Our Mission
The Rio Grande Institute is working to foster appreciation of the unique economic, cultural and natural resources of the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo border and to facilitate informed action to conserve those resources and use them for the public good.
“As we proceed, let’s not measure the success or failure of our Institute by the size of its staff or its annual budget, but by the quality of the services we provide to people who live and work along the Rio Grande.”
– Mary Yturria, Founder and Chair of the Board.
RIO GRANDE INSTITUTE THUMBNAIL HISTORY
Scroll down to see current program actvity. You can also look for information under “About Us – Questions and Answers”
THE RIO GRANDE INSTITUTE: 1999-2009
Background and Focus: The Public Policy Information Fund a Texas non-profit 501 C 3 corporation created Rio Grande Institute (RGI) in 1999. It’s mission is to” foster appreciation of the unique economic, cultural and natural resources of the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo basin and to facilitate informed action to conserve those resources and to use them for the public good” . RGI staff and consultants are led by Tyrus G. Fain ,President and Bill Skeen, Executive VP & Director of Program Development. Board Chairman is Mary Yturria of Brownsville
I. Public Awareness: With Texas Humanities grants from National Endowment on Humanities RGI was principal underwriter for The Rio Grande, by Jan Reid (University of Texas Press, 2003) and Rio Grande- Filmography, by Caroline Frick (on-line at Archive of the Moving Image, U of Texas). Assisted production of MEXIPHOBIA, a documentary film, “Border Shutdown” a radio report for CBS Osgood Files and a number of TV, film and newspaper accounts.
II. Tourism Assets: The 76th Legislature authorized an assessment and plan on natural resources and cultural heritage assets of Rio Grande border to determine potentials for resource-based tourism enterprises, including sustainable cross-border partnerships. RGI and Sul State University completed the project in 2005. Legislation introduced failed but initiatives followed on heritage trails, roadway enhancement, binational conservation and job training.
III. Infrastructure for Cross-border Cooperation: In 2007 RGI became co-owner of the La Linda bridge, closed in 1997. This is the only Congressionally authorized highway crossing between Del Rio and Presidio. With its Mexican partner, Museo Maderas del Carmen, RGI is leading a binational effort to have the Obama and Calderon administration reopen the bridge and inspection facility to further cooperation on eco-tourism development and border security. La Linda is key for US-Mexico park to link Big Bend and the Sierra Del Carmen Mountains.
IV. Protecting the River- RGI is the federally authorized La Junta project leader on salt cedar management through biological control. With financing from World Wildlife Fund, Meadows Foundation, National Park Service, US Department of Agriculture, EPA and others RGI has partnered with the International Boundary and Water Commission, Big Bend National Park, Texas Parks and Wildlife, AMERICORPS and the USDA ‘s Agricultural Research Labs on major river restoration projects in the national and state parks, in adjacent Mexican federal protected areas and with private landowners in Presidio and Hudspeth counties. RGI is assisting Congressional staff on need for border-wide legislation on salt cedar, cane and invasive plants.
V. Disaster Prevention –RGI’s recently completed Cover the Border Hazard Mitigation Plan is a risk assessment and mitigation action blueprint for sixty-six local jurisdictions across fourteen counties on the Rio Grande border. It identifies over 1200 needed mitigation actions to save lives and property in the area. It highlights urgent needs for cross-border projects to prevent loss of life, property and interruption the border/NAFTA economy from transboundary impacts of likely floods and catastrophic accidents. The plan has been adopted by each local government and approved by FEMA and Texas’s Division of Emergency Management. Further, a dormant 1985 US-Mexico disaster accord has been replaced by a new agreement on Disaster Cooperation. RGI has a small pilot project underway on cross- border cooperation for a Transboundary Risk Identification and Mitigation Systems (TRIMS). Implementing the Plan’s 1200-plus mitigation projects and the new US-Mexico Agreement will require new federal authority and funding- probably through legislation.
Next Ten Years: In May 2009 the Board of Directors of RGI will hold its annual meeting to elect officers and adopt plans.
