WSP09503

• File Number: 8278.400
• Description: Title I - Mexican Treaty
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 5/10/1962
• Author: CWCB - D. Hamburg
• Title: Mexican Water Treaty Negotiations Pertaining to the Colorado River
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

SENATOR DOWNEY. The language you refer to, as I
understand you, is this: That Mexico shall be guaranteed
the right to l,500,OOO acre-feet of water from any and
all sources; is that right?

MR. TIPTON. That is part of the language.

SENATOR DOWNEY. That is the language you refer to?

MR. TIPTON. Yes; that is correct.

SENATOR DOWNEY. Is not that a clause favoring Mexico
and merely providing that her lien or right to 1,500,000
acre-feet attaches to all the waters in the United States?

MR. TIPTON. No, sir. As I say, I participated in the
negotiations and I know the reason for that language. As
to subsequent interpretations, I do not know. But I know
the reason for the language.

Then, do not forget the very significant limitation:
"for any purpose whatsoever".

SENATOR DOWNEY. Do you have the treaty there?

MR. TIPTON. Yes, sir.

SENATOR DOvffiEY. Read that last language that you
think obligates Mexico to take water even though it is
not of usable quality.

MR. TIPTON. It is article 10, subparagraph (b), on
page 14:

Mexico shall acquire no right beyond that pro-
vided by this subparagraph by the use of the waters
of the Colorado River system, for any purpose what-
soever, in excess of 1,500,000 acre-feet annually.

SENATOR DOWNEY. But, Mr. Tipton, that does not answer
the question as to whether that 1,500,000 acre-feet is to
be usable as first-class water. That begs the whole
question.

MR. TIPTON. No, it does not, Senator. If Mexico re-
quired an additional amount of fresh water to dilute this,

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