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American Heritage Rivers |  |
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American Heritage Rivers Keystone ProjectRio Grande River - 1Brownsville Resaca Restoration Project Project Summary Brownsville lies within the natural alluvial plain of the Rio Grande, some 50 river miles inland from the Gulf of Mexico. Resacas, also known as finger lakes or oxbow lakes, are remnant river channels unique to the area. Over the years, several of these resacas, particularly those which run through Brownsville itself, have become identifying landmarks that lend an important aesthetic character to the city. Unfortunately, as a result of increased urbanization, many resacas have suffered from unnaturally accentuated eutrophication and are in dire need of restoration. Where historical depths were once roughly 6 feet, levels are now reduced to 2 feet or less. The Cemetery Resaca, which has become an eyesore, represents a worst-case example of resaca degradation. Due to its relatively small size (6 acres) the Cemetery Resaca represents an ideal demonstration project to initiate the restoration of the entire Resaca System. The demonstration project will accomplish two major goals. The first will be the restoration itself, which will be crucial to similar efforts anticipated for all city resacas. Given the accessibility restraints inherent to the residential setting of most resacas, the methodology incorporated for this demonstration project will be key to future restoration efforts. The second goal will be the utilization of innovative best management practices to prepare Brownsville for upcoming NPDES Phase II mandates destined for all metropolitan areas to mitigate non-point source pollution. Mitigation features such as silt arrestors and an educational information center are planned as part of the restoration effort. Hike and bike trails that would link up to a planned Linear Park along a historical battle route are also being proposed as part of this demonstration project, as is support to initiate further planning and design work for Resaca System restoration. Project Benefit Flood control, water storage/supply, water quality, eco-tourism, education, and habitat restoration. As important water features, resacas perform a myriad of functions enhancing the quality of life for Brownsville residents, while fulfilling the utilitarian roles of storm water containment, flood control and water storage. As surface waterbodies resacas provide other ecological and aesthetic benefits to the adjoining landscape that would promote recreational and eco-tourism activities for the area. Considering all of the resacas and associated lakes within the entire city of Brownsville, including Resaca de la Guerra, Town Resaca and Resaca del Rancho Viejo, the total volume of additional storage capacity that could be restored through a sediment removal program is on the order of 1,700 acre-feet. Restoration of the Resaca de la Guerra (the largest resaca) alone would provide Brownsville a 7 to 8 day water storage capacity (~600 acre-feet) making Brownsville more resistant to drought-related disasters. Seven to eight days is slightly longer than the amount of time it takes for water released from Falcon reservoir to reach Brownsville. Restoration of the entire Resaca system would provide for improved habitat for the numerous species of birds common to the area and provide other ecological benefits. Fisheries would be restored, and hike and bike trails constructed, allowing for enhanced recreational opportunities for area residents and visitors. Environmental education programs and Cemetery Resaca Demonstration Project opportunities would also be enhanced. Current Partnerships
Project Stage/Status Planning, design and engineering have been completed for the Cemetery Resaca restoration project and we await groundbreaking pending final City approval and acquisition of federal matching funds. Local match funds of $500,000 are available to support demonstration project. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers prefers restoration of all resacas be considered as one project. Funds are required now for a feasibility and cost-benefit analysis to do entire restoration project. Accordingly, the City has decided to address the entire Resaca system restoration and as of August 2002, has entered into an agreement with the Public Utilities Board (PUB) and the Corps of Engineers to initiate a Feasibility Study under Section 206 of WRDA. This study will cost $3.95 million of which the City of Brownsville and its partner, PUB, have matched 50% of these costs, or about $2 million. The City will also continue to seek out smaller grants to address the restoration of the City Cemetery Resaca from various federal agencies. Cost Estimate: $50-55.00 million - Resaca System restoration Current Funding Sources City of Brownsville, Public Utilities Board $ 1.975 million Resources Needed Cemetery Resaca Demonstration Project Resaca System Restoration Champion Agency: U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston District Champion Partners Environmental Protection Agency Political Support Congressman Solomon Ortiz Other Initiatives Supported Southwest Border Initiative River Navigator
Adele Cardenas de Malott Rio Grande - 2The Rio Grande Riverpark, El Paso, Texas Project Summary The Rio Grande Riverpark is a proposed contiguous linear park of approximately 45 miles in length located on the levee of the U.S. side of the Rio Grande. Planned as a sustainable regional park facility, it will connect existing and proposed significant sites along the historic river corridor through a series of trails, cultural destinations, community parks and historical markers. The Riverpark seeks to revitalize the river as a focal point in the community for its historic, cultural, environmental and economic development value. By encouraging visitors to use its trails, the Riverpark will inform visitors about the area's history, provide recreational facilities, and encourage that visitors spend leisure time at destinations connected to the primary trails. Projects include a number of diverse environmental, recreational and cultural enhancements that seek to:
