BIENVENIDOS! WELCOME! BIENVENIDOS! WELCOME!. Agenda SCERP Border Institute Objectives Watersheds Watershed Approach Transboundary U.S-Mexican Objectives

BIENVENIDOS! BIENVENIDOS!

WELCOME!WELCOME!

AgendaAgenda

SCERP Border Institute SCERP Border Institute ObjectivesObjectives

Watersheds Watershed ApproachWatersheds Watershed Approach

Transboundary U.S-MexicanTransboundary U.S-Mexican

Objectives of BI Case StudiesObjectives of BI Case Studies

Tools MechanismsTools Mechanisms

Tour Break-Out Session Tour Break-Out Session

SCERP/CIPASSCERP/CIPAS

• 10 universities in all 10 border states10 universities in all 10 border states

• Established in 1990Established in 1990

• Sustainability SciencesSustainability Sciences

• Projects, Programs, Monographs, etc.Projects, Programs, Monographs, etc.

• Boundary OrganizationBoundary Organization

• Policy Conference Policy Conference

SCERP and WatershedsSCERP and Watersheds

• Watershed focus for over a decadeWatershed focus for over a decade

• Transboundary Watershed Research Transboundary Watershed Research Project, Atlas, and VisionProject, Atlas, and Vision

• Border Watersheds VulnerabilityBorder Watersheds Vulnerability

• Border Water GIS SummitBorder Water GIS Summit

• MOU with USGS and with INEGIMOU with USGS and with INEGI

Border Institute SeriesBorder Institute Series

• Science-based “think tank” style Science-based “think tank” style

• 100 top-level border, and subject 100 top-level border, and subject expertsexperts

• Regional and long-term viewRegional and long-term view

• Informed papers, presentations, & Informed papers, presentations, & panelspanels

• Break-out session to provide feedback Break-out session to provide feedback in the form of policy recommendations in the form of policy recommendations

Past Border Institute TopicsPast Border Institute Topics

• Demographics and its impactsDemographics and its impacts

• Environmental infrastructure & financeEnvironmental infrastructure & finance

• Energy, trade, and the environmentEnergy, trade, and the environment

• Water management planningWater management planning

• Environmental health and indicatorsEnvironmental health and indicators

• Ecosystems protection and preservationEcosystems protection and preservation

• Air quality managementAir quality management

Border Institute VIIIBorder Institute VIII

Means and Mechanisms for Means and Mechanisms for Collaborative Planning and Operation Collaborative Planning and Operation of Transboundary and Shared of Transboundary and Shared WatershedsWatersheds

• How better align what’s being done How better align what’s being done on both sideson both sides

• Motivate what isn’t yet happening on Motivate what isn’t yet happening on the other sidethe other side

Seminal Origin of All IssuesSeminal Origin of All Issues

Introduction to WatershedsIntroduction to Watersheds

• A collaboration storyA collaboration story

• DefinitionsDefinitions

• ApproachApproach

CollaborationCollaboration

Most [environmental] problems have Most [environmental] problems have arisen and resist solution because arisen and resist solution because they involve conflicts between what they involve conflicts between what individuals see in their own self individuals see in their own self interests and what is the collective interests and what is the collective good.good.

Simon Levin, 2005 Kyoto LaureateSimon Levin, 2005 Kyoto Laureate

Collaboration: Role of Collaboration: Role of FeedbackFeedback

Tightening feedback through more Tightening feedback through more local control and monitoring and local control and monitoring and quicker information turnaround quicker information turnaround enhances cooperation, collaboration, enhances cooperation, collaboration, and coexistence.and coexistence.

A Sustainable WatershedA Sustainable Watershed

On the Cuenca de Rio Turia, near On the Cuenca de Rio Turia, near Valencia Spain, 15,000 farmers have Valencia Spain, 15,000 farmers have successfully negotiated the supply successfully negotiated the supply and quality of water for their and quality of water for their irrigation for at least 550 years.irrigation for at least 550 years.

Collaboration Based upon Collaboration Based upon TrustTrust

It is a closed market free-for-all… It is a closed market free-for-all… but it works. but it works.

“ “The key is that the community is still The key is that the community is still small enough for trust to be small enough for trust to be maintained.” maintained.”

Collaboration: Tight Collaboration: Tight FeedbacksFeedbacks

Their problems are negotiated at a Their problems are negotiated at a “Tribunal de las Aguas” meeting on “Tribunal de las Aguas” meeting on the steps of the cathedral every the steps of the cathedral every Thursday morning. Thursday morning.

Trust and Data ExchangeTrust and Data Exchange

Trust evolved from knowledge, which was Trust evolved from knowledge, which was derived from an information exchange, derived from an information exchange, which needed a mechanismwhich needed a mechanism

Some similar mechanism is used to share Some similar mechanism is used to share what we have learned needs to be done.what we have learned needs to be done.

To a point…To a point…

We need a better mechanismWe need a better mechanism

Recognition of WatershedsRecognition of Watersheds

• National Academy of SciencesNational Academy of Sciences

• US EPA, Interior, Army Corps of Eng.US EPA, Interior, Army Corps of Eng.

