June 7, 2002
Valley farmers devastated by broken water treaty...
Valley farmers are feeling the full effect of Mexico's failure to comply with a treaty, and the United States government's lackadaisical approach to enforcing the interests of its citizens. Few things would seem more distant and removed than an international treaty between two governments signed way back in 1944 during the height of World War II. However, it has now become extremely local to the farmers and ranchers of the Rio Grande Valley whose livelihoods depend upon the river to provide irrigation water to produce crops.
As the situation currently stands, Valley producers are forced to abandon certain crops in order to preserve what precious little water still remains for their most valuable crops. The producers are yet again waiting for the details of Mexico's latest "promise" to meet its obligations—something Mexico has been promising for years now. There is no real belief that Mexico is serious about meeting its obligations, but rather that Mexico only intends to stall, confuse and redirect the issue.
The United States is frustrated because there is no enforcement mechanism contained in the treaty. Instead it was presumed that both countries would honorably fulfill their obligations. Texas Farm Bureau has witnessed the lack of enforcement ability as the cause of frustration in the numerous meetings held to discuss the crisis.
Farm Bureau leaders in the Valley have known for years that Mexico was out of compliance, beginning in 1992, and began vocally pointing this out to U.S. agencies in recent years. The situation has been made more critical due to the persistent drought and the steady decline in water reserves in the Amistad and Falcon reservoirs on the Rio Grande River. This year the issue has reached crisis level as agriculture irrigation is being prohibited and remaining resources will be rationed out for domestic consumption.
Texas Farm Bureau has aggressively pursued efforts to increase awareness and visibility. Beginning in January at the TFB Legislative Conference in San Antonio, the Citrus Advisory Committee officially recommended increased involvement in the issue. Following the Board of Director's approval of the recommendation, TFB sent a letter to the entire Texas Congressional delegation detailing the issue and seeking action to force a resolution. In response, Senator Hutchison and Congressman Ortiz have been champions of the cause and the catalyst for what official efforts have been made.
On three separate occasions, TFB leaders and staff have traveled to Washington D.C. to meet with Texas Congressional offices and State Department officials—each time reaching higher levels. When a U.S. House of Representatives Resources Committee field hearing was held in the Valley, TFB was there with testimony and support. TFB has also been in meetings and constant communications with the various statewide office holders engaged in the issue, including Governor Perry, Attorney General Cornyn, Agriculture Commissioner Combs and Secretary of State Shea.
Perhaps only time will tell if agriculture will continue to exist in the Rio Grande Valley, and farmers and ranchers there will say that time may not be far off.
The only two officials TFB has not been able to meet with are Mexican President Fox, and perhaps the real culprit, Governor Martinez of Chihuahua.
