Contents:

BECC Receives $10 Million Grant from EPA for Project Development Assistance

A New Technology for Somerton: The Benefits of Alternative Solutions

Actions to Benefit Tamaulipas Border

Rio Bravo/Rio Grande Basin Celebrates Día del Río

NADBank Board to Hold Annual Public Meeting

New Step I Format received

The BECC received a $10 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to support the development of water and wastewater infrastructure projects in the border region. Responding to a call from border states that border communities do not have the resources available to develop projects in order to comply with the BECC criteria and qualify for NADBank financing, the U.S.EPA committed resources appropriated by the U.S. Congress specifically for border water and wastewater infrastructure to facilitate this process.

The grant money will go to support the BECC's Project Development Assistance Program (PDAP) - a program designed to provide technical and project development assistance to communities on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border in developing needed water and wastewater infrastructure. Because the $10 million grant is limited to water and wastewater projects, assistance for solid waste projects will be provided directly by the BECC, and possibly other funding sources.

The BECC developed the PDAP in conjunction with EPA, the North American Development Bank (NADBank), U.S. and Mexican sections of the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC), Mexico's Secretary for Environment, Natural Resources, and Fisheries (SEMARNAP), and Mexico's National Water Commission (CNA).

To be eligible for PDAP funding, project sponsors must comply with the following eligibility requirements:

• Projects must be located within 100 km zone on either side of the U.S.-Mexico border.
• Projects must address water treatment/distribution and/or wastewater collection/treatment and reuse.
• Projects must abate an existing municipal or regional health or environmental problem.

Given the large demand for project development assistance, the following priorities will be used to determine which projects should receive assistance (not all priorities are applicable to all projects):

• Demonstrate potential for obtaining BECC Certification.
• Provide services to unserved or underserved communities.
• Demonstrate the ability to leverage funding resources.
• Resolve a regional or cross-boundary issue as opposed to a local service issue.
• Demonstrate state support such as being on a State "needs list".
• Receive a favorable recommendation from the BECC Advisory Council.
• Demonstrate a high level of community participation and support.
• Demonstrate potential for achieving sustainable development.
• Demonstrate community willingness to provide "sweat equity" in a self-help model.
• Receive peer match assistance from another community.

Assistance that may be provided

Peer Match Services: Project assistance from one community and/or entity to another. This could include sharing of technology, data, and processes. The BECC will support peer-match services with PDAP funds.

Concept Development: Direct assistance to communities to develop BECC Step I Application and concept development including: planning, preliminary feasibility and environmental assessments, site evaluations, and project concept definition. Concept Development projects will typically be carried out through consultant services funded by the BECC. Grant funds will be limited to $50,000 for each project.

Advance Funding: Direct assistance to communities to help develop the BECC Step II Application including preliminary engineering studies, environmental assessments, financial feasibility studies, preliminary design, community participation, sustainable development, and other tasks that might be required to comply with the BECC criteria. Advance funding could include completion of the design phase, however, construction phase services are specifically excluded. Advance Funding projects will typically be carried out through consultant services contracted by the BECC or the project applicant.

Requests for Advance Funding assistance will only be considered after the Concept Development phase is complete and the BECC Step I Application has been approved. Only projects which can conform to the BECC Criteria for Certification will be given consideration for Advance Funding. Advance Funding, not to exceed $500,000 will be provided in the form of a low interest loan to be repaid with initial proceeds of the construction project financing. Reimbursement arrangements will be defined on a project by project basis.

Competitive proposals will be requested from a "short list" of consultants on BECC's pre-qualified consultant list on a project by project basis. The pre-qualified list is being developed by the BECC after a public call for Statements of Qualifications (SOQ's) this fall.

To apply for PDAP assistance, please contact Hector Gonzalez, BECC's Program Manager for Strategic Planning, at tel: (011-52-16) 29-23-95; or e-mail: hgonzalez@cocef.interjuarez.com. The BECC is in the process of developing a Technical Assistance Manual, which will outline the PDAP program in further detail and include an application for assistance. An announcement will be made in a future edition of the BECCNEWS when the manual is available.

One year ago, when the City of Somerton submitted an application to the BECC for the certification of a new, conventional wastewater treatment plant, it had not investigated alternative solutions to its wastewater problems. Concerned that the City needed to explore other options, the BECC funded a study of alternative solutions for Somerton. Today, with certification pending at the November 9^th public meeting of the BECC Board, Somerton has proposed a non-conventional technology that will save the community approximately $1,000,000 in capital costs and contribute to its sustainable development.

The Resource Recovery Wastewater Treatment System is a relatively simple system, consisting of anaerobic digestion coupled with a "constructed wetlands" effluent filtering process, which utilizes few resources including electricity, chemicals and labor. The proposed facility will help the City consistently meet standards for secondary treatment and resolve the community's existing non-compliance issues with the U.S. EPA.

