Task 1. Bi-national water management in the Paso del Norte. Analysis of the role of CILA/IBWC in the Paso del Norte.  Research topics should include: legal authority and actions taken under 1906 and 1944 treaties and subsequent agreements (Minutes), construction and maintenance of water structures, diversion channels, pumping stations, allocation of surface water, sanitation and water quality, flood control, riparian management. Relations with other water management agencies. Relations with local water agencies and stake holders.

Previous PRPs have studied the  role of the American section (IBWC) in the border region as a whole.  This paper will pay special attention to the role, organization and functioning of the Mexican section (CILA).  In addition, the activities  of both sections in the Paso del Norte will be studied in detail.

Time permitting, analysis of the role of other international agencies, such as NADBank and BECC.

People: Juan Manuel Aldrete-Sanchez, Sally (Billups) Talberg

Task 2. Water management by federal and state agencies in the Paso del Norte. This paper will identify, analyze and compare the water management roles of governmental water agencies in Mexico (primarily CNA), United States (Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation), as well as the states of New Mexico (State Water Engineer), Texas (TNRCC and TWDB, in particular SB1 planning process) and Chihuahua). An important topic is the way water rights are adjudicated by different governments. The regional activities of environmental agencies (EPA/TNRCC, New Mexico Department of Natural Resources, and SEMARNAP will be covered. Joint efforts between different jurisdictions (such as the New Mexico-Texas Compact) will be included.

We start from the hypothesis that many management functions exercised by the Mexican federal government in the Juárez region are the responsibility of state agencies in New Mexico and Texas. We also want to find out whether and how ground water issues are addressed by federal and state agencies..

People: Mary Whittle, Rachel Poynter

Task 3. Water management by municipal water offices and water boards in Cd. Juárez, El Paso and Las Cruces. Overview of water administration in the three metropolitan areas. In-depth analysis of two cities. Special focus on how cities plan for their future water needs. City planning strategies may include: reduced reliance on rapidly depleting Hueco Bolson, development of Mesilla Bolson (and controversies surrounding this issue), increased reliance on river water, pipeline for drinking water from Elephant Butte to Paso. Cooperation between Juárez and El Paso, or the lack thereof, will be documented. Conservation and reuse of water are examined at the city level is included.

Task 4. Water management by irrigation districts.  Identify and analyze the irrigation (or water and conservation) districts in Southern New Mexico, Texas (from the New Mexico state border to Fort Quitman), and the vicinity of Cd. Juárez--Elephant Butte (New Mexico), El Paso County Select 3 irrigation districts for detailed analysis, if possible one each from Mexico, Texas and New Mexico. Investigate who controls irrigation districts and how stake holders are represented. Document which crops are planted (water intensive, high value, etc.), whether water is metered, what farmers pay. Conservation and other ways to use water efficiently (i.e. trickle irrigation, lined irrigation ditches, underground irrigation pipes, water pricing and markets, and water partnerships with cities) will be included.--Briefly identify all irrigation districts in the region.  Then focus on three main districts, listed below.

People: Paula McDermott (EL Paso County Water Improvement District and Juárez irrigation district), Kristin Keeling (Elephant Butte Irrigation District)

Task 5. Water supply and demand--past, current, and future.  Quantitative analysis of water supply and demand using either the WEAP model (Water Evaluation and Planning System) or a spreadsheet model developed by Dr. Ward. Existing data from the various jurisdictions (cities/counties/municipios and irrigation districts) will be assembled for a) population, b) surface water supply, c) ground water supply, d) M&I water demand, e) agricultural water demand, and f) water quality.  Demographic and economic projections to 2030 (if available 2040) will be used.