In the News


U.S., Mexico Forge Landmark Colorado River Sharing Agreement A monumental bi-national agreement signed in late November has set the stage for improved Colorado River water supply reliability between the United States and Mexico.


The five-year agreement, known as Minute 319, allows Mexico to accept voluntary shortages in its annual delivery allocation when Lake Mead reaches certain levels, while gaining opportunities to receive surplus water later. Mexico presently receives 1.5 million acre-feet of water annually from the Colorado. “The United States and Mexico have been working closely for several years to see how we could improve manage- ment of the Colorado River to benefit both countries,” said Edward Drusina, U.S. commis- sioner with the International Boundary and Water Commis- sion. “Minute 319 gives us new tools to address the impacts of drought and climate change. It also sets the stage for cooperation between our two countries for many years to come.” Minute 319: • Implements efforts to


enhance water infrastructure and to promote sharing, storing and conserving water as needed during both shortages and surpluses.


• Establishes proactive basin opera-


tions by applying water delivery reductions when Lake Mead conditions are low in order to deter more severe reductions in the future.


• Extends humanitarian measures from 2010’s Minute 318 to allow Mexico to defer delivery of a portion of its Colorado River allotment while it continues to make repairs to earthquake-damaged infrastructure.


• Establishes a program of Intentionally Created Mexican Allocation whereby Mexico could temporarily reduce its order of Colorado River water, allowing that water to be delivered to Mexico in the future.


• Promotes the ecological health of the Colorado River Delta. “After years of discussions, Minute 319 demonstrates our common commitment and the potential opportunities for future cooperation between the United States and Mexico on water conservation, system operations, environmental restoration and new water sources projects,” Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Mike Connor said at the signing. “Today’s action builds on our past collaborative efforts and is a true testament to the power of patience and persistence.” The agreement means the U.S. and Mexico have made “affirmative commitments” to deliver water to the Colorado River Delta, said Jennifer Pitt, director of the Environmental Defense Fund’s Colorado River Project. “Together with the Colorado River Delta Water Trust they will send 158,000 acre-feet total to the Delta for the purpose of environmental restoration over the next five years,” Pitt said. ❖


– Gary Pitzer November/December 2012 3


Whee We Are 2013 Calendar


February 14-15 Water 101: The Basics and Beyond Irvine, CA


March 14-15 Water Education Foundation Executive Briefing


Rita Schmidt Sudman, coordinator Sacramento, CA


March 20-22 Water Education Foundation Lower Colorado River Tour Renée Cashmere, tour coordinator Las Vegas, NV


April 4-5 Water Education Foundation Sea to Sierra Water Tour


Rita Schmidt Sudman and Renée Cashmere, tour coordinators Emeryville, CA


April 11


L to R: IBWC Commissioners Edward Drusina and Roberto Salmón


Watch a video of the Minute 319 Ceremony from the Bureau of Reclamation


Santa Ana River Watershed Conference Water Education Foundation, coordinator Costa Mesa, CA


April 17-19 Water Education Foundation Central Valley Tour


Renée Cashmere, tour coordinator Sacramento, CA


May16-17 Water Education Foundation Flood Management Tour Renée Cashmere, tour coordinator Sacramento, CA


June 12-14 Water Education Foundation Bay-Delta Tour


Renée Cashmere, tour coordinator Sacramento, CA


October 16-18 Water Education Foundation Northern California Tour Renée Cashmere, tour coordinator Sacramento, CA


November 7-8 Water Education Foundation San Joaquin River Restoration Tour Renée Cashmere, tour coordinator Fresno, CA


Read our 2011 Annual Report, www.watereducation.org


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