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Also within SEMARNAP is the National Water Commission (CNA), which has nearly complete jurisdiction over water resources and planning in Mexico. CNA builds potable water, sanitation, waste- water-treatment, irrigation, drainage, and flood control systems. It administers Mexico's system of water rights and pumping permits, and shares (with INE) responsi- bility for the nation's water quality. CNA has recently attempted to decentralize its decision making by establishing local watershed councils. State and municipal governments have little local control over water resources (Mumme, 1996).49 In the U.S., myriad agencies have some jurisdiction over activities in, or impacting, the delta. Of these, the most influential include the U.s. Environmental Protection Agency, which regulates water quality, and is mandated to participate in international efforts such as Border XXI. Two U.s. Department of Interior agencies play critical roles. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) admin- isters the Endangered Species Act, and is mandated to review federal actions for adverse impacts to endan- gered species (Mumme, 1996). The Bureau of Reclamation (BaR) operates the dams on the Colorado River in the U.S., and is planning to conduct a needs assessment of the Colorado River delta in cooperation with Mexican agencies under the auspices of the IBWC (Johnson, 1999). The Lower Colorado Multi-Species Conservation Program (MSCP) was created by the FWS with lower basin states and water users to address endangered species concerns in the lower basin (Pontius, 1997). MSCP has been asked to consider impacts of management on the delta, but declined (Johnson, 1999). li'ibes, Basin States, and Local Communities Beyond the federal governments, numerous authorities playa role in Colorado River management. Thirty-two tribes reside within the basin, and many have Colorado River water rights that date to the establishment of their reservations or to more recent court decisions. Together these tribes assert rights to more than 2 maf (2.5 x 109 m3) of water50, but little has been developed. Many tribes are looking for ways to secure economic benefits from their entitlements other than traditional water supply development. For example, the ten tribes of the Colorado River Tribal Partnership formed a coa- lition to secure, develop, and market their water rights (Colorado River Tribal Partnership, n.d.). Any negotia- tion over management of Colorado River water for the benefit of delta ecosystems that affects tribal rights will require tribal participation. The seven u.s. states wield considerable decision- making power over water allocations, flows, storage, management of endangered species concerns, and environmental restoration. The two Mexican states play a more limited role, with most decision-making authority resting with CNA (Mumme, 1996). Local communities in the delta region as yet have a limited voice, but they are likely to become a more vocal presence as conservation interests engage them and inform them of the impacts of water management on their lives. EDF, in collaboration with others, has con- vened outreach workshops with communities in the delta to increase communication between conservation interests and local people (see Appendix q. Nongovernmental Organizations A number of nongovernmental organizations (NGO's) that focus on the environment, as well as academics from universities in both the U.S. and Mexico, have invested time and effort in documenting the values and chal- lenges of the Colorado River delta. While these organizations cannot directly affect how the resource is managed, they are important voices in the debate over the future of the resource. Of the many Mexican and u.s. NGO's that have worked on the delta, several may playa critical role as alterna- tives are analyzed and discussed. Based in the U.s., EDF will continue to devote staff time and resources to the challenge of sustaining the delta's ecosystem. Develop- ing a field-tested water balance model for the delta is a current research priority. NGO's engaged in delta conservation include the Sonoran Institute, the Pacific Institute for Studies in Development, the Environment, and Security (Pacific Institute), the Defenders of 49 In an attempt to enhance the influence of user groups and allow some local control of water resources, Mexico has District Water Committees (Comites Hidraulicos) composed of water users. In addition, River Basin Councils were created in 1992 to help decentralize water management. CNA sits on both the irrigation district committees and the river basin councils. 50 This figure represents rights asserted by the tribes rather than adjudicated rights. 36