Oscar Torres
History 58
Prof. Warner
Feb. 25, 2000
A History of the Rio Grande River:
The Effects of pollution on the Environment and the Health
of the People Around the Southern Rio Grande River
The Rio Grande River is an important water source for both
sides of the Border. Different environmental laws on each side
of the border have led to different managements of this important
water source. It is important to understand the effects of pesticides,
waste and garbage disposal on the river in order to identify the
effects on the environment. With a large wildlife refuge in and
around the southern Rio Grande and that this is the main drinking
and irrigating source for a very large populous the effects of
pollution on the environment must be understood. In this case
if the Rio Grande has been affected by years of pollution than
what, if any, are its effect on the population?
Coming from the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas I have always
heard of the polluting of the Rio Grande River. Dangerous pesticide
used in the Mexican side, industrial waste, and human waste disposal
have been the blame for the pollution. Yet this has brought to
mind that the Rio Grande River stretches for over a thousand miles
and many on both the U.S. and Mexican side have used it for over
a hundred years. So then what would be the affects of years of
continued pollution on the Rio Grande River to the environment
and people of the Rio Grande Valley. In order to understand this
there must be an analysis of all aspects associated with the Rio
Grande River.
Document Base.
This paper will incorporate all relevant aspects associated with
the Rio Grande River. Using several water quality reports from
1945, 1975, 1992 I will attempt to reveal any patterns in pollution
from one time period to another. This will also enable me to
know the extent of pollution during each of the time periods as
well as reveal the differing degrees of pollution up stream and
down stream.
The use of scientific works of fairly recent analysis on specific
contaminants in the water can help us to understand the levels
of these contaminants and what are their effects on the environment.
This will further assist in understanding the effects of pollution
not only on the environment but also on the health of the people
around the river. The study of the risk of contact with the river
by Konvicka is especially important since many individuals have
direct contact with the water be it from drinking, bathing, or
recreational.
We must also take into account the politics of this area concerning
pollution. Since the Rio Grande River divides two different governing
bodies than there are different laws concerning pollution. Zinke's
document will shed light on these laws in Mexico and in addition
will expose any ineffective enforcement of these laws. The laws
concerning pollution in the U.S. will also be taken into account
even though there is an understanding that the U.S. tends to be
stricter as well as better able to enforce their laws.
This recent trade union between Mexico and the U.S. is relevant
to the treatment of the Rio Grande River in that it has increased
industry in the area and may contribute to further pollution.
Yet Garvey's document can reveal the details that have to do
with the environment within NAFTA and explain any changes to environmental
laws or avenues by which to pursue changes.
Analysis:
I suspect that polluting on the Rio Grande River has gradually
increased throughout the years, only slowing down within recent
years. Yet because the river divides two countries of different
economical stability, any attempt to end dangerous levels of pollution
will be more difficult. We must also take into account that the
Rio Grande Valley lies at the southern most point of Texas and
Northeast Mexico and any pollution upstream will, in one way or
another, affect them downstream.
This pollution of the Rio Grande River also brings into mind
that not only does it effect the environment but the people around
it as well. It will be interesting to analyze the health problems
within this area and in doing so I believe there will be a higher
level of health complications ranging from stomach viruses to
birth defects.
Overall Plan:
The plan of developing this paper will be set in a chronological
order. The paper will first begin with an early analysis of the
river from its water quality and the pollutants affecting the
river to the inhabitants around the area and their contribution
to the problem. The next section will introduce new environmental
laws, its effectiveness, and a shift in the economy to industrialization,
some of it due to NAFTA, and new affects on the environment.
The following section will touch on the relationship of individuals
with the river and any health problems due to the polluted river.
The final section will conclude explaining any continued problems
surrounding the pollution of the river, its connection to health
and revealing any contribution to or against the problem by NAFTA.
Warshaw, Steve. Water quality segment report for segment no. 2306, Rio Grande River (Austin, Tex: Texas Water Quality Board, 1975)
Gonzalez, Juan H. Organochlorine pesticide residue, physicochemical, and bacteriological profile of the lower Rio Grande River of Texas (Edinburgh, Tex: Pan American University, 1978)
Howard, C.S. Quality of surface waters of the United States, 1943 (Washington, D.C.: Geological Survey (U.S.), 1945)
Zinke, Donna P. The legal regime governing pollution of the Rio Grande River (Austin, Tex: University of Texas as Austin, 1989)
Texas Water Commission. Regional assessment of water quality in the Rio Grande Basin (Austin, Tex.: Texas Water Commission, 1992)
Briones, Pablo O. Survey of heavy metal in water, mud, and fish deposits in the Rio Grande from El Paso to Brownsville (Odessa, Tex.: University of Texas at Permian Basin, 1994)
Davis, Jack R.; Kleinsasser, Leroy J.; Cantu, Roxie. Toxic contaminants survey of the lower Rio Grande, lower Arroyo Colorado, and associated waters (Austin, Tex.: Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission, 1995)
Konvicka, Dwayne A. Risks associated with contact recreation in the Rio Grande River (Houston, Tex,: University of Texas Health Science Center Houston, School of Public Health, 1997)
Garvey, Jack I. "Trade Law and Quality of Life-Dispute Resolution under the NAFTA Side Accords on Labor and the Environment," American Journal of International Law, Volume 89, Issue 2 (1995), 439-453
Schoenbaum, Thomas J. "Free International Trade and Protection of the Environment: Irreconcilable Conflict?" American Journal of International Law, Volume 86, Issue 4 (1992), 700-727
Arrow, Kenneth. "Economic Growth, Carrying Capacity,
and the Environment," Ecological Applications, Volume 6,
Issue 1 (1996), 13-15