Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Program-Arizona/Sonora

The President signed U.S. Public Law 109-448, into law on December 22, 2006 as the U.S.-Mexico Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Act. The Act applies to the states of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona where four transboundary aquifers have been designated for priority assessment, including the Santa Cruz and San Pedro aquifers along the Arizona – Sonora border. Assessment is designated to operate for 10 years, with $50 million authorized for appropriation over that time period. Appropriations to date include $500,000 each for fiscal years 2008 and 2009 and 1 million for 2010. The Transboundar Aquifer Assessment Program- Arizona/Sonora (TAAP-A/S) is a collaborative effort of the United States Geological Survey (USGS) with the Water Resources Research Center (WRRC) and Udall Center for studies in Public Policy, both at the University of Arizona. A variety of other U.S. and Mexican stakeholders participate in the priority setting for the assessment process. TAAP-A/S has participated in the UNESCO Internationally Shared Aquifer Resource Management (ISARM) Programme.TAAP-A/S works in close collaboration with the following groups: Upper San Pedro Partnership, Friends of the Santa Cruz River, Comisión Nacional del Agua, Comisión Estatal del Agua- Sonora, and the International Boundary and Water Commission- US and Mexico Sections.

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