Petition to State and Local Elected Officials and Leaders to support and create through legislation a Rio Grande Valley Flood Control District. 

Goal: To legislatively create the Rio Grande Valley Flood Control District to have a unified, and ONE consolidated entity to address the flood crisis.  Consolidating drainage districts and jurisdictional authority is key, and we recommend to utilize existing personnel, equipment, and leadership in the respective districts to unite and be employed as a unit.

Why?  It’s time to act now.  The flood crisis in the RGV is over 100 years in the making and getting worse.  It is our hope that the local and state elected representatives consider this as the starting point to address this flood crisis. The estimated population will double in 10 years, exacerbating the situation if not addressed immediately.

What is it? A new governing entity mandated for responsible charge of all drainage and flood mitigation planning, funding, and drainage infrastructure within the boundaries of the natural watersheds in the RGV. (ie. Arroyo Colorado Watershed, Mercedes Floodway Watershed, Rio Grande River Watershed)

What will it do? The main goal of the RGV Flood Control District is to provide jurisdictional management, authority, and funding capabilities for all stormwater and flood mitigation projects aimed to reduce, and eventually attempt to eliminate the cycle of repeated flooding areas for generations to come.  Again, this is the starting point in attempting solving the flood crisis. This will be the main entity to coordinate efforts in conjunction with the International Boundary Water Commission and Texas Department of Transportation, and every city and county within the watershed boundary.

Counties are listed as follows; Hidalgo, Cameron, Willacy, Starr counties.

Who will operate this entity and how? With this entity we recommend that the Legislature and Governor appoint a Board of Directors and/or hire directors and experts experienced in flood mitigation and storm water design.

Who will fund this entity and how? We believe that the entity will be formed by the State of Texas legislation. We foresee a reorganization of tax levies currently in place at the city and county levels, including areas that are not currently taxed, and supplemental grant funding from state and federal bonds etc. Texas Water Code Section 49.108, concerning "Contract Elections," allows contracts to include provisions for payment from various sources like bond proceeds, taxes, or other district income, and allows for modifications without voter approval.

When will this take into effect? This 89th Legislative session.  The current timeline for introducing legislation as a stand alone bill, or as an amendment to a related bill, is less than 44 days, so time is of the essence.  We would like for this entity to be created and start operating as soon as possible this year of 2025 to bring accountability, improvements, and holistic region wide solutions to address the ongoing flood crisis.