IBWC

Lower Rio Grande Citizens Forum, Dec. 5, 2023
2023-12-05 15:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | New venue
The USIBWC Lower Rio Grande Citizens Forum Board held a public meeting on December 5, 2023, at the Mercedes Field Office, Mercedes, Texas.
USIBWC Commissioner Dr. Maria-Elena Giner, P.E., gave an update on the status of the Minute negotiations to bring reliability and predictability to water deliveries in the Rio Grande Basin.
Isela Canava, Principal Engineer, USIBWC Operations Department, provided an overview of the infrastructure the agency owns and operates and its activities along the Rio Grande, from the El Paso area to the Brownsville area. The presentation highlighted international and diversion dams, water accounting activities, and how the USIBWC is advancing through science.
The Rio Grande Hydrology Work Group is developing a binational model to simulate allocation procedures and water distribution in the United States and Mexico. Delbert Humberson explained the model that will be used to analyze the effects of proposed water management scenarios in comparison to practices that are currently in effect.
Press release and presentations: https://www.ibwc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Combo-press-release-updated-12-5-2023.pdf
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3O7cDRrzATE
LOWER RIO GRANDE CITIZENS FORUM
Tuesday, December 5, 2023, 3–5 p.m. CST
IBWC Mercedes Field Office
325 Golf Course Road Mercedes, TX 78570
Agenda
• Welcome and Introductions – Leslie Grijalva, Public Affairs Specialist, USIBWC
• Stakeholder Update on Minute Negotiations to Bring Reliability and Predictability to Rio Grande Deliveries – Dr. Maria-Elena Giner, P.E., Commissioner, USIBWC
• Overview of Operations and Maintenance Activities along the Rio Grande – Isela Canava, Principal Engineer, Operations Department, USIBWC
• Using RiverWare to Explore Binational Basin Management Scenarios – Delbert Humberson, Hydrologist, USIBWC
• Public Comment
• Board Discussion and Formal Vote on a Co-Chair
• Suggested Future Agenda Items

San Diego Citizens Forum, November 8, 2023
2023-11-08 17:30 - 19:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | New venue
The USIBWC San Diego Citizens Forum Board held a public meeting on November 8, 2023, at Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave., Coronado, Calif.
Dr. David Sodeman, Chief of the Monitoring and Technical Services Division for the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District, gave a presentation on the installation of AQMesh sensors near the Tijuana River Valley and in the surrounding community. The collected data will be shared with the public and other agencies as another tool to address ongoing issues in the area.
Morgan Rogers, Area Operations Manager of the USIBWC San Diego Field Office, gave an overview of Commission activities in the San Diego region. The presentation included an update on the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant and San Diego–Tijuana wastewater infrastructure improvement projects.
Press release and presentations: https://www.ibwc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Binder1-combo.pdf
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJzs79HyQJ0
SAN DIEGO CITIZENS FORUM
Wednesday, November 8, 2023, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. PDT
Coronado Public Library
Winn Room, 640 Orange Ave.,
Coronado, CA 92118
And via Teams Webinar
Agenda
• Welcome and Introductions – Leslie Grijalva, Public Affairs Specialist, USIBWC
• Air Monitoring of Tijuana River Odors – Dr. David Sodeman, Chief of Monitoring and Technical Services Division, San Diego County Air Pollution Control District
• Update of IBWC Activities in San Diego Region – Morgan Rogers, P.E., Area Operations Manager, USIBWC San Diego Field Office
• Public Comment
• Board Discussion and Formal Vote on a Co-Chair
• Suggested Future Agenda Items

