This cooperative agreement will support the border environment infrastructure fund (beif)

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded a $13,169,453 Cooperative Agreement under the Congressionally Mandated Projects (CFDA #66.202) program to the North American Development Bank (NADB) to support the Border Environment Infrastructure Fund (BEIF). The BEIF program provides funding for the planning, design, and implementation of community water and wastewater infrastructure projects within 100 kilometers of the U.S.-Mexico border. The activities funded include engineering studies, environmental documentation, final design, construction management, and the actual construction of high-priority wastewater collection systems, rehabilitation of existing pipes and lift stations, and expansion of wastewater treatment plants. These infrastructure improvements are intended to protect public health and the environment by addressing water quality issues in the border region. NADB will administer the grant funds and coordinate with local, state, and federal agencies in both the U.S. and Mexico to oversee the successful completion of these water and wastewater projects.

This program provides funds for implementation, planning, and design of community water and wastewater infrastructure projects within 100 kilometers north and south of the US-mexico border and for administrative and other costs related to the development oversight of these projects. Beif funds will be used to support projects that serve a single community or regional approaches that serve multiple communities and/or outlying areas. This assistance agreement provides full federal funding in the amount of $13,169,453.activities:the activities performed will provide construction assistance to eligible potable water and wastewater infrastructure projects that receive nadb environmental certification. The EPA funds will also support nadb's expenses related to administration, reporting, and evaluation of beif program activities. The project activities include administration of grant funds, development of scope of work, workplans coordination of local, state and federal agencies in U.S. And mexico, procurement management and administration of consultants, review of deliverables, supervision of project performance; all in support of the development of facility plans, engineering studies, detailed design, value engineering, environmental documents, plans, bid packages, construction management, supervision, and construction of high priority wastewater infrastructure and associated projects in the US mexico border region. These projects will protect public health and the environment and improve water quality in the area through the improvements of existing and provision of new water/wastewater infrastructure. Subrecipient:construction of wastewater infrastructure (wastewater treatment plant upgrades, new wastewater collection systems, rehabilitated wastewater collectors).outcomes:the specific project deliverables to be funded through this cooperative agreement include construction and engineering design, analysis of technical, and certification of water infrastructure projects, which upon implementation, will help water quality issues that affect the environment and public health in the border region. These projects include waste water collection systems, rehabilitation of existing pipes, manholes, and lift stations along with waste water treatment plant expansion. The project objectives are to improve water quality and to protect public health and the environment by developing and implementing waster/wastewater infrastructure in the U.S.- mexico border region.