Development of the Rio Grande Compact

Authors

Raymond A. Hill

Publication Date

Spring 1974

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Thirty-six years have elapsed since the Rio Grande Compact of 1938, N.M.S.A. Section 75-34-3 (Repl. 1968), was entered into by Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas, and approved by the United States of America. Administration of the Compact since then has been the responsibility of many different persons, few of whom had personal knowledge of the circumstances of the negotiation of this Compact. Consequently, there has been a growing tendency towards interpretation of some of the provisions of the Rio Grande Compact in a manner contrary to the intent of those who participated in its negotiation.

Mr. Hill has intimately connected with the investigations that led to the Compact and with the negotiations of the Compact itself. He continued his connection in its administration throughout the year since 1938. It is for this reason that he was asked, on behalf of the Attorney General of Texas, to review the history of the Rio Grande Compact of 1938 and to analyze its provisions for the benefit of those who wish to clarify their understanding of the Compact. Mr. Hill's report was originally prepared for use in Texas and New Mexico v. Colorado, 386 U.S. 901 (1967), 389 U.S. 1000 (1967), 390 U.S. 933 (1968), 391 U.S. 901 (1968). Since his report concerns a matter of great importance and ongoing concern, the Editors feel that it should be made readily available to scholars and practitioners.

The report was edited for publication by Channing R. Kury and Stephen K. Quinn but the changes were not approved by Mr. Hill due to his death on April 6, 1973. Copies of the unedited original manuscript are available from the Natural Resources Journal.

Publisher

Natural Resources Journal

Recommended Citation

Hill, Raymond A.. "Development of the Rio Grande Compact." (1974). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/utton_pubs/77