Posted 5-1-09
Program Activity – Public Information
From its beginning the Rio Grande Institute has sought to further public understanding of the place of the Rio Grande in the natural and cultural history of the two nations it joins. RGI has addressed the post-911 lockdown of the US-Mexico border in Mexiphobia, an independent documentary film produced by Nevie Owens and Buckner Cook of RedFrame Productions ( see: www.myspace.com/mexiphobia) and on the CBS News Osgood File(www.acfnewsource.org/science/rio_grande.html ). With support from the National Endowment on the Humanities and Texas Humanities RGI was the underwriter for a unique compilation of US and Mexican films concering the the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo (see Caroline Frick’s Rio Grande Filmography at www.archiveofthemovingimage.org). In 2004 the University of Texas Press published Jan Reid’s acclaimed compilation, The Rio Grande (www.utexas.edu/utpress/books). RGI and the Texas Concil on Humanities provided support for Reid’s research. In 2008 Tyrus Fain, RGI’s President was invited to testify before the Natural Resource Sub Committe on Parks of US House of Represenatives. He appeared at a July 10 th hearing on H.R. 6177 a bill by Congressman Ciro Rodriguez that will permit the National Parks Service to extend the designation of the Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River to the western boundary of Big Bend Nationasl Park. Fain testified on how the river’s role as a boundary historically has trumped the need for an informed stewardship; that has left us with a tortured river – its flow diminished, its quality degraded and its furture uncertain. Fain called for futher extension of the Wild and Scenic designation and a new approach to binationa cooperation when Mexico completes its designation of a parallel Monumento del Rio Bravo del Norte(http://resourcescommittee.house.gov/index) Entry revised 7-28-08
MORE ON CONSERVATION AND HERITAGE TOURISM
In 2002 at the request of the Texas Legislature, Sul Ross State University undertook the SRSU Rio Grande Heritage Tourism Project and turned to RGI for planning assistence. That was the beginning of an emergeging strategy for developing and promoting the tourism potential of the Rio Grande border. Over time the attnetion of RGI narrowed to the Big Bend – TransPecos area of Texas and the Sierra del Carmen of Coahuila and – of course – the Rio Grande.
Infrastructure: A key element of the strategy is the infrastructure provided by the bridge and border crossing that links the Big Bend to the village of La Linda Coahuila, in the foothils of Mexico’s majestic Sierra del Carmen. RGI has joined forced with a Mexican non-profit, the Museo Maderas del Carmen to lead a regional effort to have that La Linda bridge reopened (it was closed in 1997) to support a binational tourism initiative that will link the National and State park facilities in the Big Bend to the preserves and protected areas of the Maderas del Carmen.
The Texas Legislature passed legislation in 2006 that is facilitating the state’s involcement in planning the future of the La Linda bridge and working with the State of Coahuila to create a sustainable cross-border tourism industry that willl further resource conservation and open new opportunities for nature-based recreation.
COLINDA The Consortium of La Linda (COLINDA) is a private partnership that currently owns the US Section of the bridge and is working to have it re-opened in conjunction with a comprehensive economic development, conservation and border security plan. RGI and the Museo Maderas del Carmen created COLINDA in 2005. (Rev. 7-28-08)
MORE ON THE LA LINDA BRIDGE
Ownership: Since April of 2008 the US section of the bridge structure has been owned by the Consortium of La Linda (COLINDA), a Texas general partnership between two non-profit corporations, one Mexican and one US. They are the Museo Maderas del Carmen and the Rio Grande Institute. The Partnership managers are Tyrus Fain (US) and Lic. Alberto Garza –Santos (Mexican). The Mexican section of the bridge is owned by the Government of Mexico.
Purpose: COLINDA was created in order to protect the bridge from to a demolition order by the US and Mexican governments and to set the stage for its re-opening as infrastructure for a nature-based tourism and conservation initiative. The purpose is enhance the security and well being of area residents, provide enjoyment for visitors and protect the natural resources that are prime assets for the future of the Big Bend, Trans-Pecos and Sierra del Carmen.
Legal Status: The US government is authorized through an Act of Congress under Public Law to maintain a legal crossing and port of entry in support of the privately owned bridge across the Rio Grande that was constructed under the same statute. Since 1997 the crossing has been closed and the bridge barricaded under an order by the US government concurred in by the Mexican government through and exchange of notes. The US government is also authorized to order removal of the bridge if it is not being used.
Re-opening: COLINDA is considering an approach that would restore the bridge to limited operation in order to support cross-border day visits and scheduled trips in conjunction with a heritage-based tourism development program in the Big Bend-Sierra del Carmen Conservation Corridor. Use of the bridge will be limited by agreements between the owners and the relevant US and Mexican customs authorities to pedestrians and personal vehicles no larger than a pick-up truck.
