January 16, 2009, Good Neighbor Environmental Board (GNEB) Teleconference Minutes 1

Good Neighbor Environmental Board (GNEB) 

January 16, 2009 

1:00 - 2:00 p.m. 

Teleconference Summary 

Mark Joyce, GNEB Designated Federal Officer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 

introduced GNEB Chair Dr. Paul Ganster, who thanked everyone who had contributed to the 

GNEB Twelfth Report. Dr. Ganster explained that the purpose of the call was to review and 

approve the current draft of the report. The GNEB’s focus should be on substantive instead of 

editorial issues, because the language will be edited. If there are specific passages or language 

that any agency believes needs modification, please inform the GNEB at this time. It may 

become necessary to appoint a few Board members to work on changes and determine 

acceptable language, but if the GNEB can approve the idea under consideration, the task can be 

completed without a need for further discussion by the Board. 

Ann-Marie Gantner, EPA, will be responsible for organizing the illustrations for the report, and 

will send requests and instructions to the GNEB members. Members also should submit a list of 

people who helped with the report for inclusion in the note of thanks that will be placed at the 

end of the report. 

During the call, Board members will review the document and discuss substantive changes and 

comments. There is, for the most part, agreement that the recommendations reflect points raised 

throughout the body of the report and in the case studies. The GNEB should not go off target 

with new recommendations that are not linked to the case studies and other material. Any 

changes made must be consistent throughout the document. Specific corrections and comments 

should be sent to Dr. Ganster and Mary Spock, The Scientific Consulting Group, Inc., who will 

edit the document. 

Discussion of the Inside Cover: About the Board 

Dr. Ganster noted that this text has been used before, and aside from updating, it should not 

require revision. There were no comments from call participants. 

Discussion of the Tribute to Carlos Marin 

Dr. Ganster stated that the tribute would be located prominently at the beginning of the report, 

and would include a photograph of Mr. Marin. A statement that the report is “dedicated to our 

colleague, Carlos Marin,” should be added. There were no comments from call participants. 

Discussion of the Executive Summary 

Dr. Ganster suggested an addition to the bullet on wind power, adding “windpower to address 

regional and clean, reliable energy demand.” 

Discussion of the Recommendations 

Dr. Ganster thanked everyone who worked on the recommendations, and thanked GNEB 

members and call participants for their willingness to compromise on language that may not be 

perfect, but is sufficient to express the desired meaning. This is necessary with the Board’s 

consensus approach. 
January 16, 2009, Good Neighbor Environmental Board (GNEB) Teleconference Minutes 2

Hans Huth, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), noted that the comment that 

ADEQ submitted was too specific and not reflected in the case study, so it was withdrawn. He 

offered one edit in the recommendations: in the statement “local binational Border 2012 task 

forces that include all stakeholders and build participation, transborder networking and regional 

capacity,” capacity should change to capacity building. That would address the omission that 

caused concern for ADEQ. Dr. Ganster agreed that the change made sense and should be made. 

Jose Garcia, EPA Region 9, noted that he had submitted comments on the first recommendation, 

but was not sure if the Board had received them. He inserted a sentence after “subsidies” stating 

that this approach should support the recent recommendations from the 2008 Border Governors 

Conference. Dr. Ganster explained that there was not much discussion of the 2008 Border 

Governors Conference in the body of the report, so the change was not included. Mr. Garcia 

thanked the Board for considering the recommendation. 

Discussion of the Introduction 

In the two tables relating to the case study key elements, Mr. Huth noted an opportunity to add 

“capacity building” as a third point after “financing that allows for innovation and problem 

solving.” Dr. Ganster agreed with the change. Additionally, Mr. Huth stated that there needs to 

be a mechanism by which other municipalities can tap into the work that is being highlighted by 

this report and learn the technologies that are used. If financing can be made available to act as a 

catalyst toward that goal, it would be valuable. Dr. Ganster agreed that it would increase the 

sustainability of the useful projects highlighted. 

