Water… A resource that is vital to a person’s everyday life. Water is what our farmers use to grow their crops, water is what the energy industry uses to extract oil and gas from the earth, water is what we consumers drink and depend on everyday. Without water, we could not live and function. In fact, water is so important that 70 years ago Texas and Mexico signed a treaty, in 1944, to ensure that both Texas and Mexico would always share water in the Rio Grande River. For decades this treaty has benefitted both Texas and Mexico, however, recently tensions have risen between the two powers. The Texas Mexico Water Treaty has become a point of contention, and steps have been taken to resolve the issues.
In 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed to form a boundary between the United States and Mexico. This boundary was formed along the Rio Grande River. It wasn’t until 1944 that the Texas Mexico Water Treaty was signed and described how the water would be shared between Texas and Mexico. The Treaty explained how the water was to be shared between the two parties based on the surplus of water in the river.
The Rio Grande River is one of the largest in North America. It runs 1,885 miles long, and supports many farmers and consumers in both Texas and Mexico. For example, Texas is the largest cotton and cattle producer in the United States. Texas has produced 13.86 million cattle and calves on a five-year average for the United States. Texas also has produced 5,800,000 bales of cotton for the United States. Cotton is used to make jeans, bed sheets, T-shirts, pillowcases, and much more. Produce like cattle and cotton need water and the Rio Grande River is a major contributor to the success of this produce. The cattle and cotton...
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"Save Export Print Cite Cornyn, Cruz, Vela, Conaway Introduce Water Act to Help Address Texas Water Shortage, Engage Mexico on Treaty Compliance." State News Service. High Beam Research, 10 June 2013. Web. 10 Nov. 2013. .
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In July 1845, a popularly-elected Constitutional Convention met in Austin to consider both this annexation proposal as well as a proposed peace treaty with Mexico which would end the state of war between the two nations, but only if Texas remained an independent country.
Mexico saw the fire of revolution in the Texans and acted quickly. They soon sent spies in to observe the actions of the Texans and slowly started to move troops into the Texas territory.... ... middle of paper ... ...
The U.S requested the also be given the Rio Grande. The Rio Grande was south of Texas and clearly belonged to Mexico (refer to figure 1). The U.S felt that the Rio Grande was part of Texas and should be given to the U.S with Texas. Mexico would not give up the Rio Grande because they were certain that the Rio Grande belonged to them. America's greed is THE major reason this conflict occurred. The U.S also believed the Mexico should have to pay for any of the U.S's debts that were incurred during Mexico's conflicts with Spain. America was in debt 3 million dollars because of the Mexico and Spanish conflicts and America very strongly believed that these debts were Mexico's fault and they should have to pay for them.
The Colorado River starts in the Rocky Mountains and cuts through 1500 miles of desert canyon lands of seven US states and two Mexican states to supply water the southwestern US [1, 2]. From early settlement, the basin states have debated and reassigned the water rights to the river; however, all the distribution patterns lead to excessive consumption of the resource [2]. In 1922, the seven states signed into the Colorado River Compact, which outlined the policy for the distribution rights to the water [3], however, this compact was written during an exceptionally wet period, which has shown to be uncharacteristic of the long-term conditions [4]. As the century progressed, the climate cycled into the traditional drier climate and by the 1950s, the river no longer met its delta in the Gulf of California [2]. Coupled with growing populations in the Western US in the late 20th century, the reservoirs and groundwater supplies have seen steady declines from a consumption pattern that is outpacing the system's ability to replenish itself and raises concerns about the future water supply [5].
I do agree that policy makers in Texas need to consider water scarcity as a strong issue. We use and need water on an everyday basis as well do the farms that grow the food we purchase at supermarkets. I read the article on water scarcity by Keith Phillips and understand the current water trade being implemented, but because of the high demand of water and its scarcity I believe the system should be changed. Owners do have the right to their property, but the policy makers should consider ways to place restrictions due to current situation on water. Having land owners extracting large amounts of water on daily basis for sale purposes is not benefiting any long- term plans for our water
The Rio Grande River, or Río Bravo as it is called in Mexico is the natural boundary between the U.S. and Mexico from El Paso, TX, to Brownsville, TX, however, the Rio Grand River no longer flows naturally as the extensive networks of diversions and dams control the natural flow of the river. “The Amistad International Dam, built jointly by the U.S. and Mexico...
