Governors eye border issues: immigration, environment given renewed attention.

The U.S.-Mexico Border Governors organization held its conference in Santa Fe, N.M., on Aug. 9-10. The 10 Governors from the four U.S. and six Mexican Border States attended with their Cabinet teams to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Nafta and to engage in substantive discussions impacting commerce and quality of life in the border region.

The conference commenced with a Nafta forum that assessed, among other issues, post-9/11 challenges and unmet commitments along the border. The panelists included former U.S. Ambassador to Mexico James Jones, and Professor Sydney Weintraub of the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington D.C.

The following is a summary of the topics addressed in the work table discussions:

* Agriculture: Natural or terrorist threats to the agriculture industry; animal and plant pests and diseases; and quality assurance measures.

* Border Crossings: US VISIT program; traffic engineering, and FAST and SENTRI programs.

* Energy: State of the Border reports; renewable energy and efficiency; and electrical power plant prototypes.

* Environment: Environmental management systems; identifying health risks for children; and ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel.

* Health: Regional public health strategies; planning and readiness assessment; and education and training.

* Tourism: Integrated publicity programs; multi-state websites; and cross-border tourism and security.

IMMIGRATION 

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security decided to expand the time restriction on border-crossing cards that are used by Mexicans to enter the United States for temporary visits. Current rules limit the border crossing cardholder to visits of up to 72 hours within the border zone (defined as 25 miles from the border in Texas, New Mexico and California, and 75 miles from the border in Arizona). The change will extend the time limit to 30 days for the border-crossing cardholders. There will not be any change in the geographic limitations. This will be of a significant commercial benefit for the border communities in the United States, as well as recognition that the individuals who have the border-crossing cards have already gone through a background check, a fingerprint check and a security check, said U.S. Homeland Security officials.

ENVIRONMENT

Now in its 9th year of operations, the Border Environmental Cooperation Commission has certified its 100th project, demonstrating the organization's clear commitment toward addressing environmental infrastructure problems on the U.S.-Mexico border. The certified projects, which have been developed in accordance with innovative sustainability and public participation principles, represent a total construction investment of approximately US$2.33 billion.

Of the certified projects, 68 are located in the United States and 32 in Mexico; 65 are related to water and wastewater services, 11 to municipal solid waste management, 21 to water conservation and three to air quality improvements.

The Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) recently marked its 10th anniversary with the adoption of the Puebla Declaration, charting the next decade of environmental cooperation among Canada, Mexico and the United States. The Puebla Declaration reaffirms the three governments' commitment to the CEC and outlines three priority areas to guide the next decade of collaboration to protect and enhance the North American environment. The declaration's priorities are improved environmental information to support decision making, capacity building emphasizing strengthened environmental management in Mexico, and further understanding of trade and environment linkages.

Edward M. Ranger is the only U.S. environmental lawyer licensed in Mexico and may be contacted at: [e-mail]