• Good Neighbor Environmental Board Good Neighbor Environmental Board

• 2004 Mexico Water Law recognized 2004 Mexico Water Law recognized Organismos/Consejos de Cuencas Organismos/Consejos de Cuencas

• Goldman Prize 2006 Yu XiaogongGoldman Prize 2006 Yu Xiaogong

What is a Watershed?What is a Watershed?

A watershed is the area of land that A watershed is the area of land that drains water, sediment and dissolved drains water, sediment and dissolved materials to a common outlet along materials to a common outlet along some point in the stream channel. some point in the stream channel. Many ecological and human Many ecological and human processes occur within a watershed, processes occur within a watershed, and contribute to the health (and and contribute to the health (and economic benefits) of a watershed economic benefits) of a watershed

ConnectionsConnections

Watersheds are a geographical Watersheds are a geographical feature, but in reality they are more feature, but in reality they are more a series of connections between both a series of connections between both natural and man-made processes…natural and man-made processes…

ConnectionsConnections

Understandably, the term ‘Watershed’ Understandably, the term ‘Watershed’ infers the notion of connections of infers the notion of connections of distinctly water aspects, but a wider distinctly water aspects, but a wider view is needed to comprehend the view is needed to comprehend the impact of the various influencesimpact of the various influences

DepictionsDepictions

4


1


2


3

What are these images What are these images missing?missing?

Each depiction does a good job Each depiction does a good job incorporating various characteristics, incorporating various characteristics, but each lacks a very important but each lacks a very important aspect…aspect…

Watersheds have no regard for political Watersheds have no regard for political boundaries and are not so easily boundaries and are not so easily placed into a contained frameworkplaced into a contained framework

Problem: The missing Problem: The missing featuresfeatures• Watersheds do not fit one cookie-cutter Watersheds do not fit one cookie-cutter

shape, they vary drastically…there’s no shape, they vary drastically…there’s no one focus to solve allone focus to solve all

• They do not respect political They do not respect political sovereignty… political discontinuities sovereignty… political discontinuities must be addressedmust be addressed

• Watersheds unite many factors…but Watersheds unite many factors…but who’s responsible for what is the difficult who’s responsible for what is the difficult detail to pinpointdetail to pinpoint

What’s in a watershed? What’s in a watershed?

1. Water 1. Water

• Surface Water Bodies Surface Water Bodies

• Groundwater/AquifersGroundwater/Aquifers

• StormwaterStormwater

• Floods or droughtsFloods or droughts

• WetlandsWetlands

• Near-shore coast! Near-shore coast!

What’s in a watershed?What’s in a watershed?

2. Water Diversions (lost water, habitat, and 2. Water Diversions (lost water, habitat, and assimilative values)assimilative values)

• DamsDams

• ReservoirsReservoirs

• ChannelsChannels

• Irrigation Irrigation

• PipesPipes

• Treatment plantsTreatment plants


3. Ecosystems 3. Ecosystems

• Habitats e.g. riparianHabitats e.g. riparian

• Listed speciesListed species

• Invasive speciesInvasive species

• Natural attenuationNatural attenuation

• Ecological processesEcological processes


4. Point and Non-Point Runoff Pollution 4. Point and Non-Point Runoff Pollution

• Pesticides Pesticides

• Fertilizers Fertilizers

• Pathogens e.g. E coliPathogens e.g. E coli

• Contaminants e.g. gender bendersContaminants e.g. gender benders

• Hazardous Waste e.g. acids, Hazardous Waste e.g. acids, inflammables, carcinogensinflammables, carcinogens


5. Diseases 5. Diseases

• PathogensPathogens

• HostsHosts

• Vectors Vectors

• Breeding GroundsBreeding Grounds


6. Us!6. Us!

• Navigation and Transportation Navigation and Transportation

• Energy (Deposition, Leaks) Energy (Deposition, Leaks)

• Agriculture and IndustryAgriculture and Industry

• Mining Mining

• Communities including Tribal NationsCommunities including Tribal Nations


7. Politics7. Politics

• SubsidiesSubsidies

• TreatiesTreaties

• LoansLoans

• Sales/MarketsSales/Markets

• TransfersTransfers

• Supreme and Other Court DecisionsSupreme and Other Court Decisions

What’s at risk in a What’s at risk in a watershed?watershed?

