WSP01875

• File Number: 8271.300
• Description: Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program - General Information and Publications-Reports
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 10/5/1974
• Title: The International Problem of the Salinity of the Lower Colorado River and the Agreement with Mexico for its Solution
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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1'reatc' allotment to Nex,ico. This reconunended so,lution ,,,ould remove the

adverse effects of fveLlton-l1ohawk drainage waters on the waters delivered

to Mexico, pursuant to the 1944 Treaty.

President Nixon approved the recommendation as a basis for negoti-

ations with Nexico for a definitive solution, and in the ensuing months

intensive discussions were held between Ambassador Brownell and the

Secretary of Foreign Relations of Mexico Licenciado Emilio O. Rabasa,

and their respective negotiating teams. Agreement was reached on joint

recommendations to their respective Presidents.

On August 30, 1973, the joint recommendations were approved by the

President of the United States and by the President of Mexico. They

were incorporated in Minute No. 242 of the International Boundary and

Water Commission, united States and l1exico.

E. The Agreement for a Definitive Solution

This agreement with Mexico brings to an end twelve years of contro-

versy regarding the quality of ,,,ater the United States may deliver to

Mexico. Although the 1944 Treaty contains no specific provisions relating

to the quality of water delivered, it does provide for the settlement of

differences with respect to the interpretation or application of the

treaty by the International Boundary and Water Commission, subject to

the approval of the t,,,o Governments. Minute No. 242 constituted such a

settlement, which the Presidents of the two countries have approved.

In this agreement the United States made three major commitments.

First and principally, we agreed to adopt measures to assure that no

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