SAN FRANCISCO,CA

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded approximately $125,000in grants to five border communities working to resolve environmental problemsalong the U.S./Mexico border. The grants went to those communities whoseprojects demonstrated sustainable development and whose efforts promoteimprovements in environmental health, risk reduction, hazardous and solidwaste reduction, recycling and water conservation at the local and regionallevel. The program strongly encourages partnering with community members,businesses, and government agencies to work cooperatively to identify anddevelop innovative and effective projects.

"These projects recognize that community involvement can make apowerful difference in the lives of people," said Felicia Marcus, EPA'sregional administrator. "The recipients are addressing many of theborders' environmental problems through their creativity and teamwork; andby supporting them, it helps us in our own work to improve the quality oflife and the environment along the border."

The five recipients of the grants are located in the border communitiesof Arizona and California and include the communities of Yuma, Ambos Nogales,Douglas/Agua Prieta, Ambos Nacos and Mexicali/Calexico, and the Lower Coloradoand River Basin Region.