1. INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY AND WATER COMMISSION
MINUTE 319 AND BEYOND:
U.S.-MEXICO COLORADO RIVER AGREEMENTS
Edward Drusina, P.E., U.S. Commissioner
December 16, 2016
Colorado River Water Users Association

2. IBWC MISSION
The International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico, is responsible for applying the boundary and water treaties between the two countries and settling differences that arise in their application.
The Commission is responsible for applying the boundary and water treaties between our two countries.
Under the 1944 Water Treaty, the U.S. delivers Colorado River water to Mexico (1.5 million acre-feet per year during normal conditions and up to 1.7 million acre-feet during surplus).

3. IBWC BACKGROUND Permanent boundary commission established in 1889
Current Activities:
Allot Rio Grande and Colorado River water
Boundary Demarcation
Flood control
Water quality/sanitation
Dams and hydroelectric power
Structure
U.S. Section
Mexican Section
Two Sections come together as an international organization
Receive guidance from U.S. Department of State and Mexico’s Foreign Relations Ministry
Our Commission is 126 years old although temporary Commissions go back 168 years.
In addition to our Colorado River work, we are very involved in Rio Grande water supply issues, flood control, and water quality, among other matters.
We have two Sections of the Commission, each part of its federal government. Although we are an independent federal Commission, we work through and receive our budget from the U.S. Department of State and likewise, the Mexican Section is allied with its Foreign Affairs Ministry.
Amistad Dam on the Rio Grande

4. COLORADO RIVER AGREEMENTS 2010-2012
Minute Cooperative measures for Yuma Desalting Plant pilot run and Santa Clara Wetland in Mexico
Minute 317 – Framework for U.S.-Mexico discussions on cooperative activities with state participation
Minute 318 – Allows Mexico to postpone water deliveries until it repairs earthquake damage
Minute 319 – Broad package of U.S.-Mexico cooperative activities
A Minute is an agreement of the International Boundary and Water Commission that implements the treaty. It becomes binding on the United States and Mexico when approved by our respective foreign affairs ministries.
Over the last several years, we have enacted several Colorado River Minutes in a conscious effort to improve transboundary cooperation and reduce the likelihood of conflict.
Minute 317 established an official framework for state involvement in our discussions with Mexico. Through this framework, we were able to conclude Minutes 318 and 319.
Yuma Desalting Plant

5. Minute 319 signing in San Diego, CA
Signed Nov. 20, 2012
5-year agreement thru 2017
7 Sections
Extension of Minute 318
High reservoir water sharing
Low reservoir shortage sharing
Intentionally Created Mexican Allocation (ICMA) like ICS
Salinity Management
Water for Environment and ICMA/ICS exchange pilot
Projects
Minute 319 signing in San Diego, CA
Those of you who have attended the Colorado River Water Users Association over the past few years have heard Commissioner Salmon and I talk about Minute 319, the most significant of our recent Colorado River agreements. Minute 319 is a broad package of cooperative actions between the United States and Mexico.
Some of its key elements are:
Extended humanitarian measures of Minute 318 to allow Mexico to defer delivery of a portion of its Colorado River allotment while it made repairs to earthquake-damaged infrastructure.
Would provide additional Colorado River water to Mexico during certain high elevation reservoir conditions at Lake Mead should additional water be available to users in the United States, providing benefits to both countries.
Provided for proactive basin operations during certain low elevation reservoir conditions at Lake Mead by applying water delivery reductions in order to deter more severe reductions in the future.
Established a program of Intentionally Created Mexican Allocation (ICMA) whereby Mexican water resulting from conservation and new water sources projects could essentially be held in the United States for subsequent delivery to Mexico.
Implemented measures to address salinity impacts stemming from the joint cooperative actions.
Through conservation projects, generates water for the environment of the Colorado River limitrophe and delta.
Provides for U.S. investment in water infrastructure and environmental projects in Mexico. These investments provide water benefits to the U.S. agencies in exchange for their funding and generate water for Mexico over the long term.
Outlines potential opportunities for future cooperation and projects between the United States and Mexico.

6. Minute Negotiating Group
MINUTE 319 AND BEYOND
Minute 319: “If by December 31, 2016, the Commission has not completed a comprehensive Minute that extends or replaces the substantive provisions of this Minute through no later than December 31, 2026, the Commissioners shall instruct their respective Principal Engineers to develop recommendations for a potential comprehensive Minute…”
IBWC has been working on a new Minute starting at CRWUA in 2014
Minute 319 also laid out the expectation that we would conclude a new Minute by the end of this year. We’ve been hard at work on the new Minute since last year and we’ve made good progress on developing terms to take us through the next decade.
Like Minute 319, we’re working on a package deal that includes benefits for both countries. Benefits like:
Cooperation between the two countries over a range of potential future reservoir conditions, including efforts to prop up Lake Mead elevation.
Investment in water conservation projects with water benefits accruing to both countries.
Habitat restoration.
And Operational improvements to benefit both countries.
Minute Negotiating Group
Mexico City, May 2016

7. MINUTE 319 AND BEYOND
For those of you who are football fans, you know what the red zone is. It’s when you’re near the goal and have a strong chance to score a touchdown.
Right now, we are in the red zone. The goal is right in front of us. Commissioners Salmon, Lopez, and I are coaching the same team. We can encourage and guide our players but only the team members on the field can move the ball across the finish line.
Many people in this room are part of our team. You’ve been members of our work groups and have helped us develop a game plan that’s gotten us into the red zone. You’re considering how you might participate in a new Minute. Now we need your help getting into the end zone. Our best shot is right now, while we’re in the red zone. If we don’t score now and we end up in overtime, then there’s great uncertainty about how the game will turn out.

8. INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY AND WATER COMMISSION
USIBWC HEADQUARTERS
El Paso, TX