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<br />., J <br /> <br />OH2736 <br /> <br />Opportunities for Ecological Improvement Along the Lower Colorado River <br />Mark Briggs and Steve Cornelius <br />7/24/97 <br /> <br />5. Develop a Concerted Binational Effort for Restoring the Delta <br />Since Mexico has legal entitlements to less than 10 percent of the river's annual flow, it <br />is unfair and unrealistic to assume that Mexico should take sole responsibility for <br />restoring the delta. A binational effort that provides the framework for a variety of <br />cooperative cross-border ventures is critical for the future of the delta (Morrison et al. <br />1996). Given the disproportionate Colorado River allocations between the two <br />countries, water and restoration assistance should be provided to Mexico from the U.S. <br />In addition, it should be noted that U.S. interests will probably benefit from the <br />recreational qualities that a restored delta will bring. Birding, camping, kayaking, and <br />other non-consumptive uses could expand tremendously in a restored delta region, <br />bringing significant economic benefits to local communities and to tourism interests in <br />both Mexico and the U.S. <br /> <br />6. Develop and Implement Community-Based Conservation Approaches <br />Over 23 million people have a direct stake in the current and future use of lower <br />Colorado River water (Morrison et al. 1996). The great majority of these users live far <br />from the river and are interested in it principally as a water source. Through state and <br />federal channels, their voice can be heard regarding a variety of river-related issues <br />(e.g., allocation, water quality, etc.). Riverside communities have an even larger stake <br />in the river's health by virtue of the real and potential economic, social, and <br />environmental values it provides. They may not have, however, have the appropriate <br />opportunity for input into decisions that affect their lives even more directly than those <br />living afar. Bringing communities together and providing a forum to discuss common <br />problems and identify concrete ways they can engage each other and the water and <br />land managers, in focused action can be mutually beneficial to both the river and, the <br />towns and communities it, and in fact, to all stake holders. Gatherings of local stake <br />holders from both sides of the border to discuss the sustainable use of Colorado River <br />water has been initiated and will continue to expand (Nagel, pers.comm. 1997). <br /> <br />A regional economic study by the Sonoran Institute in 1996 identified nature-based <br />tourism as a priority option for building a firmer sustainable business environment and <br />local economic opportunity in the Sonoran Desert borderlands, including the lower <br />Colorado River and delta region. A steering committee has formed and is in the <br />process of developing a business plan for a regionally based Ecotourism Association. <br />This initiative seeks to sensitize local communities to the opportunities and obligations <br />associated with designing and carrying out a campaign to highlight the natural and <br />cultural afuactions of the region. Prime destinations for community-based and <br />environmentally beneficial tourism exist along much of the lower Colorado River. This <br />opportunity has been developed most extensively in the Reserva de la Biosfera Alto <br />Golfo y Delta del Rio Colorado where Conservation International-Mexico and <br />SEMARNAP /IN~ have collaborated in promoting the Cienaga Santa Clara as a <br />destination and carrying out nature guide training for the neighboring Ejido Luis <br />Johnson (Fig. 5). Other opportunities may exist in aSSociation with the Imperial, Cibola <br />and Bill Williams National Wildlife Refuges, and the Rio Hardy in Baja California. <br /> <br />Page 24 <br />