[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 112 (Monday, June 12, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30866-30871]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-14343]



=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL 5220-1]


Border Environment Cooperation Commission (BECC) Draft Guidelines 
for Project Submission and Criteria for Project Certification

AGENCY: Border Environment Cooperation Commission (BECC).

ACTION: Request for Public Comment on the BECC Draft Guidelines for 
Project Submission and Criteria for Project Certification.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of the BECC Draft 
Guidelines for Project Submission and Criteria for Project 
Certification for public review and comment.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the BECC on or before July 
14, 1995. Oral comments may be received on July 28, 1995 at the BECC 
Board of Directors Public Meeting in Tijuana, Baja California.To mail 
comments or for further information contact:

April Lander, Environmental Program Manager, Border Environment 
Cooperation Commission, PO Box 221648, El Paso, TX 79913, Phone (011-
52-16) 29-23-95 in Juarez, Mexico. Fax (011-52-16) 29-23-97
H. Roger Frauenfelder, General Manager, Border Environment Cooperation 
Commission, PO Box 221648, El Paso, TX 79913

    Dated: June 2, 1995.
April Lander,
Acting General Manager.

Draft--Border Environment Cooperation Commission Guidelines for Project 
Submission and Criteria for Project Certification

I. Authority

    These guidelines and criteria are adopted under the authority of 
the November 1993 Agreement Between the Government of the United States 
of America (U.S.) and the Government of the United Mexican States 
(Mexico) Concerning the Establishment of a Border Environment 
Cooperation Commission (BECC) and a North American Development Bank 
(NADBank) which authorizes the BECC Board of Directors (Board) to adopt 
rules, guidelines, and criteria as may be necessary or appropriate to 
conduct BECC business.

II. Program Purpose

    The BECC was created in parallel with the North American Free Trade 
Agreement (NAFTA) as a binational institution to promote cooperation in 
achieving sustainable development for the well-being of present and 
future generations through the preservation, protection, and 
enhancement of the environment along the United States and Mexican 
border.

III. Program Scope

    The BECC will work with states and localities, other public 
entities, and private investors, to develop effective solutions to 
environmental problems in the border region. The BECC may (1) assist 
with the planning, design, construction management, operations and 
maintenance phases of environmental infrastructure projects; (2) assess 
the technical and financial feasibility of projects, (3) evaluate 
social, environmental, and economic impacts of projects; (4) assist 
with public and private financing for projects; (5) provide technical 
assistance to applicants in development of proposals, project 
feasibility planning, engineering design, and environmental 
assessments; (6) assist with the development of a comprehensive public 
outreach and participation plan, and (7) certify projects for financing 
by the NADBank or other sources.
    Projects located within 100 km (62 miles) on either side of the 
U.S./Mexico border may be considered for certification. Projects 
outside this region may be considered for certification if the BECC, 
with concurrence of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the 
Mexican Secretaria de Desarrollo Social, find the project would remedy 
an environmental or health problem within the 100 km (62 mile) area.
    Priority projects will be in the areas of water pollution, 
wastewater treatment, municipal solid waste, and related matters as 
defined by the November 1993 Agreement. Potential water pollution 
projects could include potable water treatment and/or water supply 
systems, water pollution prevention, or projects to improve or restore 
the quality of water resources. Potential wastewater treatment projects 
could include wastewater collection systems, wastewater treatment 
plants, water reuse systems, or systems providing for the beneficial 
use of sludge. Potential municipal solid waste projects could include 
landfills, solid waste collection and disposal, reuse, recycling, or 
waste to energy projects. Related projects include projects 
corresponding to the three priority areas described above.
    The BECC acknowledges the importance of the environmental goals and 
objectives embodied in the following international agreements: 
Agreement on Cooperation for the Protection and Improvement of the 
Environment in the Boarder Area (La Paz Agreements), the North American 
Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and the North American Agreement on 
Environmental Cooperation as well as other treaties undertaken by the 
United States or Mexico.
IV Definition of Terms

