Mexico has agreed to meet the current water obligations of American farmers and ranchers and to repay the water deficit in Texas as part of the 1944 Water Treaty. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) stated that the agreement extends to the current cycle and the previous cycle’s water deficit.
“Farmers across South Texas have been reeling from the uncertainty caused by the lack of water,” said U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. “Now they can expect the resources promised to them.”
Learn here how the water dispute with Mexico has harmed the Texas citrus industry.
“I thank Mexico for their willingness to abide by the treaty and return to good standing with their past obligations,” Rollins said. “Mexico has delivered more water in the last year than in the previous four years combined.”
According to Rollins, President Trump “has been very clear” that the United States would impose 5% tariffs on Mexican products “if Mexico continues to violate its commitments.”
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau added that Texans “for years have been deprived of their fair share of water under a treaty with Mexico.” Landau added that “we will continue to engage with our neighbors in Mexico to make sure that the United States obtains the water due under the treaty.”
Mexico agreed to release 202,000-acre feet of water to the United States. Deliveries were expected to begin the week of Dec. 15. USDA stated that timely repayment of the outstanding deficit from the previous water cycle is understood by Mexico. The United States and Mexico are in negotiations to finalize a plan by the end of January.
Under the 1944 Water Treaty, Mexico is obligated to deliver 1.75 million acre-feet over five years to the United States from the Rio Grande River. The U.S. in turn delivers 1.5 million acre-feet of water to Mexico from the Colorado River. Mexico’s persistent shortfalls in deliveries have led to severe water shortages for Rio Grande Valley farmers and ranchers, including citrus growers.
Source: USDA
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