Rio Grande water quality studies, levee construction being carried out with funds from the
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act), and environmental monitoring
of construction impacts will be discussed at the June 8 public meeting of the Lower Rio Grande
Citizens Forum (LRGCF). The LRGCF was established by the U.S. Section of the International
Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC) to facilitate the exchange of information between the
USIBWC and members of the public about Commission activities in the Lower Rio Grande Valley.
The meeting will be held Tuesday, June 8, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. at the Commission office at 325 Golf
Course Road in Mercedes, Texas.

USIBWC Environmental Protection Specialist Elizabeth Verdecchia will provide an
overview of water quality in the Lower Rio Grande as well as discuss current and future water
quality monitoring and outreach activities through the Texas Clean Rivers Program (CRP) for the
Rio Grande Basin. In the Lower Rio Grande, bacteria levels remain a concern in the Brownsville
area. USIBWC and the University of Texas at Brownsville (UTB) have completed the first phase of
an intensive bacteria study of the Rio Grande in the Brownsville area, and UTB's Dr. Elizabeth
Heise will provide preliminary results of the study. CRP staff will be available to discuss any issues
and questions the public has related to Rio Grande water quality. Copies of the CRP’s 2010 Rio Grande Basin Highlights Report, with detailed water quality information, will also be available for
distribution.

USIBWC Civil Engineer Rod Dunlap will give an update on the Recovery Act levee
construction projects in the Lower Rio Grande Flood Control Project in Hidalgo and Cameron
Counties. The projects will enhance flood protection in the Valley in accordance with standards
established by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The presentation will include
current project construction updates on several levee construction contracts along the Rio Grande
and off-river floodways affecting the communities of McAllen, Granjeno, Hidalgo, Pharr, San Juan,
Alamo, Donna, Weslaco, Mercedes, La Villa, and La Feria. 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.

In a related presentation, Field Environmental Monitor Wacey Hough of contractor H2
Environment Services, will discuss environmental issues associated with levee construction. The
presentation will discuss nesting surveys, rare and endangered plant identification and relocation,
wildlife identification and relocation, coordination with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
wetlands preservation, and storm water pollution prevention.

A complete meeting agenda follows. Members of the public who would like more
information about the meeting may contact the USIBWC’s Lower Rio Grande Project Office at
956-565-3150 or the Public Affairs Office at sally.spener@ibwc.gov. For additional information
about the Recovery Act, go to www.recovery.gov.

Contact:
Sally Spener, 915-832-4175, sally.spener@ibwc.gov