With pre-existing projects to dredge silted resacas underway, the Brownsville Public Utilities Board will begin additional efforts to restore the city’s historic resaca systems thanks to $2 million in federal funding presented by U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (D-Texas).
Rene Mariscal, BPUB division manager for Water Resources Conservation and Compliance, said restoration not only benefits the “unique ecosystem” in Brownsville, but it also offers drainage assistance and additional water storage.
Mariscal said the Resaca Restoration Program, launched in 2013, organizes improvement efforts, including the dredging of silted resacas. Dredging is the removal of sediment and silt from the beds of rivers, resacas and other bodies of water, and it improves storage capacity.
He said the projects that will be funded by the $2 million are divided into 16 contracts, the first of which will focus on improving Resaca de la Guerra and Resaca del Rancho Viejo.
“You’re looking at about 14 months estimate for this contract,” Mariscal said. “Moving forward for the additional contracts, it could be a year for design depending on, you know, the number of segments that you’re looking at for contract two. And then, you’re looking at construction again.”
Designs for improvement, created collaboratively by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, city and BPUB staff, focus on dredging, restoring habitats, removing invasive vegetation and improving resaca banks, according to Mariscal.
“In addition to that, there’s some … water control infrastructure that’s improved,” he said. “Water level management is controlled by various gate valves, weirs, dams throughout the resaca, and some of these are in need of upgrades or repairs.”
Although Mariscal said he could not pinpoint exact start dates yet, he said work on the first contract will begin following a project partnership agreement between the city and BPUB, which is in development.
Brownsville Mayor John Cowen said resaca restoration is “of great interest” to city officials.
“[The funding is] definitely well received,” Cowen said. “This project has been in the works since 2013.”
He said this is the first time an award is presented to begin restoration work from a federal perspective.
Other funding has come from the Resaca Fee, set at $6.25 per account for retail water customers, paid to BPUB.
“It’s a very positive step in the right direction,” Cowen said about the $2 million in funding. “I think it will likely lead to more federal funding coming towards this project in the future.”
The Rider reached out to Gonzalez’s office for an interview. Jason Andrew Delattre, social media coordinator for Gonzalez’s Brownsville office, provided a statement from the congressman.
“Brownsville’s resacas are unique and play a critical role in our region’s environment, economy, and culture,” Gonzalez is quoted as saying. “This project will restore our historic resacas, improve water quality, and ensure residents have reliable access to water. Resacas enhance property values, attract tourism, and help bring residents closer to nature.
“Most importantly, they contribute to [the] city’s identity, connecting residents to our city’s history and natural heritage. I am immensely proud to have secured this funding to allow Brownsville to preserve these important environmental features for future generations.”
To learn more about the Resaca Restoration Program, visit brownsville-pub.com.
