Interior chief cites progress on water deal with Mexico

[NVMojo]

If we can negotiate with Mexico for water and gas, why aren't we working with them on immigration issues?

November 1, 2006

As Western water managers work toward new rules on how to share shortages on the Colorado River, progress also is being made on a similar agreement with Mexico, Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne said Tuesday from a houseboat on Lake Mead.

During his first official visit to Southern Nevada, Kempthorne said he is confident that so-called shortage criteria for the Colorado will be finished by the end of 2007, the deadline set by former Interior Secretary Gale Norton.

Also by then, Kempthorne said, he is "hopeful" that an international agreement will be in place to determine Mexico's share of any shortage that might be declared on the drought-stricken river.

Kempthorne was in Las Vegas Monday night to meet for the first time with representatives from Nevada and the six other states that share the Colorado River.

He said talks among the states remain "spirited," but he can tell that water managers are committed to working together to find new strategies for dry years.

"If neighbors can resolve issues, that's far better than leaving it up to someone from another jurisdiction," said Kempthorne, who was sworn in as Norton's replacement on May 26. "These are not easy issues."

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Nov-01-Wed-2006/news/10557342.html

[donsu]

1. kicking cause this is important

nt

[Igel]

2. Motivation. n/t