| Fox's visit offers hope of
ending water divide
(Note from RG: Note that the end of the article, “Kelly is a senior attorney and program director for U.S./Mexico Border Initiatives at Environmental Defense.” I believe their true motive is expressed when she writes: “Negotiations must also recognize the need to provide for fish and wildlife along the Rio Grande and its tributaries. A healthy river system will provide significant environmental and economic benefits to both Mexico and Texas.” U.S. Fish and Wildlife (USFWS) plans for refuges along the Lower Rio Grande repeatedly call for permanently setting aside “water for wildlife.” The cities certainly aren’t going to ration water to their citizens so it can be dumped into potholes for animals. That leaves only one other place from which to take “water for wildlife” ... and that’s agriculture. Of course, as farmers have a harder time getting water for their crops and animals, they tend to become “willing sellers” so the USFWS and its allies can buy up farmland at reduced prices. Also note how she interjects: “Texas officials should also drop further mention of the absurd idea of cutting off Colorado River flows to Mexico.” I believe this is probably pandering to Mexico, so environmentalists can further their agendas in Mexico, promoting Border 21 and other United Nations-backed plans. That may mean that the idea of cutting off Colorado River water really has gotten the Mexican’s attentions … so let’s start building that dam across the Colorado!) (Note: Rife with language deception, this is 'textbook' Delphi. Reader beware!) By Mary E. Kelly mkelly@environmentaldefense.org Special to the American-Statesman To submit a Letter to the Editor: letters@statesman.com (150-word limit) While much of the focus of Mexican President Vicente Fox's visit to Austin this week will be on immigration reform, he and Texas leaders should use this opportunity to rejuvenate stalled discussions regarding water management problems in the Rio Grande basin. Recent rains in many parts of the Texas-Mexico border region have provided at least temporary relief from the drought that has seared the region for the past 10 years. The international Falcon/Amistad reservoir system has more water than at any time in the last eight years. In fact, the rains have put the United States' share of the system at almost 50 percent of capacity -- while Mexico has reached [only] about 35 percent. Mexico has so far this year provided about 400,000 acre-feet of water to the United States -- but it still has a deficit of about 1.4 million acre-feet under the 1944 U.S.-Mexico water treaty. The deficit continues to dominate discussion of Rio Grande issues in Texas, and has so far impeded the ability of the two countries to tackle the more important issue of developing a sound, long-term water management plan for this basin. This plan is necessary to ensure that the 'crisis environment' of the last several years is not a permanent feature. At a minimum, a 'sustainable management plan' would include 'drought response strategies,' an advanced real-time 'stream monitoring system,' 'water conservation investments' and 'enforceable protocols' for releasing water from the major reservoirs throughout the basin. The plan 'could' also include some sort of schedule for further payments on the deficit. Mexico 'could' help break the deadlock by reallocating some portion of its current share to the United States, taking a bite out of the deficit. A reallocation of at least 250,000 to 300,000 acre-feet 'should be possible.' If necessary, Mexico 'could' make a portion of this reallocation contingent on having enough water to meet municipal needs next year. That is, 'if' next year turned out to be so dry that Mexico's share fell below levels necessary to meet municipal needs, it could recoup some of the water it reallocates. But the United States and Texas will then have to respond with a willingness to devote substantial resources and 'political capital' to negotiation of a 'sustainable management plan' for the 'entire basin' by the end of 2004. Texas officials 'should also' drop further mention of the absurd idea of cutting off Colorado River flows to Mexico. Fox will have to convey to the governor of Chihuahua, Patricio Martínez, that the Mexican federal government is committed to meeting its treaty obligations. Martínez has to be convinced that it is in Chihuahua's best interests to cooperate. Negotiations must also recognize the need to provide for fish and wildlife along the Rio Grande 'and its tributaries.' A healthy river system will provide significant environmental and economic benefits to both Mexico and Texas. The United States and Mexico have an opportunity that should not be missed. The development of a sustainable 'water management plan' is one of the most important things our leaders can do to secure a bright future for the Texas-Mexico border region. Kelly is a senior attorney and program director for U.S./Mexico Border Initiatives at Environmental Defense. http://www.statesman.com/opinion/content/auto/epaper/editions/wednesday/editorial Texas Regional Office 44 East Avenue, Suite 304 Austin, TX 78701 512-478-5161 Fax: 512-478-8140 http://www.environmentaldefense.org/regionaloffices_individual.cfm?subnav=texas |