    Advisory Council. Advisory Council of the BECC. The Council has 18 
members, 9 from the United States and 9 from Mexico. The Council may 
provide advice to the Board of Directors or the General Manager on 
certification of projects.
    Applicant. States and localities, other public entities, and 
private investors.
    Benefit-Cost Ratio. The ration of total project economic benefits 
to total project costs discounted at a predetermined annual rate, once 
the benefits and costs have been corrected from market distortions.
    Board of Directors. Board of Directors of the BECC. The Board has 
10 directors, 5 from the United States and 5 from Mexico. The Board 
determines general operational and structural policies for the BECC, 
evaluates projects, and certifies qualified projects.
    Cultural Resources. Historical, archeological, and ethnic 
resources.
    Discount Rate. The rate of discount measures how much less a sum of 
money is worth by each year that passes. [[Page 30867]] 
    Environmental Infrastructure Project. A project that will prevent, 
control, or reduce environmental pollutants or contaminants, improve 
the drinking water supply, or protect flora and fauna so as to improve 
human health, promote sustainable development, or contribute to a 
higher quality of life.
    General Manager. General Manager of the BECC.
    Internal Rate of Return. Discount rate that makes the present value 
of a stream of benefits equal to the present value of a stream of 
costs.
    Life Cycle Cost. Cost of the entire project including planning, 
construction, operations and maintenance phases.
    Municipal Solid Waste. Domestic and commercial waste accumulated by 
a community.
    Natural Resources. Flora, fauna, geology, soil, surface water, 
groundwater, wetlands, and air.
    Related Matters. Other environmental issues related to the priority 
areas listed.
    Transfer of Technology. Process in which newer technology developed 
in one location is acquired by another.
    User Fee. Fee paid by each member of the community to finance a new 
facility or public service.
    Wastewater Treatment. Primary, secondary, or tertiary treatment of 
a polluted liquid of diverse composition coming from domestic, 
industrial, commercial, agricultural, livestock waste, or other 
sources.
    Water Pollution. Presence of one or more contaminants in the 
environment which damage or degrade the quality of water resources and 
methods to prevent, reduce, or mitigate such contamination.

V. Technical Assistance Proposal Submission Procedures

    Requests for technical assistance for development of proposals, 
project feasibility planning, and engineering design studies, and 
environmental assessments may be submitted at any time to the General 
Manager with the Step I Project Pre-Proposal Submission Form. Funds for 
technical assistance are limited but staff is available to assist with 
general proposal guidance. The General Manager will give priority to 
communities which have the least available resources for project 
development.

VI. Project Proposal Submission Procedures

A. Preapplication Communication
    Prior to project submission, project originators are highly 
encouraged to meet or communicate with appropriate BECC staff to 
establish fundamental eligibility of the proposed project and to be 
briefed on the two step BECC project submission process and the BECC 
technical assistance program.
B. Step I: Project Pre-Proposal Submission Process
    Step I is a preliminary stage in the project proposal submission 
process to be completed prior to, or in conjunction with, the 
comprehensive project proposal as described in Step II: Project 
Proposal Submission Process. Step I involves completion of a relatively 
simple, straightforward form describing the project's basic parameters. 
These parameters will provide basic administrative information, will be 
used to establish initial project conformance with BECC objectives, and 
may indicate the applicant's need for technical assistance. The Step I: 
Project Pre-Proposal Form may be submitted at any time to the General 
Manager of the BECC.
    The project information requested on Step 1 Form includes the 
project title, project sponsor information, project description, 
project type and location, expected benefits to human health and the 
environment, previous environmental and technical studies, engineering 
technical design, description of environmental assessment, community 
participation and support, estimated project capital costs, estimated 
annual costs, time schedule for each project phase, proposed method and 
sources of project financing, proposed sources of revenue for bank loan 
repayment, and additional information considered pertinent by the 
applicant. The Step I Form is provided in this document.

