1. Comparative Analysis of Trans-border Water Management Strategies: Case Studies on the U.S.-Mexico Border Dr. Christopher Brown Dr. Jose Luis Castro Ms. Nancy Lowery Dr. Richard Wright 2002 SCERP Border Institute IV 6-8 May 2002 - Rio Rico, Arizona

2. Major insights from regional analyses  Major structural differences and changes face both sides of the border.  Major asymmetries exist along and across the border.  Innovations towards cross-border synergies should be enhanced.  Watershed–based research provides important regional context for the above.

3. Major structural issues  U.S. and Mexican political, social, and institutional structures are very different.  Within U.S., BECC/NADBank restructuring & mandate expansion induce uncertainty.  Within Mexico, reality of decentralization may not always match theory and promise.  Structures are not only different, but also changing as result of political changes.

4. Issues of asymmetries  Asymmetries of resource, institutional capacity, and openness exist along/across the border:  Evidence = USEPA Brownsville border office.  Ability of smaller cities to enter the discourse is greatly limited on both sides of border.  Innovative attempts to redress asymmetries are key to effective management of water resources.

5. Role of synergies and cooperation  Research indicates the success that innovations across and along the border can have.  True and effective cooperation across sectors with information exchange and openness is crucial.  Recent experiences with post-NAFTA institutions and institutional climate have been somewhat positive.

6. Models of synergies & cooperation  Larger governmental institutions and universities can provide leadership and funding.  Teams of consultants and binational technical advisory committees are useful models.  Borrowing ideas from successes in specific regions for use elsewhere can offer useful insight.

9. Potential for borrowed successes  Insights of Tijuana/San Diego experience:  Role of Border Liaison Mechanism, SANDAG and Counels General  Driving regional efforts towards cooperative development of infrastructure  Effort came from region, not D.C. or D.F.  Innovative university efforts towards cooperation and synergies  COLEF/SDSU Tijuana Watershed Project  SDSU/UABC/CESPT water quality monitoring project  2002 SCERP paper hopes to build on these successes

12. Potential for borrowed successes  Ambos Nogales region sees different model towards regional cooperation.  Situation reflects wide acceptance of surface and ground water connectivity.  Potential for regional cooperation across the border exists.  Potential actively supported and advanced by IBWC/CILA Minute 294 and Facilities Planning Program.

15. Potential for borrowed successes  Paso del Norte region sees other models as products of resolving regional conflict:  New Mexico Texas Water Commission evolved from slow moving court cases.  Paso del Norte Water Task Force evolves with parity across region, nation, and sector.  Rio Grande-Rio Bravo Basin Coalition offers non-governmental success based on watershed-based perspective.

16. The role of watershed  Watershed-based approaches are well supported in Border XXI document.  Each case study sees positive role of watershed as regional perspective.  Watershed approaches can be argued as mechanism for future steps towards innovation and synergies.  Open question – how to build on past successes in new regions via this view?