All of the aboveAll of the above

Bowl of Benefits or the Value of Bowl of Benefits or the Value of Unifying a WatershedUnifying a Watershed

• Ecosystem Services (provisioning Ecosystem Services (provisioning e.g. food, regulating e.g. floods, e.g. food, regulating e.g. floods, supporting e.g. nutrient cycling, supporting e.g. nutrient cycling, hosting e.g. habitats)hosting e.g. habitats)

• Hydrological ResourcesHydrological Resources

• Ecological ProcessesEcological Processes

Value of Unifying a Value of Unifying a Watershed Watershed • Flood, scour, erosion, and sedimentation Flood, scour, erosion, and sedimentation

control;control;

• Drought and shortage mitigation;Drought and shortage mitigation;

• Infrastructure (i.e. water piping and Infrastructure (i.e. water piping and treatment) burden sharing or reduction;treatment) burden sharing or reduction;

• Groundwater recharge and protection Groundwater recharge and protection from contamination and salination;from contamination and salination;

Value of Unifying a Value of Unifying a WatershedWatershed• Instream flow conditions including fisheries, Instream flow conditions including fisheries,

navigation, and recreation;navigation, and recreation;

• Flood plain and agricultural lands Flood plain and agricultural lands preservation; preservation;

• Non-point pollution minimisation or Non-point pollution minimisation or mitigation;mitigation;

• Habitat, especially wetlands, protection and Habitat, especially wetlands, protection and restoration; andrestoration; and

• Disease prevention and controlDisease prevention and control

Watershed ApproachWatershed Approach

• Watershed scale, inclusiveness, and Watershed scale, inclusiveness, and connectednessconnectedness

• Land and water use and treatmentsLand and water use and treatments

• Transcend all political boundariesTranscend all political boundaries

• Non-point as well as point sourcesNon-point as well as point sources

• Transfers only within a shedTransfers only within a shed

Watershed ApproachWatershed Approach

• Offers opportunity for solutionsOffers opportunity for solutions– ReuseReuse– RechargeRecharge– RestoreRestore– RechargeRecharge– RemediateRemediate

Absence of Watershed Absence of Watershed ApproachApproach• Lining of the All American CanalLining of the All American Canal

• Salton Sea restorationSalton Sea restoration

• Yuma Desalination PlantYuma Desalination Plant

• Bajagua “fit”Bajagua “fit”

• Recurring water debt and deficit issuesRecurring water debt and deficit issues

• Mexico consultation before a “shortage” Mexico consultation before a “shortage” is declared on the Colorado Riveris declared on the Colorado River

Back to Data and FeedbacksBack to Data and Feedbacks

0 140 280 420 56070

Kilometers

TEXAS

NEW MEXICO

COLORADO

CHIHUAHUA

COAHUILA

DURANGO

TAMAULIPAS

NUEVO LEON

1302

2402

2404

1306

1307

1304

1305

2406

2403

1301

24051308

1303

2407

2401

1309

CHIHUAHUA

DURANGO

TAMAULIPAS

COAHUILA DE ZARAGOZA

NUEVO LEON

Estados

Cuencas RH24P. FALCON - R. SALADOR. BRAVO - CD. JUAREZR. BRAVO - MATAMOROS - REYNOSAR. BRAVO - NUEVO LAREDOR. BRAVO - OJINAGAR. BRAVO - P. DE LA AMISTADR. BRAVO - PIEDRAS NEGRASR. BRAVO - SAN JUANR. BRAVO - SOSAR. CONCHOS - OJINAGAR. CONCHOS - P. DE LA COLINAR. CONCHOS - P. EL GRANEROR. FLORIDOR. SAN PEDRO

N

EW

S

Cuencas and Sub Cuencas for the Rio Bravo basin on the Mexican side. Source: IMTA as a shapefile using ArcView 3.2. Original projection: Lambert conformal conical, NAD 1927; Scale: 1:250,000

Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC) of the Rio Grande basin on the American side. Source: USGS-NHD. Data Type: Coverage Feature Class, Geometry Type: Polygon, Coordinate System: GCS_North_American_1983, Datum: D_North_American_1983, Prime Meridian: 0. Scale: 1:100,000

The Rio Grande/Bravo basin was divided in hydrological sub regions according to the USGS - NHD criteria on the USA side (region 13 that includes 9 subregions), and the CNA criteria on the Mexican side (region 24 that includes 7 subregions). This information is included as a feature class within the Rio Grande/Bravo basin geodatabase

0 160,000 320,000 480,000 640,00080,000Meters

TEXAS

NEW MEXICO

CHIHUAHUA

COAHUILA

DURANGO

NUEVO LEON

TAMAULIPAS

Original Digital Elevation Models of the Rio Grande basin on the USA side in the Seamless format. Grid resolution: 30 m. Source: USGSOriginal projection: GCS_ NAD 83

Digital Elevation Model of Mexico. Grid resolution: 90 m.Source: INEGI. Original projection: Lambert; Datum: Nad 1927

The DEMs for the Rio Grande/Bravo basin were classified by hydrologic subregions. The cell size for the whole basin is 30 m and every DEM includes a buffer of 10 Km in order to delineate correctly the watersheds. The final projection is Albers equal area; datum NAD1983

WRAPHydro Data Model objectives•To build a hydro data model for the WRAP project from the basic Arc Hydro model. •This model would be called WRAP Hydro. •To devise a new method of defining the basin boundary to act as an analysis mask for processing grids and watersheds. •To develop a new vector based method for determining watershed parameters using the Arc Hydro-WRAP model. •To verify the validity of dividing the basin into subregions for parameter development. •To explore the possibility of efficiently adding stream networks and control points after completing the process of developing the parameters.

