[Senate Report 108-297]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



                                                       Calendar No. 616
108th Congress                                                   Report
                                 SENATE
 2d Session                                                     108-297

======================================================================



 
       UNITED STATES-MEXICO TRANSBOUNDARY AQUIFER ASSESSMENT ACT

                                _______
                                

                  July 7, 2004.--Ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

   Mr. Domenici, from the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, 
                        submitted the following

                              R E P O R T

                         [To accompany S. 1957]

    The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, to which was 
referred the bill (S. 1957) to authorize the Secretary of the 
Interior to cooperate with the States on the border with Mexico 
and other appropriate entities in conducting a hydrogeologic 
characterization, mapping, and modeling program for priority 
transboundary aquifers, and for other purposes, having 
considered the same, reports favorably thereon with an 
amendment and recommends that the bill, as amended, do pass.
    The amendment is as follows:
    Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert in lieu 
thereof the following:

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

  This Act may be cited as the ``United States-Mexico Transboundary 
Aquifer Assessment Act''.

SEC. 2. PURPOSE.

  The purpose of this Act is to direct the Secretary of the Interior to 
establish a United States-Mexico transboundary aquifer assessment 
program to--
          (1) systematically assess priority transboundary aquifers; 
        and
          (2) provide the scientific foundation necessary for State and 
        local officials to address pressing water resource challenges 
        in the United States-Mexico border region.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

  In this Act:
          (1) Aquifer.--The term ``aquifer'' means a subsurface water-
        bearing geologic formation from which significant quantities of 
        water may be extracted.
          (2) Border state.--The term ``Border State'' means each of 
        the States of Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas.
          (3) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian tribe'' means an Indian 
        tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community--
                  (A) that is recognized as eligible for the special 
                programs and services provided by the United States to 
                Indians because of their status as Indians; and
                  (B) the reservation of which includes a transboundary 
                aquifer within the exterior boundaries of the 
                reservation.
          (4) Priority transboundary aquifer.--The term ``priority 
        transboundary aquifer'' means a transboundary aquifer that has 
        been designated for study and analysis under the program.
          (5) Program.--The term ``program'' means the United States-
        Mexico transboundary aquifer assessment program established 
        under section 4(a).
          (6) Reservation.--The term ``reservation'' means land that 
        has been set aside or that has been acknowledged as having been 
        set aside by the United States for the use of an Indian tribe, 
        the exterior boundaries of which are more particularly defined 
        in a final tribal treaty, agreement, executive order, Federal 
        statute, secretarial order, or judicial determination.
          (7) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of 
        the Interior, acting through the Director of the United States 
        Geological Survey.
          (8) Transboundary aquifer.--The term ``transboundary 
        aquifer'' means an aquifer that underlies the boundary between 
        the United States and Mexico.
          (9) Tri-regional planning group.--The term ``Tri-Regional 
        Planning Group'' means the binational planning group comprised 
        of--
                  (A) the Junta Municipal de Aqua y Saneamiento de 
                Ciudad Juarez;
                  (B) the El Paso Water Utilities Public Service Board; 
                and
                  (C) the Lower Rio Grande Water Users Organization.
          (10) Water resources research institutes.--The term ``water 
        resources research institutes'' means the institutes within the 
        Border States established under section 104 of the Water 
        Resources Research Act of 1984 (42 U.S.C. 10303).

SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM.

