UTEP study gets extension to expand community-led environmental health risk assessment in South Central El Paso

The El Paso County Commissioners Court on June 16 authorized an extension of an existing memorandum of understanding with the University of Texas at El Paso to continue a community-centered environmental health risk assessment (CEHRA) focused on South Central El Paso.

UTEP researchers described the project as a community-based participatory effort that began with three focus-group meetings and will now move into a larger second phase that includes a community survey, environmental air/soil/water sampling, and real-time monitoring access for residents. The court approved the time extension by motion from Commissioner David Stout; the motion was seconded and adopted as "motion carries." No new county funding was required for the extension.

Project staff said Phase 1 included three community focus groups (about 60 participants total) that helped prioritize local concerns including air pollution, groundwater/soil contamination and noise. Phase 2 will deploy a community-wide survey planned to reach roughly 10,000 households and establish a network of low-cost and higher-grade environmental sensors that residents can access in near real time. UTEP and project partners said the sensors will be available 24/7 and the team will train residents to access and interpret the readings.

UTEP principal investigator Dr. Enrique Ibarra said the approach is deliberate: start by listening to residents’ concerns, then collect targeted environmental data and return results to the community in plain language. Christopher Villia of Helix Solutions outlined a timeline the team presented: survey administration (August–September), environmental sampling (August–December), laboratory analysis and data synthesis (January–February), and a comprehensive report in March–April with community presentations in May.

Project proponents emphasized the outreach and transparency elements. UTEP staff said the sampling and monitoring will be driven by community priorities identified in Phase 1; the county will be provided interim findings as monitoring proceeds. The team also described plans to involve local neighborhood associations and to make the monitoring dashboard available to residents.

The court’s action authorizes the county judge to sign the first amendment to the MOU with UTEP to complete the extended project timeline. Commissioners said they supported the work and commended the county staff and the research team for the participatory process.

Speakers: Dr. Enrique Ibarra (UTEP principal investigator); Christopher Villia (Helix Solutions principal consultant); Michael McElroy (El Paso County Planning and Development)

Authorities: {"type":"other","name":"UTEP Institutional Review Board (IRB)","referenced_by":["project methods and next steps"]}

Discussion vs. decision: The court’s vote authorized only a time-extension amendment to the existing agreement; the vote did not appropriate new funds. Researchers will continue data collection and return results to the community and county for policy consideration.

Clarifying details: Phase 1 included three focus groups (~60 participants). Phase 2 plans: target survey coverage ~10,000 households; monitoring network to run for at least 3 years contingent on continued engagement; proposed timeline runs August 2025 through May 2026 for primary deliverables.

Ending: UTEP and county staff said the extension will let the team complete environmental sampling and prepare a comprehensive report with community-facing recommendations; the county will receive updates during the project.