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. . . 5 To provide a technical basis for consideration of groundwater basins in the border areas, contemplated in ~finute No. 242, the Commission has initiated a pro~ram for exchange of groundwater data for the major groundwater basins lying partly in the United States and part Iv in Mexico including the Colorado River Delta area. The objective of the exchange is to make available hydro- logic, geologic, and water quality data in either country available to both countries for study to determine if there are present or potential problems, and to analyze such problems as exist. New Developments Point 6 of Minute No. 242 provides that: " .. the United States and r1exico shall consul t with each other prior to undertaking any new developments of either the surface or the groundwater resources, or undertaking substantial modifications of present developments, in its own territory in the border area that might adversely affect the other countrv." ~lexico advised on March 10, 1977, that its Arid Zones Geohydrological Direc- torate planned to drill a series of exploratory wells on the Andrade Mesa (the portion in Mexico of the ImDerial East Mesa in California) near the international boundary. The United States COmMissioner on November 29, 1977, advised the ~exican Commissioner that the United States would object to 'Iexico installin~ any production wells in the area near the boundary. There was no construction in 1978. The Bureau of Reclamation has conducted exploratory drillin~ in the All-American Canal area in connection with the reject stream replacement studies. Data from this exploratory work has been furnished to Mexico as part of the data exchanp,e program. ~exico on October 17, 1977, advised that its Rio Sonoita Basin adjacent to the Arizona-Sonora boundary had been decreed "A orohibited zone" to further g,roundwater development. Mexico has since changed its olans and by letter of ~larch 16. 1978 advised that they nm, plan to develop groundwaters in that basin. The U.S. Section is making a study of vroundwater in this basin. Assistance to ~exico in Rehabilitation Pro?,ram Point 7 of Minute No. 242 provides that: "The United States will support efforts by Mexico to obtain appro- priate financing on favorable te~s for the improvement and rehabili- tation of the Mexicali Valley. The United States will also provide nonreimbursable assistance on a basis mutually acceptable to both countries, exclusively for those aspects of the Mexican rehabilitation program of the Mexicali Valley relating to the salinity problem, including tile drainage,lI