Resignations

U.S. Board Member Resigns

On-goin Activities at the BECC

Technical Assistance in progress

Two Citizens Committees Assist CESPT with Community Outreach

New Step I Forms Received

We acknowledge the important contributions of the departing Managers over the past two years. Most notably, the adoption of a publicly accepted set of criteria for the certification of projects, creation of an open public participation process, certification of twelve environmental infrastructure projects, and development of a portfolio of more than 80 projects for future consideration.

As stewards of the first binational organization of its kind, the Board will look for a second team of experienced and highly-qualified managers to lead the organization into the next phase. This phase will include the implementation of a critically important technical assistance program, development of quality infrastructure projects, and the certification of these projects for financing consideration from the NADBank and other funding institutions.

During this transition period, the essential work of the organization continues, with the reception of project proposals, technical assistance to border communities, and review of candidate projects for certification consideration. The Board is confident in senior staff members Jorge Aguirre's and Juan Rangel's abilities to work closely with the Executive Committee to oversee the BECC's day-to-day operational activities.

The Board will announce its new management team soon.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jorge A. Bustamante

The Board of Directors of the Border Environment Cooperation Commission (BECC) at their special meeting on January 14, 1997, accepted the resignations presented by the BECC General Manager, H. Roger Frauenfelder, and Deputy General Manager, Luis Raúl Domínguez, effective February 16, 1997. This date marks two years from the beginning of their initial effort in leading this international organization created by the Governments of the United States and Mexico to certify and assist environmental infrastructure projects, sponsored and developed by border communities and to ensure that these projects are technically, environmentally, and financially sound through a transparent public participation process.

The Managers noted that one of their principal objectives was that of forming a binational work team in those first two years. Messrs. Frauenfelder and Domínguez have declared their interest in pursuing other activities. Under the leadership of both Managers in these first two years, the BECC developed widely accepted criteria; certified 12 environmental infrastructure projects addressing wastewater, potable water and municipal solid waste needs; established a "pipeline" to proceed with more than 80 proposed projects from border communities; and initiated a transparent and participatory system of public involvement in border environmental infrastructure project development.

The Board of Directors, upon accepting the resignations of the Managers, fully recognized the above accomplishments. At the same time the Board recognizes the need for a new focus during the next stage of the BECC that will allow this organization to respond in the best manner possible to the needs of the border communities in preserving and improving the border environment. The Board has taken measures to ensure continuity of BECC operations. Until a new team is named, the Board of Directors has named senior staff members Dr. Jorge Aguirre and Mr. Juan Rangel as BECC staff contacts for the public.

BECC Board Chairperson, Dr. Jorge Bustamante, stated that the Board observed with satisfaction the important contributions of General Manager Frauenfelder and Deputy Manager Domínguez in this first phase of BECC activities.

Contact: Tracy J. Williams, (011-52-16) 29-23-95

Mr. Peter Silva has submitted his resignation as a member of the Board in order to pursue new professional opportunities. Mr. Silva has served on the Board of Directors as a representative of a U.S. border locality since his Presidential appointment in November 1994. Mr. Silva is presently the Deputy Director for the City of San Diego Water Utilities.

In his resignation to President Clinton, submitted in early January 1997, Mr. Silva stated that "resigning as a member of the Board is difficult since I have greatly enjoyed the challenges and accomplishments I have experienced in this position. It has been gratifying to have been involved in the formation of the BECC and to have been a part of its initial successes." Mr. Silva served as the Board's Executive Committee Chairperson since January 1996.

The binational Board of Directors was established by the Agreement creating the BECC and consists of ten members: four ex-officio members including the Commissioners of the U.S. and Mexican sections of the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC); the Administrators of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Secretary of Environment, Natural Resources, and Fisheries (SEMARNAP); and six other members including representatives from border states, localities, and the public, with equal representation from the U.S. and Mexico.

The principle function of the Board of Directors is to review and certify environmental infrastructure projects for financing consideration by the North American Development Bank (NADBank), or other funding sources. The Board is also responsible for setting the policies and procedures of the institution during regular public meetings.

Contact: Tracy Williams, (011-52-16) 29-23-95

In mid-January, Managing Director of the North American Development Bank (NADBank) Alfredo Phillips announced his resignation. Mr. Phillips has been the Managing Director of the NADBank since its inception two years ago.

Contact: Annie Alvarado, NADBank's Government Affairs Officer, (210) 231-8000.

While the BECC is entering a new phase of its evolution as a public institution, it continues to build upon its accomplishments.

• The BECC Board of Directors has certified twelve environmental infrastructure projects, with an estimated total cost of $100 million. Eight of the twelve certified projects are seeking NADBank financing -- of which four have been approved by the Bank. The other certified projects are using BECC certification to pursue grants and other funding sources. In fact, BECC certification was instrumental in helping the El Paso Water Utilities secure a $3.5 million grant for its Wastewater Reclamation and Reuse Project certified by the BECC Board in November 1995.
• The BECC currently has 69 projects proposals in the pipeline from communities and private investors on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border for urgent water, wastewater and municipal solid waste infrastructure, with a total estimated cost of $979 million. The BECC continues to receive projects on a weekly basis and is actively reviewing projects for consideration by the Board of Directors at future public meetings.
• Recognizing the serious need for technical assistance to border communities for the development of their environmental infrastructure projects, the BECC has developed its Technical Assistance Program which includes the Project Development Assistance Program (PDAP), supported by a $10 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for water and wastewater treatment projects. The program will help communities comply with the BECC certification criteria which is required to be considered for financing by NADBank or other institutions.
• Within its Technical Assistance Program, the BECC will also provide assistance to border communities for municipal solid waste projects. The BECC is working with Mexico's Secretary for Social Development (SEDESOL) for projects on the Mexican side of the border. This cooperative effort has resulted in the certification of the first two solid waste projects located in Puerto Peñasco and Agua Prieta, Sonora.
• The BECC developed and revised publicly-supported Project Certification Criteria which are used to evaluate projects for certification. The Criteria were developed by BECC staff, Advisory Council and Board of Directors, with extensive participation from border organizations. These Criteria guide project sponsors through the many phases of project development. The ultimate goal is to develop for certification, NADBank financing and local implementation, technically sound, financially viable and community-supported projects that contribute to a community's sustainable development.
• To enhance communication with border communities, the BECC provides information both on the institution and projects at its interactive web site (http://cocef.interjuarez.com).