Discussion of the Border Context Section 

Dr. Ganster noted that in the second paragraph, the statement “paradoxically, the border counties 

show significant asymmetries when compared to the rest of the United States,” should include 

the following: “with the exception of San Diego County,” which is notable for its large economy 

and high per capita income. This distinction is raised in the text box. Mike Connolly, Campo 

Kumeyaay Nation, held that this fact only was true along the coast: the rural half of San Diego 

County is one of the poorest border areas. Dr. Ganster agreed, but explained that county-level 

statistics folded all the regions together. Mr. Joyce noted that in the text box on the border region 

as the 51st state, San Diego should either be included or excluded instead of included or 

excluded from bullet-to-bullet. Dr. Ganster explained that the point of the box is to illustrate that 

the border is a poor region compared to the rest of the United States, but this point can be 

reexamined if everyone agrees. 

Discussion of the Case Studies 

The Summary section at the end of each of the case studies has been changed to Conclusions. 

Specific references and footnotes are included with the case studies, as are the “Points to 

Consider” but the “Key Partners” and “Contact Information” have been moved to the 

Appendices because they interfered with the flow of the text. This way, the information is still 

accessible to interested readers. This change was discussed at the last call. 

Paul Moinester, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), noted that Linda Lawson, DOT, who 

was not present on the call, was concerned that the results of the case studies are not clearly 

noted for readers who may be skimming the text. He had noticed that the Points to Consider 
January 16, 2009, Good Neighbor Environmental Board (GNEB) Teleconference Minutes 3

section was expanded, and contains some of that information, but Ms. Lawson wanted the results 

of the specific case studies clearly visible. Ann Marie Wolf, Sonora Environmental Research 

Institute, Inc., noted that she and Dr. Austin moved some of the case study results into the key 

points based on Ms. Lawson’s comments. Dr. Ganster added that some of the changes were quite 

minor, but altered the content. Time does not allow for changes to be made in every case study. 

The results of the case studies are clear, although they might not be as accessible as possible, 

they are emphasized in the key points. Unless the GNEB receives specific recommendations, 

changes cannot be made at this point in the report. He asked that anyone with specific 

suggestions for additions to the key points send them in. If the comments do not alter the tenor 

and content of the report, they can be included without consulting the Board. 

In the study on fibrous concrete, Dr. Ganster had a question about whether it was fibrous 

concrete bricks or blocks that were produced. The study was written by Diane Austin, University 

of Arizona, who was not present on this call. 

For the scrap tire cleanup study, Allyson Siwik, Gila Resources Information Project, submitted 

comments in tracked changes, but these were not included in the most recent draft. She noted 

that she would resend them. 

There were no comments or questions on the Upper San Pedro Partnership study. 

In the Kay Bailey Hutchison Desalination Plant study, Sally Spener, International Boundary and 

Water Commission, indicated that she had some corrections that she would resend. Ms. Wolf 

submitted a comment that was not addressed, and noted that she would resend it. Mr. Joyce 

noted that any clarifications that should go to Ms. Spock with a copy to Dr. Ganster. Dr. Ganster 

noted that if he or Ms. Spock had questions on the comments, they would contact the person who 

submitted them. Ms. Spener submitted figures for the Fort Bliss population as of 2008. These 

numbers are categorized by troops, troops and family, and others living on the base. 

In the study on the Brawley and Imperial wetlands, Ms. Spener sent revised text on the New 

River Wetlands project to clarify the issue of the Alamo River. Most of this was included in the 

new draft, but all of the changes were not addressed, so she planned to resubmit them. She added 

that she also would submit contact information on the New River wetlands and desalination 

study. Dr. Ganster asked if Ms. Spener would clarify that the Alamo River is not involved in the 

wetlands discussed in the report. Ms. Spener replied it is not. He added that EPA input on this 

study was helpful. He also spoke with a San Diego State University researcher who has been 

working on the selenium issue in the wetlands, who agreed that the Board’s modifications to the 

text convey the point that it is a very successful effort in terms of cleaning up the water with the 

exception of selenium, which does accumulate, and this will have to be clarified by additional 

research and experimentation. Ms. Spener added that the point also had been made in the 

research. 

