BECC Background
The Border Environment Cooperation Commission (BECC) is an international organization created by the Governments of the United States and Mexico under the side agreements to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The purpose of the BECC is to help conserve, protect and enhance the environment in the U.S.-Mexico border region, through the development and certification of environmental infrastructure projects that incorporate innovative sustainability and public participation concepts. Once certified by the BECC, a project may qualify for funding from the North American Development Bank (NADB) or from other sources requiring such certification. The NADB was also established under the same side agreement to NAFTA. Information about NADB’s programs can be found at www.nadb.org.

BECC is authorized to work in an area covering 62 miles (100 km) on the U.S. side of the border, and 186 miles (300 km) on the Mexico side. Its mandate includes projects related to water pollution, wastewater treatment, municipal solid waste management and related matters. Related matters is defined to include hazardous waste, water conservation, hookups to water and sewer systems, and waste reduction and recycling. Projects related to air quality, transportation, clean and efficient energy, and municipal planning and development, including water management, have also been added to the BECC’s mandate.

The BECC's operating budget is funded by contributions from Mexico, through the Secretariat of the Environment and Natural Resources, and from the United States, through both the Department of State and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In addition to its operating budget, the BECC manages the Project Development Assistance Program (PDAP), which is funded with contributions from the United States Environmental Protection Agency. This program allows the BECC to use grant funds to support border communities in the development of their water and wastewater projects.

BECC is governed by a binational Board of Directors, composed of ten members (five from each country), which represents the federal, state and local governments as well as civil society on the border. Day to day operations at BECC are overseen by a general manager and a deputy general manager, one from each country, with the support of a 45–member highly specialized binational staff who oversee the work of dozens of engineering consultants involved in the development of individual projects.

From its gained experience, the BECC possesses a clear understanding of the environmental and human health problems facing more than 12 million people that live in the border region. Limited natural resources, water, air and soil pollution, as well as the lack of strategic planning and adequate development, are all challenges that BECC is helping address in order to secure a good quality of life for all border residents.

The BECC has managed to establish strong partnerships at all levels of government and with the general public. This effort has allowed the BECC to channel necessary resources to support its work and to advance comprehensive and long-term solutions through the development of environmental infrastructure. This unique coordinated approach supported with broad community participation has made the BECC a successful model of international cooperation.
Click here to read the BECC charter