| PREAMBLE
The Governors of the states of Arizona, California, New Mexico
and Texas of the United States of America, and the Governors of
the states of Baja California, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon,
Sonora and Tamaulipas of the United Mexican States, meeting in the
city of Santa Fe, New Mexico on August 9 and 10, 2004, having analyzed,
in the framework of the XXII Conference of the United States-Mexico
Border Governors, the topics relating to Agriculture, Border Crossings,
Border Security, Economic Development, Education, Energy, Environment,
Health, and Tourism.
WHEREAS
The United States of America and the United Mexican States are
two sovereign and independent nations, each with its own clear identity;
These sovereign nations share a border of nearly two thousand miles,
as well as common values and a vision for the prosperity of the
border region;
The United States-Mexico border region is one of the most dynamic
regions of the world, where the border is not a line that divides
our countries but a bond that unites us and invites us to work together
for mutual benefit;
Current international conditions have magnified the strategic role
of the border region and compelled us to cooperate more fully than
ever with both federal governments to ensure greater security and
efficiency on the border;
The ten states comprising the United States-Mexico border region
have collaborated through the institutionalization of the Border
Governors Conference for over two decades;
The border states, united as never before by common interests and
open dialogue, are determined to seize this opportunity to achieve
unprecedented bilateral cooperation;
The border states reaffirm their commitment to open economies and
social advancement for the benefit of the inhabitants of the region;
The frequent work meetings held between the governments of the
border states have made it possible to establish a mechanism for
ongoing dialogue and consultation, as well as a close working relationship
among the border Governors;
The relationship among the border Governors continues to generate
cooperation between the states, for the prosperity and improvement
of the quality of life for the inhabitants of the region;
We, the border Governors, endorse this Joint Declaration and hereby
adopt the following topics of significant importance toward the development
of the border region:
Agriculture and Farming
- Conduct bi-national workshops to focus on animal and plant pests
and diseases to promote the interchange of educational information/materials
and allow for sharing of best management practices. The ultimate
result will be the development of a set of guidelines that can be
followed for pest and disease management and eradication.
- In response to potential natural or terrorism threats to the agricultural
industries in both countries, specifically on the border, the ten
border state agricultural departments need to redefine how agricultural
production and the entire food supply and food chain are protected
from disruption. In order to do this, a tabletop exercise will be
developed and conducted with participation from all ten border state
agricultural and farming departments.
- Develop acceptable quality assurance measures to be used by producers
and processors alike in both countries. These measures will employ
good agricultural and food processing practices to reduce the risk
of chemical and microbiological contamination of foods in order
to ensure the public is protected from potential illness. A special
task force will also be created to develop an information system
to disseminate timely information to producers and food processing
companies.
Border Crossings
- Share traffic-engineering expertise and information with appropriate
federal agencies to increase trade and maximize the throughput of
vehicles within the federal compounds of border crossings.
- Enhance border security by requesting through appropriate channels
that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) precede the
implementation of the US-Visit Program with an outreach campaign
at border communities, assuring that the program will have minimal
impact on the movement of people.
- Improve the quality of life along the border by: conducting studies
and/or offer technical expertise to help promote the implementation
of the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program; conducting studies
and/or offer technical expertise and/or information to help promote
the implementation of the Secure Electronic Network for Travelers'
Rapid Inspection (SENTRI) program for passenger vehicles and pedestrians
at border crossings where it does not exist, and expedite the issuance,
to less than one month, and extend the validity of the SENTRI cards
for five years where it does exist, similar to NEXUS, a U.S.-Canada
program.
Border Security
- Create liaison units in those border states that do not have them,
with the objective of establishing a platform for coordination and
the exchange of criminal justice information; and establish schemes
for the exchange of data and radio communications interoperability.
- Exchange advanced training courses between law enforcement agencies
to enhance the professionalism of such agencies.
- Participate in joint exercises concerning responses to critical
incidents along the US-Mexico border simulating natural disasters,
weapons of mass destruction incidents and other terrorist acts.
Economic Development
- Identify major industrial clusters and actions necessary for the
border region to become more competitive.