Planning: The US government has informed COLINDA and the Government of Mexico of the requirements that must be met before the bridge could be re-opened. (See attached). COLINDA has met the first requirement, consolidation of ownership of the US side. Work is underway in consultation with the State of Coahuila and the State of Texas to meet the remaining requirements.
Actions underway since April 2008: Implementation of the requirements for returning the bridge to service is underway through a series of workgroups and task forces organized by the owners and the state governments:
1. TxDOT Ad-Hoc La Linda Group – This group was created in 2008 to implement the provisions of legislation that was enacted by the 80th Legislature calling for state support for a public private initiative to re-open the bridge as infrastructure for nature-based tourism. Members include TxDOT, COLINDA, Big Bend National Park, TPWD and Brewster County.
2. SecTur Working Group – This public-private group includes the ministry of tourism, the state offices of conservation, public works and tourism development as well as COLINDA and private rancher-stakeholders.
3. Legal and Organization Team – The legal structure of this binational initiative is being reviewed and recommendation made as to the future of COLINDA, including governance and scope of activities. The legal team is headed by Lic. Guillermo Canales, Gen. Counsel of Museo Maderas del Carmen and Manuel Mendes of Bickerstaff, Heath and Acosta.
4. Border Security Working Group – COLINDA is prepared to facilitate a dialogue between US federal, state and local law enforcement agencies that will play a vital role in the future of this bridge.
5. “Master Plan” Revision – Dr. Alfonso Martinez M of the Schoolof Forestry at the Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon is leading the work underwayby COLINDA to adapt a use and management plan for the bridge to the more limited scope setfor in meetings with State Department and SRE officials. Further refinement of the La Linda planning work is expected to conform to the needs of the working group onthe binational area initiative announced by SecretariesSalazar and Elvira in August 2009.
Community Outreach: In July 2008 a group of 25 Mexican officials and stakeholders visited the areas to be served by the bridge. Im 2009 outreach meetings were hosted by COLINDA in DelRio, Texas and Ciudad Acuna, Coahuila. Another public meeting is beng scheduled atBig Bend National Park in mid-October 2009 (for details on participat inquire at info@riogrande.org)
Planning work required by the US and Mexico is being scheduled to be completed in time for the Fall 2009 meeting of the US – Mexico Working Group on Bridges and Border Crossings.
Contact: In the US – Tyrus Fain at tfain@riogrande.org In Mexico – Alberto Garza Santos or Alfonso Martinez Munoz at amartinezmu@gen.tv
Rev. 6-16-09
IV. PROTECTING THE RIVER
Cooperative Agreements: RGI has cooperative agreements regarding protection of the Rio Grande with a number of institutions and individuals, including the National Park Service, Big Bend National Park (BBNP), the Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River, World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Chihuahuan Desert Resource Conservation and Development Area (CDRCDA) , Dr Helen Mills Pouros-Yale Forestry School. RGI’s President Tyrus Fain is a member of the Advisory Committee appointed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission to address issues involving the Big Bend Ranch State Park which contains 34 miles of riverfront.
Riparian Restoration and Control of Invasive Species: In 2004 with support from the World Wildlife Fund, Friends of Big Bend National Park and Meadows Foundation, the Institute began providing planning assistance and technical consultants for a binational effort to control infestaitons of salt cedar (tamarisk) and giant cane (arundo) along the Rio Grande in the Big Bend areas.
The initiative has expanded to include several important public-private collaborations and is supported by grants from the National Park Service and the Natural Resources Conservations Service of USDA.
Big Bend National Park – Comision Nacional de Areas Protegidas
Under an arrangement with Big Bend National Park RGI and WWF the Institute has provided technical consultants and assisted in the recruitment and deployment of binationap work crews who work on both sides of the Rio Grande on river restoration through an arrangement with the International Boundary and Water Commission. An important element of the RGI program is a salt cedar control initiative first undertaken by the Mexican government in Boquillas Canyon and later incorporated in a joint RGI/WWF/BBNP project with CONAP and Profauna. Now US and Mexican teams are expanding their work along the river to control the spread of invasive salt cedar (Tamarisk) and restore native vegetation . RGI is facilitating planning for possible binational projects in conjunction with further extension of the Wild and Scenic Rio Grande River and a Presidential delcaration by the President of Mexico creating the Monumento del Rio Bravo del Norte running roughly parallel to the US designated Wild and Scenic stretch.
