AUSTIN—A permit application has been filed for the construction of the Brownsville Weir, a controversial project that would create a new dam close to the mouth of the already-depleted Rio Grande River. The Weir is sought by the Brownsville Public Utility Board in order to spur business development. The weir would not supply water to beleaguered farmers in the Rio Grande Valley.

"We're concerned that this project could do extensive damage to the wildlife corridor along the river, and might also pose safety hazards to people in Brownsville and Matamoros," said Mary Lou Campbell, a volunteer leader for the Sierra Club in South Texas. "We've followed this project closely as the proposal has been discussed, and I'm sad to say that each new revision is worse than the last."

The application (permit no. #21977, revised), filed by the Brownsville Public Utilities Board, has been received by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Corps posted notice of the application in the Federal Register on June 14. The public comment period on the project is open until August 15^th.

"Gallon for gallon, this would probably be the most expensive water project in Texas," said Campbell. "This is an $80 million project that isn't even intended to provide drinking water for Valley residents or farmers. It's a pet project for local business interests that will be paid for by taxpayers, and it won't relieve our water crisis or the dispute with Mexico."

The proposed weir would capture water in the Rio Grande before it reaches the Gulf of Mexico at Boca Chica. The current lack of any fresh water inflow into the estuary is already the source of serious concern, and the problem would almost certainly be compounded by construction of a weir. Estuaries cannot remain productive when deprived of fresh water for long periods, and the construction of a weir would most likely prolong those periods when little or no fresh water makes its way to the ocean.

The Sierra Club is calling on the Corps of Engineers to perform a comprehensive environmental impact statement (EIS) before taking any further steps with the project. The project has already received a permit from the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, but the Corps of Engineers must still satisfy review requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act.

"It's time for the public to be told that this is a boondoggle for business interests, and not a benefit to the public or farmers," said Campbell. "This isn't going to help our Valley farmers or make up for the lack of water from Mexico."