18 The Role of the Geosciences in Water Sustainability: Examples, Challenges, and Societal Impacts (Posters)

Thursday, 4 April 2013
1:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Classroom 107

‘GIVE AND TAKE’ ALTERNATIVE TO USE AT SPECIFIC TRANSBOUNDARY AQUIFERS SHARED BETWEEN MEXICO AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA BORDER. FAR FROM RHETORIC CLOSER TO REALITY

Paper number: 18-1
Program: Theme Sessions
Time: 1:30 PM – 5:30 PM

Authors

Abstract

Negotiation as a method to solve conflicts concerning transboundary aquifers shared would be functional in the case of Mexico and The United States of America for the simple reason that Mexico has a national public policy regarding groundwater with fewer variations by state while in the United States of America groundwater public policy could change in each State because the Constitution of each State has little variations; for instance, the federal public policy would be adapted using criteria from state authorities. In contrast, Conciliationis a hard process for both Mexican and American governments.In addition, reviewing the inventory conducted by UNESCO/OEA ISARM in different publications since the last decade, it is easy to find transboundary aquifers shared between different states of Mexico and the United States of America such as California, New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas in the US, Baja California, Coahuila, Chihuahua, Juarez, and more in Mexico, Also, since 1980 the Bill Clinton administration added an environmental chapter to the TLC, but the management of aquifers was stained in ecologists’ vague concepts. The United Nations Organization had accepted equality criteria in 1997

As first step of the negotiation, both the American and Mexican State governments will complete the information of the border covering studies using similar level; for example, scale 1:10,000. Aquifers shared in Mexico and USA border have different basic information level regarding geology, geophysics, hydrogeology, hydrology, tectonics, structural, sediments, litho-stratigraphy, hydrology, hydraulics, and more in each side of the border. In addition, it is necessary to improve basic information regarding economy, politic, social, environment, market, and financial among others. The second step of the negotiation process will consist in formulation and implementation of the policy which permits developing groundwater supply for different human activities topics such as human consumption, agriculture, and industries in general. In addition, social, cultural, environmental, and climate aspects can be enhanced.

The last considered step of the negotiation will be cooperation. Protecting all recharge areas along the border in both sides of the border and preparing groundwater programs for customers.