Dam the Rio Grande!

August 08, 2004

Ron covered the possibility of conctructing another dam on the Rio Grande river (aside from the Weir Dam proposed for Brownsville!) after discovering a little known provision in the 1944 water treaty with Mexico.  Interviewed on the construction of a third dam per the treaty was the current U.S. International Boundary and Water Commission commissioner Arturo Duran, as well as several other Valley "water leaders" commenting on the feasibility and benefits if it is constructed.

Article from QuorumReport.com

August 10, 2004      5:23 PM

DURAN SAYS THIRD INTERNATIONAL DAM MAY BE NEEDED ON RIO GRANDE

IBWC commissioner acts after Whitlock notices little known provision in 1944 U.S.-Mexico Water Treaty

Arturo Duran, the U.S. commissioner for the International Boundary and Water Commission, has called for a feasibility study to determine if a third international dam needs to be built on the Rio Grande.

Duran made the announcement on the Valley Newsline with Ron Whitlock show, which airs Sunday morning on KRGV-TV Channel 5 in the Rio Grande Valley.

In fact, it was Whitlock who first suggested a third international reservoir, to augment Amistad and Falcon dams.

Whitlock noticed provision for a third dam is contained in the 1944 U.S.-Mexico Water Treaty. Duran said he did not know about the provision until told by Whitlock. Duran said he would get his staff to research the treaty in advance of conducting a feasibility study.

Whitlock's interview with Duran can be seen and heard on the show's Web site.

Also on the show are Hidalgo Mayor John David Franz, Mission Mayor Norberto Salinas, Rio Grande Watermaster Carlos Rubinstein, Bayview Irrigation District Manager Gordon Hill, Mercedes Irrigation District Manager Jo Jo White and San Benito District Manager Sonia Kaniger.

"This process, that I am initiating now, will undoubtedly take years before the third dam called for in the 1944 treaty could actually begin to store water to meet the long-term water needs of South Texas and Northern Mexico," Duran said, in a letter to Whitlock.

"However, I am convinced that now is the time for this first step to be taken, The future quality of life of the over three million people who reside in this area, who are united by the Rio Grande River, cries out for this dam to now be built."

Duran said he would work closely with Arturo Herrera, Mexico's IBWC commissioner, on a feasibility study. He said that if the feasibility study proved positive he would look at the financial cost of building a third dam and location. He said he wanted to work closely local leaders.

Sally Spener, public affairs officer at the IBWC, told Border Buzz that Duran was in the Valley to work on "critical priorities" like the Brownsville Public Utilities Board's Weir and Reservoir Project, flood control, and rehabilitating and raising levees. She said discussion about a third international dam came up in Duran's conversations with Whitlock.

"Commissioner Duran is very interested in working with local communities in helping them with their water supply needs," Spener said. "Commissioner Duran believes that a third international dam is something that would merit another look at, in terms of a feasibility study."

Duran told Whitlock that water shortages during a decade long drought had resulted in millions of dollars lost in agricultural output and lost jobs.

"Some municipal water systems came to within days of running out of water with residences, hospitals, nursing homes and business facing the prospect of having their faucets run dry," Duran said.

"Maquiladoras and other manufacturing industries in the United States and Mexico also potentially faced being forced to shut down."

Duran said construction of a third dam could provide a long-term solution to any future potential water debt issues with Mexico.

"Due to the 15 to 20 year cycles of hurricanes affecting Northern Mexico and South Texas, we need to plan for a third dam and reservoir to hold this bounty whenever it comes our way," Duran said.

Duran said that he was determined that, under his watch, the IBWC would "meet its responsibilities to plan for and provide the water resources necessary for a bright, prosperous and secure 21st Century at the place where the two great countries of the United States of America and Los Estados Unidos de Mexico are joined together."

Hidalgo Mayor Franz appeared on the Whitlock show with Duran. Franz said he agreed that a third dam did warrant further study.

"At first blush, it makes sense if we can retain water and keep it from flowing into the Gulf and storing some of it for our area of farmers and for municipalities," Franz said.

"People like Commissioner Duran, who have the president's ear, will take the message up to Washington and make sure Washington is aware of our needs."

Rio Grande Watermaster Rubinstein also appeared on the Whitlock show. Rubinstein said some people might support a third dam and others may not.

"I think we need to take it in steps," Rubinstein said.

"The first step would be allowing for commissioners to discuss that, seeing if they want to pursue a feasibility study. Wait for those results to come out, see if there's any concerns identified, hold your public hearings based on factual data and let it go its normal process."

Border Buzz reporter Steve Taylor can be reached at 512-303-5533 and at taylor@quorumreport.com

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