Arroyo Colorado

August 15, 2007

Dear Arroyo Partners,

Work continues on the development of grant proposals. A task group from the Habitat Work Group has been researching and working to develop a proposal to apply for a grant for a site suitability/feasibility analysis for regional wetlands. A field trip to visit potential sites was scheduled for this Friday; however it is being rescheduled due to pending rain.

Another task group is working to further develop a proposal for an education and outreach center in Rio Hondo. A site visit was conducted last week which included a meeting with the Mayor Santiago Saldana, Jr. and Steering Committee Member, Minerva "Minnie" Martinez. All involved to date are enthused about the potential to convert an under-utilized parcel of land adjacent to the Arroyo Colorado into a learning facility.

Aside for working on grant proposals, ongoing project and activities that fulfill objectives and strategies of the Arroyo Colorado Watershed Protection Plan include:

  • Continued implementation of agricultural best management practices (BMPs)
  • Agricultural Nonpoint Source Assessment
  • SWAT Model Simulation of the Arroyo Colorado Watershed
  • Agricultural Outreach & Education of BMPs
  • Four Cities Wetland Project
  • Ongoing work by cities and water supply corporations to improve wastewater infrastructure
  • Texas Watch Volunteer Monitoring
  • Development of a physical watershed model
  • Clean Texas Greenscapes, a Weslaco led compost demonstration project
  • In-stream water quality monitoring of the Arroyo Colorado
  • Continued outreach and education through presentation to groups and through one-on-one meetings with community leaders
  • Working on improving website
  • Working on a Newsletter for distribution in September
  • Ongoing Partnership development
In addition to the many projects, the Arroyo Colorado Website, http://www.arroyocolorado.org, is receiving a makeover under its new management at TWRI. During the next few weeks, we will be restructuring the site to include information on the many ongoing activities as well as potential projects or proposals under development. Announcements, attendance, memberships and minutes from our workgroup and steering committee meetings will be posted on this site. It is our intention that this be a one-stop shop Web site for the Arroyo Colorado. Therefore, if you have any suggestions or comments about the site as we re-develop it, please email Cecilia Wagner at Cecilia@tamu.edu.

On a final note, Mary Lou Campbell and I have been re-appointed as board members of the Lower Rio Grande Citizens' Forum. The Lower Rio Grande Citizens' Forum (LRGCF) was established in 2003 to facilitate the exchange of information between the USIBWC and members of the public about Commission activities in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. As you know, the Rio Grande River is the main water supply for the LRGV and one of the responsibilities of the USIBWC is management and maintenance of the floodways including the Arroyo Colorado. The USIBWC is an important Arroyo Partner and I am honored to serve as a board member. As board members one of our responsibilities is to be available to the public to facilitate the exchange of information. In this light, I recommend that you go to the webpage, http://www.ibwc.state.gov/Citizens_Forums/CF_Lower_RG.html, which has links to meeting minutes and presentations that contains good information including one on the Lower Rio Grande Flood Control Projects. Note that the USIBWC is seeking comments on a study of the Rio Grande Flood Control Projects and that a public hearing to receive comments is schedule for August 28, 2007, Four Point Sheraton Hotel, 2721 S. 10th St., McAllen, Texas, see attachment. Stay cool,

Laura