Heber Public Utility District Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion and Upgrade
On January 29, 1999, the EPA issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FNSI) and an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Wastewater Treatment Expansion and Upgrade for Heber, California. Heber is a small community located approximately 5 miles north of the U.S./Mexico border between the Cities of Calexico and El Centro in the Imperial Valley.
The proposed project consists of expanding and upgrading Heber's existing wastewater treatment plant. EPA is considering authorizing Border Environmental Infrastructure Funds (BEIF) to assist in the development of this project; BEIF grants must be approved by EPA and administered by the North American Development Bank (NADBank).
EPA's involvement with the Heber project is part of the national committment to improve environmental conditions along the U.S. - Mexico Border. As part of this process, two important binational agencies were created: the Border Environmental Cooperation Commission (BECC) and NADBank. BECC is responsible for certifying projects so that they comply with sound technical planning, sustainable development and public participation. NADBank's role is to administer federal funds to those projects that have been certified by BECC and approved by EPA.