The Colorado RiverHistoryFlow Measurement & DistributionImplementationManagementImprovement & Goals for the FutureGroup 2- ProgressTentative TimelineInformation-gathering StageResearch HighlightsSlide 11Group 3: Trans-Boundary IssuesOur Mission/ObjectivesExploratory Research Group: NAFTA?NAFTA and WaterSlide 16Potential SourcesExploratory Research Group: MexicoExploratory Research Group: CanadaIRRIGATION!!!0|_||2 />|_@|| = (our plan) hosted by :1337 5p33(#Group 5: Groundwater Reserves (including Ogallala Aquifer)Slide 23Slide 24Slide 25Natural RechargeSlide 27Slide 28Group SixToOKey Questions:Slide 32Water and EnergyOur Strategy...Economics Points of InterestPricingEnvironment/ConservationRegulation & ConservationInfrastructureHistoryEcology of the river in the past and in the presentColorado River Compact 1922Past and present use – major projects along the riverPhysical history – climate and its effect over the last century (Link Group 2)Flow Measurement & DistributionControl and measurement of flowWater rationing – equitable distribution (Who gets the water?)Irrigation (Link Group 4)Diversions and canalsOutput to Mexico (What can be done about it?)ImplementationLegislative policies, treaties, laws (Link Group 3)Economic implications – financing management (Link Group 8)Negative externalities – pollution/misuse upriver negatively affecting downriver locationsManagementDams (Link Group 7)Diversions Levees and embankmentsUses of water – purification, irrigation, etc.Present efforts to reduce pollution – ecology of riverImprovement & Goals for the FutureEnsure equitable distribution of water – treaties and legislationProper management and use of waterReducing pollutionIncreasing sustainabilityGroup 2- ProgressGroup 2- ProgressPopulation and Climate ChangePopulation and Climate ChangeTentative TimelineTentative Timeline•Data collection: Define and assign subtopics for research. Gather information, build database, create relevant graphs/charts. (2 weeks, ends on Monday Sep 29nd) •Data analysis: implications of data, synthesis of information under different topics, information sharing with other groups (1 week, ends on Monday, Oct 6th) •Specific and detailed definition of the causes/problems to be tackled. Any additional research needed is assigned. (2 weeks, ends on Monday, Oct 20th) •Solution(s): Development of solution(s) for the problems defined in the previous step. Presentation polishing, etc. (The rest of the term)Information-gathering StageInformation-gathering Stage•Population Trends (Past/Future) [Amanda & Ivana] –Causes –Specifically: CA, TX, AZ, NV, CO, Mexico, Canada –North America as a whole –Location of population centers in west •Water used by area/region [Cat] –Locations where water is not a problem (Canada/per capita water use) –Incentives to move (where has this worked?) –Water pollution as dependent on population–Other options •Effects of climate change on agriculture/irrigation [Fan] –How much more water is needed?–Climate change= effect on efficiency of water use •Changes of precipitation, changing state of reservoirs/lakes/rivers [John] –Geographical distribution of water •Pollution/State of water as it reaches Mexico [Chidi] –Acid rainResearch HighlightsResearch Highlights•Climate Change and Agriculture•Change in temperature/preciptation rates affects plant distribution•CO2 and humidity changes biological functions•Changes in plants’ natural enemies•Population Changes•Population in western US has been growing steadily since the 1880s•Disputes over water began in the early 1800s•Selected groundwater basins currently available to Southern California: Raymond Basin, West Basin, Central Basin, Main San Gabriel Basin, San Fernando Valley, Mojave River Basin, Orange County, Chino BasinResearch HighlightsResearch Highlights•State of water to Mexico•Desertification•Caused by over-irrigation, over-grazing, or other land abuse•Measures to prevent desertification developed in 1960s; only partially successful•22 of the 50 largest cities in the U.S. are located in the desertDesertification of North AmericaGroup 3:Group 3:Trans-Boundary Trans-Boundary IssuesIssuesUpdate as of 9/18/08Update as of 9/18/08Our Mission/ObjectivesOur Mission/ObjectivesAnalyze current water legislation in the Analyze current water legislation in the US, Canada, and MexicoUS, Canada, and MexicoInvestigate water regulations that will Investigate water regulations that will provide resources for the next 100+ provide resources for the next 100+ yearsyearsDevelop the most equitable/fair future Develop the most equitable/fair future water legislation by taking into account:water legislation by taking into account:PopulationPopulationEconomyEconomyFuture developmentFuture developmentExploratory Research Group:Exploratory Research Group: NAFTA?NAFTA?NAFTA = North American Free Trade NAFTA = North American Free Trade AgreementAgreementRemoved trade and investment barriers Removed trade and investment barriers between Mexico, the United States, and between Mexico, the United States, and CanadaCanadaIncludes sections on both environmental Includes sections on both environmental and trade issuesand trade issuesNAFTA and WaterNAFTA and WaterDue to geographic imbalances of water, Due to geographic imbalances of water, private companies want to sell water private companies want to sell water internationallyinternationallyNational legislation may prevent this- National legislation may prevent this- currently disputed as to whether this is currently disputed as to whether this is allowed under NAFTA or notallowed under NAFTA or notISSUE: Is water allowed to be sold as a ISSUE: Is water allowed to be sold as a privately owned good?privately owned good?Exploratory Research Group: Exploratory Research Group: United StatesUnited StatesFocusing on the disputes across borders Focusing on the disputes across borders within the United States. within the United States. Current legislation regulating water between Current legislation regulating water between state and county borders.state and county borders.The information will be used as a comparison The information will be used as a comparison to the boundary disputes between nations. to the boundary disputes between nations. How does United States policy alter between
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