86R4548 BPG-D
By: Hinojosa S.C.R. No. 13
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The future of Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park
is threatened by the proposed construction of a border wall through
this treasured site; and
WHEREAS, In 1944, the Bentsen family signed over nearly 600
forested acres along the Rio Grande to the Texas Parks Board for the
consideration of $1, with the stipulation that the land be used
"solely for Public Park Purposes"; it opened to the public as a
state park in 1962, and while serving as a wildlife corridor that
allows native species to survive, it has drawn people from across
the country to observe its diverse fauna; and
WHEREAS, Today, as part of the World Birding Center, the park
ranks among the nation's premier bird-watching destinations; it
attracts some 30,000 visitors annually, with numbers growing by
about five percent every year, and it is an important driver of the
Rio Grande Valley's ecotourism economy; and
WHEREAS, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has notified
landowners of plans to build a 33-mile barrier in Hidalgo and Starr
Counties; the section in Hidalgo County will consist of vertical
concrete river levees topped by 18-foot-tall fencing, as well as a
150-foot-wide "enforcement zone" on the river side with a road,
around-the-clock lighting, cameras, and sensors; and
WHEREAS, Scientists have warned that the construction of such
a barrier through this sensitive natural area would devastate
wildlife habitat; a border wall would also inhibit access and deter
visitors, and it would likely result in the discontinuation of
overnight camping and nighttime wildlife viewing; moreover, the
proposed barrier would divide the park, isolating the headquarters
and visitors center from the area enjoyed by the public and creating
serious operational, management, and safety issues; further
complicating the issue, if TPWD is no longer able to safely operate
the property as a state park, under the terms of the original grant,
the land could revert to the heirs of the grantor; closure of the
park could also negatively impact the viability of the neighboring
National Butterfly Center; and
WHEREAS, Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park is a jewel of
the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, beloved by state residents
and visitors from far and wide, and it should be protected for the
benefit of generations to come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 86th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby respectfully urge the United States Congress to oppose
construction of a border wall through Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley
State Park; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward official
copies of this resolution to the president of the United States, to
the president of the Senate and the speaker of the House of
Representatives of the United States Congress, and to all the
members of the Texas delegation to Congress with the request that
this resolution be entered in the Congressional Record as a
memorial to the Congress of the United States of America.