Texas Border Business
Commissioner Edward Drusina of the U.S. Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC) has appointed board members to the Lower Rio Grande Citizens Forum (LRGCF). The LRGCF was established by the USIBWC to facilitate the exchange of information between the USIBWC and members of the public about Commission activities in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. The USIBWC is responsible for operation and maintenance of the Lower Rio Grande Flood Control Project, boundary demarcation, and certain activities related to water quality and water supply. The first public meeting with the new board will be held Wednesday, February 12, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. at the Commission office at 325 Golf Course Road in Mercedes, Texas. The new board members are:
- Jaime Balli, community volunteer who has served on the Weslaco School Board and Weslaco Economic Development Corp., Weslaco
- Humberto Barrera, Cameron County Emergency Management, Brownsville
- Joe A. Califa, L & G Engineering, lives near USIBWC floodway, McAllen
- Jim Chapman, Frontera Audubon, Weslaco
- Hudson R. DeYoe, University of Texas Pan American Center for Subtropical Studies, Edinburg
- Lawrence A. Drake, Drake Farms, San Benito
- John Goolsby, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Edinburg
- Julia Jorgensen, Lower Rio Grande Valley Sierra Club, McAllen
- Jungseok Ho, University of Texas Pan American Civil Engineering Program, Edinburg
- William R. Lewis, retired engineer, Edinburg
- Harry Rakosky, community volunteer who works for Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, Brownsville
- Omar Rios, City of Harlingen Environmental Services, Lower Rio Grande Valley Stormwater Task Force, Harlingen
USIBWC Lower Rio Grande Area Operations Manager Rodolfo Montero will serve as the agency representative on the board. The appointments were made to fill expired board terms. Board members will serve a two-year term.
“We look forward to working with this outstanding group of individuals,” said Commissioner Edward Drusina of the USIBWC. “They represent diverse groups in the Valley and I know they will help us improve communication with the community.”
At the February 12 meeting, USIBWC staff will give an overview of the mission, history, and projects of the Commission, with a focus on activities in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. The meeting will also include an orientation session for the new board.
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