1. Use of GIS to Advance Transboundary Water Resources Management Dr. Christopher Brown New Mexico State University Department of Geography 2006 SCERP Border Institute VIII Rio Rico, AZ – 22 May 2006

2. Some Background United States - Mexico Border Governors invitation to SCERP in 2003 to explore binational GIS capability –Recognition of the experience SCERP had in the area –Potential to capitalize on the existing network of SCERP institutions Development of early proposal to tap experience of SCERP researchers More recent efforts that lead to USGS/SCERP Binational GIS Summit

3. Major focii of the Summit Review of successful past projects, with special interest in compiling lessons learned Identification of major research questions concerning binational water resource management and data needed to advance Development of a workplan to advance comprehensive GIS capability Working towards a commitment by attendees to help advance coordinated effort

4. Outcome of SCERP/USGS Summit 75 researchers from the US and Mexico shared research to date/lessons learned Papers presented and outcomes of workgroups posted at –mapper.nmsu.edu/scerp_2006summit MOU between SCERP and USGS researchers to collaborate on “blueprint” Goal is to merge USGS borderwide effort with regional SCERP research projects

5. Concept of SCERP/USGS Nodes Extensive work of SCERP institutions provides useful framework –Specific projects yield applied research and detailed data sets at local/regional scale –Also yields technically capable network on which to build Collaboration with USGS broadens range of participation greatly “Merging of the maps” is the first task

6. USGS Binational GIS Initiative The project proposes to encompass the entire U.S.-Mexico border region as indicated by the DOI U.S.-Mexico Border Field Coordinating Committee’s (FCC) Water Resources Issue Team U.S.-Mexico border region as delineated by the FCC using watersheds and protected lands (Woodward and Durall 1996).

7. Draft Outline of Border-wide GIS Network USGS Environmental Health Work LRG Physical Assessment

8. Prototype NMSU SCERP Data Node http://mapper.nmsu.edu/SCERP http://mapper.nmsu.edu/SCERP

12. Specific indicators developed Evapotranspiration is developed as a dryness measure after Hurd et al 1999. Standardized Precipitation Indicator developed as a measure of drought and water stress Exploration of surface water quality issues Vulnerability of groundwater resources more difficult due to cross-border data differences

16. Closing Comments Range of GIS-based research in border region yields important outcomes SCERP/USGS partnership is well positioned to build needed infrastructure Goal is to harness disconnected pieces and link them into comprehensive distributed capability Ultimate goal = aid in water resources management on the US-Mexico border