  (a) In General.--The Secretary, in consultation and cooperation with 
the Border States, the water resources research institutes, Sandia 
National Laboratories, and other appropriate entities in the United 
States and Mexico, shall carry out the United States-Mexico 
transboundary aquifer assessment program to characterize, map, and 
model transboundary groundwater resources along the United States-
Mexico border at a level of detail determined to be appropriate for the 
particular aquifer.
  (b) Objectives.--The objectives of the program are to--
          (1) develop and implement an integrated scientific approach 
        to assess transboundary groundwater resources, including--
                  (A)(i) identifying fresh and saline transboundary 
                aquifers; and
                  (ii) prioritizing the transboundary aquifers for 
                further analysis by assessing--
                          (I) the proximity of the transboundary 
                        aquifer to areas of high population density;
                          (II) the extent to which the transboundary 
                        aquifer is used;
                          (III) the susceptibility of the transboundary 
                        aquifer to contamination; and
                          (IV) any other relevant criteria;
                  (B) evaluating all available data and publications as 
                part of the development of study plans for each 
                priority transboundary aquifer;
                  (C) creating a new, or enhancing an existing, 
                geographic information system database to characterize 
                the spatial and temporal aspects of each priority 
                transboundary aquifer; and
                  (D) using field studies, including support for and 
                expansion of ongoing monitoring and metering efforts, 
                to develop--
                          (i) the additional data necessary to 
                        adequately define aquifer characteristics; and
                          (ii) scientifically sound groundwater flow 
                        models to assist with State and local water 
                        management and administration, including 
                        modeling of relevant groundwater and surface 
                        water interactions;
          (2) expand existing agreements, as appropriate, between the 
        United States Geological Survey, the Border States, the water 
        resources research institutes, and appropriate authorities in 
        the United States and Mexico, to--
                  (A) conduct joint scientific investigations;
                  (B) archive and share relevant data; and
                  (C) carry out any other activities consistent with 
                the program; and
          (3) produce scientific products for each priority 
        transboundary aquifer that--
                  (A) are capable of being broadly distributed; and
                  (B) provide the scientific information needed by 
                water managers and natural resource agencies on both 
                sides of the United States-Mexico border to effectively 
                accomplish the missions of the managers and agencies.
  (c) Designation of Priority Transboundary Aquifers.--
          (1) In general.--For purposes of the program, the Secretary 
        shall designate as priority transboundary aquifers--
                  (A) the Hueco Bolson and Mesilla aquifers underlying 
                parts of Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico; and
                  (B) the Santa Cruz River Valley aquifers underlying 
                Arizona and Sonora, Mexico.
          (2) Additional aquifers.--The Secretary shall, using the 
        criteria under subsection (b)(1)(A)(ii), evaluate and designate 
        additional priority transboundary aquifers.
  (d) Cooperation With Mexico.--To ensure a comprehensive assessment of 
transboundary aquifers, the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent 
practicable, work with appropriate Federal agencies and other 
organizations to develop partnerships with, and receive input from, 
relevant organizations in Mexico to carry out the program.
  (e) Grants and Cooperative Agreements.--The Secretary may provide 
grants or enter into cooperative agreements and other agreements with 
the water resources research institutes and other Border State entities 
to carry out the program.

SEC. 5. IMPLEMENTATION OF PROGRAM.

  (a) Coordination With States, Tribes, and Other Entities.--The 
Secretary shall coordinate the activities carried out under the program 
with--
          (1) the appropriate water resource agencies in the Border 
        States;
          (2) any affected Indian tribes; and
          (3) any other appropriate entities that are conducting 
        monitoring and metering activity with respect to a priority 
        transboundary aquifer.
  (b) New Activity.--After the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Secretary shall not initiate any new field studies or analyses under 
the program before consulting with, and coordinating the activity with, 
any Border State water resource agencies that have jurisdiction over 
the aquifer.
  (c) Study Plans; Cost Estimates.--
          (1) In general.--The Secretary shall work closely with 
        appropriate Border State water resource agencies, water 
        resources research institutes, and other relevant entities to 
        develop a study plan, timeline, and cost estimate for each 
        priority transboundary aquifer to be studied under the program.
          (2) Requirements.--A study plan developed under paragraph (1) 
        shall, to the maximum extent practicable--
                  (A) integrate existing data collection and analyses 
                conducted with respect to the priority transboundary 
                aquifer;
                  (B) if applicable, improve and strengthen existing 
                groundwater flow models developed for the priority 
                transboundary aquifer; and
                  (C) be consistent with appropriate State guidelines 
                and goals.

SEC. 6. EFFECT.

  Nothing in this Act affects--
          (1) the jurisdiction or responsibility of a Border State with 
        respect to managing surface or groundwater resources in the 
        Border State; or
          (2) the water rights of any person or entity using water from 
        a transboundary aquifer.

SEC. 7. REPORTS.

  Not later than 5 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and 
on completion of the program in fiscal year 2014, the Secretary shall 
submit to the appropriate water resource agency in the Border States, 
an interim and final report, respectively, that describes--
          (1) any activities carried out under the program;
          (2) any conclusions of the Secretary relating to the status 
        of transboundary aquifers; and
          (3) the level of participation in the program of entities in 
        Mexico.

SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

  (a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out 
this Act $50,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2005 through 2014.
  (b) Distribution of Funds.--Of the amounts made available under 
subsection (a), 50 percent shall be made available to the water 
resources research institutes to provide funding to appropriate 
entities in the Border States (including Sandia National Laboratories, 
State agencies, universities, the Tri-Regional Planning Group, and 
other relevant organizations) and Mexico to conduct activities under 
the program, including the binational collection and exchange of 
scientific data.

                         PURPOSE OF THE MEASURE

    The purpose of S. 1957 is to authorize the Secretary of the 
Interior to cooperate with the States on the border with Mexico 
and other appropriate entities in conducting a hydrogeologic 
characterization, mapping, and modeling program for priority 
transboundary aquifers, and for other purposes.

                          BACKGROUND AND NEED

    The United States and Mexico share a 2,000 mile-long border 
that crosses multiple groundwater basins. Piecemeal assessments 
of aquifers have been performed by the U.S. Geological Survey 
and other entities over the last 50 years. However, assessments 
to date have included relatively little information on the 
Mexican side of the border, have not been integrated across 
multiple basins around large municipal areas, and have not 
included the surface water-groundwater interactions. 
Additionally, data collection and numerical analysis techniques 
and technology have greatly improved in recent years, resulting 
in a good opportunity to develop scientific tools of 
significant value to State and local water resource managers. 
Accordingly, S. 1957 is intended to address the lack of 
binational consensus regarding the source and availability of 
future water supplies along the border by establishing a 
scientific program to assess priority transboundary aquifers 
comprehensively. This assessment should help State and local 
water planning efforts and avoid transboundary conflicts, 
particularly in rapidly expanding municipal areas along the 
border where demands on groundwater quality, a matter of 
increasing importance given that a lack of adequate wastewater 
treatment infrastructure is responsible for ongoing groundwater 
contamination.

                          LEGISLATIVE HISTORY

    S. 1957 was introduced by Senator Bingaman on November 25, 
2003 and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural 
Resources. The Subcommittee on Water and Power held a hearing 
on S. 1957 on May 19, 2004. The Committee on Energy and Natural 
Resources ordered S. 1957, as amended, favorably reported on 
June 16, 2004.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, in an 
open business meeting on June 16, 2004, by unanimous voice vote 
of a quorum present, recommends that the Senate pass S. 1957, 
if amended as described herein.

                          COMMITTEE AMENDMENT

    During the consideration of S. 1957, the Committee adopted 
an amendment in the nature of a substitute. The substitute 
amendment addresses concerns raised during the Subcommittee 
hearing and in written submissions.
    The first change deletes all findings as listed in section 
2(a). The second change adds section 4(b)(1)(A)(ii)(IV) which 
allows the Secretary to promulgate new scientific criteria for 
the assessment of transboundary groundwater resources. The 
third change provides for increased State involvement in the 
designation and study of priority aquifers. The final change 
designates the Santa Cruz River Valley aquifers underlying 
Arizona and Sonora, Mexico as priority transboundary aquifers.

                      SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS

    Section 1 provides the short title, the ``United States-
Mexico Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Act.''
    Section 2 sets forth the purposes of the Act.
    Section 3 defines the terms used in the Act.
    Section 4 subsection (a) directs the Secretary to carry out 
the United States-Mexico transboundary aquifer assessment 
program to characterize, map, and model transboundary 
groundwater resources along the United States-Mexico border.
    Subsection (b) provides that the objectives of the program 
are to develop and implement an integrated scientific approach 
to assess transboundary groundwater resources.
    Subsection (c) designates the Hueco Bolson and Mesilla 
aquifers, the Santa Cruz River Valley aquifers as priority 
transboundary aquifers and directs the Secretary to designate 
additional priority transboundary aquifers using the criteria 
under subsection (b)(1)(A)(ii).
    Subsection (d) directs the Secretary to work with 
appropriate Federal agencies and other organizations to develop 
partnerships with, and receive input from relevant 
organizations in Mexico to carry out the program.
    Subsection (e) provides that the Secretary may provide 
grants or enter into cooperative agreements and other 
agreements with the water resources institutes and other Border 
State entities to carry out the program.
    Section 5 subsection (a) directs the Secretary to 
coordinate the activities carried out under the program with 
the appropriate water resource agencies in the Border States, 
any affected Indian tribe, and any other appropriate entities 
that are conducting monitoring and metering activity of a 
priority transboundary aquifer.
    Subsection (b) prohibits the Secretary from initiating new 
field studies or analyses until consulting with and 
coordinating the activity with any water resource agencies that 
have jurisdiction over the aquifer.
    Subsection (c) directs the Secretary to work with 
appropriate entities to develop a study plan, timeline, and 
cost estimate for each priority transboundary aquifer to be 
studied under the program. Study plans shall take into 
consideration existing data and be consistent with State 
guidelines and goals.
    Section 6 states that this Act has no effect on the 
jurisdiction of a Border State with respect to managing surface 
or groundwater resources in the Border State, nor does the Act 
affect the water rights of any person or entity.
    Section 7 directs the Secretary to submit a report to the 
appropriate water resource agency in the Border States that 
describes activities carried out under the program, conclusions 
of the Secretary on the status of transboundary aquifers, and 
the level of participation of the Mexican partners.
    Section 8 subsection (a) authorizes $50 million to be 
appropriated for the Act for fiscal years 2005 through 2014.
    Subsection (b) requires that 50 percent of the funds made 
available for the Act shall be distributed to the appropriate 
local entities in the Border States and Mexico.