Gage stations where the drainage areas calculated with the methodology of this research are compared with the drainage areas reported by the USGS, IBWC, TCEQ, and Mexican National Water Commission for the whole Rio Grande/Bravo basin. It can be seen that the biggest difference of around 4,000 square kilometers is found in the gage station located at Fort Quitman (gage number 2). This difference is because the drainage area value reported by the USGS for this station considers part of a closed basin located upstream, which does not contribute to the Rio Grande/Bravo basin. In general, the difference between the drainage areas calculated for every control point in this research and the values reported by the official agencies of both countries of this basin is less than 3%

PROJECT DESCRIPTIONThe Rio Grande/Bravo is a transboundary water source shared by the United States of America and Mexico. The river is the lifeblood for much of the economic activity in the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo valley on both sides of the border. Recent drought conditions have increased tensions over water sharing in the basin. Several areas of conflict and possible negotiated remedies have been identified, but there is a lack of data available to use in analysis of alternative solutions to these problems. Although separate research efforts have been carried out in the United States and Mexico, there is no integral database that includes information from both sides of the Rio Grande/Bravo basin yet. As in many watersheds, knowledge and information available about the basin are fragmented, disjointed, incomplete, and sometimes inaccurate. At this time in Mexico there is limited capacity to develop efficient management plans for the water in the Rio Grande/Bravo basin, given the existing infrastructure and the methods of application and distribution of the water. In addition, some decisions about water management are only partially supported, causing with it alterations in the global ecosystem. For these reasons it is fundamental to improve the administration and management of water in this basin. This will require assessment of water availability and how to manage it appropriately for agriculture, industry and other services, also taking into account ecosystem preservation. In this project, the Center for Research in Water Resources (CRWR) of the University of Texas at Austin, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), the Mexican Institute of Water Technology (IMTA), and the National Water Commission (CNA) of Mexico have cooperated to develop a relational database containing geographic, hydrologic, hydraulic and related data for the basin. This geospatial database has been implemented using the recently developed ArcHydro data model, which facilitates access to hydrologic information by models, and was to the entire Rio Grande/Bravo basin . This geodatabase is available to Mexican and U. S. federal, state, and local organizations, and training has been provided in Spanish and English to facilitate its use. This work assists in enhancing bi-national cooperation between Mexico and the United States concerning water in the Rio Grande basin, providing accurate and reliable data necessary for analysis and resolution of water resources issues.

Participants: Dr. Daene C. McKinney, Dr. Carlos Patiño & Dr. David Maidment Contact and Information: [email protected] http://www.crwr.utexas.edu/riogrande.shtmlThis research was partially funded by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the North American Development Bank

Water Management Information System for the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo BasinCenter for Research in Water Resources – University of Texas at Austin

CNA

IMTA

IMPORTING TIME SERIES INTO THE GEODATABASEThe ArcGIS format is applied to all time series data in order to include and relate them to the monitoring and control points in the geodatabase. The Time Series standard format of the ArcHydro schema was changed, adding one more table called TSGroup that contains information related to the agency from which the data is derived. Actually there are more than five million records included in the Rio Grande/Bravo Geodatabase

1 RG @ EL PASO 70,464.45 70,464 0.002 RG @ FORT QUITMAN 78,488.88 82,699 5.093 ALAMITO @ PRESIDEO 4,021.94 3,894 -3.294 RG BL CONCHOS 164,038.91 163,977 -0.045 TERLIGUA NR TERLINGUA 2,820.81 2,770 -1.836 RG @ JOHNSON RANCH 174,718.38 175,423 0.407 RG @ FOSTER RANCH 208,672.68 209,031 0.178 PR @ RED BLUFF 50,586.73 50,587 0.009 PR @ ORLA 54,697.86 54,910 0.39

10 DEVILS NR JUNO 7,180.56 7,068 -1.6011 DEVILS @ PAFFORD 10,102.30 10,252 1.4612 RG @ DEL RIO 332,099.05 327,294 -1.4713 SAN FELIPE NR DEL RIO 120.44 119 -1.1314 PINTO NR DEL RIO 612.94 645 4.9215 RG @ PED NEGR 341,530.93 329,596 -3.6216 RG @ LAREDO 355,162.42 343,229 -3.4817 RG BL FALCON 425,313.67 412,331 -3.1518 RG BL RG CITY 462,357.51 451,402 -2.4319 RG BL ANZALDUAS 466,939.35 455,933 -2.41

Gage NameCRWR Total Drainage Area of the Rio Grande

Basin (SqKm)

IBWC/USGS Total Drainage Area of the Rio Grande Basin

(SqKm) from TCEQ

Difference (%) CRWR Vs

IBWC/USGSGage

Data for Binational Data for Binational Watershed Policy-MakingWatershed Policy-Making

But the Problem is:But the Problem is:

Further fragmentation of data by Further fragmentation of data by “stove-piping or pigeon-holing” “stove-piping or pigeon-holing” – SupplySupply– QualityQuality– HealthHealth– TreatmentTreatment– DisposalDisposal– HabitatHabitat

IncongruitiesIncongruities

• Water supply is a U.S. Department of Interior Water supply is a U.S. Department of Interior and a SEMARNAT-CNA responsibility in Mexico.and a SEMARNAT-CNA responsibility in Mexico.

