I write this guest column in response to a Rio Grande Guardian news story headlined “South Texas Cities: We support the Rio Grande Liquified Natural Gas project" that was published September 30, 2024.
I am not a Rio Grande Valley native, my only personal ties are from living as an infant in Falfurias and much later working as a water professional with Texas A&M University in the early 2000's on agricultural water conservation issues in the RGV. I have also lived and worked for years much further upstream on our suffering Rio Grande River in the far West Texas/Las Cruces, New Mexico area and in northern New Mexico regions.
I can understand the natural desires of the Lower Valley residents for more good paying, permanent jobs and a path to a better community, economy and life. Most of us want the same. But, my concerns are of an environmental and natural resources nature.
Sometimes we all can be blinded by potential dollar signs and sales pitches and not see down the road and what we might leave for our children and grandchildren. Or, even what might happen if a category 4 or 5 Gulf hurricane hits the Brownsville area in the next few years. Not impossible, is it? Look on TV at Florida. Or even what a tiny Cat. 1 hurricane did to the Galveston/Houston region earlier this summer. There was massive flooding and wind damage, no electricity for tens of thousands for many weeks. That likely equaled to no work or pay for many residents, huge home and work site repairs, vehicle replacements and now sky high insurance for them. Insurance companies are leaving Texas or raising rates. That storm was in a mature, highly developed economic region with lots of help around. My auto insurance 300 miles inland has doubled and I had to find a new company. Reportedly due to Texas' high natural disaster history. What would happen to a city or rates in a storm destroyed area of the Valley?
Across Texas people have built and are still building right on the Gulf and other waters, or on less than safe sea level sites. Florida's storm surge was reported at 10 to 20 feet. Where is safe? The photo with this article seems to suggest that issue may exist for the gas site or maybe even the port? Are site buildings and facilities 20 feet up? Homes and offices?
Much has been written and made of the area's space exploration and future spaceship manufacturing. It is an exciting and glamorous venture! Maybe hundreds of new, high paying jobs and a big boost to the region's economy most likely. Are there any negatives arising from loss of coastal wetlands, beaches or even to public travel or use on beaches? Was there any damage to Gulf water, beaches or wetlands or wildlife from a spaceship crash? It happens. Or what about the Native American tribal culture that was present long before Brownsville? Have they received or do they now have an equal voice in the issues affecting their historic lands or culture?
Water is the number one issue across much of Texas with our explosive growth and Climate Change. Your location requires that you consider our neighbors just across the river who often are using and needing the same water supplies. Where is all the "new water" coming from for this great new growth? The river or our lakes? Think of Falcon and Amistad now. Is the groundwater there? Is that spelled out by neutral water experts? Or will citizens be asked to fund building and expensive operation of desal plants, like Corpus Christi is debating? What will happen to the rather toxic treatment effluent from desal plants - will it affect your bays, Gulf waters and the valuable fishing industry? Have those future questions been asked, answered and rationally decided?
Natural gas is reportedly mostly methane and other substances, which are not healthy to breathe. What are the effects of the new plant and growth going to be on the area and the downwind communities and farms? Has that been researched, publicly discussed and approved? Are the fire and explosion safety protections adequate?
These are some issues that may arise along with the rising economy. They may affect you and your family's health and well being. I hope not. Good luck and Vaya con Dios!"
Editor’s Note: The above guest column was penned by Mike Mecke, a retired natural resources manager and water specialist from Kerrville, Texas. The column appears in the Rio Grande Guardian with the permission of the author.
