Management of international rivers along the U.S.-Mexico Border: an economic perspective.

Abstract

International river basins management exercises great influence upon agricultural, urban and rural life on, not one, but both sides of the border between the United States and Mexico. Moreover, commerce relationships and immigration issues play key roles in the setting of river basin policies. In spite of the numerous treaties between the U.S. and Mexico, controversies still remain regarding the management of three major rivers which form part of our international boundary--The Rio Grande, The Colorado River and the Tijuana River. The purpose of this paper is to present an economic perspective concerning such prevailing managerial controversies in order to suggest policy improvements to the Mexican government if and where needed. In support of this perspective, a survey conducted by the author has been performed to measure the degree of public concern regarding water in a desert region. Because water is so scarce in the Southwest region of the U.S., the attitude of the people, both individually and collectively in managing this resource affects their well-being, both socially and economically.