A strong south Texas border region, which is suffering from rainfall and a lack of waters payments from Mexico, has received a disaster declaration.
According to the one-page order, Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez issued a disaster declaration on Tuesday afternoon due to” the extended period of exceptional drought problems.”
Lack of rain in the region, coupled with low liquid payment to the Rio Grande from Mexico, has led to an ongoing drought, which he called” a threat of imminent hazard”.
Mexico has paid the United States only over a month’s worth of water in this latest 5- month period, under a 1944 global treaty, according to the International Boundary and Water Commission, which oversees payments.
Technically, Mexico wo n’t be in debt until the cycle ends — which will be in October 2025. But, U.S. IBWC Commissioner Maria- Elena Giner stated last week at a conference in the Rio Grande Valley that it is doubtful that Mexico will have enough time to pay back the water it owes.
In February, a 51- yr- old sugar mill shut down in much northeast Hidalgo County, in the smaller farming town of Santa Rosa, due to a lack of water. Over 500 people lost their jobs.
And because of the water shortage, Mission, the border town, is considering stopping issuing building permits for fresh, sizable subdivisions.
According to the Hidalgo County charter, the drought conditions “pose an immediate and constant risk of widespread or serious damage, injuries or loss of life or property, and to public health, provincial water supplies, and agrarian production.”
” We have been diligently assessing the extent of the issue and how Hidalgo County residents are being affected,” Cortez said. This declaration is the first step in obtaining statewide funding to help us get through what is anticipated to be another dry summer.
Texas state Rep. Terry Canales, a Democrat from Edinburg, has asked Gov. Due to the water situation, Governor Abbott will declare Hidalgo County a disaster.
Abbott on March 17 renewed a disaster declaration for Hidalgo County, and several other counties, due to the drought. According to the original declaration, which was made in July 2022, it has been renewed every six months “due to exceptional drought conditions throughout the state of Texas.”
Hidalgo County’s most recent declaration gives the border county access to state funds and activates the county’s emergency management plan, particularly to stop wildfires.
The declaration expires on April 16, which is when the Hidalgo County commissioners are scheduled to meet and are expected to issue a 30-day order.
Sandra Sanchez can be reached at [email protected].
