No abstract

This article traces the development of natural resources conservation policy capacity along the U.S.-Mexico border with emphasis on the post-La Paz Agreement period. The study focuses on the content of bilateral and multilateral agreements affecting natural resources management along the U.S. -Mexico border, what Janicke (2002) identifies as the structural/contextual dimension of environmental capacity consisting of institutional context, informational context, and economic context for policy implementation. Using this approach, it is evident that considerable progress was made in strengthening binational natural resources management capacity after the La Paz Agreement was signed, boosted further by institutional gains following the North American Free Trade Agreement. While most of these gains endure, efforts to strengthen binational capacity for sustainable management of natural resources have faltered since 2001 in the face of changing government priorities, diminished financial support for border programs, and the new challenge presented by heightened attention to border security.

No abstract

Abstract:The study of the Rio Grande/Bravo (RGB) Basin water allocation demonstrates how the United States (U.S.) and Mexico have consolidated a transboundary framework based on water sharing. However, the water supply no longer meets the ever-increasing demand for water or the expectations of different stakeholders. This paper explores opportunities for an enhanced management regime that will address past problems and better examine how to balance demands for a precious resource and environmental needs. Based on an overview of the RGB Basin context and the water allocation framework, as well as a discussion on stakeholders' ability to achieve solutions, this paper explores three key questions: (1) Does the current binational water allocation framework meet current and future human and environmental needs? (2) How can the U.S.-Mexico water allocation framework be adapted to balance social and environmental water demands so it can support and preserve the RGB Basin ecosystem? (3) What are the main opportunities to be explored for expanding the U.S.-Mexico water resources allocation framework? The U.S.-Mexico water resources framework is subject to broad interpretation and may be adapted to the circumstances taking the fullest advantage of its flexibility. Policy recommendations highlight the existing flexibility of the binational framework, the potential to move forward with an ad hoc institutional arrangement, and the creation of political will to achieve change through stakeholders recommendations.

executive SummaryThis chapter examines climate-related vulnerability in the western portion of the U.S.-Mexico border region from the Pacific coast of California-Baja California to El Paso-Ciudad Juárez, focusing primarily on border counties in the United States and municipalities in Mexico. Beginning with a brief overview of projected climate changes for the region, the chapter analyzes the demographic, socioeconomic, institutional, and other drivers of climate-related vulnerability, and the potential impacts of climate change across multiple sectors (e.g., water, agriculture and ranching, and biodiverse ecosystems). The border region has higher poverty, water insecurity, substandard housing,