From: (b) (6)

To: (b) (6)

Cc: (b) (6)
Subject: FW: BROWNSVILLE: Commissioners back levee plan
Date: Wednesday, February 20, 2008 9:51:15 AM

(b)
(6)
I spoke to Judge Cascos this morning, I am trying to confirm the time of the meeting on the 26 th . He
did say that the 26 th is good to go but I am lacking the time. It will take place in Brownsville, Texas. I
will forward the full itinerary later today.

Take a look at the article below. They are trying.

Thanks,
(b) (6)
RGV SBInet Team

From:(
Sent: bWednesday, February 20, 2008 8:08 AM
To: (b) (6) A
Subject: BROWNSVILLE: Commissioners back levee plan

http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/news/wall_84549___article.html/county_border.html

FYI
 Commissioners back levee plan
By ALLEN ESSEX/Valley Morning Star
2008-02-19 23:00:11

A proposal to build a concrete wall to bolster Rio Grande levees against Katrina-like
flooding, and to satisfy Department of Homeland Security demands for a barrier against
terrorists and undocumented immigrants, drew fire Tuesday.

Environmentalists and defenders of civil liberties told Cameron County leaders they have
serious concerns about adopting a plan by Hidalgo County to reinforce existing river
levees with an 18-foot concrete wall to hold back flooding and undocumented river
crossers.

Cameron County Judge Carlos Cascos said there are two choices. “One: Do nothing, let
the federal government do what they’re going to do. Two: Do what Hidalgo County (is
planning to do), build a retaining wall,” Cascos said.

It is unlikely that Rio Grande Valley landowners or local governments will be able to stop
the Department of Homeland Security from building a border barrier, which it has
committed to doing by Dec. 31, Cascos said.

Although local officials realize it is a federal responsibility to protect the Valley against
disastrous flooding, as well as to protect the country from terrorists and control
undocumented immigration, federal officials have known about crumbling levees for
many years and have done nothing, Cascos and county commissioners agreed.

Consultants showed drawings of the proposed levee wall that would protect the county
against flooding as well as illegal entry. A paved road on top of the levee would make it
possible for Border Patrol vehicles to move along the top of the levee without damaging
the levee, as happens now when vehicles damage earthen walls.

There are two ways for Cameron County to build a concrete retaining wall along the
existing earthen levee, Cascos said.

One way is to borrow money by selling bonds, the other is to issue certificates of
obligation, Cascos said.

Although issuing “COs” is a faster way for local governments to borrow money, the
public does not get an opportunity to vote on that borrowing.

Although it is likely the federal government would eventually reimburse the county for
money spent on a retaining wall, there is no guarantee that local taxpayers would see
the money returned and DHS might build its border fence anyway on land it is acquiring
by the process of eminent domain, county staff members and consultants told
commissioners.
Cascos estimated the cost of building a concrete retaining wall could raise property
taxes two or three cents for each $100 in assessed property value.

Merriwood Ferguson, a Brownsville environmentalist, said copying Hidalgo County’s

concrete levee wall would seriously harm wildlife along the Rio Grande.

“The federal government has imposed upon us the border wall and we are all struggling
to deal with the consequences and hopefully stop it in its tracks,” she said.

“The Congress of the United States has given Secretary (of Homeland Security Michael)
Chertoff unprecedented authority to waive any law that gets in his way of fulfilling his
mission to build walls on our comminutes and he has used his authority on many
occasions to build this border wall. He has now filed more than three dozen lawsuits
(locally).“

Ferguson reminded county commissioners they have already passed a resolution

against the wall, as have many counties, cities and other entities along the Rio Grande.

“Everybody here opposes the border wall,” Cascos said. The majority of people who live
along the southern border oppose the plan, but most Americans are demanding that the
wall be built to keep out terrorists and undocumented workers, Cascos said.

Federal officials are not taking into consideration what will happen to private and public
property owners whose land will be on the south side of the border wall, said John
Bruciak, general manager of the Brownsville Public Utilities Board.

Taxpayers will have to pay for millions of dollars in facilities such as pumping and
filtration stations, as well as irrigation pump houses and equipment, he said.

Federal officials are not giving answers about how cities, farmers and landowners will be
affected when their access to the Rio Grande is cut off, he said.

Precinct 3 Commissioner David Garza of San Benito and Precinct 2 Commissioner John
Wood of Brownsville said it is incredible to think the federal government can build the
border wall by the end of the year.

“I see two miles of road that takes three years to build,” Garza said. “It’s a little mind-
boggling.”

Cascos asked representatives of U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, D-Texas, and U.S.
Rep. Solomon Ortiz, D-Corpus Christi, if there is any way to delay the deadline of Dec.
31 for completion of the wall so discussions can be held with federal agencies to work
out ways to soften the impact the border wall will have on the Valley.

County leaders agreed to plan another meeting for Feb. 26 and invite representatives of
federal agencies to discuss the idea of reinforcing the levee instead of building a border
wall that will cut through public and private property.