The City of Somerton is taking a bold step in selecting a non-conventional technology. However, the proposed technology will provide the City with attractive benefits such as:

• potential to generate energy by the capture of the methane gas produced by the anaerobic system as well as the potential sale of crop products that can be raised in the thin film hydroponic system;
• ability to reduce residual bio-solids that plague other wastewater treatment systems thus allowing a cost savings in bio-solids management;
• flexibility to provide for desired community growth, at a lower project capital cost and lower operating costs than the conventional options proposed;
• ability to construct the new plant within the footprint of the existing plant and avoid having to purchase additional land;
• enhancing the natural environment by releasing a cleaner effluent into the Yuma Valley main drainage system;
• reducing concerns associated with agricultural re-use of the effluent by Mexico.

Above-all, the project will provide for effective treatment of the City's wastewater, at an affordable cost. For more information about the project, contact Dr. Jorge Aguirre, BECC's Technical Director, at (011-52-16) 29-23-95.

During an extensive visit to border communities of the State of Tamaulipas, BECC Deputy General Manager Luis Raul Dominguez Terrazas, and Engineering Manager, Adolfo Urias, met with community officials from Nuevo Laredo, Ciudad Mier, Miguel Alemán, Camargo, Díaz Ordaz, Rio Bravo, Valle Hermoso, and Matamoros. Two state officials, the Secretary of Social Development Pedro Hernandez and Asst. Environmental Secretary and BECC Advisor Arturo Sepulveda were also part of the tour and made several field visits. During the meetings infrastructure needs were identified and definite actions were determined in order to address the problems being faced by these communities.

The following highlights some of the project development initiatives:

1. A water supply project for Nuevo Laredo consisting of an expansion of the water treatment plant, construction of elevated tanks, main distribution lines, and wastewater collectors, and repair work to collapses. BECC will help initiate measures to consolidate the operating system (COMAPA). Consultants for the project financial analysis will also be contracted.
2. A preliminary design project for a regional landfill for Ciudad Mier, Miguel Alemán, and Camargo. The study should be concluded by the end of 1996. In 1997, SEDESOL will develop the project design and the funding sources will also be identified.
3. A Master Plan for a water supply and wastewater treatment project will be developed for Nuevo Guerrero, Ciudad Mier, Miguel Alemán, Camargo, and Díaz Ordaz.
4. The best technical options will be identified to clean up the Laguna La Escondida in Reynosa.
5. In coordination with the operating system, a Master Plan for Water Supply and Treatment will be developed for Rio Bravo to determine what the community needs.
6. A comprehensive landfill project for Rio Bravo will be evaluated. The project will include solid waste collection, management, and disposal, as well as service rates, and a recycling program.
7. A Master Plan for Water Supply and Treatment for Matamoros will be developed. The project will facilitate the development of the corresponding project design.
8. A project for a comprehensive water/wastewater facilities maintenance system to benefit the community of Matamoros will be developed.

For more information about the projects, contact Adolfo Urias at (011-52-16) 29-23-95; or e-mail: aurias@cocef.interjuarez.com.

The second annual Día del Río was celebrated on Saturday, October 19^th, at locations across the Rio Grande basin. Sponsored by the Rio Bravo/Rio Grande Basin Coalition, Día del Río symbolizes both a call for action and a celebration of the rich diversity of the region. It also serves to highlight the work of border residents to improve the quality of life along the entire border.

Various activities were conducted for Día del Río on both sides of the river. The BECC participated in activities in Cd. Juarez, with BECC Advisor René Franco spearheading the effort. Together with local Universities and non-profit organizations, the BECC sponsored an information booth at the event. BECC General Manager Roger Frauenfelder participated in the convocation, giving a presentation to event participants. Officials from the City of Juarez were also on hand to talk about two proposed wastewater treatment plants. They had a full-scale model of the proposed facility available for citizens to view. Other activities during the day included storm-drain stenciling, a photo contest, a bicycling ride, petitions for water conservation activities, and elementary school activities, and informational presentations.

Juarez Engineer Francisco Ochoa received the Dia del Rio award for his tireless efforts on behalf of the river. In addition to serving as a City Alderman, the ex-Public Works Director is credited for planning and constructing a system of dikes that prevent flooding and wastewater from spilling into the Rio Bravo. He is also responsible for planning the Chamizal Park in Juarez - a riparian area of the Rio Bravo.

More than 500 people attended the event in Juarez and 10-fold that border-wide. Día del Río activities in other parts of the river included: seed balls (one-half inch diameter models of the living world, which contain the whole potential of an entire ecosystem) in Albuquerque and tree plantings on both sides of the river in the Lower Rio Grande Valley.

The Board of the North American Development Bank will hold its annual public meeting on December 2, 1996 in San Antonio, Texas from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm, at the Plaza San Antonio Hotel, Hidalgo Ballroom, 555 S. Alamo Street, in San Antonio, Texas. For more information, contact Ms. Annie M. Alvarado, NADBank's Community and Government Affairs Officer, at (210) 231-8000.

BECC General Manager Roger Frauenfelder and NADBank Managing Director Alfredo Phillips Olmedo signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two institutions on the draft document released for public review in mid-July. The MOU provides mechanisms for the BECC and NADBank to coordinate respective activities and facilitate joint endeavors. For a copy of the MOU, contact the BECC at (011-52-16) 29-23-95.

