City and County of El Paso to discuss environmental issues in South-Central El Paso area
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Both the City and County of El Paso are discussing environmental issues in the Chamizal neighborhood during their Monday work sessions. They are also discussing the removal of commercial traffic at the Bridge of the Americas.
El Paso Commissioners Court will support the U.S. General Services Administration's Alternative 4 in its draft of the Environmental Impact Statement, published on September 20, 2024, to remove commercial trucks from the Bridge of the Americas.
City Council, meanwhile, gave an update on the environmental conditions in the Chamizal neighborhood, right next to the Bridge of the Americas (BOTA). El Paso Fire Department officials presented proposed recommendations to prevent more fires and increase inspections of companies that have combustible materials outdoors.
The fire at PCM International Inc. cost the company $2,200,000 (est. business loss) and $523,950.78 to the City of El Paso.
The County took action today regarding a letter of support to the U.S. GSA's proposal to remove commercial traffic at BOTA.
"I think the most important thing is if we can reduce pollution and then create a system of coming into the U.S. because we believe that El Paso is going to be the gateway to and from Mexico," said El Paso County Judge Ricardo Samaniego.
For Judge Samaniego, there should be a plan between the county, city, federal government and New Mexico for the logistics and
The county owns the Marcelino Serna (Tornillo) Port of Entry, the city owns the Paso del Norte and Ysleta-Zaragoza Ports of Entry, the federal government owns BOTA and New Mexico the Santa Teresa POE.
"One of the things is that we have a great relationship with Mexico, and they're pushing very hard not to close commercial crossings," Judge Samaniego said.
"We're still open, right? We're still listening to the letter of support (GSA), doesn't make it a reality that now that's what's going to happen (removing commercial trucks). There still has to be public information that's taking place so that we can allow, more feedback," Judge Samaniego added.
County officials expect an increase in commercial traffic at the Ysleta-Zaragoza and Tornillo POE once the BOTA's modernization starts in late 2026.
"If we don't create a system, while under construction, it could be very critical for our community and we could lose commercial traffic, it could start going to Laredo, for example, and we might lose some of the economic impact that we could have," Judge Samaniego said.
