The Binational Air Quality Monitoring Fund (AQF) is a proposal of the Joint Advisory Committee introduced by the states of Chihuahua and Texas with support from the state of New Mexico and the municipality of Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua.
The fund will be a first-of-its-kind mechanism to support long-term, sustainable operations and maintenance in support of an air quality monitoring network in Ciudad Juarez, to ensure a shared air monitoring network for the entire air basin.
Air quality in the Paso del Norte poses complex challenges due to geography, population, as well as international jurisdictions. The air basin encompasses two countries, three states, three counties, cities, and a sovereign Native American tribe. Over two million people live, travel, and trade in this mountainous region.
On February 11, the Joint Advisory Committee will consider a Resolution to create two technical commissions that will have responsibility over a binational fund held at the North American Development Bank.
The fund will be a first-of-its-kind mechanism to support long-term, sustainable operations and maintenance in support of an air quality monitoring network in Ciudad Juarez, to ensure a shared air monitoring network for the entire air basin.
Air quality in the Paso del Norte poses complex challenges due to geography, population, as well as international jurisdictions. The air basin encompasses two countries, three states, three counties, cities, and a sovereign Native American tribe. Over two million people live, travel, and trade in this mountainous region.
On February 11, the Joint Advisory Committee will consider a Resolution to create two technical commissions that will have responsibility over a binational fund held at the North American Development Bank.
The two technical commissions will be made up of government representatives who will advise the fund. The fund held at the North American Development Bank will solely support the purchases of air monitoring equipment and contracts to support the operations and maintenance of the air monitoring network.
Federal, state, and local government entities can contribute on a voluntary basis to the Fund once it is created. The private sector and foundations can also contribute.
Federal, state, and local government entities can contribute on a voluntary basis to the Fund once it is created. The private sector and foundations can also contribute.
The origins for the fund go back decades. Members of the JAC have for many years discussed the possibility of creating a binational air quality “trust” to provide funds for air monitoring. Since the JAC has no legal personality under its bylaws, the current approach is to create two technical committees that will provide recommendations. The fund itself will be held at NADB and required by all donor agreements to subject those funds to the JAC commissions’ direction.
The “Antecedents” portion of the Resolution describes many of the supporting policies and historic steps that led to today’s fund proposal in English and Spanish.
The “Antecedents” portion of the Resolution describes many of the supporting policies and historic steps that led to today’s fund proposal in English and Spanish.