The Rio Grande Citizens Forum (RGCF) of the U.S. Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC) will discuss Rio Grande water quality at an upcoming public meeting. The meeting will take place on Thursday, July 13, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at the USIBWC Headquarters, 4171 N. Mesa Street, The Commons, Building C, El Paso, Texas 79902. The Rio Grande Citizens Forum was established to facilitate the exchange of information with the public about Commission activities and related matters.
Leslie Grijalva, Environmental Protection Specialist, USIBWC Texas Clean Rivers Program, will discuss Rio Grande water quality in the Upper Rio Grande in Texas. The USIBWC Texas Clean Rivers Program collects water quality information throughout the Rio Grande Basin. Routine monitoring has shown that bacteria continues to exceed the limits in the El Paso area, and the Clean Rivers program staff will discuss the bacteria issues. Ms. Grijalva will also discuss salinity, monitoring, outreach, as well as ongoing and future projects in the Rio Grande affecting water quality.
Also on the agenda, USIBWC Environmental Protection Specialist Kelly Blough will give a presentation on the history and present status of the Rio Grande Boundary Preservation Project. This reach of the Rio Grande and international boundary extends approximately 198 river miles, starting at a point approximately 90 miles downstream from El Paso to just upstream from Presidio, Texas. The purpose of the project was to restore the Rio Grande’s character as the international boundary, preserve the river boundary, and minimize future Rio Grande channel changes in that reach. The field implementation of this project and significant binational work accomplished through the 1980’s and completed in the 1990’s will be presented. Efforts included excavation of the Rio Grande channel and clearing of floodplain vegetation, the creation of wetland and pond mitigation sites, and replanting with native species at multiple locations.