                   COST AND BUDGETARY CONSIDERATIONS

    The following estimate of costs of this measure has been 
provided by the Congressional Budget Office:

                                     U.S. Congress,
                               Congressional Budget Office,
                                     Washington, DC, June 22, 2004.
Hon. Pete V. Domenici,
Chairman, Committee on Energy and Natural Resources,
U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has 
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for S. 1957, the United 
States-Mexico Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Act.
    If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be 
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Deborah Reis.
            Sincerely,
                                         Elizabeth Robinson
                               (For Douglas Holtz-Eakin, Director).
    Enclsoure.

S. 1957--United States-Mexico Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Act

    Summary: S. 1957 would establish a program within the 
Department of the Interior to study and assess aquifers (i.e., 
groundwater reserves) that are located under the boundaries of 
Mexico and the bordering states of Arizona, California, New 
Mexico, and Texas. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) would 
coordinate the program and would provide grants and technical 
assistance to government agencies and other organizations in 
Mexico and the four states for projects that address 
groundwater issues. The bill would authorize the appropriation 
of $50 million over the 2005-2014 period for federal projects, 
technical assistance, and grants.
    Assuming appropriation of authorized amounts, CBO estimates 
that implementing S. 1957 would cost $2 million in fiscal year 
2005 and $21 million over the 2005-2009 period. We estimate 
that an additional $29 million would be spent after 2009, 
including $25 million appropriated between 2010 and 2014. 
Enacting the bill would not affect direct spending or revenues.
    S. 1957 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector 
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) 
and would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal 
governments. Agencies in the four border states could receive 
grant funds if they choose to participate in this program.
    Estimated cost to the Federal Government: The estimated 
budgetary impact of S. 1957 is shown in the following table. 
The costs of this legislation fall within budget function 300 
(natural resources and environment).

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  By fiscal year, in millions of dollars--
                                                          ------------------------------------------------------
                                                              2005       2006       2007       2008       2009
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  CHANGES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION

Authorization Level......................................          5          5          5          5          5
Estimated Outlays........................................          2          4          5          5          5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Basis of estimate: For this estimate, CBO assumes that S. 
1957 will be enacted near the end of fiscal year 2004 and that 
the $50 million authorized to be appropriated for the proposed 
aquifer program will be appropriated evenly over the next 10 
years. As provided in the legislation, one-half of each year's 
appropriation would be awarded to laboratories, governmental 
agencies, universities, and other entities in Mexico or the 
four border states. The remaining half would be used by the 
USGS to carry out the federal component of the program that 
would include program coordination, data integration, and 
technical assistance.
    Intergovernmental and private-sector impact: S. 1957 
contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as 
defined in UMRA and would impose no costs on state, local, or 
tribal governments. Agencies in the four border states could 
receive grant funds if they choose to participate in this 
program.
    Estimate prepared by: Federal Costs: Deborah Reis; Impact 
on State, Local, and Tribal Governments: Marjorie Miller; and 
Impact on the Private Sector: Crystal Taylor.
    Estimate approved by: Peter H. Fontaine, Deputy Assistant 
Director for Budget Analysis.

