(Washington, DC)  Judicial Watch, the public interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption, today released records from the U.S. Department of State detailing the membership, composition, agenda items, and completion dates for the “Security and Prosperity Partnership Trinational Environmental Working Group.”  The records, obtained January 31st under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), concern the partnership’s agenda on environmental issues.  Judicial Watch filed its original FOIA request on August 8, 2006.

Included among the documents are two sets of charts, dated July 28, 2005 and August 23, 2005, respectively.  The charts detail information on the following environmental topics:  sulfur in fuels; ship-source air pollution; air and water quality in North America; invasive alien species; monitoring and conservation of marine mammals; safe habitats and migration routes; sustainable forest management; management planning for shared marine resources; and a “transboundary” environmental impact assessment cooperation agreement for proposed projects.

Another document uncovered by Judicial Watch, an email dated March 2, 2006, discusses a planned meeting with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez on March 15, 2006, which references a meeting of North American leaders in Cancun, Mexico in March 2006 that led to the creation of the North American Competitiveness Council (NACC).  Previously, Judicial Watch released substantial documentation concerning the NACC, which consists of 30 members, 10 each from the United States, Mexico and Canada.

“Judicial Watch is committed to making the inner workings of the Security and Prosperity Partnership as transparent as possible,” said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton.  “Whether these documents concern energy policy, immigration, or the environment, the American people have a right to know the policies being discussed.”
On March 23, 2005, heads of government Vincente Fox, George W. Bush and Paul Martin launched the North American partnership at a meeting in Waco, Texas, with the expressed goal of “a safer, more prosperous North America.”  Critics, however, maintain the partnership could ultimately compromise U.S. sovereignty by establishing a “North American Union.”

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