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Y{ w OPPEZ OF THE SECRETARY & Deparnnmt of ffi 1#io Nees Release Date: December 20, 2010 Contact: Kendra Barkoff (202) 208 -6416 Salazar, Elvira Announce Water Agreement to Support Response to Mexicali Valley Earthquake Leaders Lay G>roundwo>rk fo>r Comprehensive U.S. - Mexico Water Agreement on Colorado River MEXICO CITY — U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Mexican Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Juan Rafael Elvira Quesada today announced the successful completion of an agreement, known as `Minute 318,' to adjust water deliveries on the Colorado River to areas damaged by a devastating earthquake on April 4, 2010. Following their meeting in Mexico City, the Secretaries also announced a commitment by the two governments to initiate, in January 2011, high- priority discussions on a comprehensive long- term agreement between the U.S. and Mexico on the management of the Colorado River. "Through this water agreement, the U.S., Mexico, and the seven Colorado River Basin states are bringing resources together for our mutual benefit and for the benefit of our neighbors whose irrigation systems and livelihoods have been damaged by the Easter Sunday earthquake," said Salazar, who is in Mexico City to discuss water, conservation, and natural resource issues with President Calderon and Mexican government officials. "Minute 318 is a remarkable achievement from a humanitarian perspective, but it also lays important groundwork for a much - needed comprehensive water agreement with Mexico on how we manage the Colorado River." "Water users and stakeholders up and down the Colorado River have a strong interest in a comprehensive water agreement that would enhance reliability, certainty, and efficiency of water deliveries," said Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Michael Connor, who coordinated with the seven Colorado River Basin States and the International Boundary and to reach the Minute 318 agreement. "The good faith negotiations that resulted in Minute 318 will help pave the way toward the comprehensive agreement for Colorado River management that is so needed on both sides of the border." Secretary Salazar and Secretary Elvira commended the work by the U.S. and Mexican Commissioners of the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC), Edward Drusina and Roberto Salmon, who led their respective nation's negotiation teams for Minute 318.