Kennedy Seeks An Amicable Accord With Mexico

The longstanding dispute between Mexico and the United States over shared water resources was simple: the United States used water from the Rio Grande that originated in Mexico, and Mexico used water from the Colorado River that originated in the U.S. The Mexican Water Treaty of 1944 allocated a portion of the Colorado’s water to Mexico, but the U.S. construed this to mean that Mexico could be given waters of any quality – return flow or seepage, say – whether usable or not. The Mexican view was that the water had to be usable and of a quality equal to that delivered to the American users. In 1962, the Mexican government formally protested to the United States regarding the saline quality of Colorado River water delivered to the Mexicali Valley. At the request of the State Department, the governors of the seven Colorado River Basin states formed the Committee of Fourteen to report back to the State Department and the International Boundary and Water Commission on the Mexican water salinity problem. Here President Kennedy discusses in great detail how, in the interests of international comity, an amicable agreement with Mexico might be achieved – and the needs of the Basin states served as well.

Typed Letter Signed as President, on green White House letterhead, Washington, July 8, 1963.  “Thank you for…transmitting a copy of the…report of the Committee of Fourteen concerning the salinity problem on the lower Colorado River. My Science Advisor and his staff have been working closely with representatives of the Departments of State and Interior considering various proposals for handling this matter. We agree with the Committee of Fourteen that in the interests of international comity every effort should be made to reach an amicable agreement with Mexico. In considering the possible alternatives, I am sure you appreciate the full implication of the Committee’s statement that “…the solution must be without detriment to the joint and separate interests of the concerned entities with the seven Colorado River Basin States…On May 17, I signed the Fiscal Year 1963 Supplemental Appropriation Act which…appropriates $6 million to…construct certain facilities designed to alleviate the salinity problem. High priority is being given to expediting construction…[to] thereby lesson peak salinity during the winter of 1963-1964. A number of alternatives under active considering appear to offer means of reducing salinity during the summer months…I appreciate having the Committee’s report and your comments. Please be assured that this has, and will continue to receive, my personal attention.”

U.S. modifications in drainage pumping and river operations reduced the problem but did not solve it. It was only in 1972 that the United States and Mexico reached a permanent settlement of the salinity problem.