                      REGULATORY IMPACT EVALUATION

    In compliance with paragraph 11(b) of rule XXVI of the 
Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee makes the following 
evaluation of the regulatory impact which would be incurred in 
carrying out S. 1957. The bill is not a regulatory measure in 
the sense of imposing Government-established standards or 
significant responsibilities on private individuals and 
businesses.
    No personal information would be collected in administering 
the program. Therefore, there would be no impact on personal 
privacy.
    Little, if any, additional paperwork would result from the 
enactment of S. 1957.

                        EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS

    On June 16, 2004, the Committee on Energy and Natural 
Resources requested legislative reports from the Department of 
the Interior and the Office of Management and Budget setting 
forth executive views on S. 1957. These reports had not been 
received at the time the report on S. 1957 was filed. When the 
reports become available, the Chairman will request that they 
be printed in the Congressional Record for the advice of the 
Senate. The testimony provided by the Department of the 
Interior at the Subcommittee hearing follows:

 Statement of Charles G. Groat, Director, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. 
                       Department of the Interior

    Madam Chairman and Members of the Subcommittee, thank you 
for the opportunity to participate in this hearing to discuss 
the important role of water in the U.S.-Mexico Border Region 
and to provide the Administration's views on S. 1957, the 
``United States-Mexico Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Act.'' 
The Administration supports the provisions of S. 1957, ``The 
United States-Mexico Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Act'', 
however, we note that we currently are undertaking some work in 
the areas covered by the bill and that no new authorities are 
needed. The program authorized in this bill would need to 
compete among the Survey's other priorities for funding.


                               BACKGROUND


    The international border region of the United States and 
Mexico (border region) has, during the past decade, experienced 
significant economic expansion accompanied by rapid population 
growth and urban development. The removal of international 
trade barriers quickly transformed the region's several small 
to mid-size cities into some of the fastest growing population 
centers in both countries. As a result, the people residing on 
both sides of the border now face numerous complex social, 
political, economic, infrastructure, public health, natural 
resource, and environmental-quality challenges. Along the 
entire length of the mostly arid international border region, 
perhaps the greatest challenge is how to effectively address 
the need for safe, sustainable supplies of good quality water 
for public, industrial, and agricultural uses, while 
maintaining a delicate balance with the needs of a very fragile 
natural-resource system.
    The limited surface-water supplies along the border have 
been allocated for several decades under international treaties 
and domestic laws. However, allocation of ground water in the 
border region is poorly regulated because little is known about 
its availability, sustainability, and quality; about how ground 
water interacts with surface-water bodies; and about the 
susceptibility of ground water to contamination. Ground water 
also is an important source of life-sustaining base flow to 
many streams and essential for maintaining critical aquatic 
habitats.
    Ground-water pumping has lowered the water table, depleted 
aquifers, and reduced the base flow of many streams thus 
decreasing the quantity of water available to support critical 
riparian habitats. Excessive ground-water pumping in some major 
urban centers, such as in the El Paso/Juarez metropolitan 
region, has caused land subsidence that has damaged homes and 
essential urban infrastructure. In addition to the effects of 
ground- and surface-water depletion, degradation of water 
quality has reduced habitat suitability for the region's 
diverse biota. The problems associated with limited water 
quantity and competing uses of water also have resulted in 
impaired and degraded water quality and serious issues related 
to human health on both sides of the border. Water quantity and 
quality will most likely be the determining and limiting 
factors that ultimately control future economic development, 
population growth, and human health along the United States-
Mexico border.


