Rationale

        The region from Elephant Butte Reservoir in New Mexico, to Presidio, Texas/Ojinaga, Mexico is characterized by burgeoning growth, vast expanses of land, limited economic resources, and isolation from other population centers. Its  life and history is defined by the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo and it is sustained by the water that flows through this river. This area, the Paso del Norte region, is shaped by its position at the conjunction of three states and an international boundary, limited rain fall and scarce water resources.
 
        Historically, attempts to address water issues in a regional manner have been constrained by jurisdictional disputes, competing needs, conflicting and competing laws, the large number of entities involved, a lack of reliable data, and the unwillingness of the parties involved to meet in a non-confrontational, non-litigating fashion.  The ability to develop, manage and plan for the use of water therefore is complicated.
 
        Increased regional demand, spurred by population and industrial growth, has diminished supplies in the bolsons, the traditional source of municipal water. This has forced water providers to look for means to preserve the bolsons as reserves, while at the same time attempting to utilize surface water and seek alternative supplies. The stress created by urban growth has compelled the differing water user groups into the uncomfortable position of working together to optimize the use of that limited commodity, within the existing legal, jurisdictional and environmental constraints. Ultimately solutions to these challenges require creative multi-disciplinary approaches that cut across these boundaries.
 
        There is an immediate need for a sustainable approach to water use that will protect and enhance the region.   The purpose of the Economic Development Strategy for the Sustainable Use of Water in the Paso Del Norte Region is to create a workplan for the future that leads the way toward sustainability of regional supplies, equity of distribution, viability of the raparian habitiat, and respect for the differing regional stakeholder interests (agriculture, industry, municipalities and the environment).

        This strategy  provides an action document to move toward sustainable use.  It is a document that decision makers, community based organization, government agencies and individuals can use to inform themselves and their colleagues of the issues, realize possible actions, and work towards solutions.  It is designed to be a guide towards integrated  binational, multi-state planning for regional sustainability of water.

Approach

        In partnership with citizens of the region and entities responsible for water planning and management, the project conducted a region-wide, binational assessment of water use and developed a strategy for the sustainable use of that water.

        This multi-disicplinary project was broken into two phases.  The first phase involved the assessment and analysis of changes currently influencing water availability and quality.  The second phase involved the creation of community-based Stakeholder Taskforce Committees to define issues and develop actions for sustainability based on these assessments and their own understanding of the region.

Assessment and Analysis

        Initially the project conducted, using regional experts, an examination of the legal/jurisdictional framework and institutional structures governing surface water; an inventory of current surface water availability, allocation, uses, and management; an assessment of potential consequences of regional factors impacting surface water use, such as year round flow in the Rio Grande; an economic analysis of water use and of the impact of continued development on supply; and an environmental assessment of water use options.   These were broken down into the task areas defined below.  Copies of the reports for all of these studies are found in the Technical Studies section of this webpage.

Long-range Population Projections - Ed Hamlyn, University of Texas El Paso
        This report provides future population numbers based on historical growth patterns.  Rather than a true forecast of future population, this report provides only simple projection of overall population, without any attempt at a demographic breakdown nor any analysis of the economic underpinnings of population growth.  Since the  probable “life” of the aquifers in the region and the viability of surface water use depend heavily on regional growth, this study provides a framework to look at that growth and assess sustainability of resources.
 
Legal And Institutional Analysis - Charles DuMars, University of New Mexico
        This analysis provides an examination of the laws and institutions relevant to the study area with a focus on their impacts on economic development. Specifically these are: the Mexican Water Treaties of 1906 and 1944, the Rio Grande Compact, Federal Reclamation Law, the Endangered Species Act, state water laws in both New Mexico and Texas, the Mexican Ley de Aguas,  the status of adjudication in New Mexico, Texas and Chihuahua, and other relevant local laws. This project study evaluated  the:

•  status of the law, both from its position in the hierarchy of judicial power and to the degree to which its existence limits or promotes economic development in the region;
• current ongoing issues with respect to the law that act to limit or promote economic development in the region; and,
• methods by which laws and institutions might be improved to facilitate economic development in the region.

        The two largest water consumption activities associated with residential use of water in the El Paso area are lawn watering and evaporative cooling.  Conservation is a key component in extending existing water supplies, therefore residential customers must be “encouraged” to use less water. One way of accomplishing this is through adoption of appropriate rate structures. For example, an appropriate rate structure would essentially have two tiers: Tier 1 water is that which is necessary to satisfy basic human needs and, therefore, it would be provided at a relatively low cost. Tier 2 water would be that which is in excess of the amount needed to sustain a reasonably good standard of living and, therefore, would be priced at a much higher rate. The challenge in adopting a fair rate structure is to accurately determine this Tier 1 amount. In the past, the amount of water included in the first tier was based on historical usage rather than activity-based needs.  This study:

• determined  the amount of water used for residential purposes, lawn watering and evaporative cooling;
• defined minimum household requirements commensurate with a reasonable standard of living and currently available, affordable water conservation devices; and
• recommended water consumption levels and conservation measures to achieve these levels.