• Water quality is a U.S. EPA and a SEMARNAT Water quality is a U.S. EPA and a SEMARNAT and Salud shared responsibility.and Salud shared responsibility.

• Water-borne and water-associated human Water-borne and water-associated human health is a U.S. Public Health and a Salud health is a U.S. Public Health and a Salud mandate in Mexico.mandate in Mexico.

• Water and wastewater infrastructure are jointly Water and wastewater infrastructure are jointly managed by both the IBWC, BECC, NADBank. managed by both the IBWC, BECC, NADBank.

Power DiscontinuityPower Discontinuity

ISSUEISSUE JOINTJOINT USUS MXMX

QualityQuality

TreatmentTreatmentBECC and BECC and NADBankNADBank

EPA PointEPA Point

NRCS NPSNRCS NPSSEMARNATSEMARNAT

QuantityQuantity

Supply/ FloodSupply/ FloodIBWCIBWC CoE, BoR, CoE, BoR,

Compacts, Compacts, States, States, Tribes, Tribes, Districts, Districts, Util’sUtil’s

CNA, CNA, Estatales, Estatales, Compacts,Compacts,

Consejos,Consejos,

DistrictosDistrictos

DataData BITFBITF USGSUSGS CNACNA

HealthHealth EHWGEHWG PHSPHS SaludSalud

The Solution is a The Solution is a Transboundary Watershed Transboundary Watershed ApproachApproach

Overcoming DivisionsOvercoming Divisions

• The La Paz Agreement provides for The La Paz Agreement provides for cooperation and annexes. cooperation and annexes.

• EPA-SEMARNAT Border 2012 Program does EPA-SEMARNAT Border 2012 Program does not include the U.S. Department of Interior. not include the U.S. Department of Interior.

• The North American Partnership for The North American Partnership for Prosperity and Security has not matured Prosperity and Security has not matured enough. enough.

• The binational IBWC/CILA are trusted and The binational IBWC/CILA are trusted and empowered to address such water issues. empowered to address such water issues.


• The San Diego-Tijuana region has The San Diego-Tijuana region has written a Tijuana River Watershed written a Tijuana River Watershed “Vision” that acts as a template for “Vision” that acts as a template for binational collaboration. It has binational collaboration. It has established a Binational Water established a Binational Water Advisory Committee (BWAC) that Advisory Committee (BWAC) that informally advises the two local Consul informally advises the two local Consul Generals’ Border Liaison Mechanism Generals’ Border Liaison Mechanism (BLM) Water Technical Council. (BLM) Water Technical Council.


• Through the International Joint Through the International Joint Commission (IJC) the U.S and Canada Commission (IJC) the U.S and Canada have a draft Water Quality Agreement have a draft Water Quality Agreement for the Great Lakes that can inform the for the Great Lakes that can inform the U.S.-Mexican process. U.S.-Mexican process.

• A water ethos and conservation A water ethos and conservation education programs is a critical education programs is a critical component of most watershed programs component of most watershed programs elsewhere.elsewhere.


• The BECC and NADBank have funded The BECC and NADBank have funded water conservation programs in water conservation programs in conjunction with their water treatment conjunction with their water treatment plant support.plant support.

• The Colorado River compacts may The Colorado River compacts may soon declare a shortage which triggers soon declare a shortage which triggers certain conservation. That declaration certain conservation. That declaration needs to be coordinated with Mexico.needs to be coordinated with Mexico.


• Transboundary Environmental Impact Transboundary Environmental Impact Assessments are used to notify one side of Assessments are used to notify one side of a project or activity on the other side a project or activity on the other side which will have significant water quality or which will have significant water quality or supply impacts. supply impacts.

• The Department of Interior and SEMARNAT The Department of Interior and SEMARNAT have a series of Joint Declaration and have a series of Joint Declaration and Letters of Intent for adjacent natural areas Letters of Intent for adjacent natural areas and rivers.and rivers.


• Wastewater reclamation and reuse Wastewater reclamation and reuse agreements may be established for agreements may be established for use of effluent from joint water use of effluent from joint water treatment plants.treatment plants.

• Aquifer assessments can be Aquifer assessments can be conducted to assess transborder conducted to assess transborder resources and flows.resources and flows.


• Another possible border watershed Another possible border watershed planning and operating mechanisms planning and operating mechanisms would be movement towards a would be movement towards a Comprehensive Transboundary Comprehensive Transboundary International Watershed Management International Watershed Management Agreement tailored after the ASCE Agreement tailored after the ASCE Environmental and Water Resource Environmental and Water Resource Institute model 33-01 currently being Institute model 33-01 currently being finalized.finalized.

