Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-08-10
YEGGS ROB TEXAS BANK MESSENGER
in OUR
VALLEY

OBSERVE A TENDENCY in
some parts of the Valley to get
excited about this Lower Rio
Grande Water Conservation Dis
trict OF Texas, election to validate
which has been set off Sept. 3.
In the first place. conservation
of the waters OF the Rio Grande
Is admittedly one OF the most vital
PROBLEMS facing the Valley.
y Were the RIO Grande not an in
ternational stream the problem,
while not SC complicated, would
still be a problem.
Present development is absolute
ly dependent Of an assured water
supply.
We are not worried about future
development.
Only about the development al
ready existing or now being con-
sidered.
1t Is an open secret that there
have been times when the river was
low enough TO cause alarm.
Not low enough to seriously
hamper Jul present irrigation prof.
ects.
But low enough to make US
wonder what would happen II it
went any lower.
Bulk Of the water We r using
originates in Mexico.
Comes into the Rio Grande via
the San Juan and Salado rivers.
To assure ourselves that w will
continue to get this water, a treaty
with Mexico is essential.
International Water commission
already is working to that end.
Commission must have some one
organization in the Valley with
which to confer regarding interests
OF the Valley.
The proposed conservation dis
trict has been recommended TO
Valley interests by the U. S. COM
missioner Of that organization.
! In event the u. S. and Mexico
tcome TO an agreement regarding
the division OF the waters OF the
Rio Grande below TT. Quitman,
the district will afford the means
through which the U. S. Govern
ment may act for the acquisition
OF damsites on the American side
OF the river.
Dams are going to eventually
be built, holding back the flood wa
tiers Of the river for times when the
natural and normal flow is low.
THE PROPOSED district in
cludes within its limits all of Cam
eron county, part OF Starr county,
part OF Willacy county and prac-
tically all Of Hidalgo county.
Parts Of various counties which
are not included are those sections
which would never derive any ben
eft from the waters Of the river.
Cities and towns are included in
the district and will pay the nom
inal district tax the same as rural
lands.
Taxing power OF the district IS
limited by the law creating 1t TO
Sc on the 500 valuation, state and
county valuations being taken as the
basis.
We may be wrong, but it is our
understanding that the conserva-
ton district viii not have the
power to issue bonds.
AS we have been informed, the
tax levy, in event the district is
validated, will not exceed &c per
Re- .......
II Formation OF the district will be
the first step to provide the Valley
with an assured water supply for
irrigation purposes in the future.
Its cost will be nominal.
The &c tax will mean an actual
tax payment OF only soc on every
$1,000 valuation.
Average taxpayer viii pay less
than $500 per year.
And that is a mighty cheap price
IN a for such insurance.
Formation OF this district Is moth
ing to get excited about.
Newspapers OF the Valley have
carried plenty Of information about
the district and the purpose behind
its formation.
II they have not carried suffi-
Gent information, they will be glad
to carry more.