Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-11-18
A Water Policy -

appointment Of a committee Of five ATTORNEYS b.
'e irrigation districts Of the Lower Rio Grandc Val
'y to formulate = policy relative to appropriations Of
"auer from the Rio Grande is one Of the most con-
..ue'iVe moves ever undertaken by the organized dis
n"ss' heretofore there has teen no effort to define a
'aiiey policy, and rs a result there has been aIpox.
e"ur'ss confusion relative to appropriations from the
stream.
one OF the most commendable features Of the meet
ing was the unaninity Of the districts relative to avoid
"s htigation. This would be an almost endless and
very expensive process, and il is doubtful if anything
could be gained. There are no presidents to guide the
courts and If the matter is carried before the courts
years will elapse before a definite decision can be
reached. u was the consensus Of opinion that more
oouid be gained BY outlining a definite policy which
would assure protection of rights by agreement.
The announcement of the state water board that M
additional appropriations from the Rio Grande will be
granted unless provisions are made for storage was re-
ceived with considerable satisfaction by the irrigation
interests Of the Valley, and virtually points the way for
a definite Valley policy. The rights Of water users
can best be protected by storage OF surplus waters OF
which there is an ample supply in the Rio Grande, and
II should be the objective Of the Valley interests to
insist that such projects as that now under way IN
Maverick county. where permit for irrigation of 10000
acres was granted, supply ample storage to assure pro-
lection on the lower reaches of the stream during the
periods Of minimum flow. It is unfortunate that the
minimum flow. II is unfortunate that the minimum
flow Of the stream comes during the first five months
Of the year at a time when irrigation in the Valley at
tains its peak; but this condition exists, and therefore
must be confronted.
Incidentally the storage provision announced by the
state water board, and which probably will be incor-
porated in such policies as the Valley districts may
formulate, is the logical solution of the present prob
lem. 1t IS what may be termed insurance against
scarcity Of water during the months Of greatest need
Few Of the old districts can make provisions for stor-
age, but it should be incorporated in the plans OF any
recent appropriations, and should be extended to as
many Of the old districts as possible. However, II the
new districts make this necessary provision, they VIII
probably eliminate possible shortage until the Amerl-
can and Mexican governments can reach an agreement
and provide the storage which will assure an adequate
supply for all existing or contemplated projects.
The meeting Of irrigation interests brought out very
forcibly the necessity for all Valley interests to extend
cooperation in securing an agreement with Mexico and
the conservation Of Rio Grande waters. Until that IS
accomplished there will always be more or less con-
troversy rela. i've to wafer rights, and each new devel-
opment will be regarded as an infringement upon prior
rights. Storage BY the individual districts will remedy
this situation to some extent, but the real solution lies
in action by the governments and storage Of the i'm
mense volumes Of water now wasted in the floods Of
the Rio Grande and its tributaries.