- Strengthen support for small and medium-sized businesses by: lobbying
for additional resources from various authorities (federal and state
governments and related private organizations); improving the administration,
use and application of available resources; searching for common
ground between the Small Business Administration (SBA) on the U.S.
side and the Centers for Small Business Development on the Mexican
side; and identifying organizations that provide support and training
for businesses on both sides of the border.
- Update the BGC Regional Economic Information System (www.cgf-desarrolloeconomico.org)
by adding existing economic development organizations, businesses,
fairs, expositions and events and creating additional economic development
links as designated by each state.
Education
- Establish a Border Education Commission to help analyze, review
and recommend solutions to problems related to the education of
youth along the U.S.-Mexico border area. Specific areas to be addressed
by the Commission would be: 1) education and cultural exchanges;
2) English as a second language; 3) value based education (character
education); 4) safe and healthy schools; 5) education technology;
and 6) adult education and vocational education.
- Support the teaching of English as a Second Language in Mexico's
border state elementary school grades, requesting funds from the
Mexican federal government.
Energy
- Compile "State of Border Energy" reports that identify energy
facilities, policy and regulatory differences relating to infrastructure
development, and future energy needs in the border region.
- Identify opportunities to develop a more sustainable system to
improve energy efficiency, expand the development of renewable energy
resources and alternative transportation fuels, and increase the
use of distributed generation technologies.
- Analyze, with observance of environmental matters, the development
of an electrical power plant prototype that meets all applicable
standards in the border region, a cross-border emissions trading
program and a regional policy to coordinate environmental review
and approval of energy facilities.
Environment
- Promote the use of Environmental Management Systems (EMS) through
a border-wide outreach program to include informational brochures,
the use of agency web sites and the development of a publicity campaign.
The key benefits of an EMS include: improved environmental performance,
competitive advantages, improved compliance, reduced costs, improved
public image, and a systematic approach to meeting environmental
and business goals.
- Promote the use of environmental education tools and the implementation
of research studies aimed at identifying health risks for children
that are correlated to environmental conditions in the border region.
- Promote the availability and use of ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel
in border communities aimed at reducing air pollutants and, thus,
improving air quality in the border region.
Water
- Promote understanding and cooperation through the sharing of experiences
and information as a strategy for the resolution of, and to minimize
the potential for water-related differences which might arise between
countries and/or states in both national and international contexts,
thereby, serving to improve relations among border states. Such
diplomacy practiced among border states could yield numerous benefits
at a bi-national level.
Wildlife
- Improve the capacities for managing and conserving wildlife of
the border states by coordinating and conducting scheduled interagency
training forums to promote increased awareness and knowledge of
wildlife management principles and techniques by Mexican state resource
professionals and selected lay persons.
Health
- Solicit support from the U.S and Mexico federal governments to
promote local and regional vertical coordination actions on emergency
preparedness that will encourage and insure improved implementation
of the vertical public health preparedness strategies and actions;
support improved binational health contingency exercises among sister
border and regional vertical communities; and insure federal government
support in the development, implementation and the effectiveness
of the Binational Border Public Health Preparedness Strategy for
the entire U.S-Mexico border region.
Tourism
- Maintain and expand joint integrated publicity programs to inform
potential travelers of their rights and obligations as visitors
to the border region.
- Work together to promote a positive image for the border region
and attract tourists through a multi-state website with current
travel data and related promotional activities.
- Participate actively in discussions regarding border security
among appropriate federal, state, local and private sector authorities
in both countries, in order to facilitate the flow of cross-border
tourism without compromising security.
Addendum No. 1
Water Resolution
Whereas, on August 10, 2004, the Governors of the U.S.-Mexico border
states convened during the XXII Border Governors Conference in Santa
Fe, New Mexico, to discuss matters of mutual interest and concern,
including the issue of water.
Therefore, be it resolved, that the Governors agreed to:
Continue to collaborate on projects and discussions regarding water
use and conservation on issues, such as groundwater, that provide
valuable information for agriculture, human consumption and sustainable
economic development.
Addendum No. 2
Energy Resolution
Whereas, on August 10, 2004, the Governors of the U.S.-Mexico border
states convened during the XXII Border Governors Conference in Santa
Fe, New Mexico, to discuss matters of mutual interest and concern,
including the issue of energy.
