Study of Barriers To Colonias Infrastructure

1. Purpose and Objectives: This project will provide a report on identifying barriers to achieving local government interest in colonias sanitation problems.

2. Funding: In August 1993, EPA awarded a $50,000 grant to the International City/County Management Association.

3. Partners: EPA Region 6 and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA).

4. Description: The project report is to provide the views and opinions on various barriers of assisting colonias from the local government perspective. This report will assist State and Federal assistance providers to assess possible changes to their programs and delivery methods.

5. Status: Final Document is complete.

6. Methodology: EPA team members selected several communities along the U.S. border as sites for this study. EPA members then interviewed various personnel (city managers, community leaders, etc.) from those selected communities to identify the greatest obstacles that colonias face in infrastructure development.

7. Results: Results indicate that apathy, geography, and cost of development are major impediments to colonia infrastructure development. In terms of geography, colonias tend to exist in isolated peripheries and thus would make it difficult for services to be provided.

8. U.S. Contacts: Federal: Oscar Cabra, Jr. P.E., Region 6, (214) 665-7110 ICMA: Ann McKinney, ICMA (202) 962-3544