Tecate, Baja California, November 18, 2004.

SOUTHWEST CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND POLICY (SCERP)

I would like to congratulate you for the excellent job that SCERP is performing in support of environmental research along the U.S.-Mexico border.

In this ocassion we would like to offer our support to the proposal presented by Dr. Victor Miguel Ponce entitled: "Baseline studies for the restoration of Cañada Joe Bill, Tecate, Baja California, Mexico." Joe Bill Canyon is an area of priority in our municipality, and the studies proposed by Dr. Ponce are necessary to make possible this development. In particular, this municipality is very much interested in the hydrology of Joe Bill Canyon and the effect that this could have on the old railway bridge.

Dr. Ponce has wide experience in hydrologic and environmental research in Baja California, and this should benefit the proposed project. We note that the proposal includes a significant Mexican manpower component, which will contribute to the education and training of environmental border researchers.

Sincerely yours,

(signed)