JUNE 2021
MESSAGE FROM THE
COMMISSIONER
Commissioner Fuentes’ Advocacy Efforts Lead to Millions in Drainage Funding for Hidalgo County & Precinct 1
As your Precinct 1 Commissioner, I am proud to work on your behalf to improve our community. We have been working hard for you in Precinct 1 and are proud to share with you our many accomplishments, project achievements, and improvements that have taken place over the past six months.
On March 10, 2021, Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1 was awarded $32.7 million from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) for a Flood Control Project. TWDB approved a request from Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1 (Hidalgo County) for $32,670,000 in financial assistance consisting of $22,869,000 in financing and $9,801,000 in a grant from the Flood Infrastructure Fund for acquisition and construction of a flood improvement project.
In January, we joined communities around the nation in vaccinating our residents against COVID-19. We have collaborated with organizations, school districts, our local cities, and partners to host COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics throughout Precinct 1 and are happy to report that thousands of residents have already received their complete doses. I would like to extend my sincerest gratitude to all those on the front lines who have helped us throughout these clinics!
The proposed project is located between Mile 9 North, Mile 15 North, FM 88, and the IBWC floodway, an area containing approximately 18,600 acres, just north of the cities of Weslaco and Mercedes. The project will reduce the water surface elevation by more than 1.5 feet, and it will increase the storage and discharge capacity of the storm system. Expected construction of the project is scheduled to begin in June 2022.
Dear Hidalgo County Precinct 1 Families,
I am also thrilled to share with you, in this newsletter, that Hidalgo County and Precinct 1 have received millions of dollars from both the state and federal levels to continue to tackle drainage improvement projects, build new infrastructure, and mitigate flooding in our area. Hurricane season is right around the corner, and while we have already started on several projects, we are still in the process of continuing our work to improve our current drainage system and expand its capacity. Precinct 1 continues to grow, and I am proud to work on behalf of all our communities to provide new opportunities and improve the quality of life for our residents. Please stay safe, healthy, and make sure you are your families are prepared this Hurricane Season! Sincerely,
David L. Fuentes .
David L. Fuentes Hidalgo County Precinct 1 Commissioner
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Precinct 1 Commissioner David Fuentes has been hard at work advocating for funding at the state and federal levels to help alleviate and mitigate flooding in Hidalgo County. His dedication and commitment have resulted in the approval and appropriation of millions of dollars – a historical amount – in drainage funding for Hidalgo County and Precinct 1. Severe flooding from rain events, hurricanes, and other natural disasters over the last few years have led to historical flooding events throughout the Rio Grande Valley and Hidalgo County. Eager to mitigate any future flooding and address the need for flood infrastructure improvements, Commissioner Fuentes has taken the lead on advocating for historical funding for the region and county. In September 2020, the Texas Water Development Board announced that they had earmarked $9 million for the design and implementation of flood control and protection measures for a project covering parts of Hidalgo, Cameron and Willacy counties as part of a regional flood protection planning project that has been decades in the making. The award will be broken up into 90% grant and 10% study with the Council of Governments of Hidalgo, Cameron and Willacy counties. The three counties are working with the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council (LRGVDC)’s Regional Water Resource Advisory Committee (RWRAC) on the project. TWDB ranked the project 38th out of a total of 285 applications from across the state. “Stormwater does not respect the limits of jurisdictional boundaries and developing comprehensive solutions to address our area’s flooding issues requires strategic collaboration and partnership among leaders who are willing to come together, roll up their sleeves, and get to work,” said Hidalgo County Precinct 1 Commissioner David L. Fuentes.
“We are extremely appreciative of the Texas Water Development Board’s commitment to improving our area’s ability to mitigate and control the damaging effects of flooding in our region,” said Fuentes. “This project is critical to meet our current needs as well as accommodate for future growth in population, saving lives, homes, and properties for years to come,” Fuentes continued. Commissioner Fuentes has been instrumental in promoting the need for adequate drainage and flood control projects after a series of extreme rain events resulted in widespread flooding in Precinct 1, impacting thousands of residents and damaging homes and properties. Continued on page 6