Border Environment Cooperation Commission Project Pre-Proposal 
Submission Form

(STEP 1)

1. Title of proposed project
2. Project sponsor/s
    Name:
    Address:
    Phone:
    Fax:
    Email:
3. Type of project:
    Wastewater treatment ____ Water pollution/supply ____
    Solid waste management ____ Other related project ____
4. General information
    Impact of the project. Binational ____ National ____
    Number of people directly affected
    Is the project located within 100 km (62 miles) of the United 
States/Mexican border? Yes ____ No ____
    If the project is outside that region, does the project 
significantly impact the border? Yes ____ No ____
    Will the project have a positive environmental benefit to the 
community? Yes ____ No ____
    Does the project comply with local, regional, state, and federal 
laws and regulations? Yes ____ No ____
    Is there a source of revenue to repay loans? Yes ____ No ____
    Is the project widely supported by the community? Yes ____ No 
____
    Is technical assistance needed to complete the application 
process? Yes ____ No ____
5. General description of project
6. Geographic location
7. Expected benefits to human health and the environment
8. Previous environmental assessments and technical feasibility 
studies regarding project development
9. Description of engineering technical design
10. Environmental assessment
    If the project is already in compliance with local, regional, 
state and federal environmental laws and regulations provide a list 
of permits authorized, documents approved, and authorizing agencies.
    Otherwise, describe how the project will comply with appropriate 
regulatory agencies.
    Describe negative short and long-term environmental impacts of 
project
    Describe implication of the no project alternative
    Describe mechanisms to preserve, protect, and enhance 
environmental quality on a sustainable basis
11. Describe community participation and support in project planning
12. Estimated project capital costs (dollars)
    Planning
    Design
    Construction
    Equipment
    Education & training programs
    Public outreach program
    Other
    Total
13. Estimated annual costs (dollars)
    Operation and maintenance
    Equipment replacement
    Other

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   Estimated completion 
   14. Time schedule         Number of months              date         
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Planning...............                                                 
Environmental                                                           
 assessment.                                                            
Site preparation.......                                                 
[[Page 30868]]
                                                                        
Construction...........                                                 
Start up operations....                                                 
------------------------------------------------------------------------

