EPA Committee issues report on ecological restoration.
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Press Release Summary:
Good Neighbor Environmental Board issued 16th annual report to the president, which examines environmental degradation in US–Mexico border region and recommends actions to protect and restore border environment. Some recommendations include: incorporating low-impact infrastructure design and supporting conservation efforts to avoid resource damage; actively engaging local, state, Tribal, and Mexican government partners; and addressing irrigation, wastewater, and other flow management issues.
Original Press Release:
EPA Presidential Advisory Committee Issues Report on Ecological Restoration in the U.S. - Mexico Border Region
WASHINGTON – The Good Neighbor Environmental Board today issued its 16th annual report to the president, which examines environmental degradation in the border region and recommends actions the U.S. federal government can take to protect and restore the border environment. Given the severe impacts on natural resources along the U.S. border with Mexico, the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) requested that the Board focus its report on ecological restoration.
The Board is an independent federal advisory committee that develops recommendations to the president on U.S. - Mexico border environment and infrastructure issues. The report, “Ecological Restoration in the U.S. - Mexico Border Region,” was accepted by CEQ on behalf of President Obama.
“The rapid population growth of the region and current environmental conditions in the arid borderlands means we need to build even further on the excellent binational, U.S. federal, Tribal, state and local efforts to resolve environmental degradation,” said Board Chairman Diane Austin. “A more comprehensive approach to ecological restoration throughout the border region will incorporate new, pragmatic initiatives that improve coordination among U.S. agencies and activate engagement among local, state, Tribal and national collaborators on both sides of the international border.”
The report recommends specific federal actions to develop a more comprehensive approach to ecological restoration in the border region. These include:
Incorporating low-impact infrastructure design and supporting conservation efforts to avoid resource damage;
Promoting existing federal ecological restoration programs and projects;
Actively engaging local, state, Tribal and Mexican government partners; and
Addressing irrigation, wastewater, and other flow management issues involving national and binational waters Â
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency manages the Board’s activities. Board members include representatives from federal government departments and agencies; state, local and tribal governments in the border region; and community development, academic, health, environmental and other non-governmental organizations.
The Good Neighbor Environmental Board’s 16th report is online at http://www2.epa.gov/faca/good-neighbor-environmental-board-gneb-reports-president-united-states.
For more information on the Board, go to http://www2.epa.gov/faca/gnebÂ
