Who owns the water? : a case study of El Paso del Norte

Abstract

This paper, first, reviews the report filed by the Western Water Policy Review Advisory Commission since it touches on all the major issues associated with water rights and uses in the Upper Rio Grande Basin, defined as that part of the river from the San Luis Valley in Colorado to Fort Quitman, Texas. Second, the paper reviews historical developments over water use and water rights and briefly discusses the major characteristics of El Paso del Norte that do and will have an impact on water supply and consumption. Then the paper reviews the positions of the major stakeholders in the Basin, paying particular attention to their legal arguments. Finally, the paper attempts to describe the possible alternative outcomes of the continuing struggle over water.