Introduction to Shared Transboundary Introduction to Shared Transboundary Watersheds and the Special Case of Watersheds and the Special Case of U.S-Mexican WatershedsU.S-Mexican Watersheds

River Watersheds of the River Watersheds of the BorderBorderTijuana *Tijuana * TecateTecate Salton/New Salton/NewColorado*Colorado* SonoitaSonoita San Simon/VamoriSan Simon/VamoriEl SasabeEl Sasabe Santa CruzSanta Cruz San PedroSan PedroAgua PrietaAgua Prieta MimbresMimbres Grande/Bravo*Grande/Bravo*San Juan, Alamo, San Diego, San Rodrigo,San Juan, Alamo, San Diego, San Rodrigo,Escondido, Salado Rivers, and Las Vacas Arroyos*Escondido, Salado Rivers, and Las Vacas Arroyos*Conchos*Conchos* Pecos*Pecos* Devils*Devils*Goodenough Springs, and Alamito, Terlingua, Goodenough Springs, and Alamito, Terlingua, San Felipe, and Pinto Creeks* San Felipe, and Pinto Creeks* * Mentioned in Treaty of 1944* Mentioned in Treaty of 1944

A Classic Microcosm Watershed A Classic Microcosm Watershed

P.B. KM 40+000

P.B. DRENAJE

RIO BURNAP.B. KM 26+000

P.B. DRENAJE RIO HARDY

P.B. DRENAJE DREN

PESCADEROS

Special cases for several Special cases for several reasons.reasons.

• They are semi- to very arid.They are semi- to very arid.

• They cross not only international but They cross not only international but tribal, state, county/municipio, local, and, tribal, state, county/municipio, local, and, of course, water utility and irrigation of course, water utility and irrigation district boundaries.district boundaries.

• They combine the sometimes radically They combine the sometimes radically different pollutants, controls, and land different pollutants, controls, and land uses of an affluent and a still developing uses of an affluent and a still developing nation.nation.

Special casesSpecial cases

• One’s water crosses the border three One’s water crosses the border three times (Santa Cruz, Gila, and Colorado)times (Santa Cruz, Gila, and Colorado)

• One river (Bravo/Grande) has dried up One river (Bravo/Grande) has dried up in up to four places before reaching the in up to four places before reaching the sea (Fort Quitman To Conchos, below sea (Fort Quitman To Conchos, below each dam, and at the mouth)each dam, and at the mouth)

• Only river is only unallocated river in Only river is only unallocated river in western U.S. (San Pedro) western U.S. (San Pedro)

Size and Aridity ComparisonSize and Aridity Comparison

WatershedWatershed Area (kmArea (km22)) PopulationPopulation Water Water (M(M33/Cap/Yr)/Cap/Yr)

Fish Fish SpeciesSpecies

MississippiMississippi 3,202,1853,202,185 68,110,47568,110,475 8,9738,973 375375

Great Great LakesLakes

765,990765,990 33,191,36533,191,365 6,6976,697 295295

ColoradoColorado 703,148703,148 6,553,3396,553,339 2,1052,105 121121

Grand/Grand/BravoBravo

607,965607,965 10,797,45810,797,458 621621 121121

TijuanaTijuana 4,4304,430 832,657832,657 317317 30-40*30-40*

Why plan for watersheds for Why plan for watersheds for the long-term?the long-term?• Global climate change (GCC) can now Global climate change (GCC) can now

be described as global climate chaos, be described as global climate chaos, crisis, and potentially catastrophe.crisis, and potentially catastrophe.

• The U.S. is calculated to be unable to The U.S. is calculated to be unable to meet its treaty obligation to Mexico meet its treaty obligation to Mexico most of the years of the rest of the most of the years of the rest of the century.century.

• Regardless if whole or partial, short-Regardless if whole or partial, short-term or long-term, planning needed.term or long-term, planning needed.

A Very Real PossibilityA Very Real Possibility

Why Plan Binationally?Why Plan Binationally?

• Alternative Futures (Kepner et al, Alternative Futures (Kepner et al, 2004)2004)– Planning reduces runoff, scour, erosion, Planning reduces runoff, scour, erosion,

sedimentation, overdraftingsedimentation, overdrafting

• How plan? TogetherHow plan? Together

• How plan together? Role of How plan together? Role of mechanisms for binational mechanisms for binational collaborationcollaboration

Restatement of the ProblemRestatement of the Problem

How can we “align” seemingly How can we “align” seemingly dissimilar policies across a (any) dissimilar policies across a (any) border?border?

How can we enlarge all agents’ How can we enlarge all agents’ perspective to envelop a watershed?perspective to envelop a watershed?

What means and mechanisms exist to What means and mechanisms exist to be used to collaborate?be used to collaborate?

What do we need to invent? What do we need to invent?

Treaty of 1944 and Treaty of 1944 and IBWC/CILAIBWC/CILA

• Over covers three rivers (only two Over covers three rivers (only two quantitatively): What about the rest? quantitatively): What about the rest?

• No watersheds (Minute 306)No watersheds (Minute 306)

• No groundwaterNo groundwater

• Few actual rulesFew actual rules

Other TreatiesOther Treaties

• La PazLa Paz• BellagioBellagio• NAFTANAFTA• EPA-SEMARNAT Border 2012 ProgramEPA-SEMARNAT Border 2012 Program

– Goal 1, Objective 2: “Assess shared and Goal 1, Objective 2: “Assess shared and transboundary waters and meet standards”transboundary waters and meet standards”

– Tool: “Sustainable Management of Water Tool: “Sustainable Management of Water Resources”Resources”

• North American Security and ProsperityNorth American Security and Prosperity

Opportunities ExistOpportunities Exist

• U.S. After 50 years of Clean Water U.S. After 50 years of Clean Water Act, Total Maximum Daily Load Act, Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) rules(TMDL) rules

• MX: Ordenamiento Ecologia (OE), MX: Ordenamiento Ecologia (OE), Organismos y Consejos de Cuencas Organismos y Consejos de Cuencas

• Joint: BECC-NADBank, IBWC-CILA, CECJoint: BECC-NADBank, IBWC-CILA, CEC

• Other: GNEB, BTA, USMCoC Other: GNEB, BTA, USMCoC

Implications (MX O.E. and Implications (MX O.E. and O/CdC)O/CdC)

• CNA delegates authority and autonomy CNA delegates authority and autonomy to local controlto local control

• Consensus required of Consensus required of allall stakeholders stakeholders including mandated NGO, academic, including mandated NGO, academic, community involvementcommunity involvement

• Fiscal resources generated within stay Fiscal resources generated within stay within and can be used for needed within and can be used for needed projects including ecosystem servicesprojects including ecosystem services

Implication 2Implication 2

• Combine, consider, and balance Combine, consider, and balance ecological vulnerability, ecological vulnerability, environmental quality, and economic environmental quality, and economic productivityproductivity

• Systemic, not just waterSystemic, not just water

• Provide for trans-jurisdictional and Provide for trans-jurisdictional and cross governmental level cooperation cross governmental level cooperation

Objectives of this BIObjectives of this BI

• Understand the challenge of Understand the challenge of watersheds watersheds

• ““Binationalize” and tailor the Binationalize” and tailor the watershed approach to each setting watershed approach to each setting

• Identify successful and new Identify successful and new opportunities for collaboration opportunities for collaboration

• ““Institutionalize” mechanisms for Institutionalize” mechanisms for collaboration across all borderscollaboration across all borders

VI TourVI Tour

•

Break Out SessionBreak Out Session

Sovereignty, Jurisdictions, Sovereignty, Jurisdictions, and Agreementsand Agreements

““The Coase theorem says that a The Coase theorem says that a bilateral externality will be corrected bilateral externality will be corrected by the parties themselves provided by the parties themselves provided they are allowed to negotiate and they are allowed to negotiate and can rely on a third party to enforce can rely on a third party to enforce such an agreement.” such an agreement.”

Scott Barnett Scott Barnett Environment and Environment and StatecraftStatecraft

ExampleExample

A shortage on the Colorado River is A shortage on the Colorado River is anticipated.anticipated.

When the shortage is declared, When the shortage is declared, conservation and cuts will be imposed.conservation and cuts will be imposed.

Mexico has not been “consulted”. Mexico has not been “consulted”.

The Upper and Lower Compacts have not The Upper and Lower Compacts have not agreed about how to meet treaty. agreed about how to meet treaty.

Ruckelshaus Guidelines:Ruckelshaus Guidelines:

• Collaborative processes takes time.Collaborative processes takes time.

• Every stakeholder must be brought in Every stakeholder must be brought in early.early.

• Relevant government agencies should Relevant government agencies should sponsor the effort but stand aside.sponsor the effort but stand aside.

• Alternates to collaboration are Alternates to collaboration are unacceptable.unacceptable.

Ruckelshaus Guidelines:Ruckelshaus Guidelines:

• The process needs professional The process needs professional facilitation.facilitation.

• Access to data is essential.Access to data is essential.

• The impacts to the economic can be The impacts to the economic can be confronted in detail.confronted in detail.

• The goal is a deep and meaningful The goal is a deep and meaningful solution. solution.

Our ChallengeOur Challenge

• BinationalizeBinationalize

• PrioritizePrioritize

• ImplementImplement

• Fund!Fund!

Some Funny Funding IdeasSome Funny Funding Ideas

• Mitigation BankMitigation Bank

• Trading (Water, Nutrients, Ecosystem Trading (Water, Nutrients, Ecosystem Services)Services)

• Water Impact SurchargesWater Impact Surcharges

• Ordenamiento EcologiaOrdenamiento Ecologia

• TMDLTMDL

• SB 1952SB 1952

• BondsBonds

GoalGoal

Regional traction on an agreement to Regional traction on an agreement to enable, facilitate, and eventually enable, facilitate, and eventually empower local watershed initiatives empower local watershed initiatives

Overall

H2O Qual

H2O Supply

Ground H2O

Land Use

Infrastruct.

Past (click) Current Regimes/Programs Emerging/Future Regimes Goals/Models (Unilateral Collaborative) (Bilateral)

IENGOs

Overall

H2O Qual

H2O Supply

Ground H2O

Land Use

Infrastruct.


Border 2012WPF, BITF, WTF

BiNat’l WQ study(draft)

TRW & WTC

FCC

Best Management Practices

NPS Runoff Controls

Nogales Wash GWMonitoring

ADWR

Conchos Irrigation Dist.Water Construction Grants

IENGOs

Riparian restorationprojects

Overall

H2O Qual

H2O Supply

Ground H2O

Land Use

Infrastruct.

Past (click) Current Regimes/Programs Emerging/Future Regimes Goals/Models(Unilateral Collaborative) (Bilateral)



TRW & WTC

FCC


NPS Runoff Controls


ADWR


IENGOs

Bellagio Draft Bellagio Draft GW treatyGW treaty

Bingaman Aquifer Assessment Bill

Shortage notice Conservation triggers

Int’l WQ Study

Complimentary W/S Efficiency & Cons. Programs

Sampling M.O.U.,Data Trading

GroundwaterAgreement

Californias (BiNat’l) W/S Strategic Plan

Bank nutrients/water

Overall

H2O Qual

H2O Supply

Ground H2O

Land Use

Infrastruct.




TRW & WTC

FCC


NPS Runoff Controls


ADWR


IENGOs

Bellagio Draft Bellagio Draft GW treatyGW treaty

Bingaman Aquifer Assessment Bill

Shortage notice Conservation triggers

Int’l WQ Study

Complimentary W/S Efficiency & Cons. Programs

Sampling M.O.U.,Data Trading

GroundwaterAgreement

Californias (BiNat’l) W/S Strategic Plan

Bank nutrients/water

Riparian restorationprojects

US

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Authority for a Declaration Authority for a Declaration

• La Paz Annex created the JACLa Paz Annex created the JAC• Ordenamiento Ecologia and Ordenamiento Ecologia and

Organismos/Consejos de CuencasOrganismos/Consejos de Cuencas• 1944 Treaty and IBWC (Min 294 Technical 1944 Treaty and IBWC (Min 294 Technical

Committee and 306 Advisory Council, Committee and 306 Advisory Council, Convening Influence, Informal Convening Influence, Informal government-to-government meetings) government-to-government meetings)

• Cooperative Conservation Executive Order Cooperative Conservation Executive Order • Endangered Species Act Endangered Species Act

Break-Out SessionBreak-Out Session

• SUPPLY: Stocks, Flows, and SUPPLY: Stocks, Flows, and InfrastructureInfrastructure

• GROUNDWATER: Inter-jurisdictional GROUNDWATER: Inter-jurisdictional

• RUNOFF: Non-Point Pollution RUNOFF: Non-Point Pollution

• QUALITY: Point Pollutants and QUALITY: Point Pollutants and TreatmentsTreatments

• MECHANISMS: Legal, Policy, InstitutionalMECHANISMS: Legal, Policy, Institutional

Break-Out SessionBreak-Out Session

• INNOVATIONS: Finance and EconomicINNOVATIONS: Finance and Economic

• LIVING RESOURCES: Riparian IssuesLIVING RESOURCES: Riparian Issues

• DATA: Science, GIS, OutreachDATA: Science, GIS, Outreach

• GOVERNANCE: Inter-Level GOVERNANCE: Inter-Level

• ROADMAP Process to Develop Plans, ROADMAP Process to Develop Plans, Agreements, TreatiesAgreements, Treaties

Policy Format (BORRIF)Policy Format (BORRIF)

• BackgroundBackground

• OptionOption

• RecommendationRecommendation

• RationaleRationale

• Implementation/FundImplementation/Fund

Water Budgets/Water BalancesWater Budgets/Water BalancesB: No budget/balance has been developed for the local level nor do existing ones consider usage on the other side.O: Mimbres basin water budget in the South West New Mexico Regional Water Plan: What if Columbus were to construct a water budget which could mesh with the regional one? What if Palomas did likewise? O: Water balance for the NW part of Chihuahua in the Programa Hidráulico Regional 2002-2006: What if a water balance were developed for Palomas, and Columbus? R: If both Columbus and Palomas created water budgets/ balances using the same standards for each side, their data could be meshed with the respective basin data in accord with protocols, thus being usable in both systems while enabling better understanding of the regional basin.

THANKS!THANKS!

• SCERP Staff, Chair Management SCERP Staff, Chair Management Committee, Advisory CouncilCommittee, Advisory Council

• Sponsors EPA, SEMARNAT, BTA Sponsors EPA, SEMARNAT, BTA USMCoCUSMCoC

• Authors, Presenters, PanelistsAuthors, Presenters, Panelists

• Translators and Hotel StaffTranslators and Hotel Staff

• Participants!Participants!

Documents

BIENVENIDOS! WELCOME! BIENVENIDOS! WELCOME!. Agenda SCERP Border Institute Objectives Watersheds Watershed Approach Transboundary U.S-Mexican Objectives