1.   And other officials who have visited Mexico believe the country is simply hoarding water as it develops its own irrigated farmland in the Rio Conchos valley.

2.   The report did, however, show an increase in the amount of irrigated farmland in some areas.

3.   Those artificial surfaces then release heat at night more slowly than irrigated farmland or natural desert soils.

4.   But local farmers opposed the idea, wanting to preserve options for opening up nearby federal land for irrigated farmland.

5.   The remnants are mostly scraps between irrigated farmlands and along roads.