WSP04002

• File Number: 8270.100
• Description: Colorado River Basin Water Quality/Salinity -- Misc Water Quality
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 1/1/1974
• Author: USDOI
• Title: Colorado River Water Quality Improvement Program - Status Report
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

drainage waters discharged below Morelos Dam as
part of Article 10 of the Water Treaty of February
3,1944.

"3. As a part of the measures referred to in point
1 (a), the United States shall extend in its territory
the concrete-lined Wellton-Mohawk bypass drain
from Morelos Dam to the Arizona-Sonora
international boundary, and operate and maintain
the portions of the Wellton-Mohawk bypass drain
located in the United States.

'14. To complete the drain referred to in point 3,
Mexico, through the Commission and at the expense
of the United States, shall construct, operate, and
maintain an extension of the concrete-lined bypass
drain from the Arizona-Sonora international
boundary to the Santa Clara Slough of a capacity of
353 cubic feet (10 cubic metersl per second. Mexico
shail permit the United States to discharge through
this drain to the Santa Clara Slough all or a portion
of the Wellton-Mohawk drainage waters, the
volumes of brine from such desalting operations in
the United States as are carried out to implement
the Resolution of this Minute, and any other
volumes of brine which Mexico may agree to aCcllpt.
It is understood that no radioactive material or
nuclear wastes shall be discharged through this
drain, and that the United States shedl acquire no
right to navigation, servitude, or easement by reason
of the existence of the drain, nor other legal rights,
except as expressly provided in this point.

"5. Pending the conclusion by the Governments of
the United States and Mexico of a comprehensive
agreement on ground water in the border areas, each
country shall iimit pumping of ground waters in Its
territory within 5 miles (8 kiiometers) of the
Arizona-Sonora boundary near San Luis to 160,000
acre-feet (197,358,000 cubic meters) annually.

"6, With the objective of avoiding future probiems,
the United States and Mexico shall consult with
each other prior to undertaking any new
development of either the surface or the
ground-water resources, or undertaking substantial
modifications of present developments, in its own
territory in the border area that might adversely
affect the other country.

"7. The United States will support efforts by
Mexico to obtain appropriate financing on favorable
terms for the improvement and rehabilitation of the
Mexicali Valley. The United States will also provide
nonreimbursable assistance on a basis mutually
acceptable to both countries exclusively for those

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aspects of the Mexican rehabilitation program Ofihe
Mexicali Valley relating to the salinity probl m,
including tile drainage, In order to comply with he
above-mentioned purposes, both countries I ill
undertake negotiations as soon as possible.
I
"8. The United States and Mexico shall recogn11ize
the undertakings and understandings contained in
this Resolution as constituting the permanent ~nd
definitive solution of the salinity problem referred
to in the Joint Communique of President Rich$rd

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Resolution shail be undertaken and comPletedlat
the earliest practical date. '
,

"10. This Minute is subject to the express appro~al
of both Governments by exchange of Notes. It s lall
enter into force upon such approval; provid d,
however, that the provisions which are depend nt
for their implementation on the construction of
works or on other measures which require
expenditure of funds by the United States, s all
become effective upon the notification by he
United States to Mexico of the authorization by 1he
United States Congress of said funds, which will be
sought promptiy." I

PUBLIC LAW 92.500 I

Public Law 92,500 known as the "Federal wajer
Poilution Control Act Amendments of 1972" has befn
interpreted by the EPA to mean that numerital
standards for salinity on the Colorado River are to Ibe
set. Accordingly the seven Basin States have bern
req uested by EPA to undertake studies a~d
negotiations to develop such standards accompanird
with a detailed plan of implementation. Moreover the
law provides that by July 1, 1977, the "b st
practicable" water pollution control technology Shtall
be applied followed by the "best available" tech nolo y
by July 1, 1983. Prosecution of a salinity cant 01
program would provide a basis for establishment of
numerical standards. I
,

AUTHORIZATION OF INVESTIGATIONfl

In recognition of the effects of the propos d
developments on the salinity of the river, the Congr ss
specifically directed the Secretary of the Interior Ita
undertake water quality studies and to devise plans ~or

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