BINATIONAL TEXAS - TAMAULIPAS ECONOMIC ALLIANCE APRIL 17, 2007 “TWO STATES, TWO NATIONS, ONE FUTURE- A SHARED VISION OF INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT”

Prepared by: Executive Director, Carlos Yerena BINATIONAL INITIATIVES

Prepared by: Executive Director, Carlos Yerena SHARED BORDER RIO GRANDE RIVER OR RIO BRAVO AS IT IS CALLED IN MEXICO INTERNATIONAL CROSSINGS

Prepared by: Executive Director, Carlos Yerena BORDER FACTS Shared Border The Texas-Mexico border spans four U.S. States, 48 U.S. Counties, and six Mexican States According to figures provided by the International Boundary and Water Commission, the U.S. – Mexico border’s total length is 1,951 miles. It is the most frequently crossed international border in the world, with some 350 million people crossing legally every year.

Prepared by: Executive Director, Carlos Yerena RIO GRANDE RIVER The Rio Grande, or Rio Bravo, as it is called in Mexico, serves as the dividing line of the Texas-Mexico Border. The River courses past some 1.6 million residents of El Paso- Juarez, the largest international community on the Texas- Mexico border and past some 300 maquiladoras. Laredo, the busiest inland port on the U.S. – Mexico border draws 98% of its water from the river. Downstream from Los Dos Laredos is a major international dam, the Falcon Dam. Built in 1953, the dam provides water to both countries. The River flows through the Rio Grande Valley, a metropolitan area with nearly 1.5 million people, including nearby residents of Mexico.

Prepared by: Executive Director, Carlos Yerena INTERNATIONAL BRIDGES AND BORDER CROSSINGS

Prepared by: Executive Director, Carlos Yerena INTERNATIONAL BRIDGES AND CROSSINGS There are a total of 23 points of entry in the Texas – Mexico border. 13 of the 23 points of entry with Mexico are located in the Texas-Tamaulipas border, or 57% of all points of entry with Mexico are located in the Texas-Tamaulipas border. 2 new bridge crossings will be completed within the next 2 years (Donna-Rio Bravo & Mission-Reynosa)

Prepared by: Executive Director, Carlos Yerena AREAS OF CONCERNS Homeland Security Threats Access to potential terrorist Access to drug lords Environmental Threats Rio Grande River The importance of the Rio Grande River is measured in much more than its value in providing our homes and businesses with valuable drinking water. It can also be a detriment to our state and our region if not protected from pollutants and deadly contaminants. Health Threats Avian flu pandemic

Prepared by: Executive Director, Carlos Yerena ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS Pollution and Contamination According to a 1996 assessment of the Rio Grande, state health officials found pesticides in the river near Laredo- Nuevo Laredo and the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Of seven pesticides found in excess of federal levels established to protect human health, three were widely used in homes and gardens, indicating a mix of urban and agricultural pollution sources.

Prepared by: Executive Director, Carlos Yerena ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS Spring of 1998-Thousands of uncontrolled fires in Mexico and Central America created smoke that spread into Texas and caused the first statewide air pollution health alert. These fires were the worst in Mexico in 50 years. The haze was so bad, that it was noticeable not only in Texas, but also in Louisiana. The Mexico fires affected air quality in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, Austin, Corpus Christi, San Antonio, Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, East Texas and parts of West Texas and the Big Bend region.

Prepared by: Executive Director, Carlos Yerena HEALTH CONCERNS Avian Flu Pandemic Avian influenza (“bird flu”) is a contagious animal disease that infects birds and some mammals. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that an estimated 90 million people become sick and 2 million people die in the United States. Our international crossings put us at high risk.

Prepared by: Executive Director, Carlos Yerena “EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES DO NOT TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION PLANNING INITIATIVES, ONLY IMMEDIATE ACTION.” IMPORTANCE OF BINATIONAL INITIATIVE

Prepared by: Executive Director, Carlos Yerena CURRENT INITIATIVES BINATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SUMMIT SPONSORSHIP OF ENVIRONMENTAL SEMINARS DEVELOPMENT AND COORDINATION OF MUTUAL AID AGREEMENTS

BINATIONAL TEXAS - TAMAULIPAS ECONOMIC ALLIANCE APRIL 17, 2007 “TWO STATES, TWO NATIONS, ONE FUTURE- A SHARED VISION OF INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT”