Misplaced Pages

#40959

58-857: The organization was created as the International Boundary Commission by the Convention of 1889 between the United States and Mexico. It was given its present name under the 1944 Treaty relating to the Utilization of Waters of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers and of the Rio Grande . Under these agreements, the IBWC has a U.S. section and a Mexican section, headquartered in the adjoining cities of El Paso, Texas , and Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua . The U.S. section

116-534: A 30-day window to object, without such an objection, a minute becomes a binding agreement between the countries. Due to the minute system the treaty is considered to be one of the most flexible binational agreements in the world. Since 2022 the Rio Grande Minute Working Group consists of representatives from IBWC, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality , US Department of State , the Mexican arm of

174-635: A deal for the new cycle by December 2023, however, Mexico refused to sign the new Minute due to domestic opposition in Chihuahua . In any case, it is unclear if Mexico can meet its obligations due to very low levels in the La Boquilla and Francisco Madero reservoirs. This article about foreign relations is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . 1889 Border Convention The International Boundary and Water Commission ( IBWC , Spanish: Comisión Internacional de Límites y Aguas , CILA )

232-415: A drought had forced Mexico to reduce deliveries. However, the extraordinary drought was not declared at the time, so Mexico, still in debt, declared it unilaterally in 1999 and postponed the deliveries into the next cycle. The U.S., after an original protest, agreed in 2002 to roll over the deficit into yet another (third) 5-year cycle. The U.S. stated that international obligations have the highest priority on

290-621: Is administered by the Department of State , and the Mexican part by the Secretariat of Foreign Relations . Some of the rights and obligations administered by the IBWC include: The U.S. and Mexican commissioners meet at least weekly, alternating the place of meetings, and are in almost daily contact with one another. Each section maintains its own engineering staff, a secretary, and such legal advisers and other assistants as it deems necessary. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo of 2 February 1848 fixed

348-454: Is an international body created by the United States and Mexico in 1889 to apply the rules for determining the location of their international boundary when meandering rivers transferred tracts of land from one bank to the other, as established under the Convention of November 12, 1884. The organization was created as the International Boundary Commission by the Convention of 1889 between

406-502: The 1889 Border Convention (1 March), the two governments created the International Boundary Commission (IBC), to consist of a United States section and a Mexican section. The IBC was charged with the application of the rules of the 1884 Convention, for the settlement of questions arising as to the location of the boundary when the rivers changed their course. That convention was modified by the Banco Convention of 20 March 1905 to retain

464-444: The 1889 Border Convention (1 March), the two governments created the International Boundary Commission (IBC), to consist of a United States section and a Mexican section. The IBC was charged with the application of the rules of the 1884 Convention, for the settlement of questions arising as to the location of the boundary when the rivers changed their course. That convention was modified by the Banco Convention of 20 March 1905 to retain

522-466: The 249-km (155-mile) river boundary through the highly developed El Paso–Juárez Valley. The project further provided for the control of the river's floods through this valley. Numerous parcels of land (174) were transferred between the two countries during the construction period, 1935 – 1938. At the end, each nation had ceded an equal area of land (2,560.5 acres (1,036.2 ha)) to the other. The Water Treaty of 3 February 1944 distributed between

580-464: The 249-km (155-mile) river boundary through the highly developed El Paso–Juárez Valley. The project further provided for the control of the river's floods through this valley. Numerous parcels of land (174) were transferred between the two countries during the construction period, 1935 – 1938. At the end, each nation had ceded an equal area of land (2,560.5 acres (1,036.2 ha)) to the other. The Water Treaty of 3 February 1944 distributed between

638-409: The 5-year debt into the next 5-year interval. The treaty did not define a procedure for such declaration and does not allow rolling the debt over to yet another 5-year period. Mexico's accumulated water debt is written off once the reservoirs behind Falcon and Amistad Dams become full, with this event starting a new 5-year cycle. To expedite the negotiations on the primary issue ( surface waters ),

SECTION 10

#1732851088041

696-535: The IBWC (CILA), and the Mexican National Water Commission  [ es ] (CONAGUA). Per the treaty, the countries have the following entitlements: A special provision ensures that the US 1 ⁄ 3 share of the flow from the Mexican tributaries "shall not be less, as an average ... than 350 000 acre-feet annually". The first major problem with the treaty surfaced in the 1992-1997 cycle:

754-428: The IBWC study, investigate, and report to the governments on such hydroelectric facilities as the IBWC finds should be built at the international storage dams and on such flood control works, other than those specified in the treaty, that the IBWC finds should be built on the boundary rivers, the estimated cost thereof, the part to be built by each government, and to be operated and maintained by each through its section of

812-428: The IBWC study, investigate, and report to the governments on such hydroelectric facilities as the IBWC finds should be built at the international storage dams and on such flood control works, other than those specified in the treaty, that the IBWC finds should be built on the boundary rivers, the estimated cost thereof, the part to be built by each government, and to be operated and maintained by each through its section of

870-583: The IBWC. Under the terms of the 1944 treaty, the two governments reached agreement for the solution of the international problem of the salinity of the Lower Colorado River (30 August 1973), and the IBWC submitted and the two governments approved "Recommendations for the Solution of the Border Sanitation Problems" (24 September 1979). There has long been tension between the two countries over

928-400: The IBWC. Under the terms of the 1944 treaty, the two governments reached agreement for the solution of the international problem of the salinity of the Lower Colorado River (30 August 1973), and the IBWC submitted and the two governments approved "Recommendations for the Solution of the Border Sanitation Problems" (24 September 1979). There has long been tension between the two countries over

986-465: The Mexican part by the Secretariat of Foreign Relations . Some of the rights and obligations administered by the IBWC include: The U.S. and Mexican commissioners meet at least weekly, alternating the place of meetings, and are in almost daily contact with one another. Each section maintains its own engineering staff, a secretary, and such legal advisers and other assistants as it deems necessary. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo of 2 February 1848 fixed

1044-512: The Rio Grande The Treaty relating to the utilization of waters of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers and of the Rio Grande (also known as Treaty on Utilization of Waters of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers and of the Rio Grande or 1944 Water Treaty ) is a cooperative water agreement between the United States of America and Mexico defining allocation of Rio Grande water to the U.S. and Colorado River water to Mexico. The agreement

1102-543: The Rio Grande and the Colorado River as the boundary. The 1906 Boundary Waters Convention (21 May) provided for the distribution between the United States and Mexico of the waters of the Rio Grande above Fort Quitman , Texas , for the 143-km (89-mile) international boundary reach of the Rio Grande through the El Paso–;Juárez Valley. This convention allotted to Mexico 60,000 acre-feet (74,000,000 m ) annually of

1160-428: The Rio Grande and the Colorado River as the boundary. The 1906 Boundary Waters Convention (21 May) provided for the distribution between the United States and Mexico of the waters of the Rio Grande above Fort Quitman , Texas , for the 143-km (89-mile) international boundary reach of the Rio Grande through the El Paso–Juárez Valley. This convention allotted to Mexico 60,000 acre-feet (74,000,000 m) annually of

1218-450: The Rio Grande and the Colorado River as the international boundary. The Rio Grande was re-established as the boundary throughout its 2,019-km (1,254 mile) limitrophe section. The treaty includes provisions for restoring and preserving the character of the Rio Grande as the international boundary where that character has been lost, to minimize changes in the channel, and to resolve problems of sovereignty that might arise due to future changes in

SECTION 20

#1732851088041

1276-450: The Rio Grande and the Colorado River as the international boundary. The Rio Grande was re-established as the boundary throughout its 2,019-km (1,254 mile) limitrophe section. The treaty includes provisions for restoring and preserving the character of the Rio Grande as the international boundary where that character has been lost, to minimize changes in the channel, and to resolve problems of sovereignty that might arise due to future changes in

1334-644: The Rio Grande to Mexico, totaling 107.81 acres (0.4363 km ). At the same time, Mexico ceded three islands and two cuts to the U.S., totaling 63.53 acres (25.71 ha). This transfer, which had been pending for 20 years, was the first application of Article III of the 1970 Boundary Treaty . In recent years, the IBWC has been criticized as an institutional anachronism, bypassed by modern social, environmental, and political issues. The U.S. section has been described as secretive, beholden to special interests, and indifferent to environmental problems. The State Department has attempted to distance itself from responsibility for

1392-643: The Rio Grande to Mexico, totaling 107.81 acres (0.4363 km). At the same time, Mexico ceded three islands and two cuts to the U.S., totaling 63.53 acres (25.71 ha). This transfer, which had been pending for 20 years, was the first application of Article III of the 1970 Boundary Treaty . In recent years, the IBWC has been criticized as an institutional anachronism, bypassed by modern social, environmental, and political issues. The U.S. section has been described as secretive, beholden to special interests, and indifferent to environmental problems. The State Department has attempted to distance itself from responsibility for

1450-471: The U.S. section, even disclaiming jurisdiction, notwithstanding numerous statutes to the contrary. Critics, including the agency's employees, say poor leadership has led to deteriorating levees, dams, and water-treatment facilities. The IBWC operates the American Dam at the corner of Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico. Treaty relating to the Utilization of Waters of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers and of

1508-454: The U.S., in areas near Presidio and Hidalgo, Texas , to build flood-control channels. In exchange, the U.S. ceded 2,177 acres (8.81 km ) to Mexico, including five parcels near Presidio, the Horcon Tract containing the little town of Rio Rico, Texas , and Beaver Island near Roma, Texas . The last of these transfers occurred in 1977. On November 24, 2009, the U.S. ceded six islands in

1566-399: The U.S., in areas near Presidio and Hidalgo, Texas , to build flood-control channels. In exchange, the U.S. ceded 2,177 acres (8.81 km) to Mexico, including five parcels near Presidio, the Horcon Tract containing the little town of Rio Rico, Texas , and Beaver Island near Roma, Texas . The last of these transfers occurred in 1977. On November 24, 2009, the U.S. ceded six islands in

1624-416: The United States and Mexico. It was given its present name under the 1944 Treaty relating to the Utilization of Waters of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers and of the Rio Grande . Under these agreements, the IBWC has a U.S. section and a Mexican section, headquartered in the adjoining cities of El Paso, Texas , and Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua . The U.S. section is administered by the Department of State , and

1682-538: The amount of water delivered to the Mexican canal shall be diminished in the same proportion as the water delivered to lands under the irrigation system in the United States downstream of Elephant Butte Dike. In the 1933 Border Convention (1 February), the two governments agreed to jointly construct, operate, and maintain, through the IBC, the Rio Grande Rectification Project , which straightened and stabilized

1740-418: The amount of water delivered to the Mexican canal shall be diminished in the same proportion as the water delivered to lands under the irrigation system in the United States downstream of Elephant Butte Dike. In the 1933 Border Convention (1 February), the two governments agreed to jointly construct, operate, and maintain, through the IBC, the Rio Grande Rectification Project , which straightened and stabilized

1798-402: The boundary rivers and the adjoining lands began to be developed for agriculture in the late 19th century, questions arose as to the location of the boundary when the rivers changed their course and transferred tracts of land from one side of the river to the other. The two governments, under the 1884 Border Convention (12 November), adopted certain rules designed to deal with such questions. By

International Boundary and Water Commission - Misplaced Pages Continue

1856-401: The boundary rivers and the adjoining lands began to be developed for agriculture in the late 19th century, questions arose as to the location of the boundary when the rivers changed their course and transferred tracts of land from one side of the river to the other. The two governments, under the 1884 Border Convention (12 November), adopted certain rules designed to deal with such questions. By

1914-449: The channel of the Rio Grande. It provides for procedures designed to avoid the loss of territory by either country incident to future changes in the river's course due to causes other than lateral movement, incident to eroding one of its banks and depositing alluvium on the opposite bank. This treaty, too, charged the IBWC with carrying out its provisions. The Boundary Treaty of 1970 transferred 823 acres (333 ha) of Mexican territory to

1972-449: The channel of the Rio Grande. It provides for procedures designed to avoid the loss of territory by either country incident to future changes in the river's course due to causes other than lateral movement, incident to eroding one of its banks and depositing alluvium on the opposite bank. This treaty, too, charged the IBWC with carrying out its provisions. The Boundary Treaty of 1970 transferred 823 acres (333 ha) of Mexican territory to

2030-470: The composition of the IBWC, including its current name and professional character (both U.S. and Mexican heads are to be engineers). The Commission objectives were set as follows: The annual cross-border allocations were defined as follows: Drought can be accommodated by lower deliveries that should be made up within the 5-year accounting "cycle" (the concept was updated via Minute 234 in 1969 ). A declaration of an "extraordinary drought" allows for rolling

2088-416: The conservation, storage, and regulation of the greatest quantity of the annual flow of the river to enable each country to make optimum use of its allotted waters. The treaty also provides that of the waters of the Colorado River, Mexico is to receive: To enable diversion of Mexico's allotted waters, the treaty provided for the construction by Mexico of a main diversion structure in the Colorado River, below

2146-416: The conservation, storage, and regulation of the greatest quantity of the annual flow of the river to enable each country to make optimum use of its allotted waters. The treaty also provides that of the waters of the Colorado River, Mexico is to receive: To enable diversion of Mexico's allotted waters, the treaty provided for the construction by Mexico of a main diversion structure in the Colorado River, below

2204-406: The first joint mission of the governments of the United States and Mexico, which was to survey and demarcate the boundary on the ground in accordance with the treaties. Another temporary commission was created by the 1852 Boundary Convention (29 July), which surveyed and increased the number of monuments marking the land boundary westward from El Paso and Ciudad Juárez. As settlements sprang up along

2262-406: The first joint mission of the governments of the United States and Mexico, which was to survey and demarcate the boundary on the ground in accordance with the treaties. Another temporary commission was created by the 1852 Boundary Convention (29 July), which surveyed and increased the number of monuments marking the land boundary westward from El Paso and Ciudad Juárez. As settlements sprang up along

2320-531: The international boundary between El Paso–Ciudad Juárez and the Gulf of Mexico . The Gadsden Purchase Treaty of 30 December 1853 extended the southern boundary of New Mexico and Arizona southwards to enable the United States to construct a railroad to the west coast along a southern route and to resolve a question arising from the 1848 Treaty as to the location of the southern boundary of New Mexico. Temporary commissions were formed by these boundary treaties to perform

2378-485: The international boundary between El Paso–Ciudad Juárez and the Gulf of Mexico . The Gadsden Purchase Treaty of 30 December 1853 extended the southern boundary of New Mexico and Arizona southwards to enable the United States to construct a railroad to the west coast along a southern route and to resolve a question arising from the 1848 Treaty as to the location of the southern boundary of New Mexico. Temporary commissions were formed by these boundary treaties to perform

International Boundary and Water Commission - Misplaced Pages Continue

2436-490: The issue of groundwater was deliberately set aside. Article 25 of the treaty created a "minute system", a vehicle that allows rapid changes to accommodate water flow variations, environmental conditions, and technical accidents. Each "minute" is a result of negotiations performed by IBWC/CILA Commissioners. The minutes are considered to be interpretations of the treaty, not amendments to it, and therefore do not require action of legislatures to become active: each government has

2494-490: The nearly 100-year-old boundary problem at El Paso and Ciudad Juárez. Known as the Chamizal Dispute , this involved some 630 acres (250 ha) of territory that were transferred from the south to the north bank of the Rio Grande by movement of the river during the latter part of the 19th century. By this convention, the two governments gave effect to a 1911 arbitration award under 1963 conditions. The convention provided for

2552-432: The nearly 100-year-old boundary problem at El Paso and Ciudad Juárez. Known as the Chamizal Dispute , this involved some 630 acres (250 ha) of territory that were transferred from the south to the north bank of the Rio Grande by movement of the river during the latter part of the 19th century. By this convention, the two governments gave effect to a 1911 arbitration award under 1963 conditions. The convention provided for

2610-475: The point where the California–;Baja California land boundary line intersects the river. It also provided for the construction at Mexico's expense of such works as may be needed in the United States to protect its lands from such floods and seepage as might result from the construction and operation of the diversion structure. In the 1944 treaty, the two governments agreed to give preferential attention to

2668-416: The point where the California–Baja California land boundary line intersects the river. It also provided for the construction at Mexico's expense of such works as may be needed in the United States to protect its lands from such floods and seepage as might result from the construction and operation of the diversion structure. In the 1944 treaty, the two governments agreed to give preferential attention to

2726-579: The quality of Colorado River waters flowing to Mexico, including the salinity of irrigation waters discharged into the river at the southern boundary. In 1970, Mexican President Luis Echeverria threatened to bring the salinity dispute to the International Court of Justice. After intense negotiations, the matter was settled by delsalinization works pursuant to Minute 242, International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico, TIAS 7708 (1973). The Chamizal Convention of 29 August 1963 resolved

2784-516: The quality of Colorado River waters flowing to Mexico, including the salinity of irrigation waters discharged into the river at the southern boundary. In 1970, Mexican President Luis Echeverria threatened to bring the salinity dispute to the International Court of Justice. After intense negotiations, the matter was settled by delsalinization works pursuant to Minute 242, International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico, TIAS 7708 (1973). The Chamizal Convention of 29 August 1963 resolved

2842-587: The relocation by the IBWC of the 7 km (4.4 miles) of the channel of the Rio Grande so as to transfer a net amount of 176.92 ha (437.18 acres) from the north to the south side of the river. U.S. President Lyndon Johnson met Mexican President Adolfo López Mateos in El Paso on 24 September 1964 to commemorate the ratification of the Chamizal Convention. The 1970 Boundary Treaty (23 November) resolved all pending boundary differences and provided for maintaining

2900-475: The relocation by the IBWC of the 7 km (4.4 miles) of the channel of the Rio Grande so as to transfer a net amount of 176.92 ha (437.18 acres) from the north to the south side of the river. U.S. President Lyndon Johnson met Mexican President Adolfo López Mateos in El Paso on 24 September 1964 to commemorate the ratification of the Chamizal Convention. The 1970 Boundary Treaty (23 November) resolved all pending boundary differences and provided for maintaining

2958-496: The river, and storing the water in the upstream tributaries for domestic use is not acceptable. By 2004, Mexico delivered on 75% of its debt. The 2020-2025 cycle exhibited similar problems, with Mexico delivering just one year's worth of water (400,000 acre-feet ) by mid-2024. The previous cycle that ended on 25 October 2020 was also running with a deficit until a last-minute deal ("Minute 325", October 2020) lead to delivery of water by Mexico. The Minute 325 also envisioned signing of

SECTION 50

#1732851088041

3016-408: The solution of all border sanitation problems. This treaty entrusts the IBWC (the renamed International Boundary Commission of the 1889 Convention ) with the application of its terms, the regulation and exercise of the rights and obligations which the two governments assumed thereunder, and the settlement of all disputes to which its observance and execution may give rise. The treaty also provides that

3074-408: The solution of all border sanitation problems. This treaty entrusts the IBWC (the renamed International Boundary Commission of the 1889 Convention ) with the application of its terms, the regulation and exercise of the rights and obligations which the two governments assumed thereunder, and the settlement of all disputes to which its observance and execution may give rise. The treaty also provides that

3132-508: The two countries the waters of the Rio Grande from Fort Quitman to the Gulf of Mexico, and the waters of the Colorado River. Of the waters of the Rio Grande, the treaty allocates to Mexico: The treaty allocates to the United States: The 1944 treaty further provided for the two governments to jointly construct, operate, and maintain on the main channel of the Rio Grande the dams required for

3190-400: The two countries the waters of the Rio Grande from Fort Quitman to the Gulf of Mexico, and the waters of the Colorado River. Of the waters of the Rio Grande, the treaty allocates to Mexico: The treaty allocates to the United States: The 1944 treaty further provided for the two governments to jointly construct, operate, and maintain on the main channel of the Rio Grande the dams required for

3248-476: The waters of the Rio Grande to be delivered in accordance with a monthly schedule at the headgate to Mexico's Acequia Madre just above Ciudad Juárez. To facilitate such deliveries, the United States constructed, at its expense, the Elephant Butte Dike in its territory. The convention includes the proviso that in case of extraordinary drought or serious accident to the irrigation system in the United States,

3306-415: The waters of the Rio Grande to be delivered in accordance with a monthly schedule at the headgate to Mexico's Acequia Madre just above Ciudad Juárez. To facilitate such deliveries, the United States constructed, at its expense, the Elephant Butte Dike in its territory. The convention includes the proviso that in case of extraordinary drought or serious accident to the irrigation system in the United States,

3364-503: Was signed in 1944 as an instrument of the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC). The agreement is a subject to frequent changes, delivered through the so-called " Minute Process ". The agreement worked well for 50 years as a tool for peaceful resolution of transborder water management issues, but since the end of the 20th century, Mexico's deliveries to the U.S. have at times come up short. The agreement defined

#40959