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 latter part of September and October. Please note that this listing does not represent any type of BECC staff recommendation concerning the potential for project certification.

• Water and Wastewater Integrated Plan for Doña Ana County, Las Cruces, NM. County-wide water and wastewater integrated plan. Total Est. Cost: To be determined. Contact: Gene Waite, County Manager, Doña Ana County, 430 S. Main St., Rm. 120, County Annex Building, Las Cruces, NM 88001. Tel: (505) 647-7237; Fax: (505) 647-7255. Rec'd: 9/23/96.
• Starr County Water Treatment Plant, (WCID-2), Rio Grande City, Texas. Planning, design and construction of a water treatment plant with automated chemical feed addition, with a total capacity of 4 MGD. Total Est. Cost: US$5.3 million. Contact: Mr. Efrain A. Duran, General Manager, Starr County WCID - 2, 1730 W. Main Street, Rio Grande City, TX 78582. Tel: (210) 487-2702; Fax: (210) 487-8241. Rec'd: 9/24/96.
• Water and Wastewater Integral System, San Luis, Arizona. Integrated plan to identify water and wastewater priorities. Total Est. Cost: To be determined. Contact: Mr. Ford, Director of Public Works, City of San Luis, P.O. Box 3750, San Luis, Arizona, 85349. Tel: (520) 627-8849. Fax: (520) 627-3879. Rec'd: 10/01/96.
• Integral Scheme for Municipal Solid Waste Management for the cities of the Frontera Chica (Small Border) of Tamaulipas including Miguel Alemán, Mier, Camargo, Diaz Ordaz, and Nuevo Cd. Guerrero. Plan includes the overall management, storage, collection, transportation, and final disposal of the municipal solid waste for the Frontera Chica. Total Est. Cost: To be determined. Contact: Lic. Santiago Ariel Gomez S., Mayor, City of Miguel Alemán, Tel: (897) 300-70. Rec'd:10/4/96.
• Canoa Hills Colonia Wastewater Reclamation Facility, Pima County, Tucson, AZ. Wastewater treatment plant with a total capacity of .5 MGD to reach standards suitable for the effluent reuse on local golf course/turf irrigation and aquifer recharge. Total Est. Cost: US$3.5 million. Contact: Kathleen M. Chavez, Division Manager, Pima County Wastewater Management Department, 201 N. Stone Ave, 8^th Floor, Tucson, AZ 85701. Tel: (520) 740-6549; Fax: (520) 620-0135. Rec'd: 10/15/96.
• Green Valley Wastewater Treatment Facility Expansion, Pima County, Tucson, AZ. Design and construction of a parallel 2 MGD Wastewater Treatment Facility next to the existing 2.1 MGD facility. The expansion will utilize an oxidation ditch process to provide secondary treatment. Total Est. Cost: US$7 million. Contact: Kathleen M. Chavez, Division Manager, Pima County Wastewater Management Department, 201 N. Stone Ave, 8^th Floor, Tucson, AZ 85701. Tel: (520) 740-6549; Fax: (520) 620-0135. Rec'd: 10/15/96.
• Wastewater Pumping Station Improvements, Pima County, Tucson, AZ. Design and construction of upgrades to seven existing wastewater pumping stations located throughout the sewerage system. Upgrading will include the addition of telemetry and chemical fee. Total Est. Cost: US$2.5 million. Contact: Glen M. Peterson, Civil Engineer, Pima County Wastewater Management Department. 201 N. Stone Ave, 8^th Floor, Tucson, AZ 85701. Tel: (520) 740-6551; Fax: (520) 620-0135. Rec'd: 10/15/96.
• Modernization of the Water and Wastewater Services of Cd. Valle Hermoso, Tamps. Planning, design, and construction of the facilities needed for the modernization of the water, sewer system, and wastewater treatment services of Cd. Valle Hermoso. Total Est. Cost: To be determined. Contact: CP. Maria Eugenia De León Pérez, Mayor, Municipio de Valle Hermoso, Eduardo Chavez S/N/ Presidencia Mpal., Cd. Valle Hermosos, Tamps. C.P. 87500. Tel: (884) 207-13; Fax: (884) 236-19. Rec'd: 10/21/96
• Municipal Solid Waste Integrated Management Plan for the City of Valle Hermoso, Tamps. The project includes the planning, design and construction of the municipal solid waste system, including storage, transport and the appropriate final disposal. Total Est. Cost: $ To be determined. Contact: CP. Maria Eugenia De León Pérez, Mayor, Municipio de Valle Hermoso, Eduardo Chavez S/N/ Presidencia Mpal., Cd. Valle Hermosos, Tamps. C.P. 87500. Tel: (884) 207-13; Fax: (884) 236-19. Rec'd: 10/21/96.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please feel free to contact Edgardo Tovilla at tel: (011-52-16) 29-23-95; or e-mail: etovilla@cocef.interjuarez.com.