WATER - THE HISTORIC PERSPECTIVE

As we spin through space on our biosphere, we are reminded that our scientists have calculated that the earth is 3.8 billion years old. Evidence of water on the face of the earth has been traced to 1.0 billion years ago. The footprints of man have been dated to be 6.0 million years ago.

Amazing. The amount of water available to us today is the same as it was 1.0 billion years ago.

We live within a closed circuit system. The same amount of water falls on the surface of the earth each year, although not always in the same pattern or location.

WATER - THE WORLD'S SUPPLY

If we could sit on the moon and look back at our beautiful blue ball of cloud covered space ship, we could not see the political lines drawn over eons of time. So let us take an imaginary eraser and wipe away all arbitrary definitions of sovereign nations.

What is left is a finely tuned combination of watersheds, rivers, lakes, aquifers, and polar caps. It is an intricate woven pattern of regional systems for water retention and recycling back to the sea for the endless parade of solar distillation, rainfall and return to the oceans of the world.

Only 14 % of the earth's surface is land - with the balance of 86 % being water, calculated to be 97.5 % salt water, and only 2.5 % fresh water, with over two thirds stored in the two polar caps. Less than ONE PERCENT of the total water in the world remains as fresh water - and not always located or readily distributed to meet the needs of mankind.

WATER - THE WORLD LOOKS TO CANADA

Canada, with one half of one percent of the world's population, holds just over 20 % of known fresh water supplies on the globe. In the Province of British Columbia the average rainfall is 175 inches a year - over 25 feet of rainfall each and every year.

By official government figures, British Columbia each year has a surplus of pristine fresh water in excess of 400 million-acre feet each year. 400,000,000 AFY - with one acre foot equal to 1,300,000 liters. This is the volume of fresh water that flows into the Pacific Ocean each year, representing the surplus that exists after meeting all of the needs for water in the entire Province.

Political leaders in Ottawa and British Columbia realized the need and the opportunity to develop a new industry for the export of fresh water. With aggressive promotion for investment in this new industry, by 1990 six export licenses had been issued and 19 applications were pending - all for export by means of marine transport vessels (super tankers).

WATER - THE SOLUTION - SUN BELT WATER, INC.

In 1990, SUN BELT WATER, INC., a California corporation, was organized to meet the needs of the Great South West - suffering in a permanent state of drought with a population greater than found in Canada. SUN BELT had the technical expertise, the market development skills and the experienced management team to open up the market for Canada.

During intense negotiations in 30 markets in California, Arizona, Nevada and Mexico, in March 1991 SUN BELT captured the first ever contract for delivery of bulk water - at a value of $105 million (US). Four days later this contract was killed by the illegal action of the BC government.

The resulting legal action moved the complaint to the arbitration process available under the provisions of the NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT (the NAFTA).

Two documents follow:

NOTICE OF INTENT TO FILE A CLAIM UNDER THE PROVISONS OF NAFTA

NOTICE OF CLAIM AND DEMAND FOR ARBITRATION

Click on the "documents" for your review, assessment and individual judgment.

And please contact SUN BELT for further information.