[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 165 (Friday, August 23, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43543-43544]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-21576]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-5558-7]


Availability of Border Environment Cooperation Commission 
Certification Criteria Document

AGENCY: Border Environment Cooperation Commission.

ACTION: Request for public comments on the BECC Certification Criteria 
document.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of the BECC 
Certification Criteria document for public review and comment during 
the special public meeting of the BECC Executive Committee on September 
26, 1996, at the Hotel Lucerna, located at Triunfo de la Republica 
#3976, in Cd. Juarez, Chihuahua.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the BECC on or before 
September 26, 1996. Oral comments may be received on September 26, 
1996, during a special public meeting of the BECC Executive Committee, 
at the Hotel Lucerna, located at Triunfo de la Republica #3976, in Cd. 
Juarez, Chihuahua. To mail comments, receive a copy of the document, or 
for further information contact:

Ms. April Lander, Program Manager--Environment, Border Environment 
Cooperation Commission, P.O. Box 221648, El Paso, Texas 79913; Tel: 
(011-52-16) 29-23-95; Fax: (011-52-16) 29-23-97; E-mail: 
[email protected]
H. Roger Frauenfelder, General Manager, Border Environment Cooperation 
Commission, P.O. Box 221648, El Paso, Texas 79913.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Border Environment Cooperation 
Commission (BECC) is pleased to announce the availability of the 
revised Certification Criteria for public review and comment. The 
Criteria were first adopted by the BECC Board of Directors following an 
extensive public review and comment process in August 1995.
    The changes in the revised document from its original, community-
tested version reflect the knowledge gained from a year's operating 
experience. The BECC has already incorporated suggestions from the 
border municipalities and states, project sponsors, non-governmental 
organizations and border residents to streamline the process without 
disturbing the integrity of the document. Furthermore, the format of 
the document has been adjusted to be easier to understand and 
duplication has been eliminated.
    In other areas, the document has been enhanced to include an 
explanation of the project development assistance program, principles 
for private projects, and high sustainability recognition. These new 
programs and policies have strengthened the criteria and will benefit 
communities along the entire border.
    The criteria are utilized by the BECC to evaluate and certify 
environmental infrastructure projects. Eight projects have been 
certified by the BECC Board of Directors using the Criteria to date. 
Projects that are certified by the BECC qualify for financing 
consideration from the North American Development Bank (NADBank), 
BECC's sister institution, and other funding sources.
    To be certified by the Board of Directors, project sponsors must 
comply with general criteria and five specific criteria including: (1) 
environment and human health; (2) technical feasibility; (3) financial 
feasibility; (4) community participation; and (5) sustainable 
development.

Submitting Comments

    The BECC is accepting comments from the public on the revised 
criteria over a 45 day comment period. Written comments must be 
submitted to the BECC on or before September 26, 1996. Oral comments 
may be provided a special public meeting of BECC's Executive Committee 
from 3:00 pm-7:00 pm, on September 26, 1996, at the Hotel Lucerna, 
located at Triunfo de la Republica #3976, in Cd. Juarez, Chihuahua.
    The criteria document will be revised following a review and 
synthesis of the written and oral comments made by the public. It is 
anticipated that the BECC Board of Directors will consider the final 
document for approval during a regular public meeting scheduled for 
October 29, 1996, in Laredo, Texas. The BECC encourages public comments 
to be incorporated directly onto a copy of the document available on a 
computer diskette. The revised criteria document is also available on 
the BECC Home Page: http://cocef.interjuarez.com, or upon request.


[[Page 43544]]


    Dated: August 12, 1996.
H. Roger Frauenfelder,
General Manager.
[FR Doc. 96-21576 Filed 8-22-96; 8:45 am]
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