                                S. 1957


    S. 1957 directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish 
a United States-Mexico Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Program 
to systematically assess priority transboundary aquifers and 
provide the scientific foundation necessary for State and local 
officials to address pressing water resource challenges in the 
border region. The bill further directs the Secretary of the 
Interior to implement this program in cooperation with the 
Border states as well as with other appropriate entities, 
including affected Indian tribes.
    The proposed, collaborative scientific investigations and 
research efforts would address critical water supply, 
environmental, and natural-resource issues in the border 
region, and contribute to an improved understanding of the 
relations between the border region's many water, natural-
resource, biological, and human-health related issues. We agree 
that a multi-discipline, binational, scientific approach is 
needed to address these complex, interrelated transboundary 
issues. Additionally, these studies would develop and document 
the tools, scientific methodologies, and procedures for 
collecting and integrating hydrologic, geologic, biologic, and 
other spatial data into a binational geographic information 
system for analysis and modeling applications.
    S. 1957 objectives include expanding existing agreements 
between the USGS, Border states, State Water Resources Research 
Institutes, and appropriate authorities in the United States 
and Mexico to conduct joint investigations; document, manage, 
and share data; and carry out the necessary binational work 
efforts. Such collaboration would produce timely, widely 
accepted scientific products and understanding of each priority 
binational aquifer that is needed by water and natural-resource 
managers to effectively accomplish their missions.
    The role identified for the Department of the Interior in 
this bill is consistent with the USGS leadership role in 
monitoring, interpretation, research, and assessment of the 
health and status of the water and biological resources of the 
Nation. As the Nation's largest water, earth, and biological 
science, and civilian mapping agency, the USGS provides the 
largest single non-regulatory hydrologic investigative and 
research capability in the Nation.
    This proposed scientific collaboration by Federal, State, 
Tribal, and academic institutions touches on many of the 
interdisciplinary core competencies of the USGS. At its heart, 
the proposed collaboration would effectively capitalize on the 
collective scientific capability and resources of the 
partnering institutions. The integration of this relevant 
science would address the most pressing and complex natural 
resource and environmental problems in these very fragile 
landscapes and complex ecosystems.
    The USGS has been active in a number of relevant programs 
and investigations in the arid southwest and hence has a 
working knowledge of proven methods and innovative technologies 
for effectively characterizing, monitoring, and mapping the 
border region's ground-water resources. We believe we have the 
authority to implement the activities called for in the bill 
and would continue to provide resources to address the goals of 
S. 1957, provided these activities successfully compete against 
other USGS priorities. In FY 2004, roughly $500,000 will be 
spent on such on-the-ground activities by USGS. The President's 
FY 2005 Budget sustains this funding level. USGS scientists 
working from offices in each of the four Border states activity 
participate in these programs and investigations, and are 
called upon by the States and border communities to provide 
essential technical insight and understanding for solving 
critical water supply and natural-resource problems. Our 
scientists serve on a large number of relevant committees, task 
forces, and advisory groups in the border region. Regional 
coordination and communication of USGS programs and activities 
along the international border is further enhanced internally 
through our Border Strategy Team as well as within the 
Department of the Interior as a result of our active 
participation on the U.S.-Mexico Field Coordination Committee.
    Talking with our partners in the Border states and 
communities, in the other Interior Bureaus, and other Federal 
agencies, as well as with scientists and government officials 
in Mexico, it is widely acknowledged that the lack of a 
standardized, binational database on the availability, use, and 
quality of the transboundary ground-water resources is perhaps 
the most significant impediment in addressing the Border 
region's numerous complex water-supply and natural-resource 
challenges. The lack of basic inventory and monitoring 
information pertaining to border water resources and water-
dependent environments prevents a comprehensive understanding 
of watershed and regional processes and issues, and hinders the 
ability of science to provide the essential predictive 
capability to characterize or describe potential cause and 
effect relations associated with alternative land and water use 
and management actions.
    The program and investigations called for in this bill 
would support the development and maintenance of such a 
standardized, binational hydrologic database and associated 
data analysis tools. Early into the program, it would be 
essential that binational consensus be reached on common 
investigative approaches, common field data collection 
protocols, laboratory methodologies, and data management, 
documentation, and reporting systems. Once these technical 
issues are resolved, it would be much easier to streamline the 
treaty requirements related to the review and public release of 
impartial, transboundary investigations having limited scope. 
Obtaining this consensus for the entire Border region would 
greatly enhance transboundary scientific collaboration in the 
future.


                                SUMMARY


    The proposed investigations and pertinent research efforts 
authorized by S. 1957 would address critical water, 
environmental, and health issues in the Border region and 
contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the 
relations between the region's many water, natural-resource, 
biological, and health related issues. It is important that a 
binational, multi-discipline scientific approach be taken to 
address these interrelated issues. Additionally, these 
binational studies would develop and document the tools, 
methodologies, and procedures to collect and integrate 
hydrologic, biologic, and other spatial data into a geographic 
information system for analysis and modeling applications.
    Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for the opportunity to present 
this testimony. I will be pleased to answer questions you and 
other Members of the Subcommittee might have.

                        CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW

    In compliance with paragraph 12 of rule XXVI of the 
Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee notes that no 
changes in existing law are made by the bill S. 1957, as 
ordered reported.

                                  
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