More river water sought for Mexico

Wednesday, Nov. 24, 1999 | 11:18 a.m.

A coalition of conservation groups representing the United States and Mexico have asked their governments to amend a 1944 Colorado River treaty -- to send more water for wildlife across the Mexican border.

The Colorado River is considered one of the most thoroughly controlled rivers in the world, with 90 percent of its waters going to cities and farms in the American Southwest.

Although the 1944 treaty gives Mexico 1.5 million acre-feet a year, plus 200,000 acre-feet if there is a surplus, the Colorado River Delta on the U.S.-Mexican border has been losing its vast wetlands and salt flats as California, Arizona and Nevada draw more water from the river.

The 35 groups representing 8 million people are asking to amend the river treaty to provide water for wildlife habitat. "The Colorado River Delta ecosystem is today left only with table scraps of water," David Hogan, Center for Biological Diversity rivers program coordinator, said late Tuesday from his Arizona office.

The Colorado, which serves seven Western states, supplies the Las Vegas Valley with more than 80 percent of its drinking water. The Lower Colorado states -- California, Nevada and Arizona -- receive 7.5 million acre-feet of the river each year. Mexico's share is part of that total.

There is no water set aside for wildlife or habitat, Colorado River Commission Executive Director George Caan of Nevada said.

Each state and nation decides how to use its own allocations, Caan said. In the U.S. most of the water once used for farms in Southern California now serves growing cities. Mexico's share irrigates crops across the border.

According to Caan the U.S. and Mexico are discussing water issues, but the focus is quality and salt levels, not providing wildlife habitat.