Ms. Wolf noted that she had spoken with Dr. Austin regarding the Bahía Grande case study, and 

she was concerned that GNEB member John Wood, Cameron County, Texas Commissioner, had 

not reviewed the section. Dr. Ganster said he would send the section to Mr. Wood and ask him if 

any corrections were necessary. 
January 16, 2009, Good Neighbor Environmental Board (GNEB) Teleconference Minutes 4

Dr. Ganster had asked Alan Sweedler, San Diego State University, to review the Campo 

Kumeyaay case study. Dr. Sweedler had presented to the GNEB on border energy at its meeting 

in Calexico, and he thought that the section was well written. This shows that the GNEB is on 

target. With Mike Connolly, Campo Kumeyaay Nation, involved in writing the study, there was 

sufficient expertise to craft an excellent study. 

There were no comments or questions on the CETYS University Master’s Degree program. 

Dr. Ganster has added quite a bit of material to the transboundary emissions case study in 

response to some of the questions received, including specific data about the effect of the new 

kiln design on various pollutants from El Paso Electric Company and Texas Commission on 

Environmental Quality studies. Ms. Wolf stated that GNEB member Steve Niemeyer had 

submitted some comments on this case study in response to EPA’s comments. Dr. Ganster 

responded that he had received them and incorporated them into changes sent to Ms. Spock; they 

are included in the most recent draft. Ms. Wolf added that she and Mr. Niemeyer both were 

concerned about the change in tone in the case study. Dr. Ganster believed that the changes made 

should correct the problem. 

There were no comments or questions on the Joint Advisory Committee case study. 

Ms. Wolf will forward one small correction on the CASA case study. 

There were no comments or questions on the new spray gun case study. 

Mr. Huth noted that in the waste-based biodiesel study, one key point states “sufficient waste 

vegetable oil for biodiesel production is generated in cafeterias and restaurants on both sides of 

the Arizona-Sonora border, and maquiladoras in Sonora.” Mr. Huth will provide some specific 

numbers and a reference to this further down in the report. The GNEB should consider 

eliminating that bullet and replacing it with: “use of biodiesel generated from waste vegetable oil 

characterized to date could potentially offset close to 200 tons of CO2 per year that would 

otherwise be released from fossil sources.” This provides a metric, and also mentions climate 

change, which is a priority for the incoming administration. Ms. Wolf noted that Dr. Austin 

objected to that change, so Mr. Huth will need to discuss it with her because there is a debate on 

whether the waste is being produced or not. Mr. Huth noted that biodiesel does generate CO2, but 

it is recycling atmospheric CO2 versus releasing CO2 stored underground. He added that he 

would contact Dr. Austin because this fact is a benefit in using waste products for fuel 

production. Dr. Ganster proposed that the GNEB approve the decision that Mr. Huth and Dr. 

Austin make regarding this point; there were no objections. 

Regarding the key partners and contact information, Dr. Ganster noted that those members 

familiar with the case studies should review the lists to ensure that they are accurate and include 

all relevant parties. Members should send any additions or changes to Ms. Spock. 

Closing Remarks and Logistics 
January 16, 2009, Good Neighbor Environmental Board (GNEB) Teleconference Minutes 5

Dr. Ganster apologized for the fact that the report process was running late this year due to some 

staff turnovers. However, he was confident that the report would be ready for the March GNEB 

meeting in Washington, DC. He noted that Ms. Gantner would contact GNEB members the 

following week regarding travel plans for the meeting. Ms. Gantner added that she also would 

contact members about an updated membership roster for the report. 

There were no further comments from GNEB members or call participants. Dr. Ganster thanked 

the members for the tremendous amount of effort they put into the report, in particular Ms. Wolf 

and Dr. Austin, Ms. Spener, Mr. Niemeyer, Ms. Siwik, and staff from EPA, DOT, and the state 

departments of environmental quality. 

Mr. Joyce also thanked those who contributed to the report, noting that although the process was 

delayed for a number of reasons, the report is on schedule to be completed for the March GNEB 

meeting. 

Action Items 

• Ms. Ganter will send the following e-mails to GNEB members: requests and instructions for 

illustrations for the report, requests for updated membership roster information, requests for a 

list of people who helped with the report for inclusion in the note of thanks, and information 

for travel plans for the March 2009 GNEB meeting in Washington, DC. 

