U.S.-Mexico pact signed

On Aug. 8, the United States and Mexico agreed to a pact addressing environmental issues along the two countries’ 2,000-mile national border.

The Border 2020 U.S.-Mexico Environmental program agreement—which was signed by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa P. Jackson and Juan Elvira Quesada, Mexico’s secretary for the Environment and Natural Resources—will aim to reduce air, land and water pollution, reduce exposure to chemicals from accidental releases or terrorism, and improve environmental stewardship, according to an EPA press release.

The Border 2012 program connected millions of border households to drinking water and wastewater services and removed 75.5 metric tons of obsolete pesticides from rural areas in California, and the Mexican states of Sonora and Tamaulipas.

“Addressing the environmental issues along the border has long been a priority we share with our colleagues in Mexico,” said Jackson.