[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 135 (Friday, December 8, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2152]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       UNITED STATES-MEXICO TRANSBOUNDARY AQUIFER ASSESSMENT ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. SILVESTRE REYES

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 6, 2006

  Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 214, the United 
States-Mexico Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Act of 2005.
  The U.S.-Mexico border region presents us with one of our Nation's 
most challenging sets of policy priorities. We read headlines everyday 
about the issues of migration, national security, illegal drug 
trafficking, and trade and commerce, all of which are centered on our 
southern border. However, the nation often forgets about other issues 
by which we are affected on the border that are complicated by the 
binational nature of the communities in which we live.
  S. 214 will help border communities in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, 
and California as they approach an issue that will determine the 
viability of their communities to prosper indefinitely into the future: 
water. On the border, the question of water is not only one of 
negotiating resource allocation between countries, but also one of 
geography and scarcity. As we enter a century in which, according to 
many experts, wars between nations will be fought over water, not oil, 
S. 214 will offer an essential assessment tool to policymakers making 
strategic decisions about resource allocation.
  Currently, although the U.S. and Mexico share information about 
surface water and other resources, no bilateral mechanism exists for 
cooperation and the sharing of information with regards to ground 
water. This lack of communication makes it difficult to ascertain the 
limitations and capabilities of those groundwater resources shared 
between the U.S. and Mexico.
  The bill would provide for that mechanism by establishing a United 
States-Mexico transboundary aquifer assessment program to evaluate and 
model groundwater resources along the border. The program will develop 
an integrated approach to assess transboundary groundwater resources, 
prioritizing the aquifers for further analysis, and creating a 
geographic information system database for each priority aquifer. The 
bill would expand existing agreements between the U.S. Geological 
Survey, border states, the research institutes, and U.S. and Mexican 
authorities to conduct joint scientific investigations and produce 
scientific reports that will assist technicians and authorities in 
managing our most precious resource.
  Located in the Chihuahua Desert, the vitality of my district of EI 
Paso, Texas depends on the prudent management of our water resources. 
S. 214 will help us provide sustainable water resources for generations 
of Americans to come.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting S. 214.

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