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Frequently Asked Questions on Transboundary Issues: US-Mexico Inland Response to Hazardous Materials Accidents (1997) |
Answers frequently asked questions (FAQ's) concerning emergency response to
hazardous material accidents along the inland border between the United States
and Mexico. Issues addressed in this draft were identified by the NRT Response
Committee's Subcommittee on Transboundary Issues.
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Inland Border Zone
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Cross Border Contingency Plans for U.S.-Mexico Sister Cities (EPA) |
The concept of sister city contingency plans was established in 1983 by the Joint Response Team (JRT). Recognizing that chemical emergencies affect the local community first, JRT members agreed that subsequent planning efforts would be needed for the 28 sister cities – 14 in Mexico and the adjacent 14 in the United States – that could be affected by a major hazardous substance release. The sister city contingency plan program was created to meet that need. Under the Border 2012 Program, a 15th Sister-City Pair or Tri-National Plan was recognized: The Tohono O'Odham Nation, State of Arizona and Sonoyta, Sonora, Mexico. In addition, under the Border 2012 Program, the sister cities of El Paso, Texas and Cuidad Juárez, Chihuahua also included Sunland Park, New Mexico and the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo into the sister-city plan, also becoming a Tri-National Plan.
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U.S.-Mexico Border Program (EPA) |
The Border 2025 Program is the latest environmental program implemented under the 1983 La Paz Agreement and serves as a model of cooperation between the United States and Mexico. The Program supports communities along the U.S.-Mexico border region by improving environmental and health conditions through its initiatives towards clean air, land, water and ensuring communities can effectively respond to emergencies. Goal 4 includes Emergency Preparedness and Response and site visitors may view the Emergency Response Storymap for additional information.
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Maritime/Coastal Border Zone
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Mexico-United States Joint Contingency (MEXUS) Plan (EPA) |
The Joint Contingency Plan between the Secretariat of the Navy of the United Mexican States and the United States Coast Guard Regarding Pollution of the Marine Environment by Discharges of Hydrocarbons and Other Hazardous Substances (MEXUS Plan) promotes a coordinated system for regional preparedness, planning, and response to a pollution incident that could affect the coastal waters or marine environment of the other country by providing a guide that supplements the existing national response system of each country and facilitates joint response at the regional level. The MEXUS Plan is supplemented by two Regional Annexes, MEXUSGULF and MEXUSPAC, which are implemented under the oversight and responsibility of the respective Mexican Navy (SEMAR) Region Commanders and U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) District Commanders. The Regional Annexes provide additional guidance with respect to the communication and coordination processes that must be used on either side of the border.
MEXUSGULF and MEXUSPAC Annexes
The MEXUS Plan’s Gulf of Mexico Regional Annex (MEXUSGULF Annex) and Pacific Regional Annex (MEXUSPAC Annex) compliment the MEXUS Plan. The MEXUS Plan provides standard operational procedures with respect to joint response in case of pollution incidents that may affect the coastal waters or marine environment of the other country. The purpose of each Annex is to augment the MEXUS Plan with regional details.
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External Links
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Mexican Navy's Marine Environmental Protection - Secretaria De Marina’s DIGAOHM Marine Environmental Protection Directorate (PROMAM) (External Link) |
The Protección al Medio Ambiente Marino (PROMAM) advises the Command on the technical and administrative aspects of the Mexican Navy's participation in international programs, agreements, and conventions related to marine environmental pollution. PROMAM organizes and evaluates the development of programs for the prevention, control, and combating of marine environmental pollution.
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