Texas Border Business
By David L. Fuentes
Commissioner – Hidalgo County Precinct 1
The Rio Grande Valley is still reeling from historic storms that hit our region two weeks ago, leaving in its wake a devastating loss of four lives and untold property damages that could surpass 100 million dollars. As I write this, some communities are still underwater. This historic flooding is a grim reminder that now, more than ever, we need to keep up our efforts locally, and at the state and federal level, to continue improving our drainage infrastructure.
While flooding is not new in our region, the storms we just experienced were unique in that over 20 inches of rain fell in some areas. No matter if we had the best drainage system in the world, our system would not be able to handle that much rain in such a short time span. While we cannot control the weather or how much rainfall we get in a single storm event, we are not just standing by idly. I know firsthand that our legislators and public officials are working diligently to address our flooding issues.
Hidalgo voters approved a $188 million bond in 2018 and another $195 million bond in 2023. In total, we’ve made close to $400,000,000 in bond investments since 2018. These monies have allowed us to work on drainage projects such as improvements to the Main Drain, ditch expansions and regional detention facilities to assist with mitigation. Just last spring, the Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1, also completed the pilot project for the first of its kind Delta Region Water Reclamation Project, (Delta Project for short) which would capture water from daily drainage runoff water and turn it into a new water source for potable drinking water. This project also acts to mitigate flood risk through a network of proposed sister detention ponds. This is a project that will not only address floodwaters but provide a new source of potable water supply. This project is shovel ready and I wish we could have captured all of that storm water two weeks ago. These are all real projects that are making a tangible difference, but we continue to face challenges to see these projects to the finish line.
Recently, I personally traveled to our state capitol in Austin to advocate for increased funding for flood infrastructure projects in Hidalgo County. On April 7th, just a little over a week after our region was ravaged by the floods, I testified before the Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs, in support of S.B. 1967 by Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa. Just a couple of days later, on April 9th, I testified before the House Natural Resources Committee in support of H.B. 3915 by Rep. Armando “Mando” Martinez. These bills would amend the eligibility criteria for projects under the Flood Infrastructure Fund (FIF) Program, allowing the Delta Project to qualify for funding. The FIF fund was created by the 86th Texas Legislature and approved by voters in 2019 to provide financial assistance for flood mitigation projects, but we have not been able to apply for funding for the Delta Project under the current rules. Both bills continue to wind their way through the legislative process. I will continue to staunchly advocate for these until they make it to the Governor’s desk.
Also, just this past week, the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) approved the latest FIF prioritization lists for the State Fiscal Year 2024-2025 funding cycle. Several local projects from both Hidalgo and Cameron County made the list. Local officials, including some who have been displaced from their own homes by the recent flooding, offered heartfelt testimony in support of these projects. The next step is for the eligible entities to complete and submit full applications for funding consideration. I strongly encourage residents to voice their support for these projects with the TWDB.
All the improvements we make, whether they’re in Hidalgo County, Willacy County, or Cameron County, benefit everyone. In Willacy County, we’ve partnered with the Willacy County Drainage District No. 1 to help them complete a project that will help mitigate flooding in Sebastian. Also, any improvements that Cameron County makes will also benefit the entire region. We all share the same drainage system, so any improvements we make will help all of us.
Since I was elected as commissioner, I have worked hard to make a difference in the quality of life for our residents and will continue to do so. Flooding is one of the most critical issues we are facing as a community, and now, more than ever, we must continue to work diligently to come up with realistic solutions.
