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INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY AND WATER COMMISSION UNITED STATES AND MEXICO 205 SAN FRANCISCO STREET EL PASO, TEXAS 79950 July 23, 1964 MAILING ADDRESS: P. O. BOX 1859 MEMORANDUM OF MEETINGS PARTICIPANTS: The two Commissioners and the two Secretaries SUBJECT: Colorado River salinity COPIES TO: ARA/CMA; AmEmbassy, Mexico D. F.; The Commissioner; Secy. The two Commissioners met on July 21 and 22 in El Paso and Juarez respectively, for further discussions with a view to reaching a mutually satisfactory solution of the Colorado River salinity problem. The Mexican Commissioner has just returned from his meetings with his Mexican authorities in Mexico City during the past two weeks. The substance which may be drawn from the meetings is that Mexico has neither accepted nor rejected our proposal - further study is to be made. The Mexican Commissioner advised that it is Mexico's view that all Wellton-Mohawk waters should be by-passed, with the question of charges to be determined by the two Governments. Mexico plans to increase winter treaty deliveries (which will decrease winter excess waters) and to decrease summer deliveries. He asked confirmation that it is the United States intent to only by-pass excess waters available during winter months, which I confirmed. He stated that in light of our reply, he will make estimates of the amount of water the United States may by-pass and of the resulting salinities Mexico would receive at Morelos Dam, and then return to Mexico City in about 10 days for further talks with Mexican officials there. While he indicated much opposition in Mexico City to our proposal, he reflected his own hope that through technical studies, a practical solution could be worked out. Mexico's Viewpoints From the Mexican Commissioner's presentations, Mexico's views are understood to be as follows: 1) The waters pumped from the Wellton-Mohawk District are not return waters nor are they Colorado River waters, and they would not be beneficial for use in the Mexicali Valley withEpson Perfection 4870 Photo, 400 dpi, 8 bit, 9,379,328 byte