Southeast Arizona Citizens Forum, October 26, 2023
2023-10-26 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Phoenix)
The USIBWC Southeast Arizona Citizens Forum Board held a public meeting on October 26, 2023, at Cochise College Douglas Campus in Building 100, Douglas, AZ.
Leslie Grijalva, Public Affairs Specialist for the USIBWC, provided new board members and the public an overview of the agency and its history. She also gave a presentation about the Citizens
Forum program.
John Light, Area Operations Manager for the Nogales Field Office, provided an overview of the Nogales International Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Press release and presentations: SEA CF press release and presentations
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDKK4jsQaV4
SOUTHEAST ARIZONA CITIZENS FORUM
Thursday, October 26, 2023, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. MST
Cochise College
4190 AZ-80, Building 100
Douglas, AZ 85607
And via Teams Webinar
Agenda
• Welcome and Introductions – Ben Lomeli, Citizens Forum Co-Chair
• Opening Remarks – Frank Fisher, Director of Public Affairs, USIBWC
• IBWC & Citizens Forum Program Overview & History – Leslie Grijalva, Public Affairs Specialist, USIBWC
• Nogales International Wastewater Treatment Plant – John Light, Area Operations Manager for the Nogales Field Office, USIBWC
• Public Comment
• Board Discussion
• Suggested Future Agenda Items

Upper Rio Grande Citizens Forum, October 19, 2023
2023-10-19 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Denver)
The USIBWC Upper Rio Grande Citizens Forum Board held a public meeting on October 19, 2023, at Doña Ana County Government Center, 845 N. Motel Blvd., Las Cruces, N.M.
Genevieve Allan, Project Management Specialist with the Water Management Division for the Bureau of Reclamation, will discuss the Rio Grande Project Area – Drought Resilience
Team. This multi-agency technical team was established in response to prolonged aridification of the Rio Grande Project area and aims to build resilience in the project water supply, improve
water management, enhance habitat to the extent possible, explore water conservation opportunities, allow for information sharing between government agencies and project water
users, and explore joint funding opportunities.
David Duran, Area Operations Manager for the USIBWC Upper Rio Grande Field Office, discussed the USIBWC Sediment Disposal Program. The USIBWC is seeking partners that may need sediment for their projects or for general use. The sediment is dirt removed from the riverbed or floodway and is offered at no cost (FREE) to anyone. Mr. Duran presented on the process of applying for the No-Cost Sediment eAgreement.
Press release and presentations: URG CF press release combined 10-19-2023
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IJ-trsxTN8
Rio Grande Citizens Forum
Thursday, October 19, 2023, from 6:30-8:30 MDT
Doña Ana County Government Center, Commission Chambers
845 N. Motel Blvd., Las Cruces, NM 88007
And via Teams Webinar
Agenda
• Welcome and Introductions – Brenda Barnes, Citizens Forum Co-Chair
• Opening Remarks – Frank Fisher, Director of Public Affairs, USIBWC
• Rio Grande Project Area – Drought Resilience Team – Genevieve
Allan, Project Management Specialist Water Management Division,
Bureau of Reclamation
• USIBWC Sediment Disposal Program – David Duran, Area Operations
Manager, USIBWC Upper Rio Grande Field Office.
• Public Comment
• Board Discussion
• Suggested Future Agenda Items

Colorado River Citizens Forum, September 20, 2023
2023-09-20 16:00 - 18:00 (America/Phoenix) | New venue
The USIBWC Colorado River Citizens Forum Board held a public meeting on September 20, 2023, at Yuma Civic Center Lounge, Yuma, Ariz.
Dr. Karl Flessa, Professor of Geosciences at the University of Arizona, presented on the treaty agreements between Mexico and the United States to allocate water and funding for the restoration of riparian habitat along the 85-mile course of the Colorado River from the border to the Gulf of California.
Press release and presentations: CR Citizens Forum press release and presentation combined
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aobxq7inPh8

Federal-State Stakeholder Meeting, Lower Rio Grande Valley, July 19, 2023
2023-07-19 14:00 - 17:00 (America/Phoenix) | Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, Main Building Auditorium, Room 102, 2415 E. Highway 83, Weslaco, TX, 78596, United States
The United States Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico (USIBWC) hosted a meeting in Weslaco, Texas, on July 19, 2023, to offer
farmers, ranchers, and rural communities’ information about federal and state water programs.
Agenda: LRG_Stakeholder_meeting_071923.pdf (ibwc.azurewebsites.net)
Press Release: Press_Release_071923.pdf (ibwc.gov)
Presentations:
Texas Water Development Board (ibwc.gov)
PowerPoint Presentation (ibwc.gov)
2023-07-19-USBR-WaterSMART-Funding-Opportunities-IBWC-3.pdf
Community Programs (ibwc.gov)

