22 U.S.C. § 277d–45 — New Treaty Minute

(a) Congress finds that river and ocean pollution in the San Diego-Tijuana border region threatens the environment and public health and safety in the United States. Because of this, the Secretary of State is asked to make it a top priority to negotiate and finalize either a brand-new Treaty Minute, or a change to the existing Treaty Minute 283, in line with sections 277d–43 through 277d–46 — so the rest of those sections can start fighting this pollution as soon as possible. (b) Negotiation (1) The Secretary is asked to start negotiating with Mexico within 60 days after November 7, 2000, toward a new Treaty Minute or a change to Minute 283, consistent with sections 277d–43 through 277d–46. (2) Carrying out a new Treaty Minute, or a changed Minute 283, under these sections must follow the National Environmental Policy Act. (3) A new Treaty Minute, or the change to Minute 283, should cover at least: (A) Where treatment facilities will be sited, in both Mexico and the United States. (B) A plan for secondary treatment of the South Bay plant's effluent at a Mexican facility, if it isn't treated at a U.S. facility instead. (C) A plan for extra capacity to give both primary and secondary treatment to more Tijuana-area sewage, on top of the South Bay plant's own capacity. (D) Getting all the approvals from Mexican authorities needed to verify and enforce water quality at the Mexican facility. (E) Rules allowing the United States to use treated water from the Mexican facility, if there's more of it than Mexico needs and using it fits U.S. and California law. (F) Any other terms the Secretary thinks are needed to carry out sections 277d–43 through 277d–46. (c) Because the pollution threat continues, the Commission is asked to make it a top priority to carry out Treaty Minute 311. That Minute already sets up a framework for siting a Mexican treatment facility that would give secondary treatment to the South Bay plant's effluent, add capacity for more Tijuana-area sewage, and meet the water quality standards of Mexico, the United States, and California — all consistent with sections 277d–43 through 277d–46, so the rest of those sections can be put into action as soon as possible.