The contract was awarded to Sun Belt Builders, Inc. of Sonoita, Arizona to construct 13
miles of levee improvements along the Rio Grande in Hidalgo County from Lateral A to Retamal
Dam. The work will provide enhanced flood protection for the area along the river from east of
the City of Hidalgo to south of Donna. The USIBWC is raising levee height in compliance with
standards established by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to protect against
the 100-year river flood. Construction is expected to be completed by January 2011.

Construction contracts were previously awarded for Lower Rio Grande Flood Control
Project levees along the Banker Floodway, Main Floodway, North Floodway, Arroyo Colorado,
and along the Rio Grande near the City of Hidalgo. Additional improvements along the river
levee were previously completed by Hidalgo County and by USIBWC crews.

“Construction is already underway on Recovery Act levee projects in the Lower Rio
Grande Valley,” said U.S. Commissioner C.W. “Bill” Ruth of the International Boundary and
Water Commission. “I am pleased we were able to award these contracts, get people back to
work, and fix our deficient levees.”

To date, the USIBWC has awarded $144 million in Recovery Act contracts, including the
contracts described above and others for levee work in Doña Ana County, New Mexico and El
Paso and Hudspeth Counties, Texas. The Recovery Act funding enables the USIBWC to
accelerate work on its aging Rio Grande flood control system. The purpose of the Recovery Act
is to create and save jobs, promote economic recovery, and invest in infrastructure that will
provide long-term economic benefits.

The USIBWC provides regular public updates on its planning and spending of Recovery
Act funds at www.recovery.gov and www.state.gov/recovery. A project schedule is available at
www.ibwc.gov/Files/LRG_Schedule.pdf. A map of completed and planned levee improvements
is available upon request.

Contact:
Sally Spener
915-832-4175
sallyspener@ibwc.gov