• GNEB members should send specific corrections and comments on the report to Dr. Ganster 

and Ms. Spock. 

• Ms. Wolf, Ms. Spener, and Ms. Siwik will resend comments that were not addressed in the 

most current draft of the report. 

• Mr. Huth and Dr. Austin will discuss the key points in the waste biodiesel case study and 

decide what will be included.

• Dr. Ganster will ensure that GNEB member John Wood reviews the Bahía Grande case 

study, and that his changes and comments are incorporated. 
January 16, 2009, Good Neighbor Environmental Board (GNEB) Teleconference Minutes 6

PARTICIPANTS

NONGOVERNMENTAL, STATE, LOCAL, OR TRIBAL MEMBERS 

Chair

Paul Ganster, Ph.D. 

Director 

Institute for Regional Studies of the Californias 

Associate Director, International Programs 

San Diego State University 

5500 Campanile Drive, AL-377 

San Diego, CA 92182-4403 

Telephone: 619-594-5423 

E-mail: pganster@mail.sdsu.edu

Jerry C. Agan 

Presidio County Judge 

Presidio County Commissioners Court 

PO Box 606 

Marfa, TX 79843 

Telephone: 432-729-4452 

Fax: 432-295-0307 

E-mail: eljuez@sbcglobal.net 

Mike L. Connolly 

Campo Kumeyaay Nation 

1600 Buckman Springs Road 

Campo, CA 91908 

Telephone: 619-478-2177 

E-mail: tipaay@aol.com 

Michael P. Dorsey 

Chief 

Community Health Division 

County of San Diego 

San Diego Department of Environmental Health 

9325 Hazard Way 

San Diego, CA 92123-1217 

Telephone: 619-338-2395 

E-mail: michael.dorsey@sdcounty.ca.gov

Edward Elbrock 

Malpai Borderlands Group 

PO Box 25 

Animas, NM 88020 

Telephone: 575-548-2270 

E-mail: elbrock@vtc.net 

Hans Huth (substitute for Susan Keith) 

Border Programs Coordinator 

Southern Regional Office 

Arizona Department of Environmental Quality 

400 W Congress, Suite 433 

Tuczon, AZ 85701 

Telephone: 520-628-6711 

E-mail: huth.hans@azdeq.gov 

Patti Krebs 

Executive Director 

Industrial Environmental Association 

701 B Street, Suite 1040 

San Diego, CA 92101 

Telephone: 619-544-9684 

E-mail: iea@iea.sdcoxmail.com 

Stephen M. Niemeyer, P.E. 

Border Affairs Manager 

Intergovernmental Relations 

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality 

MC-121, P.O. Box 13087 

Austin, TX 78711-3087 

Telephone: 512-239-3606 

E-mail: sniemeye@tceq.state.tx.us

Luis E. Ramirez Thomas, M.S.F.S. 

President 

Ramirez Advisors Inter-National 

20118 N 67th Avenue, Suite 300-171 

Glendale, AZ 85308 

Telephone: 602-820-3931 

E-mail: ramirezadvisors@cox.net 

Allyson Siwik 

Executive Director 

Gila Resources Information Project 

305A N Cooper Street 

Silver City, NM 88061 

Telephone: 505-388-4350 

E-mail: asiwik@zianet.com
January 16, 2009, Good Neighbor Environmental Board (GNEB) Teleconference Minutes 7

Marissa Stone 

Communications Director 

New Mexico Environment Department 

1190 St. Francis Drive, Suite N4050 

Santa Fe, NM 87505 

Telephone: 505/827-0314 

E-mail: marissa.stone@state.nm.us 

Ann Marie A. Wolf 

President 

Sonora Environmental Research Institute, Inc.

