Texas Opposes Giving River Water To Mexico
HOUSTON (AP) - Texas officials are opposing a federal commission's decision to give Mexico water from the Rio Grande despite a historic drought that has severely depleted Texas water resources.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Commissioner Carlos Rubinstein say they're challenging a decision by the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) to give Mexico water. They said Wednesday that they're asking President Barack Obama to intervene.
The worst one-year drought in Texas history has caused more than $7 billion in losses to the agricultural industry. Some reservoirs are barely half full, and the state has the smallest herd of cattle since the 1950s.
The statement says the commission's decision harms Texas' drought plans, wastes water and "sets a dangerous precedent of catering to Mexico's demands for water."
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