Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González
Dr. Maria-Elena Giner, P.E., resigned as Commissioner of the U.S. Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) on April 21, 2025. In her resignation letter addressed to President Donald J. Trump, Dr. Giner expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve in the role for nearly four years and acknowledged the challenges and accomplishments experienced during her tenure.
She confirmed that her resignation is effective immediately and welcomed her successor, Chad McIntosh, who has been appointed as the new U.S. Commissioner. Dr. Giner stated that she had a productive conversation with McIntosh before her departure and provided him with an overview of recent work at the agency.
During her time as Commissioner, Dr. Giner highlighted several longstanding challenges faced by the IBWC, including chronic underfunding and infrastructure deterioration. She cited historical figures, noting that from 2010 through 2020, the agency received an average of $32 million annually for construction needs along the U.S.-Mexico border. This funding level, combined with a 25 percent vacancy rate and nearly $200 million in unobligated funds, had impacted the maintenance of critical infrastructure, including levees, dams, wastewater treatment plants, ports of entry, and boundary markers.
Despite these constraints, Dr. Giner listed several accomplishments achieved under her leadership. These included signing six international agreements, or “Minutes,” addressing structural issues at Amistad Dam, pollution mitigation efforts in Tijuana, improvements in Rio Grande water deliveries, and a reduction in Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico.
Operational improvements cited in the letter include the commitment of $350 million in construction funding, the creation of an asset management office, the development of a long-term capital plan, the replacement of heavy equipment, and major repairs to South Bay and Nogales wastewater treatment facilities. She also noted that a contract was awarded for the rehabilitation and expansion of the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant through a progressive design-build approach.
Dr. Giner also reported organizational enhancements at the agency, including streamlining the workforce, reducing the vacancy rate to below 10 percent, improving employee satisfaction, and expanding communication efforts to increase transparency and stakeholder engagement.
The resignation letter referenced ongoing challenges that the agency will continue to face, including Mexico’s water delivery obligations under international treaties, investment needs in Tijuana’s wastewater infrastructure, further negotiations on Colorado River water allocations, and the continued advancement of asset management and infrastructure improvements.
Dr. Giner concluded her letter by expressing appreciation for the IBWC staff, recognizing their dedication to protecting border communities and U.S. water resources. She encouraged continued support for the agency’s mission under Commissioner Chad McIntosh’s leadership.
List of immediate needs mentioned in Dr. Maria-Elena Giner’s letter of resignation:
- Improved Funding and Investment in Infrastructure
– Addressing ongoing infrastructure needs due to decades of underfunding.
- Mexico’s Compliance with Investment in Tijuana’s Wastewater System
– Ensuring Mexico fulfills commitments to address transboundary pollution.
- Rio Grande Water Deliveries from Mexico
– Securing treaty-obligated water deliveries to benefit Texas users.
- Further Reductions in Colorado River Water Delivered to Mexico
– Negotiating additional reductions to support U.S. basin states.
- Advancing the Asset Management Program
– Continuing the implementation and expansion of asset management to move from reactive to proactive maintenance.
- Ongoing Improvements to IBWC Infrastructure
– Completing critical repairs and modernization efforts across IBWC facilities.