An important part of BECC's work is providing technical assistance to communities to help them advance their projects through the BECC certification process. Until the PDAP program is in place, the BECC will provide direct assistance to project sponsors, on a project-by-project basis, utilizing its own resources. The BECC is currently helping the following communities:

• Water and Wastewater Master Plan for Cd. Juarez/El Paso. This study is being realized in coordination with the State of Chihuahua as well as the municipal authorities for Juarez and El Paso, CILA/IBWC and Mexico's National Water Commission.
• Master Plan for the Improvement of Water and Wastewater Treatment Services in Palomas, Chihuahua.
• Preliminary Studies for the Regional Sanitary Landfill for the Cities of the Frontera Chica (small border) of Tamaulipas including Nueva Cd. Guerrero, Cd. Mier, Miguel Aleman, Camargo y Diaz Ordaz.
• Financial Analysis for the Expansion and Rehabilitation of the Wastewater Collection System in Matamoros, Tamaulipas.
• Upgrade of the User Database for the City of Matamoros, Tamaulipas.
• Financial Feasibility Study and Preparation of the Step II Proposal for the Parallel Conveyance System and Rehabilitation of the San Antonio de los Buenos Treatment Plant Project in Tijuana, Baja California.

Contact: Jorge Aguirre, Technical Director, Tel: (011-52-16) 29-23-95.

The Comisión Estatal de Servicios Públicos de Tijuana (CESPT) submitted an application to the BECC for the certification of the Parallel System Conveyance System and Rehabilitation of the San Antonio de los Buenos Plant Project in November 1996. The proposed project involves the construction of a pump station and parallel conveyance system to the San Antonio de los Buenos Treatment Plant; and 2) rehabilitation and minor expansion of the San Antonio plant which is utilized by the City of Tijuana to treat its sewage.

The City of Tijuana has experienced an accelerated growth rate during the last few years which has resulted in enormous strain on its wastewater collection and treatment infrastructure; this growth is likely to continue in the near future. The new parallel system will allow the City of Tijuana the flexibility to make crucial repairs to its existing conveyance system, eliminate overflows in the system, and increase the reliability of the infrastructure. The rehabilitation of the San Antonio de los Buenos plant, presently operating at capacity, will expand slightly the current capacity and improve the quality of effluent discharged into the ocean.

As designed, the project will be managed by CESPT. The conveyance system will be funded, in part, by a $16 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and anticipated loans from the North American Development Bank (NADBank). The rehabilitation will be funded by NADBank loans. The project development and final design is being funded with CESPT resources, as well as a grant from the National Water Commission (CNA) for institutional capacity building.

To educate the citizens of Tijuana and San Diego, because the project itself has binational implications with large funding commitments from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, CESPT (in consultation with BECC staff) formed two Citizens Committees: one in Tijuana and one in San Diego, and one coordinating committee.

Each committee is in the process of developing outreach strategies for ensuring maximum public participation in determining the level of community support for this project.

Contact: Gonzalo Bravo, Public Outreach Coordinator, Tel: (011-52-16) 29-23-95.

New Step I Forms Received

In accordance with Article I of the Border Environment Cooperation Commission's (BECC) Procedures Regarding Public Notice and Comment on Project Applications, the BECC has received a Step I Form for the following projects during the months of December and January. Please note that this listing does not represent any type of BECC staff recommendation concerning the potential for project certification.

Water Treatment Plant and Improvements to the Distribution System, Del Rio, Texas. Provide water treatment from the main source of San Felipe Springs. Improvements to the distributions system from the new WTP to ground storage facilities throughout the city. Est. Total Cost: $44 million. Contact: Mr. Gus H. Pappas, City Manager, City of Del Rio, P.O. Box 4239, Del Rio, Texas 78841. Tel: (210) 774-8558; Fax: (210) 594-5502. Rec'd: 12/19/96.

Jonathan Rogers Water Treatment Plant Expansion, El Paso, Texas. The project would expand the Plant capacity from 40 MGD to 60 MGD. The project will meet the needs stated in the Water Facilities Master Plan elaborated in 1994, which indicate even further expansion in the future. Total Est. Cost: $27 million. Contact: Mr. Edmund Archuletta, General Manager, El Paso Water Utilities. 1154 Hawkins Blvd., P.O. Box 511 El Paso, Texas 79961. Tel: (15) 594-5503; Fax: (915) 594-5502. Rec'd: 1/3/97.

In the second of a series of vignettes on BECC staffers, the BECCNEWS would like to recognize Rita Ruvalcaba for her work…behind the scenes!

Rita Ruvalcaba is BECC's Administrative Assistant. She assists Administrative Director, Luis Ayala, with the administrative details involved in running an organization including payroll, accounting, personnel benefits, purchasing, supervision of internal controls, audit oversight, and budget preparation and management.

Rita earned her Accounting Degree from the Instituto Tecnologico de Cd. Juarez and is a Certified Public Account. Before joining the BECC, Rita was the Operations Manager for Graybar Electric de Mexico in Cd. Juarez. Rita was born and raised in Juarez and has two daughters.