Abstract: International Issues With Tamarisk

The scarcity of water in the U.S.-Mexico border region places a premium on water that could be salvaged from tamarisk removal. The management of tamarisk in the internationally shared basins on the U.S.-Mexico border present special challenges as a result of cultural and economic differences, and sovereignty issues. The two nations must first share the view that it is worth the effort and expense to replace tamarisk. Provisions for information sharing, planning, work implementation, data quality, cost sharing and ultimately the international accounting and allocation of salvaged water will need to be formalized in an international agreement. Over the years the two countries have engaged in many programs to address transboundary issues. The International Boundary and Water Commission is prepared to assist with the development of the needed agreements and international coordination needed to implement binational efforts to manage tamarisk.

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