Situated in the south central part of the United States, Texas is the second largest state in the U.S. It is also the third fastest growing state and holds a number of the most populous cities in the nation [US Census,2013] and number one in the nation in producing greenhouse gasses [EPA, 2013]. Stress in water resources can be seen in rapidly populated and over populated areas, where the water demand is high and availability is limited. This is particularly magnified in Texas due to climate change. It is important to identify different factors that shape Texas’ climate before characterizing its implication on water supply in the future.
In addition to these topics, people should understand where the water that is disappearing originates. The majority of states in the Southwest region rely on the Colorado River. It provides water to seven states and over 40 million people, but parts of the river have dried up to muddy trickles. “The most immediate cause is 14 years of drought unrivaled in 1,250 years” (Weaver). It is very apparent that climate change is a chief reason for the water shortages. Some other causes of this problem comes from low snowpack at the river’s origin, high summer temperatures due to climate change, depleted reservoirs, and over demand due to overpopulation. Other experts believe that pollution and illegal pumping add to the causes for depletion of the Colorado
The controversy over water rights has been a long battle that the Navajo Nation has endured for decades. This controversy which is complicated by numerous issues has only been increasing in recent years. For example the Navajo Hopi Little Colorado Water Settlement that has been in litigation for 33 years. Of particular note Navajo people and their elected officials are struggling to balance expectations with reality including legally mandated coordination with state and federal governments. As a result there has been notable conflict in resources associated with water management. These fundamental issues have been exasperated by a host of concerns: (1) deceased water availability due to drought or water development; (2) long litigation proceedings, (3) growing demands to use “Navajo Water” to meet non-Navajo energy needs in the southwest including coal consumption, uranium exploration-mining and natural gas fracking, and (4) the confusion of Indian Water Rights held separate from the United States water rights systems.
One of the most important issues that must be addressed and resolved in Texas is that of the environmental pollution. In fact, Texas has been one of the most polluted state in America. It doesn’t take long for the different type of waste such as nuclear waste, chemical pollutants, emission from coal-fired power plants, and pollution resulting from fracking to have damaging effects on the air and in the water supply of many Texans. In response to this situation that doesn’t stop from becoming worse, the Lone Star State needs to act quickly.
Mexico is the country where water is the serious problem and it is still deteriorating (UNESCO, 2006). In the last two decades, as the population of the country has been growing intensively, the demand for water has also dramatically increased. The number of people who suffer from water shortage is about 11 million; almost 11% of Mexico’s total population (Castro and Heller, 2009). There are lots of problems connected with water shortage. One of the main problems is that in the situation with water scarcity the government decided to pump water from aquifers. For example, Mexico City is provided with water by six aquifers (UNESCO, 2006). The consequences of pumping groundwater resources are quite negative: aquifers are overexploited and they are drying, and ground is sinking for 40 cm every year (UNESCO, 2006). It is obvious that water shortage is a serious problem and effective measures must be taken in order to prevent water crisis.
Water is used for many things, including food and energy production. If policies are set in place and the water supply is cautiously monitored, then we can meet the food, energy, and water needs. These policies must plan for water reduction used by the economy and the population while maintaining streams and lakes required as habitats for the ecosystem [3]. If policies are not done correctly, the American Southwest could collapse. Not only would water be limited but food production would decline as well as energy. The population would have motives to move, resulting in a declining and unstable economy if a huge losses occurred. Without plentiful water, a severe drought could become a motive for terrorist attacks aimed either at the unstable population or any water supplies to create further problems [3]. Wildfires could wreak havoc on the area and result in loss of habitat for the ecosystem. If extensive enough, life could become scarce as people and species
The extensive use of water for hydraulic fracturing is likely to restrict the supply of water towards irrigation for agriculture, residential, and business use. In areas with dry climates such as New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma this allocation of water is likely to intensify drought conditions.
"In an age when man has forgotten his origins and is blind even to his most essential needs for survival, water along with other resources has become the victim of his indifference.”