Therefore, be it resolved, that the Governors agreed to:
Direct the Energy Work Table of the Conference to establish and
outline a border strategy with specific goals and deadlines for
the increased production, use and conservation of clean energy,
emphasizing necessary and safe regional energy infrastructure development
and improvements.
This agreement shall correspond with the 2004 Western Governors
Association Renewable Energy Resolution and shall be presented for
consideration and adoption by the border Governors during the XXIII
Border Governors' Conference in 2005.
Addendum No. 3
Resolution on the US-Visit Program
Whereas, on August 10, 2004, the Governors of the U.S.-Mexico border
states convened during the XXII Border Governors Conference in Santa
Fe, New Mexico, to discuss matters of mutual interest and concern,
including the issue of border security.
Therefore, be it resolved, that:
The Governors commend the U.S. Federal Government on the change
announced today, August 10, 2004, to the US-VISIT Program that allows
Mexican visitors with a laser permit that visit the U.S. to stay
30 days instead of 72 hours.
The Border Governors also commend Governor Rick Perry of Texas
for his strong efforts on behalf of this change.
Addendum No. 4
Resolution for Border Research and Development
Whereas, on August 10, 2004, the Governors of the U.S.-Mexico border
states convened during the XXII Border Governors Conference in Santa
Fe, New Mexico, to discuss matters of mutual interest and concern,
including the issue of border research and development; and
Whereas, the Governors recognize the high concentration of research
and development organizations, universities and facilities in the
border states that are uniquely qualified to develop solutions to
the challenges of the region in order to create new industries;
and
Therefore, be it resolved, that the Governors agreed to:
Jointly develop and promote border research and development projects,
utilizing all state, federal and private resources and promotional
strategies available to strengthen and increase the region's growth
and present a specific plan of action during the XXIII Border Governors'
Conference.
Addendum No. 5
Immigration Resolution
Whereas, on August 10, 2004, the Governors of the U.S.-Mexico border
states convened during the XXII Border Governors Conference in Santa
Fe, New Mexico, to discuss matters of mutual interest and concern,
including the issue of immigration; and
Whereas, one of the greatest challenges faced by those of us who
live along the U.S.-Mexico border is finding a balance between increased
security demands and maintaining the free flow of trade;
Whereas, the subject of border security should be viewed broadly
and actions undertaken should go beyond the fight against terrorism;
Whereas, we believe that it is unfair on behalf of the United States
to allow Canadian visitors a six-month stay while limiting Mexican
visitors with a laser visa to only one month. This, besides representing
a migratory inequality between partners, negatively impacts the
economies of the states on both sides of the US-Mexico border;
Whereas, we also believe that when the federal governments require
stronger security measures, they should also provide the funding
to implement them;
Whereas, immigration reform should be addressed by the federal
governments of both countries to guarantee free trade, the respect
of human rights and the quality of life in border communities;
Therefore, be it resolved, that the ten Governors of the border
states call on both the federal governments to deal with these immigration
issues directly and expeditiously.
Addendum No. 6
NADBank Resolution
Whereas, on August 10, 2004, the Governors of the U.S.-Mexico border
states convened during the XXII Border Governors Conference in Santa
Fe, New Mexico, to discuss matters of mutual interest and concern,
including NADBank; and
Whereas, NADBank is important to the future development of the U.S.-Mexico
border region and to respond to its original purpose and expectations,
the Bank should reinforce, as its main priority, its programs and
performance in the environmental sectors it covers;
Whereas, the recent approval to expand the Bank's jurisdiction within
300 kilometers of the Mexico border has been a successful move in
the right direction, now is the time to expand our efforts and consider
the following actions:
- More active participation by the border Governors to strengthen
the institution and the development of its programs.
- The Bank should explore, with other financial instruments and
partners, projects that will make the border region more competitive.
- Explore ways to find additional financial resources, including
private resources, for other types of infrastructure investments.
- Increase non-reimbursable funding. A desirable goal would be to
improve sufficient funding to set pace with the known necessities
and requirements along the border. In particular, we urge a substantial
increase of EPA funding for the BEIF program. This will be critical
in closing the development gap along the border and fostering the
competitiveness of the region as a whole.
- Promote the simplification of institutional means and procedures
between BECC and the NADBank as well as expediting procedures for
project certification.
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