San Diego Citizens Forum, July 12, 2023
2023-07-12 17:30 - 19:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Coronado Community Center, 1845 Strand Way, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
The USIBWC San Diego Citizens Forum Board held a public meeting on July 12, 2023, at the Coronado Community Center, Coronado, Calif.
Press release and presentations: Combined presentations
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfzuEeoYP58
Morgan Rogers of the USIBWC presented an overview of Commission activities in the San Diego region, including boundary demarcation and maintenance of boundary monuments, wastewater treatment, and other water management responsibilities.
Oscar Romo of Alter Terra gave a presentation on a proposed trash boom across the Tijuana River.
SAN DIEGO CITIZENS FORUM
Wednesday, July 12, 2023, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. PDT
CORONADO COMMUNITY CENTER
Triton Room
1845 Strand Way,
Coronado, CA 92118
And via Teams Webinar
Agenda
• Welcome and Introductions – Leslie Grijalva, Public Affairs Officer, USIBWC
• Recognition of New Board Members – Frank Fisher, Director of Public Affairs, USIBWC
• Overview of IBWC and Activities in San Diego Region – Morgan Rogers, P.E., Area Operations Manager, USIBWC San Diego Field Office
• Proposed Trash Booms, A Solution to the Transboundary Waste Problem – Oscar Romo, Executive Director, Alter Terra
• Public Comment
• Board Discussion
• Suggested Future Agenda Items

Upper Rio Grande Citizens Forum, June 22, 2023
2023-06-22 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Phoenix) | USIBWC Headquarters, 4191 N. Mesa Street, El Paso, TX, 79902, United States
The USIBWC Rio Grande Citizens Forum Board held a public meeting on June 22, 2023, at USIBWC Headquarters, El Paso, Texas.
USIBWC Environmental Protection Specialist Lisa Torres discussed the water quality of the Rio Grande in the Upper Rio Grande in Texas. The USIBWC Texas Clean Rivers program collects water quality information throughout the Rio Grande Basin. Routine monitoring has shown that bacteria continue to exceed limits in the El Paso area, and Clean Rivers Program staff discussed bacteria issues. Ms. Torres also discussed salinity, monitoring activities, outreach activities, and other projects in the Rio Grande affecting water quality.
USIBWC Civil Engineer Crystal Cadillo discussed ongoing and planned work to raise and rehabilitate Rio Grande flood control levees. Her presentation included an update on the FEMA certification status of levees in Doña Ana County, New Mexico, and El Paso County, Texas, which affects flood insurance requirements and costs.
Press Release & Agenda: Click Here
Presentations:
Update on Rio Grande Water Quality
COND CF Presentation

Southeast Arizona Citizens Forum, June 8, 2023
2023-06-08 16:00 - 18:00 (America/Phoenix) | Webinar
The USIBWC Southeast Arizona Citizens Forum held a public meeting on June 8, 2023, at Tubac Community Center, Tubac, Ariz.
Andrés Rangel, Associate Director at North American Development Bank, described the current situation of the Naco wastewater collection system and wastewater treatment plant as well as the status of efforts to address this situation.
Mr. Rangel also presented on the expected reduction in wastewater that currently flows from Mexico into the United States due to the expansion of the Los Alisos wastewater treatment plant in Mexico, as well as upcoming projects in Nogales, Sonora, including the biological assessment of potential impacts to the Santa Cruz River from the proposed expansion of the plant
Press Release & Agenda: Click Here
Presentations: Click Here
SOUTHEAST ARIZONA CITIZENS FORUM
Thursday, June 8, 2023
4 – 6 p.m. MST
Santa Cruz County North Facility – Tubac Community Center
50 Bridge Road
Tubac, AZ 85646
Agenda
• Welcome and Introductions – Ben Lomeli, Citizens Forum Co-Chair
• Welcome from the Chief of Public Affairs – Frank Fisher, Chief of Public Affairs, USIBWC
• Current Situation of the Naco, SN Wastewater Collection System and Wastewater Treatment Plant – Andrés Rangel, Associate Director, North American Development Bank
• Upcoming Projects in Nogales, Sonora – Andrés Rangel, North American Development Bank
• Public Comment (To make public comment, RSVP by noon on June 8 to leslie.grijalva@ibwc.gov)
• Board Discussion
• Suggested Future Agenda Items

