Group Meets to Help Enhance

DALLAS - (Feb. 10, 2016) The Good Neighbor Environmental Board (GNEB), recently hosted a meeting to discuss recommendations for environmental infrastructure needs along the U.S.-Mexico Border. The meeting focused on a number of challenges facing the region to include the outlook of the Rio Grande River and on-going resiliency efforts.

"The border region, like many communities throughout the country, has health problems that can be linked to environmental pollution," said Regional Administrator Ron Curry. "Bringing together local leaders, state and federal partners, and local citizens will help us assure families in the border communities can be safe where they live and play."

GNEB is an independent Presidential advisory committee managed by EPA. The group presents a yearly report to the President's environmental advisory group, the Council on Environmental Quality. The Board does not carry out any specific border programs, but, advises and analyzes problems the border region faces.

GNEB Chair Paul Ganster emphasized that "the meetings in Brownsville and interaction with local officials and community members helped the Board clearly understand the regional environmental challenges that the region faces." At the same time, he noted, "Board members from other regions along the border with Mexico and from Washington, D.C., gained a new appreciation of the unique nature of the Lower Rio Grande Valley."

GNEB members include representatives from all 4 U.S. border states as well as 9 federal agencies. Border state representatives include senior officials in business and industry, state and local government, non-profit groups, tribes and the academic community. Each year, the Board meets several times in different communities along the U.S. side of the border. Members also have extensive networks across the border that includes families, friends and professional contacts.

More on Good Neighbor Environmental Board: http://www.epa.gov/faca/gneb

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Activities in E.P.A. Region 6: http://www2.epa.gov/aboutepa/epa-region-6-south-central

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