15. Proposed method of project financing. Indicate actual and 
potential sources
16. Proposed sources of revenue for bank loan repayment. Indicate 
user fee system to be used, if any
17. Additional information
C. Step II: Project Proposal Submission Process
    Step II of the project submission process may be completed in 
conjunction with, or subsequent to, completion of the Step I form. Step 
II involves provision of detailed project proposal information to the 
BECC in the following areas (1) general project description, (2) 
environmental assessment, (3) technical feasibility, (4) economic and 
financial feasibility, (5) social aspects, (6) community participation, 
and (7) operation and maintenance. The BECC requests that project 
information be submitted in the same order and using the same 
alphanumeric system as in this document.
    The proposed project must meet fundamental BECC criteria for 
project certification. Beyond the ability of a project to meet 
fundamental BECC criteria, projects will be given additional priority 
ratings using sustainable development evaluation criteria which will 
prioritize projects that meet standards above and beyond fundamental 
criteria. The fundamental and sustainable development criteria are 
indicated for each of the seven sections described above. The process 
is designed to prioritize projects which achieve the BECC objectives to 
promote binational cooperation and to help preserve, protect, and 
enhance the environment.
1. General Description of the Project
Information Requested
    a. Project Originator/s. Provide information for each project 
originator including, lead project manager, main contact for each 
project originator (if applicable), addresses, phone numbers, fax 
numbers, and Email addresses.
    b. Project Location. Describe the geographical location of the 
project and provide a map.
    c. Environmental Issue. Describe the environmental issue to be 
addressed by the project.
    d. Project Alternatives. Describe alternative methods considered to 
solve the environmental issue including the consequences of a no 
project alternative.
    e. Project Justification. Justify the project including aspects 
which make project execution necessary.
    f. Project Strengths and Weaknesses. Discuss project strengths and 
weaknesses and available resources to overcome the weaknesses.
    g. Binational Aspects. Discuss difficulties created by the 
binational scope of the project and how these difficulties might be 
resolved.
Fundamental BECC Criteria
    a. The project must be within 100 km (62 miles) of the U.S./Mexican 
border or has been found by the BECC, in concurrence with the U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency and the Mexican Secretario de 
Desarrollo Social, to remedy a transboundary environmental or health 
issue within the 100 km (62 mile) zone.
Sustainable Development Criteria
    a. National or Binational Project. A binational project will 
receive a higher priority for this criterion than a project which 
affects only one country.
    b. Extent of Local or Regional Environmental Benefit. A project 
which has a higher positive environmental impact at the local and/or 
regional level will be given a higher priority.
    c. Scope of Project Impact. A project which addresses a cross-
border, regional environmental priority will receive a higher priority 
than a project which addresses a regional priority within only one 
country. A project which addresses a local priority in only one country 
will receive a lower priority.
2. Environment
    The goal of BECC is to help preserve, protect, and enhance the 
environment in a sustainable manner in order to improve the quality of 
life in the U.S./Mexico border region. The applicant should ensure that 
all negative environmental impacts of the project have been identified 
and considered in the project evaluation process, that appropriate 
safeguards have been included in the project for unforeseen impacts 
which could cause damage to natural resources, and that projects are in 
compliance with appropriate local, regional, state, and federal 
environmental regulations.
Information Requested
    a. Documentation of Environmental Regulatory Compliance. Project 
originators must coordinate with appropriate local, regional, state, 
and federal agencies to identify all environmental impacts to natural 
and cultural resources as early in the project planning process as 
possible. Documentation of project approval by appropriate regulatory 
organizations must be provided to BECC prior to certification. There 
must be a credible schedule to obtain permits prior to start of 
construction.
    i. Provide a list of all environmental issues affected by project 
development.
    ii. Describe environmental action required, including no action, 
regulatory organization requiring the action, proof of action completed 
or proof of approval for method to complete the action in the future, 
and contact person.
    iii. List required permits, regulatory organization providing 
permit, date permit approved, proof of approval, and contact person.
    iv. Provide copies of all documents submitted to regulatory 
agencies to BECC.
    b. Conformance with Local and Regional Conservation and Development 
Plans. Projects submitted to the BECC must conform with local and 
regional plans.
    i. List applicable local and regional plans, agency with authority, 
and contact person.
    ii. Describe how the project complies with the plans.
    c. Environmental Assessment. Discuss short, medium, and long-term 
impacts on biological diversity, sensitive environmental habitats, and 
human health. Include an analysis of environmental risks, negative and 
positive impacts, mitigation of negative impacts, environmental 
standards and objectives of the affected area, and project alternatives 
including implications of not implementing the project, and appropriate 
additional information which has not already been described in 
documents provided to the BECC.
Fundamental BECC Criteria
    a. Compliance with Applicable Environmental Regulations. All 
projects certified by the BECC must comply with all appropriate 
environmental regulations. Projects which do not comply with 
appropriate environmental regulations cannot be certified.
    b. Conformance with Applicable Local and Regional Plans. All 
projects [[Page 30869]] must conform with applicable local and regional 
plans. Projects which do not conform with local and regional plans will 
not be certified.
    c. Conformance with Applicable International Treaties. Projects 
must comply with applicable international treaties.
    d. Environmental Mitigation. Projects with a major direct negative 
impact with no reasonable actions to mitigate the impact will not be 
certified.
Sustainable Development Criteria
    a. Holistic Approach to Natural Resource Management. Projects which 
adopt a holistic approach to natural resource management and 
environmental protection by watershed, groundwater basin, airshed, land 
use planning, or similar method will receive higher priority. Projects 
addressing a single media within a small area will receive lower 
priority.
    b. Natural Resource Sustainability. Projects which promote natural 
resource sustainability, such as a project which reduces waste at the 
source, uses fewer natural resources, reuses or recycles will receive 
higher priority.
    c. Energy Sources. Projects which use only renewable energy sources 
will receive higher priority. A project which uses a combination of 
renewable energy resources and fossil fuel resources will receive 
medium priority and projects utilizing only fossil fuel resources will 
receive lower priority.
