WSP03521

• File Number: 8275.100
• Description: Legislation and Litigation -- SALINITY -- Federal Legislation
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 6/24/1974
• Title: The White House - Statement by the President on Signing the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

E~,lHARGOED FOR REL ,;.i~:"~:g
'UNTIL 12:30 P. M.. EDT ~

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JUNE 24, 1974

_ _ ~ _ _ _____ _ __. __ __ ~~~i~_e_ ~~~:~~~~~~~ ~~~s_e.~~e_~~~~~~~~~~: _ __ _ _ _ RE~_~lYE_D

THE WHITE HOUSE

JUL 011974

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COlO', WATER
CONSERVATION BOAR~

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT ON SIGNING
'THE COLORADO RIVER BASIN SALINITY CONTROL ACT,

The Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act represents an important mi1es~ne
in the cordial and continuing international relationship between thi B Nation and
our neighbor to the south, Mexico. Enactment of this legislation will enable the
Federal Government to implement measures that will provide Mexico with water
of a higher quality than it presently receives from the Colorado River.

The quality of Mexico's Colorado River water has been recognized as a serious
problem by both governments 6ince the early 1960's, when water resources
development within the U. S. portion of the Colorado River basin resulted in
significant increase s in wat.er sa~ tn~t,. levels at the international !~(lur~~2.:ry. A
number of m~asures were uDdertake~ to ameliorate this problem but did not
re suIt in a per'manent solution.

In June, 1972, during his visit to this country, 1 gave President Echeverria my
personal commitment that every effort would be made to find a mutually
satisfactory solution to this problem. I appointed Ambassador Herbert Brownell as
!:Oy epeciaI representativ.3 to stu'17 illte'rnativc w2'.yr; of !"~solving the' ~roble'm. The
plan recommended by.n mb~c$3.dor BrcwneU and. approved by m~ form:.:1 the basis of
an agreement with the M~xlcan Governmer.t and would be implemented through
those measures included in this bill. This permanent and definitive solution
to the salinity problem was accepted over others because it represents an
equitable arrangement for the water users in the Mexicalli Valley while not
creating adverse effects on cu1rrent and planned use of the resources of the
Colorado River by the seven basin states within the U. S.

The Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act demonstrates that difficult
problems between Nations can be satisfactorily solved if those Nations are
willing to negotiate in good' faith. Thi s has been a key concept in our foreign
policy. I congratulate the Congress of the United States for its expeditious
action in passing this legislation, aod look forward to cooperation with the
Congress in implementing this agreement.

In addition to those measures necessary to carry out the international agreement
with Mexico, the Congress has authorized several domestic salinity control projects
for the Colorado River basin. While I ahare the desire of the Coogre69 to improve
the water quality conditions of the Nation's rivers and waterways, I am cODcerne.d
that authorization of the four U. S. desalting projects may be premature at this time.

A s called for by current Federal water pollution control legislation, the States
are now assessing water po!lution problems arising from natural or diffuse
sources of pollutants. These state studies will be completed early next year
and will serve as the basis for consideration of a national program for combating
these 60urces of pollution.. These domestic Colorado River desalting projects
are prema.turE: because they have been authorized belore the Federal role in a
national water pollution program could be properly developed on the basis of
the se current state studies.

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