7/31/2019 LRGV NWR Tracts and Associated Impacts Due to Border Fence Construction. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Undat

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7/31/2019 LRGV NWR Tracts and Associated Impacts Due to Border Fence Construction. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Undat

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Arroyo systems in Starr County will be significantly compromised by current fencealignment. This will lead to increased flooding upstream after significant rain falls.

Border Fence Segment PF225: O-1

This westernmost border fence segment would cut across the southern boundary of the Los

Negros Creek Tract of the LRGV NWR for 0.33 miles, separating all terrestrial wildlife fromwater. The alignment of the fence is along the river on the west side of Roma. The length of this

segment and the narrow width will effectively cut off movement east for wildlife species likeocelot and jaguarondi. These tracts are important due to the habitat and cultural values,including remnant fossilized oyster reefs that pre-date human kind and critical habitat for an

endangered plant, the Zapata bladderpod. This stretch of the Rio Grande is also known to have

four species of birds found nowhere else in the United States. Red-billed pigeons, brown jay,Audubons orioles and white-collared seedeater provide unique bird-watching opportunities that

draw wildlife enthusiasts from across the U.S. and many countries. Loss of habitat and

associated disturbance from construction would significantly impact current and future nature

tourism opportunities in Starr County. This segment calls for infrastructure on both sides of theRoma-Miguel Aleman International Bridge which would obstruct the natural views of the RioGrande from the overlook constructed to support the Roma Bluffs World Birding Center.

Border Fence Segment PF225: O-2

This segment is east of Segment O-1 and has a proposed length of 3.74 miles. Border fence

segment would impact three tracts of the LRGV NWR (Rio San Juan, Los Velas and Los Velas

West) and compromise a recently signed bi-national agreement between the U.S. and Mexico tocreate wildlife corridors between both countries. The LRGV NWR is in a partnership with the

National Commission on Natural Protected Areas in Mexico to establish international wildlife

corridors that connect the Laguna Madre in both countries, as well as a corridor that wouldestablish connections for wildlife to travel between the Picachos mountain range in Mexico and

the Rio Grande near Rio Grande City, Texas. Proposed corridors within this plan follow major

drainage systems that meet at the Rio Grande. One of these systems, the Rio San Juan, flows

from Mexico to the Rio Grande and is on the south side of the Rio San Juan Tract of LRGVNWR. The current alignment of the border fence would bisect that corridor and eliminate the

connection to Mexico.

Border Fence Segment PF225: O-3

This segment would impact more than half a mile of the Los Ebanos Tract. This segment also

calls for infrastructure on both sides of the Los Ebanos Ferry Bridge, which is the last remaininghand-pulled rope bridge in the United States. The alignment of this segment is close to the river

and the length of this alignment will effectively eliminate movement of terrestrial species like

ocelot and jaguarondi along the river.