TFB Asks Bush To Act
On Border Water Issue

WACO — The United States government has officially "reminded" the government of Mexico that it is now in violation of a 1944 water treaty, but Texas farmers and ranchers think stronger words are in order.

In a letter to President George W. Bush, the president of Texas' largest farm organization said Mexico should be officially declared "out of compliance" with the treaty.

Noting that the U.S. government's actions toward Mexico on the treaty issue have not amounted to more than a "slap on the wrist," Texas Farm Bureau president Donald Patman wrote, "It is obvious that Mexico has no intention of honoring the treaty — even though ample water reserves are available."

The treaty's latest five-year cycle expired on October 2. Mexico is required under the treaty's terms to allow 350,000 acre-feet of water flow to the Rio Grande annually, while the U.S. allows 1.5-million acre-feet to flow into the Colorado. (This refers not to the Texas river of the same name, but to the western Colorado, which heads in the Rocky Mountains in its namesake state, flows through Utah to the Grand Canyon, and forms Arizona’s border with Nevada and California before emptying into the Gulf of California in Mexico. — Ed.)

Mexico has not met its obligations for the last two five-year cycles.

"Data clearly shows that Mexico has the ability to meet most, if not all, of its treaty obligations. However, it has purposely ignored the treaty and should be held accountable," said Patman, a grain, cotton and cattle producer from Waxahachie. Patman also said Mexico has withheld the water for agricultural use in the Mexican state of Chihuahua.