leaving New Mexico in an unfortunate position in its debt to Texas. In 1996, when the reservoir was again close to capacity, the New Mexico water districts below Elephant Butte authorized water from the reservoir to be pulled out and dumped in the New Mexico desert, to prevent the reservoir from spilling, and again clearing Colorado's water debt. The stress now is on New Mexico to meet its obligations to Texas. During dryer years, New Mexico will be short about in its obligations, partially due to partial evaporation of the reservoir water before New Mexico can absorb it. Compliance The Rio Grande Compact Commission, located in El Paso, Texas, administers the Rio Grande Compact. An employee of the USGS New Mexico Water Science Center serves as Secretary to the Compact. The principal duty of the Secretary is to compile streamflow and storage data used in the annual accounting computations performed by the Commission's Engineer Advisers. The Secretary also compiles provisional streamflow and storage data on a monthly basis that are distributed to interested parties, and compiles and publishes an annual data report for the Commission. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is Texas' representation to the Commission. Environmental issues During a 1999 United States House of Representatives investigation of inter-state water pacts, Bennett W. Raley offered testimony revealing that efforts to comply with the demands of the Compact could be threatening a critical habitat for the Rio Grande Silvery Minnow. See also Colorado River Compact (1922) List of rivers in New Mexico Texas v. New Mexico and Colorado, interstate dispute regarding New Mexico's compliance with the Rio Grande Compact. Sources Rio Grande Compact (1938), Colorado State Water Knowledge web site Text of the Compact Rio Grande Compact Commission, TCEQ site USGS summary Compact drives the ties that bind, Alamosa Valley News, November 21, 2001 Economic Aspects of Water in New Mexico, Micha Gisser Rio Grande Compact Accounting, New Mexico Texas Water Commission Management Advisory Committee, November 15, 2002 Rio Grande Basin Analysis Treaties of the United States Treaties concluded in 1938 Treaties entered into force in 1939 1938 in the United States 1939 in the environment Water treaties Water in Colorado Water in New Mexico Water in Texas Water management authorities in the United States Rio Grande United States interstate compacts Water resource management in the United States