Colorado River Citizens Forum, May 17, 2023
2023-05-17 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Phoenix)
The USIBWC Colorado River Citizens Forum Board held a virtual public meeting on May 17, 2023.
Dr. Francisco Zamora, Senior Director of Programs at the Sonoran Institute and a member of the Raise the River Coalition, presented on “Restoration Efforts in the Colorado River under
Minute 323/.”
Steven Anderson from the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) presented on the organization’s water conservation efforts, including reductions over time.
Minutes: CF_CO_Meeting_Minutes_051723
Presentations:
CF_CO_2023_Water_Conservation_Drought_Resource_Overview_051723
CF_CO_River_051723

Middle Rio Grande Coordinated Monitoring Meeting, April 5, 2023
2023-04-05 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Mexico_City) | Webinar
The annual Coordinated Monitoring Meetings gather parties that are currently conducting water quality monitoring activities in that portion of the basin as well as entities such as other state agencies that can provide input on monitoring. The group discusses the next fiscal year’s monitoring schedule.
Minutes: Click Here

Pecos River Coordinated Monitoring Meeting, March 23, 2023
2023-03-24 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Mexico_City) | Webinar

Upper Rio Grande Coordinated Monitoring Meeting, March 21, 2023
2023-03-21 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Mexico_City) | Webinar

Lower Rio Grande Citizens Forum, March 15, 2023
2023-03-15 15:00 - 17:00 (America/Mexico_City) | Webinar
The USIBWC Lower Rio Grande Citizens Forum Board held a public meeting on March 15, 2023, at the Mercedes, Texas, field office.
USIBWC Legal Advisor Jennifer Peña introduced a white paper titled “The Rio Grande/Rio Bravo Water Deliveries under the 1944 Water Treaty: A Compendium of Ideas.” The white paper informs the Commission’s effort this year to develop a U.S.-Mexico agreement known as a Minute to improve the predictability and reliability of Rio Grande water deliveries to users in both countries.
Lisa Torres, USIBWC Environmental Protection Specialist, presented on the water quality of the Rio Grande in the Lower Rio Grande Valley as part of the USIBWC Texas Clean Rivers Program.
Press Release & Agenda
Minutes
Presentations:
Rio Grande Water Deliveries Under the 1944 Treaty: A Compendium of Ideas
Water Quality in Lower Rio Grande
LRG Projects
LOWER RIO GRANDE USIBWC CITIZENS FORUM
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
3:00 – 5:00 p.m. CST
Teams Webinar
Agenda
 Welcome and Introductions – Carlos Sanchez, Citizens Forum Co-Chair
 Remarks from the Commissioner – Dr. Maria-Elena Giner, P.E., Commissioner,
USIBWC
 Texas Clean Rivers Program Rio Grande Basin Update, Water Quality Monitoring
Results, and Related Matters – Lisa Torres, Environmental Protection Specialist, Texas
Clean Rivers Program for the Rio Grande Basin, USIBWC
 Rio Grande Water Treaty Issues and Opportunities (New USIBWC White Paper) –
Jennifer Peña, Legal Advisor, USIBWC
 Public Comment
 Board Discussion
 Suggested Future Agenda Items

