STATEMENT OF THE TEXAS CENTER FOR POLICY STUDIES

At the National Coordinators Meeting of the Border XXI Program

May 12-13, 1999; Ensenada, BCN

The Texas Center for Policy Studies wishes to take this opportunity to express our deep disappointment that Mexico has failed to agree to take part in the BRAVO air quality study for the summer of 1999. We believe that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the National Park Service and the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, as well as citizen organizations in Texas, have gone to great lengths to address all possible concerns raised by Mexico with regard to this study. These agencies and citizen organizations-including TCPS, the Environmental Defense Fund and the Sierra Club-have made it abundantly clear that we are concerned about possible Texas sources that may be affecting air quality in the Big Bend region at certain times of the year by taking several steps within our respective arenas to bring attention to those Texas sources and seek additional data.

Yet, we remain very concerned that the Carbon I/II plants are also a significant contributing source when the wind comes from the southeast (the prevailing wind direction in this area). We disagree that any previous study contains data demonstrating that these plants do not contribute to the documented air quality degradation in the Big Bend/Maderas del Carmen region. The recent monitoring study was-at most-inconclusive with respect to the effects of these plants.

A binational tracer study, the cost of which is being paid by the U.S., is the logical and scientifically sound next step. Mexico's failure to participate in this study, even after initially agreeing to do so, is extremely disappointing. It represents a setback to binational cooperative efforts to protect air quality in this splendid region of the border-a place where good air quality is important not only to protecting public health, but also to maintaining the spectacular vistas that are at the heart of the region's economic development potential (on both sides of the border).

We also express our strong support for the actions of Region 6 of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the National Park Service and the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission. These agencies have made every effort to ensure this important study is conducted and that Mexico's technical concerns were addressed.

We hope Mexico reconsiders its position on this matter and agrees as soon as possible to participate in the tracer study.