Biological Control – La Junta Project
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NEWS INSERT
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The La Junta Project (Project) was conceived in 2006 by RGI and CDRCDA in consultation with US ranchers along the Forgotten River Stretch of the Rio Grande in Presidio County, Texas. The purpose was to develop and implement a strategy for controlling salt cedar infestations on those properties and to establish a procedure that can be adopted by neighboring landowners.
La Junta is part of RGI’s commitment to a watershed-wide cooperative conservation commitment to control harmful infestations of salt cedar (Tamarisk) and giant cane (Arundo) on the Rio Grande; that is an essential step toward restoration of the river as an accessible, free flowing river supporting vital eco-systems and viable agricultural and recreational enterprises.
NRCS awarded a three year grant of $184,000 in September of 2007 from the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative to RGI for this Project. Matching funds totaling $50,000 have been provided by World Wildlife Fund; in-kind and cash contributions have been made by participating landowners and non-government organizations.
As the Project completes its third year, the objectives are being met – thanks to an extraordinary investment of time and energy into the Project by local landowners and a dedicated team that includes staff from CDRCDA, RGI, USDA/ARS and SRSU.
Checklist of La Junta Progress (from RGI mid-year report to USDA/NRCS)
- Public-Private Partnership Solidified: La Junta has become a viable collaboration on salt cedar control between NGOs, government agencies and area ranchers, with hands-on participation and in-kind contributions by four landowners for control work at six sites near the Rio Grande.
- Control Technique Selected: Based on review of technical options, cost considerations and goals of participating ranchers, La Junta has adopted a management strategy for salt cedar modeled on biological control techniques employed at Big Spring control site and on Western US rivers.Scientific Advisory Committee Functioning: This key part of the La Junta team effort has been formed and evolved under leadership of Dr. Jack DeLoach of USDA/ARS; its members provide oversight, planning support and critical insights for the Project. They are responding to challenges posed by overwintering with scientific evaluations and recommendations for changes in approach.
- Released Beetles: Since 2007 the Project has nurtured caged colonies of “Crete” beetles that has allowed release of approximately 25,000 Diorhabda Elongata Tamarisk beetles under controlled conditions at nine sites on five ranches near the Rio Grande and documented a monitoring process that will inform and support releases in 2009 and beyond.
- Base-lineSurvey Conducted: Obtained a base-line survey of salt cedar as well as plant and bird life conducted by USDA/ARS scientists in the immediate impact area of the project. That includes spatial data for monitoring progress and evaluating impact using aerial photography by James Everett of USDA.
- Monitoring Protocols in Place: Developed and implemented a protocol to enter and analyze data from monitoring of beetle populations, salt cedar defoliation, bird populations, and open-field multiple choice tests of feeding habits of beetles being released.
- Measurement Tools Created: Adopted and applied a SAC-approved protocol for measuring survival rates of adults and breeding vigor at the release sites, obtaining an objective assessment of issues that must be resolved to establish a self sustaining beetle population.
- Endangered Species Awareness: Reviewed with landowners, USDA/ARS, TPWD, WWF and USFWS staff the significance of unverified sightings of the endangered Western Desert Willow Flycatcher near a Project release site. As beetles become established, RGI will facilitate further study of habitat issues for bird populations.
- Reintroducing Native Plants: In past years Presidio high school science teacher Patt Simms has organized student volunteers to work with WWF and TPWD to restore native vegetation in Colorado Canyon along the Rio Grande as a part of a service learning project on river restoration sponsored by the Rio Grande Institute with support from the Meadows Foundation and the Texas Center for Service Learning. RGI hopes to revive that effort and focus on the area around Candelaria at La Junta sites. Support is being sought at this tme ( May 2009)
- Binational Cooperation: RGI participated in four binational meetings arranged by the US International Boundary and Water Commission in response to Mexican landowners’ interest in a parallel project, concerns of Mexican resource agencies about adverse transboundary impact of a release of beetles at the border and opportunities for cooperation under existing treaties and agreements. It was agreed that IBWC and CILA would facilitate information exchange and field visits with special emphasis on monitoring dispersion and impacts on habitat.
- Tamarisk Coalition – Tyrus Fain was elected to the Board of Directors in 2005 is active in developing a regional strategy for state-federal cooperation on salt cedar control.
- Southwestern Salt Cedar Biological Control Consortium: RGI’s Tyrus Fain is a member of the Board and Co- Chair of the Government and International Relations Committees.
- Field Day September 2009 – An international field day was held on the river in Presidio County with participation of US and Mexican officials (thanks to IBWC). i
(Revised 9-16-09)