Upper Rio Grande Citizens Forum, February 23, 2023
2023-02-10 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Phoenix) | Webinar
The USIBWC Rio Grande Citizens Forum Board held a public meeting on February 23, 2023, via webinar.
Elizabeth Verdecchia, USIBWC Natural Resource Specialist, gave an update on USIBWC’s activities to implement riparian and aquatic habitat restoration projects along the Rio Grande in southern New Mexico and west Texas over the last several years.
Xochitl Aranda, USIBWC Chief of the Operations and Maintenance Division, presented on the effectiveness of No Trespassing signage on levees.
John Sproul, Program Coordinator and Manager of Rio Bosque Wetlands Park for the University of Texas at El Paso Center for Environmental Resource Management, presented on how the Rio Bosque Wetlands Park is integrated into water management in the Rio Grande valley.
USIBWC Commissioner Maria-Elena Giner shared information about Commission initiatives.
Press Release & Agenda: Click Here
RIO GRANDE CITIZENS FORUM
Thursday, February 23, 2023
6:30 – 8:30 p.m. MST
Teams Webinar
Agenda
• Welcome and Introductions — Citizens Forum Co-Chair
• Remarks from U.S. Commissioner Maria-Elena Giner
• USIBWC Habitat Restoration Activities Update — Elizabeth Verdecchia, Environmental Protection Specialist, USIBWC
• Effectiveness of No Trespassing Signs along Levees — Xochitl Aranda, Chief, Operations and Maintenance Division. USIBWC
• Channel Maintenance and Hudspeth County Flooding Due to Sediment Accumulation — Xochitl Aranda, Chief, Operations and Maintenance Division,
USIBWC
• Wastewater Diversion from Bustamante Wastewater Treatment Plant to Rio Bosque Wetlands Park — John Sproul, Rio Bosque Wetlands Park Program Coordinator and Manager at the University of Texas at El Paso Center for Environmental Resource Management
• Public Comment
• Board Discussion
• Suggested Future Agenda Items

Lower Rio Grande Citizens Forum, November 16, 2022
2022-11-16 15:00 - 17:00 (America/Phoenix)
The USIBWC Lower Rio Grande Citizens Forum Board held a virtual public meeting on November 16, 2022.
U.S. Commissioner Maria-Elena Giner provided an overview of the USIBWC budget process and appropriations.
USIBWC Civil Engineer Karla Benitez discussed the Commission’s Amistad Dam Safety Mitigation Plan.
Press release: Press_Release_110722
Presentations:
CF_LRG_Amistad_Dam_Safety_Mitigation_Plan_111622
CF_LRG_Falcon_Dam_111622
LOWER RIO GRANDE CITIZENS FORUM
Wednesday, November 16, 2022
3:00 – 5:00 p.m. CST
Agenda
• Welcome and Introductions — Citizens Forum Co-Chair
• USIBWC Budget Process and Appropriations – Dr. Maria-Elena Giner,
P.E., Commissioner, USIBWC.
• Amistad Dam Safety Mitigation Plan — Karla Benitez, Civil Engineer,
USIBWC
• Public Comment (To make public comment, RSVP by noon on Nov. 15 to
sally.spener@ibwc.gov or 915-503-5542)
• Board Discussion
• Suggested Future Agenda Items

Lower Rio Grande Citizens Forum, August 8, 2018
2021-08-08 15:00 - 17:00 (America/Phoenix) | Webinar
The USIBWC Lower Rio Grande Citizens Forum Board held a public meeting on August 8, 2018, at the USIBWC field office in Mercedes, Texas.
Leslie Grijalva, Environmental Projection Specialist, USIBWC, discussed the water quality of the Rio Grande in the Lower Rio Grande Valley.
Jose Davila, Assistant Rio Grande Watermaster, presented on the Rio Grande Watermaster Program.
Press Release & Agenda: Click Here
Presentations:
Water Quality Presentation
TCEQ Watermaster Presentation
Meeting Minutes
USIBWC CITIZENS FORUM
Wednesday, August 8, 2018
3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
USIBWC Conference Room
325 Golf Course Road*
Mercedes, TX 78570
Agenda
 Welcome and Introductions – Omar Rios, Citizens Forum Co-Chair
 Water Quality in the Lower Rio Grande: Annual Water Quality
Update– Leslie Grijalva, Environmental Protection Specialist, USIBWC
 Rio Grande Watermaster Program– Jose Davila, Assistant Rio Grande
Watermaster, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
 Public Comment
 Board Discussion/Suggested Future Agenda Items
