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Last modified
1/26/2010 2:15:55 PM
Creation date
10/12/2006 12:41:40 AM
Metadata
Fields
Template:
Water Supply Protection
File Number
8278.400
Description
Title I - Mexican Treaty
Basin
Colorado Mainstem
Date
9/20/1944
Author
Jean Breitenstein
Title
Memorandum Concerning Proposed Treaty Between the United States and Mexico Over Use of the Waters of the Border Streams
Water Supply Pro - Doc Type
Publication
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<br />In connection with Article 13 attention is specifically directed to the face that it applies only <br />to flood control below Imperial Dam. Reference has been made to the provision of this Article <br />whereby the Governments agree [0 construct such works as may be recommended by the Commission <br />and approved by the two Governments. The rather exaggerated claim has been made that this <br />amounts to blanket authority to the Commission to construct such works as it may see fit. So far <br />as flood control on the Colorado River below Imperial Dam is concerned. the Commission is given <br />powet to srudy. investigate, and prepare plans, Before any works can he consttucted the approval <br />of the two Governments will have to be obtained. and in the United Stares congressional appropria- <br />tions will have to be secured. Under the treaty provision it would seem plain that there is a definite <br />obligation upon the United States to advance the necessary funds for the construction of the flood- <br />control works recommended by the Commission and approved by the two Governments. This <br />does not mean that the treaty gives the Commission a blank check from the proceeds of which works <br />may be constructed anywhere along the Colorado. Article 13 tefets on'ly to flood control below <br />Imperial Dam. On such a matter. it is entirely proper for this nation to delegate much authority <br />and responsibility to the Commission. The situation is comparable to that before the United States <br />Supreme Court in the Great Lakes Drainage case. There it was held that the delegation to the Secre- <br />tary of War of the power to determine the amount of water that could safely be taken from Lake <br />Michigan involved a peculiarly expert question which Congress could properly delegate to an execu- <br />tive official (see Wisconsin v. Illinois. 278 U. S. 367, 414). The function of determining the <br />desirability and suitability of flood control works falls in the same category. Technical. expert <br />knowledge on these flood-control matters is necessary. It is not to be presumed that the Commission <br />will abuse its powers in this regard. Should it do so, the two Governments would probably not <br />agree and Congress would undoubtedly withhold appropriation of the necessary money. <br /> <br />Those opposing the treaty have made reference to Article 20, which contains this provision: <br /> <br />"The two Governments shall. thtough theit tespective Sections of the Commission. carry <br />out the construction of works allotted to them. to <br /> <br />In considering this provision attention has been directed to the following excerpt from Article 2: <br /> <br />"Wherever there are provisions in this Treaty for joint action or joint agreement by the two <br />Governments. or for the furnishing of reports, studies or plans to the two Governments. or <br />similar provisions. it shall be understood that the particular marter in question shall be <br />bandIed by or through the Department of State of the United States and the Ministry of <br />Foreign Relations of Mexico." <br /> <br />The argument has been made that by teason of these ptovisions the Department of State will <br />be authorized to. and can, take over functions which have heretofore been exercised in the United <br />States by such agencies as the Department of Interior and the Corps of Engineers: and the treaty <br />opponents conclude that the treaty represents an endeavor of the State Department to expand its power <br />and authority so as to take over the jurisdiction of the entire Colorado River in the United States. <br />This is another specious argument which affords no base for the conclusion reached. The treaty must <br />be read as a whole. The jurisdiction of the Commission is specifically defined in Article 2 and relates <br />to only the- boundary section. In our system of Government the functions and duries of the Depart- <br />menr of Stare. Department of the Interior, and Department of War are well established and clearly <br />tecognized. It cannot be assumed that either the Chief Executive or Congress would permir the State <br />Department to seize upon any treaty provision as an excuse or justification for usurpation of power. <br />It must be clear to all reasonable people that the intent of the treaty negotiators was to entrust to the <br />International Water and Boundary Commission conttol over only those facilities in the United States <br />directly used for delivery of wJtrr to Mexico or necessaty for stream measurement or for flood-control <br />below Imperial Dam. <br /> <br />It has been said rhat the treaty operates in perpetuity. This is desirable rather than objectionable. <br />The United Stares is the up-stream nation. To protect its development. based upon the utilization <br />of tbe waters of the Colorado River. it is necessary tbat the Mexican righr be defined for all time. <br /> <br />15 <br />
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