NACO, ARIZONA

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has selected a site in the town of Naco, Arizona as a Brownfields Assessment Demonstration Pilot and awarded a grant to the Naco Fire District and Arizona State University to perform Phase I and II environmental assessments. The Phase I historical background research and findings suggested that further soil sampling should be performed in the area of concern. Different pesticides may have been used on the site, which was a cattle-crossing operation until the 1980’s. Also, there has been intermittent sewage runoff from a wastewater treatment plant in Naco, Sonora directly across the U.S.–Mexico border from this site. Implementing the Phase II environmental assessment will determine whether there is contamination in the soil and if groundwater sampling is necessary. The Phase II assessment needs to be completed before any development in the area can commence. The results from the Phase II environmental assessment, and any requirements to bring the site up to redevelopment standards, will be shared with Cochise County’s authorities and the residents of Naco.