All of these elements emphasize the river's role in the greater El Paso area. The projects include such things as construction of bicycle and pedestrian trails along the river edge, levees and canals; design of a riverfront municipal park; adaptive reuse of industrial and agricultural buildings along the river's edge; renovation of abandoned facilities into visitor areas with shops and restaurants; and wetland restoration. Project Benefit The Rio Grande Riverpark seeks to place appropriate importance on this natural resource which has substantive environmental, recreational, historic, public health, and economic benefits. Environmental mitigation efforts, including wetland restoration, will be undertaken as part of the Riverpark to improve the river's water quality for wildlife habitat and municipal uses. Mitigation efforts of brownfield areas along the river's edge will be undertaken to convert former sewage treatment facilities and junk vehicle storage areas through adaptive reuse. Projects linked to the Riverpark, and the trail system that will be jointly developed, will help achieve parity with other communities with regards to parkland. Bicycling trails will be expanded and offer greater recreational opportunities. A number of walking and jogging, trails easily accessible to large portions of the City are also planned. Finally, commercial ventures can be located adjacent to the Riverpark's trailheads fostering economic development. El Paso's designated Empowerment Zone (EZ) also abuts the river thus allowing EZ projects for economic development to be linked to other Riverpark amenities to further enhance the value of zone investments. Historical and cultural activities can be staged at areas along the Riverpark that will encourage businesses to locate close to the trails. Current Partnerships
Project Stage/Status As of August 2002, the City has received a $1 million grant from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (Land and Water Conservation Funds), which was matched with $500,000 in local funds to begin work on the trail system in the City's Upper Valley. The City has received an additional grant of $3.5 million from the Texas Department of Transportation to fund projects in the Lower Valley from Ascarate Park to the Rio Bosque wetlands project. The City and County of El Paso are applying for additional grants from Texas Parks and Wildlife in excess of $2 million, which will be matched with local funds. EPA grant for restoration of Rio Bosque, joint project of City and University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). National Park Service, Regional Trails Division, Santa Fe, NM, has provided technical assistance to the Rio Grande Riverpark Task Force for planning and public surveys. Cost Estimate: $13,320,000 Current Funding Sources City of El Paso Resources Needed Federal and non-federal grants or funding for: temporary hiring of project coordinator; remediation efforts; educational programs in schools and public service announcements regarding cultural and historical value of Rio Grande Riverpark; land acquisition for trail linkages; construction of trails; staging of historical and cultural activities; and, incentive funding to promote business location along Rio Grande Riverpark. Champion Agency: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service Champion Partners Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Political Support Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson Other Initiatives Supported Southwest Border Initiative River Navigator Adele Cardenas de Malott Rio Grande - 3Laredo El Portal Riverfront Project Project Summary El Portal Riverfront Project entails the development of the City of Laredo's riverfront extending from approximately 2 miles from the west bend of the river to the El Azteca neighborhood and Zacate Creek on the east. It involves the construction of a riverside road, off ramps from IH-35 providing access to the new road, development of a greenbelt to include walking, jogging and biking trails (12,000 linear feet); the development of a nature preserve, and infrastructure for new urban development. Also proposed is an important pedestrian entry point at International Bridge # 1. Collectively, the El Portal project will stimulate environmental restoration of the Rio Grande's Laredo riverfront, nurture preservation and economic development in the historic downtown district, and enhance the entrance to the U.S. The project will also provide improved access to two historic neighborhoods characterized by higher crime and poverty that have been isolated due to railroad crossings, interstate highway construction, and an inadequate roadway system. The park's northern edge will be designed to blend naturally into the Lamar Bruni Vergara Environmental Science Center's Paseo del Indio Nature Trail on the grounds of historic Ft. McIntosh. Existing native and exotic vegetation will be cleared, pruned and enhanced through appropriate environmental design measures. Project Benefit Natural and Cultural Resources Economic Revitalization and Development
Improve access to employment and trade centers including Laredo International Border Security, Crime Prevention and Safety Project Stage/Status The City has budgeted $693,000 (HUD CDBG: $450,000 plus $263,000 local match) for engineering and construction of a segment of the new roadway extending from the West End rural section, under the railroad bridge, and on to Santa Cleotilde Avenue (approximately 2,000 linear feet). U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has completed a Feasibility Study for wetlands restoration at river's bend at a cost of over $ 1 million; restoration's total estimated cost will likely exceed $5 million. The Corps is continuing with the design phase of the study. Sustainable Development Challenge Grant Proposal submitted to U.S. EPA for $250,000 (Sep 1999). Grant request declined. FY 2001 Transportation and Community and System Preservation Pilot Program funding request to Federal Highway Administration for $1,026,630 (with $715,000 local match) submitted January 28, 2000. Proposal was unsuccessful. Technical Assistance request to National Park Service, Rivers and Trails submitted July 1999 for design of bicycle/pedestrian trail, interpretive signage, and pedestrian amenities. Initial assistance provided; more assistance forthcoming once project is farther along. The City is negotiating with the Corps of Engineers for another restoration project to be funded under WRDA 206 for the Chacon Creek area. The City has aggressively pursued the purchase of land along the river bank (over 100 tracts) using substantial local funds and now controls most of the land extending from Laredo Community College to Zacate Creek, south of downtown Laredo; some conservation easements will be acquired through Community Development funds The re-design of the El Portal (Port of Entry renovations for Bridges I and II) will be completed by end of September and the City will approach GSA, Border Patrol, and USDA for support in excess of $15 million to complete renovation. Cost Estimate: $15,000,000+ Current Funding Sources City of Laredo Resources Needed Federal grants to fund engineering and construction of identified roadway improvements. Federal funds for land acquisition (Land and Water Conservation Fund) for development of a nature preserve and linear greenbelt, and the extension of roadway to Zacate Creek Federal and/or state funds for park enhancement Technical assistance for planning and design of park and trails Assistance with Federal property exchange Champion Agency: U.S. Department of Transportation Champion Partners Economic Development Administration Political Support
Congressman Henry Bonilla Other Initiatives Supported Southwest Border Initiative River Navigator
Adele Cardenas de Malott
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