Memorandum of Meeting on Colorado River Salinity

Memorandum of Meeting: From Louis F. Blanchard, "Colorado River salinity," September 3, 1964, page 2-2- CONVERSATION Commissioner Friedkin said he was happy to be able to say that he has been authorized to resume conversations with the Mexican Commissioner on a permanent and effective solution of the Colorado salinity problem. In order to put the matter in perspective he reviewed the conversations held by the two Commissioners thus far, referring to the United States proposal of July 1 and identifying it as comprising two alternatives, along the following lines: 1. United States proposal of July 1. a) Basis of proposal - to meet, as nearly as practical, Mexico's position that discharge should be normal return flows flows from Wellton-Mohawk District. b) Bypass channel - Salt balance not to exceed 1.5:1. This proposal assumed 150 days minimum flows on the basis of Mexico's past schedules, in which event, there would not be required United States releases from storage to replace waters bypassed. Estimated cost $2 to $5 million. c) Tile drains, for drainage of all of Valley part of the District. This would provide as nearly as is physically practicable direct return flows; but there would be no commitment as to salt balance. Estimated cost - $29 million. Commissioner Friedkin took this occasion to emphasize the preference of the United States for a bypass channel solution not to exceed 1.5:1. salt balance ratio, and on the basis that there would be 150 days of minimum flows. He then reviewed briefly the Mexican Commissioner's response to the bypass channel alternative in the sense that: 2. Mexican Commissioner's response: a) He could not recommend a bypass solution unless at or very near a salt balance of 1.0:1. b) Mexico would request minimum treaty deliveries only 70 days during winter (instead of 150 days as was contemplated from past schedules). The United States Commissioner then explained that in this light, his Government necessarily reconsidered its bypass proposal because of the substantial releases of United States waters from storage which would then be involved in replacing waters bypassed; and because the Colorado River Basin States are unalterably opposed to any releases from storage resultingEpson Perfection 4870 Photo, 400 dpi, 8 bit, 1,863,606 byte