    d. Energy Efficiency. Projects which have stronger energy 
efficiency/conservation measures will receive high priority. Projects 
which do not have efficiency/conservation measures will receive lower 
priority.
    e. Negative Direct Environmental Impact at Project Site. Projects 
which do not create a direct negative impact on natural resources will 
receive higher priority. Projects which have a direct negative impact 
that will be mitigated will receive medium priority and projects which 
have a direct negative impact that will not be mitigated will receive 
lower priority.
    f. Voluntary Environmental Mitigation Enhancement Measures. 
Projects which provide mitigation measures for restoration of degraded 
habitat, biodiversity enhancement, ecosystem preservation, or other 
measures which improve the quality of life for local residents or 
enhance the quality of the local environment such as parks will receive 
higher priority. Projects which provide marginal mitigation measures 
will receive medium priority. Projects which do not offer mitigation 
measures will receive lower priority.
    g. Contamination Reduction. Projects which comprehensively address 
a contamination will receive medium priority, and projects which do not 
reduce contamination will receive lower priority.
    h. Prevention of Contamination at Project Site. A project which has 
a highly effective pollution prevention of reduction program that 
prevents contamination at the project site during construction and 
operation of the project will receive high priority, an acceptable 
pollution prevention or reduction program will receive medium priority, 
and a less effective pollution prevention or reduction program will 
receive lower priority.
    i. Monitoring and Enforcement. Projects with a highly effective 
environmental monitoring and enforcement program will receive higher 
priority. Projects with an acceptable program will receive medium 
priority and a less effective program will receive lower priority.
    j. Human Health Issues. Projects which address critical human 
health needs will receive high priority. Projects which address some 
health needs will receive medium priority and projects which do not 
address health needs will receive lower priority.
3. Technical Feasibility
    BECC will certify projects which use appropriate technology and are 
designed, and will be operated, and maintained in a manner which will 
achieve the project's purpose.
Information Requested
    a. Project Specification. Include technical aspects which justify 
the project, providing the sensitivity analysis and justification of 
the following factors, dependent upon the type of project.
     Water Pollution: Growth analysis, both mid and long range 
for the proposed planning time frame; average daily consumption rate; 
characteristics of the production source, water quality analysis, 
pollution prevention program, transportation, and distribution 
infrastructure; type and capacity of treatment and its efficiencies, 
estimates of design and construction costs, estimated annual operation, 
and maintenance costs; and any other information that will ensure a 
better understanding of the project.
     Wastewater Treatment: Quantity and quality of wastewater 
to be treated; projection of the wastewater volume for the proposed 
life of the project; design of collection system including pumping; 
design of treated wastewater discharge or wastewater reuse systems; 
analysis of treated wastewater quality; sludge treatment analysis and 
system for final disposal of sludge; and any other information that 
will ensure a better understanding of the project.
     Municipal Solid Waste: Projection of amounts of solid 
waste generated by the population for the proposed life of the project; 
areas of collection; description of operation efficiency; type and 
capability of proposed equipment; plan for disposal of household 
hazardous waste; recycling proposals; plan for the expansion, upgrade, 
or closure of landfills; incineration capabilities; composting 
capabilities; energy production capabilities; and any other information 
that will ensure a better understanding of the project.
    b. Technical Process. Use of proven or known effective technologies 
is encouraged. Criteria for selection and justification of the chosen 
technology should be included with emphasis on efficiency of operation. 
Projects that involve the transfer of technology should describe the 
process and projected performance data.
    c. Quality Control Program. Submit the quality control plan for all 
aspects of the project. It should include contractor and equipment 
quality control, personnel training, as well as other quality control 
issues.
    d. Investment Timetable. Submit the project financing plan and the 
required sequence to be followed in order to implement different stages 
of the project. Provide project development with a detailed description 
of stages, and activities necessary to reach the objectives in a timely 
and cost effective manner. Include a bar diagram showing the actions to 
be carried out, an investment schedule, stages of progress, cost and 
source of funds.
Fundamental BECC Criteria
    None.
Sustainable Development Criteria
    a. Transfer of Technology. Projects which transfer technology will 
receive a higher priority.
    b. Level and Type of Technology to be Utilized. Projects which 
utilize proven technology will receive higher priority. Also, a closer 
match between the level of technology used and the ability of the local 
user to operate and maintain the system will result in a higher project 
priority.
    c. Project Life Cycle Cost. Projects which have a lower life cycle 
cost will receive higher priority. Energy intensive systems, systems 
which incorporate high cost technical equipment, systems which require 
frequent maintenance and equipment replacement and that 
[[Page 30870]] require labor intensive operation all tend to be high 
life cycle cost projects.
    d. Ease of Expanding Facilities to Meet Future Services Demands. 
Projects which can be expanded easily to meet future services demands 
will receive higher priority, projects which have restrictions in 
meeting future services demands will receive lower priority.
    e. New Facility, Expansion of Existing Facility, or Rehabilitation 
of Existing Facility. Projects involving construction of new facilities 
will receive higher priority, assuming no facility is currently 
operating to deal with the environmental issue being addressed. 
Projects which expand the capacity of an existing facility or require 
addition of new facilities to existing facilities will receive medium 
priority and projects which rehabilitate existing facilities will 
receive lower priority.
4. Economic and Financial Feasibility
    Economic and financial information will be used to verify the 
viability of proposed projects and assess the economic sustainability 
of the projects.
Information Requested
    Applicants are requested to submit an analysis that shows a 
reasonable internal rate of return and payment capability and the basis 
for the assumptions. Furthermore, the applicant is requested to provide 
the following information:
    a. Analysis of the cash flow, balance sheet, income statement, and 
sources of financing.
    b. Plan to recover the investment and operational and maintenance 
costs. This plan should include an analysis of interest rate and 
anticipated income sources. If a user fee will be used discuss how the 
system will be set up and what assurances there are that users will 
pay.
    c. Sensitivity analysis which compares the result of economic 
factors differing from those assumed in project planning (e.g. 
different interest rates, population growth rates, economic growth 
