LaredoBuzz.Com

Courtesy Noraida Negron,

LAREDO, Texas – The City of Laredo welcomes informed public discussion regarding border security and the protection of the Rio Grande. In response to recent public commentary questioning the City’s approach to proposed border security infrastructure, the City is providing additional context regarding the actions taken on behalf of the community.

The City’s actions throughout the federal review process were guided by policy adopted by the Laredo City Council—not by the independent judgment of any one elected or appointed official.

Following extensive public discussion, the City Council adopted the Cooperative Border Security and River Stewardship Framework, establishing the City’s policy of “Partnership, Not Opposition.”

This policy recognizes two important realities: the City has a responsibility to protect public safety, municipal infrastructure, flood control, treaty obligations, and the interests of its residents, while acknowledging that border security infrastructure is planned and implemented under federal authority, beyond the City’s legal authority to approve or deny.

Accordingly, the City Council directed the administration to pursue constructive engagement, independent technical review, and meaningful advocacy focused on improving the project wherever possible while protecting the interests of the Laredo community.

Under the leadership of Mayor Dr. Victor D. Treviño, and pursuant to the policy established by the Laredo City Council, the City actively engaged federal agencies, members of Congress, the International Boundary and Water Commission, and other governmental partners throughout the federal review process.

Mayor Treviño personally led many of the City’s advocacy efforts, working alongside the City Council, administration, and staff to pursue practical modifications that would better protect the Rio Grande, municipal infrastructure, and the residents of Laredo while recognizing the City’s limited legal authority over the project.

Among its recommendations, the City advocated for border infrastructure to remain a sufficient distance from the municipal water intakes serving both Laredo and Nuevo Laredo, requested that infrastructure avoid the downtown river corridor, and consistently presented engineering and operational concerns throughout the federal review process.

The City’s objective was not simply to oppose the project, but to work collaboratively to identify practical solutions that enhance public safety, protect critical infrastructure, and preserve the community’s long-term interests.

That constructive engagement continues today. While many of the City’s recommendations have received thoughtful consideration, the City will continue advocating until it is satisfied that its concerns have been fully addressed and that the final project appropriately protects Laredo’s residents, critical infrastructure, and the Rio Grande.

The City also carefully reviewed the Tompkins report and sought additional evaluation from independent engineers and geomorphologists.

Like Dr. Tompkins, those professionals recognized that portions of the analysis necessarily relied upon assumptions because complete engineering design information was unavailable. Their review reinforced the need for continued engineering analysis while placing the report within its proper professional context.

The City believes its responsibility was not simply to express concerns, but to remain actively engaged throughout the process to achieve the best possible outcome for the people of Laredo.

The recent flood event should be carefully evaluated by the appropriate agencies. Like any significant event affecting public infrastructure, it provides an opportunity to evaluate engineering assumptions, better understand real-world conditions, and identify improvements that can strengthen future planning, design, and operations.

The City welcomes continued evaluation. Responsible engineering is an ongoing process that benefits from both technical analysis and real-world experience. As additional information becomes available, it should be incorporated into future decision-making to further enhance public safety and protect the Rio Grande.

The City respectfully disagrees with suggestions that its actions were motivated by politics rather than public safety. Throughout this process, the City’s focus remained on protecting the community while working within its legal authority and faithfully implementing the policy direction established by the Laredo City Council.

Reasonable professionals may reach different engineering conclusions or advocate different policy approaches. The City believes those differences are best resolved through objective facts, sound engineering, and respectful public dialogue.

The City is confident that it fulfilled its responsibility to advocate for the interests of the Laredo community, seek independent technical expertise, engage constructively with federal decision-makers, and faithfully implement the policy direction established by the Laredo City Council.

The City of Laredo remains committed to protecting our community, preserving the Rio Grande, supporting lawful border security efforts, and ensuring that decisions affecting our residents are guided by sound science, responsible engineering, and constructive collaboration among all levels of government.