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Cornyn: Mexico Owes Us Water

flickr.com/musicfirstcoalition

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn says Texas farmers and ranchers in the Rio Grande Valley are suffering because Mexico is not delivering water it owes the United States under a treaty signed in 1944.

Cornyn, is asking an international commission to intervene and require that Mexico divert water from the Rio Grande to Texas.

“Many of our farmers have lost millions of dollars not only as a result of this shortfall as a result of this treaty, but also as a result of this historic drought we’ve had in our state,” Cornyn said.

The treaty requires Mexico to deliver the water over five years, so although it is behind schedule, Mexico could in theory meet its obligations before the present five-year period expires.

Nathan Bernier is the transportation reporter at KUT. He covers the big projects that are reshaping how we get around Austin, like the I-35 overhaul, the airport's rapid growth and the multibillion dollar transit expansion Project Connect. He also focuses on the daily changes that affect how we walk, bike and drive around the city. Got a tip? Email him at nbernier@kut.org. Follow him on Twitter @KUTnathan.