rates).
    d. Financial statements for a 15 year horizon.
Fundamental BECC Criteria
    a. Benefit/Cost (B/C) Ratio. This ratio is the main indicator of 
the economic feasibility of a project. It measures the proportion of 
benefits to costs. Projects must have a ratio greater than 1 in order 
to be considered for certification.
Sustainable Development Criteria
    a. Relationship Between User Fees and Operating Costs (debt 
coverage). Projects which have a higher projected debt coverage (under 
payments as a percentage of required debt payment) will receive a 
higher priority.
    b. Internal Rate of Return (IRR). The IRR indicates the economic 
feasibility of a project according to its expenditures and recoveries 
program. Projects having a greater IRR will receive higher priority 
than projects with a smaller IRR.
    c. Community Economic Development. Projects which have a highly 
effective plan to promote local economic development such as 
procurement preference for local businesses and products and 
development of local employment and other community economic 
opportunities will receive higher priority. Projects with a plan which 
adequately promotes local economic development will receive medium 
priority and projects with less effective local economic development 
plans will receive lower priority.
    d. Economic Sustainability. Projects should be both environmentally 
and economically sustainable. Projects which are economically 
sustainable over the long-term (e.g. projects which are sustainable 
with locally generated revenue) will receive higher priority. Projects 
which are only economically sustainable on a short-term basis (e.g. 
projects dependent on sources of revenue not reasonably assured for the 
life of the project) will receive lower priority.
5. Social Aspects
    The BECC recognizes the need to assess social aspects which may 
affect the success of a project.
Information Requested
    a. Project Impacts on Local Populations. Provide information on the 
number of people who will directly benefit if the project is 
implemented and the number of people who would be affected directly and 
indirectly if the project is not implemented. Discuss impacts on local 
employment, local economic development, and other local issues.
    b. Project Impacts on Cultural Resources. Provide information on 
the cultural resources impacted by the project, if any.
    c. Characterization of Local Economic Situation. Provide the most 
current information available on the local unemployment rate, the 
average per capital income, and current availability of environmental 
services.
Fundamental BECC Criteria
    a. Compliance with Applicable Cultural Resources Regulations. All 
projects certified by the BECC must comply with all appropriate 
cultural resource regulations.
Sustainable Development Criteria
    a. Size of Benefiting Community. Projects developed by small 
communities with fewer resources to develop projects independently will 
receive higher priority.
    b. Unemployment Rate. Projects benefiting a population with a 
higher unemployment rate will receive higher priority.
    c. Average Per Capita Income. Projects affecting a population with 
a lower per capita income will receive higher priority.
    d. Availability of Services. Projects affecting an area with no 
services (i.e. water, wastewater, electricity) will receive higher 
priority. Projects with partial services will receive medium priority 
and projects which improve existing services will receive lower 
priority.
    e. Creation of Local Employment Opportunities. If most of the jobs 
created by a project are within the border zone the project will 
receive higher priority. Projects which create jobs outside the border 
zone rather than within the border zone will receive lower priority.
    f. Negative Direct Cultural Resource Impact at Project Site. 
Projects which do not create a direct negative impact on cultural 
resources will receive higher priority. Projects which have a direct 
negative impact that will be mitigated will receive medium priority and 
projects which have a direct negative impact that will not be mitigated 
will receive lower priority.
6. Community Participation
    Due to the nature of BECC's mission, community acceptance of a 
project takes on a highly meaningful role. An interactive process has 
been developed to ensure meaningful community participation in the 
project planning and process of developing project proposals. 
Applicants should obtain community approval for a project by 
establishing consensus on the need for project implementation as well 
as for acceptance of user payments for service, operations, and 
maintenance of the proposed project.
Information Requested
    a. Public Expectations. Indicate what the public expects if the 
project is executed. Indicate how the public was involved in the 
project development process and how public priorities were measured. 
For example, media campaigns, mailings, community 
[[Page 30871]] meetings, and educational activities for affected 
citizens of all ages and groups.
Fundamental BECC Criteria
    a. Outreach Program. Projects must have an effective outreach 
program in order to be considered for certification by the Board.
    b. Public Opinion. Projects must be widely accepted by the Public 
as evidenced by comments at public meetings, hearings, and letters 
prior to certification by the Board.
Sustainable Development Criteria
    a. Education Program. Projects which include a highly effective 
environmental education program will receive higher priority. Projects 
which include an adequate environmental education program will receive 
medium priority and projects which include a less effective 
environmental education program will receive lower priority.
    b. Diversity of Community Participants. Projects with strong 
involvement in planning by diverse project sponsors, socioeconomic 
community groups, and individuals will receive higher priority. 
Conversely, projects with little or no diversity will receive lower 
priority.
7. Operation and Maintenance
    It is important to detect and correct any shortcomings in 
operations at an early stage in order to reach planned operations 
efficiency levels as soon as possible.
Information Requested
    a. Start-Up Operation Program. Establish the sequence in which the 
infrastructure's operation will start as well as how any projected 
problems or defects in equipment or workmanship will be identified and 
corrected during the start-up phase.
    b. Contingency Program. Define actions and corrective measures to 
be taken should a contingency program be needed during the start-up 
operations of the project.
    c. Operation and Maintenance Program. A well-defined long-term 
operation and maintenance program is necessary. Describe the system's 
operation and maintenance program to include training and certification 
of operators, training of maintenance personnel, and preparation of 
operation and maintenance instruction material. Also quantify funds 
reserved in project budget to ensure adequate support for operation and 
maintenance program.
    d. Safety Program. An operational safety program should be an 
integral part of the operation and maintenance program.
Fundamental BECC Criteria
    None.
Substainable Development Criteria
    a. Preliminary Operations. Projects which have more effective 
start-up programs will receive higher priority.
    b. Long-term Operation and Maintenance. Projects which have a 
planned and budgeted long-term operation and maintenance program, 
including personnel training, will receive higher priority.
    c. Safety Program. Projects offering a plan for operational safety 
will receive higher priority.

