| OCR Text |
Show 452 INTERNATIONAL TREATIES attempted the protection of the improvements in the El Paso-Juarez Valley and the two cities. Considering the futility of providing ade- quate and proper protection on the present meandering river location, the two affected communities have expended the limit of a reasonable and justifiable amount in local flood protection works. A proper and sound plan for accomplishing desired results lies in a coordinated international project. " (4) Existing treaties provide for the center of the Rio Grande, ex- cept in isolated cases, being the International Boundary line. The pres- ent river channel, with excessive length, was produced by natural con- ditions which no longer exist. Increase in settlement, cultivation and values justify both Governments in considering means of removing the flood menace and providing an adequate flood channel. "(5) Actual field surveys were continued in the location on the ground of a rectified channel subject, of course, to some later slight modification, but generally sufficiently definite to permit estimates of right-of-way and construction costs. With office and field location of this channel line which generally follows and straightens the present meandering river, it has been possible to estimate acreages and values of the relatively small areas that would be detached from one country and attached to the other-so balanced in area that neither country would gain nor lose national territory. "(6) At the present time the bed of the Rio Grande between El Paso and Juarez is at a higher elevation than some of the streets and other properties of the two cities. Accumulations of sediment are con- tinuing to aggravate this situation, and until proper grades and hy- draulic conditions are introduced by artificial works, there are no means for carrying off these deposits which are encroaching upon the carrying capacity of the channel. The consensus of opinion of engi- neers who have studied the situation is that the correction lies in the plan proposed of straightening and confining the channel. One of the principal requirements to permit such artificial rectification is the equitable adjustment of the areas which would be necessarily detached from one side of the river and attached to the other in the straightening process. The plan evolved, of having each Govern- ment acquire the private titles to these equal areas for later exchange, provides a feasible solution. These areas to be acquired are generally seeped and waterlogged, and so shaped and situated as to be unsus- ceptible of proper irrigation and drainage. " (7) The benefits to be derived from the straightened and rectified channel plans are mutual to the two Governments in affording flood protection and in permitting cultivation, improvement and settlement of even larger areas adjoining the Rio Grande than are now possible under the meandering river conditions. It is of utmost importance that the Governments own and control the flood channel in order that private encroachments be definitely prevented and eliminated. Such ownership and control will also be of great assistance in the enforce- ment of national immigration and customs laws of both countries. "(8) In giving consideration to the determination of proper and justifiable proration of costs between the two countries, conditions other than gross and irrigated areas are necessarily included. Eco- nomic features and values in the two countries are distinct and differ- ent. While the use of areas may be entirely proper in a distribution |