3202 E Grant Road 

Tucson, AZ 85716 

Telephone: 505-827-0314 

E-mail: aawolf@seriaz.org 

DESIGNATED FEDERAL OFFICER 

Mark Joyce 

Designated Federal Officer 

Good Neighbor Environmental Board 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

Office of Cooperative Environmental 

Management 

1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW 

Mail Code: 1601-M 

Washington, DC 20460 

Telephone: 202-564-2130 

E-mail: joyce.mark@epa.gov

RESOURCE SPECIALISTS 

Sylvia Grijalva 

U.S.-Mexico Border Planning Coordinator 

Federal Highway Administration 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

4000 N Central Avenue, Suite 1500 

Phoenix, AZ 85012 

E-mail: sylvia.grijalva@dot.gov 

Christina Machion Quilaqueo

Program Analyst 

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban 

Development 

451 Seventh Street, SW, Room 8112

Washington, DC 20410 

Telephone: 202-708-0770 

E-mail: christina.machionquilaqueo@hud.gov

Paul Moinester 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

Telephone: 202-236-8112 

E-mail: paul.moinester@dot.gov 

Ross Pumfrey

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality 

IGR/Border Affairs 

P.O. Box 13087 

Austin, TX 78711-3087 

Telephone: 512- 239-6132 

E-mail: rpumfrey@tceq.state.tx.us

Andrew R. Slaten 

Deputy Director 

Office of International Affairs 

Federal Emergency Management Agency 

500 C Street, SW 

Washington, DC 20472 

E-mail: andrew.slaten@dhs.gov 

Sally Spener

Public Affairs Officer 

International Boundary and Water Commission 

4171 N Mesa, Suite C-100 

El Paso, TX 79902 

Telephone: 915-832-4175 

E-mail: sallyspener@ibwc.gov 
January 16, 2009, Good Neighbor Environmental Board (GNEB) Teleconference Minutes 8

EPA Regional Office Contacts

Region 9 

Alhelí Baños-Keener 

U.S.-Mexico Border Specialist 

Region 9 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

610 W. Ash Street, Suite 905 

San Diego, CA 92101 

Telephone: 619-235-4767 

E-mail: banos.alheli@epa.gov

Jose Francisco Garcia 

U.S.-Mexico Border Program Coordinator 

Region 9 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

75 Hawthorne Street, CED-1 

San Francisco, CA 94105 

Telephone: 415-972-3331 

E-mail: garcia.jose@epa.gov

Region 6 Border 

Carlos Rincón, Ph.D. 

Border Office Director 

Region 6 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

4050 Rio Bravo, Suite 100 

El Paso, TX 79902 

Telephone: 915-533-7273 

E-mail: rincon.carlos@epa.gov 

OTHER PARTICIPANTS 

Ann Marie Gantner 

Contractor Intern from The Washington Center 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

Office of Cooperative Environmental 

Management 

1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW 

Mail Code: 1601-M 

Washington, DC 20460 

Telephone: 202-564-4330 

E-mail: gantner.ann-marie@epamail.epa.gov 

Manolo Platin 

Acting Director, Office of the Insurance Advisor 

State and Consumer Services Agency 

915 Capitol Mall, Suite 200 

Sacramento, CA 95814-2719 

Telephone: 916-653-3873 

E-Mail: manolo.platin@scsa.ca.gov 

Jeannine Bakulich 

Special Assistant to the Secretary 

State and Consumer Services Agency 

915 Capitol Mall, Suite 200 

Sacramento, CA 95814-2719 

Telephone: 916-653-4090 

E-mail: jeannine.bakulich@scsa.ca.gov

CONTRACTOR SUPPORT

Mary Spock 

Writer/Editor 

The Scientific Consulting Group, Inc. 

656 Quince Orchard Road, Suite 210 

Gaithersburg, MD 20878 

Telephone: 301-670-4990 

E-mail: mspock@scgcorp.com
January 16, 2009, Good Neighbor Environmental Board (GNEB) Teleconference Minutes 9

These minutes are an accurate description of the matters discussed during this meeting. 

_______________________________________ 

Paul Ganster 

Chair 

Good Neighbor Environmental Board 

The Good Neighbor Environmental Board was created by the Enterprise for the Americas Initiative Act 

of 1992. The Board is responsible for providing advice to the President and Congress on environmental 

and infrastructure issues and needs within the states contiguous to Mexico. The findings and 

recommendations of the Board do not represent the views of the Agency, and this document does not 

represent information approved or disseminated by the Environmental Protection Agency.