US and Mexico 1944 Water Treaty Session to be held May 13

For immediate release. Contact: Media Relations at 512-463-5129

Austin – (May 8, 2014) – Representative Eddie Lucio, III (D-38) and Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) Chairman Carlos Rubinstein will host a public information session at 1425 Robinhood Drive, Brownsville, TX 78521, on May 13, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. The session will be co-hosted by Brownsville PUB and Rio Grande Partnership and focus on the United States and Mexico 1944 Water Treaty.

The 1944 Water Treaty, also known as the "Utilization of Waters of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers and of the Rio Grande," was signed by the United States and Mexico on February 3, 1944. The treaty requires Mexico to deliver not less than 350,000 acre-feet of water annually from the Rio Grande and designated tributaries to Texas.

"The session we are hosting in Brownsville is an important opportunity to explain the issues and significance of the 1944 Treaty to area citizens. The Rio Grande is vital to our area's economy, but it's a resource we share with other states and Mexico," said Rep. Lucio.

"The treaty directs water allocations on the Rio Grande from Fort Quitman, Texas, to the Gulf of Mexico, which covers some of the state's most critical agricultural areas and rapidly growing population centers," said Rubinstein. "Unfortunately, Mexico has failed to deliver the water owed to Texas, which has resulted in significant hardship for Texas' water users. I'm eager to participate in this session and explain what the Mexico's deficit means to the Rio Grande Valley."

The work session is free and open to the public. If you would like to attend, please RSVP to eddie.lucio_iii@house.state.tx.us.

The TWDB is the state agency charged with collecting and disseminating water-related data, assisting with regional planning, and preparing the state water plan for the development of the state's water resources. The TWDB administers cost-effective financial assistance programs for the construction of water supply, wastewater treatment, flood control, and agricultural water conservation projects.