CEO urges Congress to work with Mexico help meet Valley needs
Texas Border Business
WESLACO – Rio Grande Partnership CEO Julian Alvarez joined several elected leaders and other stakeholders in Washington DC to discuss joint efforts to address Mexico’s failure to uphold its water obligations and eliminate the deficit owed to the U.S.
The water deficit issue is very important to the Rio Grande Valley, area farmers and irrigators, cities and Partnership members. Alvarez has lead several meetings and discussions locally on this issue. In Washington he was joined in a meeting hosted by Texas U.S. Senator John Cornyn and Congressman Filemon Vela of Brownsville where they met regarding joint efforts to address Mexico’s failure to uphold its water obligations and eliminate the deficit owed to the U.S. Alvarez, along with the others also had an opportunity to meet with Adrian Saenz, of the Obama Administration, to discuss this very important issue.
Cameron County State Representative Eddie Lucio III, who helped spearhead the meeting, and Texas Water Development Board Chairman Carlos Rubinstein also participated in the discussions, which took place Oct. 30.
“Water is the lifeblood of the Valley and without a reliable, steady supply the business community cannot continue to grow and economic development could be slowed,” said Alvarez. “Having the RGV Partnership take part in high-level meetings means we can bring our board’s and our members’ voices to the table and that’s a big deal. I am very thankful to Rep. Lucio for including us and Sen. Cornyn and Congressman Vela and for welcoming the talks.”
Under a 1944 Treaty, Mexico is required to deliver average annual allotments of water to the Rio Grande Valley. Sen. Cornyn and Congressman Vela have previously introduced the WATER Act and met with Mexico’s Ambassador to the U.S., Medina Mora, to discuss a pathway forward earlier this year. Unfortunately, Mexico is still behind on water deliveries to the U.S., and further action is needed to produce a solution in the long-term interest of South Texans.
Alvarez said the Partnership will continue to work on the water issue on behalf of the board and its members, and will likely have more meetings in the future to keep it at the forefront. He added that he will continue to count on the leadership of Sen. Cornyn, Congressman Vela, State Rep. Lucio III and others who have assisted in trying to overcome the challenge.
The Rio Grande Valley Partnership is part of a local steering committee consisting of the following members: Joe Barrera, McAllen Mayor Jim Darling, Wayne Halbert, and Ray Prewett.
