Comparative Analysis of Trans-border Water Management Strategies: Case Studies

on the U.S.-Mexico Border

Dr. Christopher BrownDr. Jose Luis CastroMs. Nancy LoweryDr. Richard Wright

2002 SCERP Border Institute IV6-8 May 2002 - Rio Rico, Arizona

Major insights from regional analyses

Major structural differences and changes face both sides of the border.

Major asymmetries exist along and across the border.

Innovations towards cross-border synergies should be enhanced.

Watershed–based research provides important regional context for the above.

Major structural issues

U.S. and Mexican political, social, and institutional structures are very different.

Within U.S., BECC/NADBank restructuring & mandate expansion induce uncertainty.

Within Mexico, reality of decentralization may not always match theory and promise.

Structures are not only different, but also changing as result of political changes.

Issues of asymmetries

Asymmetries of resource, institutional capacity, and openness exist along/across the border: Evidence = USEPA Brownsville border office. Ability of smaller cities to enter the discourse

is greatly limited on both sides of border. Innovative attempts to redress

asymmetries are key to effective management of water resources.

Role of synergies and cooperation

Research indicates the success that innovations across and along the border can have.

True and effective cooperation across sectors with information exchange and openness is crucial.

Recent experiences with post-NAFTA institutions and institutional climate have been somewhat positive.

Models of synergies & cooperation

Larger governmental institutions and universities can provide leadership and funding.

Teams of consultants and binational technical advisory committees are useful models.

Borrowing ideas from successes in specific regions for use elsewhere can offer useful insight.

Potential for borrowed successes

Insights of Tijuana/San Diego experience: Role of Border Liaison Mechanism, SANDAG and

Counels General Driving regional efforts towards cooperative

development of infrastructure Effort came from region, not D.C. or D.F.

Innovative university efforts towards cooperation and synergies COLEF/SDSU Tijuana Watershed Project SDSU/UABC/CESPT water quality monitoring project 2002 SCERP paper hopes to build on these

successes

Potential for borrowed successes

Ambos Nogales region sees different model towards regional cooperation.

Situation reflects wide acceptance of surface and ground water connectivity.

Potential for regional cooperation across the border exists.

Potential actively supported and advanced by IBWC/CILA Minute 294 and Facilities Planning Program.

Potential for borrowed successes

Paso del Norte region sees other models as products of resolving regional conflict: New Mexico Texas Water Commission

evolved from slow moving court cases. Paso del Norte Water Task Force evolves with

parity across region, nation, and sector. Rio Grande-Rio Bravo Basin Coalition offers

non-governmental success based on watershed-based perspective.

The role of watershed

Watershed-based approaches are well supported in Border XXI document.

Each case study sees positive role of watershed as regional perspective.

Watershed approaches can be argued as mechanism for future steps towards innovation and synergies.

Open question – how to build on past successes in new regions via this view?