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$1.2 Million Available for Border Environment Projects

Release Date: 10/9/2003
Contact Information: For more information contact the Office of External Affairs at (214) 665-2200.

      The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is soliciting grant proposals for projects along the border that address objectives of the U.S.-Mexico Border 2012 Program.

      The U.S.-Mexico Border 2012 Program is a new binational 10-year cooperative plan aimed at protecting public health and the environment along the 2,000-mile border region where almost 12 million citizens of both countries live.  The program's objectives are to decrease air, water, waste and soil pollution, and to lower the risks of exposure to pesticides and other chemicals.

      EPA grant funds have been successfully invested in dozens of projects in the United States and Mexico.  For example, the Agua Para Beber program combined a hygiene education and water purification program to help improve the safety of drinking water in the Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, and Laredo, Texas, portion of the U.S./Mexico border.  Health professionals and volunteers helped 500 families learn new skills to reduce health risks.

      To apply, organizations must be located in the United States and can include border states, multi-state/tribal organizations, universities, local governments and non-governmental organizations.

      Pre-proposals must be post-marked by midnight Dec. 31, 2003. Fax and email submissions will not be accepted.  An EPA panel will review the proposals and make final selections by April 1, 2004. Proposals can be mailed to:

            Linda Falk (6PD-P)    
            Region 6 Border 2012 Proposals
            U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
            1445 Ross Ave., Ste. 1200
            Dallas, TX 75202-2733

      For more information on the Border 2012 program and the grant application process, visit www.epa.gov/usmexicoborder.