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<br />In any case, many California officials now deem the canal's lining a foregone <br />conclusion. The Legislature has budgeted $125 million to reline the 23-mile <br />section, with completion set for 2005. <br /> <br />Tomas Martinez Saldana, a professor at the College of Postgraduates in <br />Chapingo, Mexico, and a water expert, says the Mexicali Valley dispute lS an <br />example of the border water problems that have grown as population and <br />industrial growth have boomed. <br /> <br />Oddly, as water problems have become more acute, cross-border cooperation has, <br />if anything, lessened, professors Martinez and Cortes said. <br /> <br />"There have always been disputes and always will be. But both nations should <br />review water treaties that are decades old and are no longer relevant," <br />Martinez said. <br /> <br />Meanwhile, Gonzalez and his family face the uncertain prospect of his land <br />becoming arid and unproductive. Said Bernardo's son Carlos, who works the land <br />with him: "Without that water, we'll be left with nothing. If there is no <br />water, there is no life." <br /> <br />57 <br />