VII. Project Certification

    After review of the proposed project, BECC staff will make a 
determination on whether to recommend certification of the project, 
based on BECC fundamental and sustainable development criteria provided 
in this document, to the BECC Board of Directors. The BECC should be 
involved in local public meetings on the projects under consideration 
prior to certification in order to achieve a higher level of 
appreciation for public support. The Board may consider and certify 
projects during its quarterly public meetings. Projects certified by 
the board will be submitted as a proposal for financing to the NADBank 
or to other sources of funding as appropriate. Project certification 
does not guarantee financing by the NADBank or by other sources.
    Project proposals submitted to the BECC should be delivered to 
either of the following addresses:
    From Mexico:
Apartado Postal
Apartado Postal 3114-J, Cd. Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico
Telefonos
(91-16) 29-2395, 29-2396, 29-2398
Fax
(91-16) 29-2397
Office Location
Blvd. Tomas Fernandez #7940, Torres Campestre, Piso 6, Cd. Juarez, 
Chihuahua, C.P. 32470, Mexico
    From USA:
Post Office Box
P.O. Box 221648, El Paso, TX 79913, USDA
Telephone
(011-52-16) 29-2395, 29-2396, 29-2398,
Fax
(011-52-16) 29-2397

[FR Doc. 95-14343 Filed 6-9-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-M