• collected, compiled, and estimated where necessary, data on water use by economic category using two digit Standard Industry Classification code;
• analyzed water use by appropriate sector category and geographic region;
• assessed sectors based on number of employees, percent of total employment, number of firms, average wage, percent of total water used, and water use by employee; and,
• recommended appropriate industries for the region based on assessment factors, sustainable development given water limitations for region, and  value of  economic sector to local and regional economy.

• analyzed historical use and projected demands for water by economic sector in the project area and conducted a statistical regression analysis for the cities of Las Cruces, Juárez, and El Paso, the Elephant Butte Irrigation District and the El Paso Water Improvement District #1, and other major water users;
• used the regression results to analyze the value of water during high and low seasonal demand by all economic sectors; and,
• examinedthe long-term direct and indirect local, statewide, and regional effects of alternative water allocation scenarios.

        The objective of the study is to develop a better understanding of the surface and groundwater hydrology for the purpose of assessing the feasibility of possible improvements in the Rio Grande Project water conveyance system from Mesilla Dam, New Mexico to the American Dam, Texas. Improvements are required for the year round flow of surface water necessary for municipal and industrial use.   This study worked in conjunction with current New Mexico/Texas Water Commission efforts to develop a stream simulation model of the Rio Grande Project system from Elephant Butte Reservoir, New Mexico to Riverside Dam, Texas. The model is being used to evaluate the performance of various surface water conveyance alternatives within the canal/river channel system of the Rio Grande Project.  The study:

• collected and analyzed existing data records from agency files and transformed “hard copy” data into electronic data formats for those parameters needed in model development;
• identified key data gaps in the historical record and develop a plan for the acquisition of this information; and,
• developed the stream simulation model and verified its accuracy utilizing historical data.

        The cost of developing future water sources is dependent on their quality and location. Raw water quality, when coupled with finished water requirements, determines the type of treatment needed.  Rapid changes in technology and strict regulation of finished product quality have made it difficult to predict the cost of adding incremental water supplies to any system.  This project study:

• obtained existing data and water supply studies for compilation and analysis;
• reviewed current and projected finished water quality requirements relative to the quality of water sources available;
• matched projected water sources and water qualities with appropriate technology to achieve the regulatory water quality criteria; and
• evaluated technology alternatives to determine their impact on regulatory compliance and treatment cost.

• inventoried and collected regional water data. The inventory included for example water sources, boundaries of the service areas, locations of wells,  distribution systems, water quality analysis;
• catalogued metadata for collected data sets;
• incorporated into GIS form, where possible, data collected;  and
• developed a searchable database for files accessible through the internet.

        The project design was structured to allow the greatest possible input from the regional communities.  Community participation was the major focus of the project. Community participation was achieved through the creation of Stakeholder Taskforce Committees.  The assessments and analyses provided by the researchers were used as background for the work of these committees.
 
        These were open committees in which all interested agencies and community members were encouraged to participate. Those individuals interested in the project who did not have the time or desire to participate in committee meetings were provided copies of the Strategy Statement for their review and comment.  Community members were invited to join one or more of five Committees.  They are:

• Quality of Life
• Economic Development
• Environmental Issues
• Agricultural Issues
• Water Resources

        Representatives of many organizations participated in the Stakeholder Taskforce process, as well as many private citizens.  The following is a selected list of participating organizations; a full participant list is attached in Appendix III.

Audubon Society
Border Environment Cooperation Commission
City of El Paso
City of Las Cruces
Ciudad Juárez
Elephant Butte Irrigation District
El Paso County Water Improvement District #1
El Paso Water Utilities
Environmental Defense Fund
International Boundary and Water Commission
El Colegio de la Frontera Norte
El Paso Chamber of Commerce
El Paso Community College
Instituto Municipal de Investigación y     Planeación Cd. Juárez
Junta Municipal de Agua y Saneamiento
League of Women Voters
Movimento Ecologista Mexicana
New Mexico Bureau of Mines and Mineral Resources
New Mexico State Engineer
New Mexico State University
New Mexico/Texas Water Commission
Rio Grande Compact Commission
Rio Grande Council of Governments
Rio Grande/Rio Bravo Basin Coalition
SEMARNAP
Southwest Environmental Center
Texas Center for Border Economic Development
Texas Forest Service
Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission
U. S. Bureau of Reclamation
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
U. S. Fish and Wildlife
Union Agricola Regional
Universidad Autonoma de Cd. Juárez
University of New Mexico
University of Texas at El Paso

        Finally, although the funded portion of the project has come to an end, the commitment on the part of the communities continues.  Action Committees have been formed and will continue to work on implementation strategies. This is also discussed in Chapter IV.

Strategy Organization

        A regional description is provided to lay the framework for the document and to increase the reader’s understanding of the challenges that face the area.  Following that is the Strategy Statement which lays out the major issues facing the region as they relate to water.  The Statement also provides a listing of action items to address these issues.  Most importantly however, the Statement attempts to prioritize these actions.  The Strategic Plan provides for path for implementation of the Priority Actions and lays out next steps.  It is a guide for working towards regional sustainable use.  Finally, Technical Studies and Links to Related Sites are provided for the reader that desires in-depth information.