(Note from RG: Here's more evidence that the U.S. Government is failing to protect the interests of U.S. citizens from predations by Mexico. If it was the U.S. causing all the damage to Mexicans, you know all the 'bleeding hearts' and pro-Mexican groups in the U.S. would be yammering for 'justice' -- but when it's Americans being damaged, the vote-seeking U.S. politicians are keeping their mouths shut. When are Americans going to stand up for the U.S.?)

July 27, 2003

By Gordon R. Hill, Sr.

General manager, Bayview Irrigation District

Los Fresnos, Texas

The Brownsville Herald

Brownsville, Texas

http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/

To submit a Letter to the Editor: tgarcia@link.freedom.com

Between 1997 and 2002, U.S. water releases for irrigation from the Amistad and Falcon storage dams have generated much more than hydroelectric power for the United States. They have also produced $32 million in profit for the Mexican government.

In 1944, Mexico and the United States signed a treaty, agreeing to construct and operate hydroelectric power plants. The treaty provided for power generation at international storage dams on the Rio Grande below Fort Quitman. Specifically, it called for each government to "pay half the cost of construction, operation and maintenance of such plants, and the energy generated shall be assigned to each country in like proportion."

Power generation at both Amistad and Falcon has been shared equally between the United States and Mexico even though Mexico has been in material breach of the treaty since 1997. Since then, Mexico has failed to comply with its minimum delivery requirements to the Rio Grande for assignment to the United States. On Oct. 30, 2002, Mexico had a total deficit of approximately 1.5 million acre-feet.

The state of Texas has published a summary of its position on Mexico's noncompliance with the 1944 treaty. This summary is titled "Legal Status of the 1944 Utilization of Water Treaty between the United States of America and Mexico." It can be viewed online at http://www.tceq.statetx.us/AC/comm_exec/communication/media/mexico-treaty_position.html. 

One of the recommended remedial actions is for the United States to withhold its own performance under the treaty. Our White House and State Department are unwilling to declare Mexico to be in material breach of the 1944 treaty and to admit that Mexico is in violation. They have allowed Mexico to receive 1.5 million acre-feet per year from the Colorado River, and to receive 50 percent of all releases through its hydro generators at Amistad and Falcon storage dams, fulfilling our obligation while allowing Mexico to ignore its obligation.

By providing for each country to receive half the power generated by all water released, the treaty produced 364,087 megawatts for Mexico using U.S. water. With a wholesale value of $16 million and a retail value of $32 million, this is enough electricity to run a 1,000-bed medical center for 500 years. It would serve a city with a population of 150,000 for five months.

The simple fact is that Mexico has not and will not comply with the 1944 treaty. Mexican water users are now illegally diverting water from the Rio Grande, water that rightly belongs to U.S. farmers.

Our White House and State Department have failed to take corrective action, to stop delivery to Mexico on the Colorado River, and to stop using U.S. water to generate electricity and profit for Mexico. It is time for the White House to implement corrective actions within the Rio Grande Basin; actions that will convince Mexico to return to a compliant status.

Please show your concern for all citizens of Texas by calling or writing our U.S. senators and representatives.

http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/opinions_comments.php?id=P52393_0_11_0_C