The Rio Grande Institute is the name under which the Public Policy Information Fund, Inc. operates as a Texas non-profit corporation in conformity with section 501c3 of the Internal Revenue Code. President: Bill Skeen, Treasurer: David Austin, Secretary: Elizabeth Ferguson . President Emeritus and Sr. Advisor :Tyrus Fain
CONTACT: Bill Skeen
3811 Bee Cave Rd Suite 205
Austin, Texas 78746
(512) 422 8200 or 328-0487
e mail Bskeen@apttx.com
BOARD: Overseers and Fellows
A board of overseers, assisted by a cadre of dedicated “Rio Grande Fellows,” provides leadership both voluntary and professional for the Institute’s initiatives. They include:
Mary Yturria* of Brownsville, Texas is Chairman Emeritus of the Institute’s Board of Overseers (Directors) a tireless advocate for the Rio Grande, education, health and heritage. She founded the Brownsville Community Foundation, the Gulf of Mexico Foundation and Caminos del Rio to name a few of her projects. Mrs. Yturria is an outstanding civic leader and philanthropist who has been a mentor and inspiration for the Institute since its inception.
Glenn Smith* resides in Asutin, Texas where he is engaged in progressive political activities as a writer and advisor to public figures. He directed Ann Richards campaign for Governor of Texas, served on the staff of Lt. Governor Bill Hobby and has been a lecturer at the Rockridge Institute at Berkeley, CA.
David Austin* of El Paso, Texas is a principal in the government relations firm of Austin, Copeling and Reyes that provides services to clients in Washington, DC and the border region. David is a civic leader known for his generosity and energy.
Alberto Garza-Santos of Monterrey, Nuveo Leon is President of the Museo Maderas del Carmen, a Mexican non-profit whose extensive holdings in the Sierra del Carmen provide the nexus for a conservation and nature tourism initiative that includes a unique public-private collaboration with the Rio Grande Institute, the State of Coahuila and a variety of US and Mexican NGOs. Garza is President and CEO of PASA and a member of a prominent industrial group in Monterrey as well as an ardent conservationist.
Elizabeth Ferguson*, of Los Angeles, CA is afiliated wiith UCLA where she is conducting research as part of the National Childrens Study Team under a program funded by NIH. She is also Chair of the Transboundary Rsearch and Informartion Program, an initative being developed in conjunction with the Rio Grande Institute.
Andrea Guerrero*, San Diego, California. An expert on immigration and an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union, “Andi” is an advisor and source of inspiration for the Institute on the US-Mexico border.
Chris Jefferies, Berkeley, California. Webmaster and information technology adviser. Chris has been providing pro-bono advice and services to the Institute and other small entreprises serving the Big Bend and border area for many years.
Tyrus Fain, President Emeritus. In 1985 “Ty” founded the Public Policy Information Fund (PPIF). Following the President’s desgination of the Rio Grande as one of America’s Heritage Rivers and at the request of several local governments along the Texas- Mexico border PPIF formed the Rio Grande Institute. Ty Fain was the Institute’s first President and continued in that role until his retirement in 2009.
* Board Members.
Rev. February 23, 2011
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT RGI
By Tyrus Fain, President Emeritus (last entry July 2011)
The Rio Grande Institute receives inquiries from time to time about what it is, what it does – how and why. This provides some answers and background..
The Institute
What is RGI? - It is a non-profit organization incorporated in Texas in 1997 that has been granted public charity and non-profit status by the Internal Revenue Service. The Board of Directors consists of Mary Yturria of Brownsville, Texas (emeritus), Glenn Smith of Austin, TX, Elizabeth Ferguson of Los Angeles, CA, David Austin of El Paso and Andrea Guerrero of San Diego CA. RGI’s first President was Tyrus Fain who retired in July 2009 and was replaced by William Skeen.
Does RGI have a website and a place to be contacted? Yes, go to www.riogrande.org. Call (512) 422 8200 (Skeen) or 632 0644 ( Fain) or click info@riogrande.org RGI is a small organization with limited resources for its presented on the Internet.
What does RGI do? Over ten-plus years it has been engaged in projects focused on the Rio Grande border. They involve pre-disaster hazard mitigation planning, promotion of regional and cross-border tourism programs, preservation and re-opening of the La Linda bridge, ecology-focused service learning in public schools, promoting restoration of Rio Grande stream flow, control of saltcedar infestations in Boquillas Canyon and the Forgotten River, extension of the federally designated Wild and Scenic Rio Grande, wildfire suppression in Chisos basin forest preserves, implementation of a new management plan for Big Bend Ranch State Park and support for books, articles, films and arts projects on the Rio Grande border. The work involves research, writing, project planning, administration of grants and contracts, testimony before legislative and governmental bodies, sponsorship and participation in workshops and conferences and compliance with federal and state requirements for operation of non-profit corporations. Some is described here, more on www.riogrande.org.
Does anyone own RGI ? No, a Texas a non-profit corporation has no equity holders and when it closes-down any assets it has are liquidated under supervision of the State.
Who operates RGI ? The Board meets every year and elects officers, including a President who is the CEO. Staff and consultants are hired for work on the projects underway. Bill Skeen is President. Consultants include Tyrus Fain of Marathon (President Emeritus), Dr. Helen Pouros (Yale Forestry), Dr. Alfonso Martinez and Leticia Esquer ( Univ. Nuevo Leon), Laurel Lacy (Lacy & Associates), Larry Dovalina (D & S Associates).
What does RGI own ? It owns one piece of property -one half ownership in the US section of the international bridge to La Linda in Brewster County in a partnership with the Museo Maderas del Carmen that is registered with the State as the Consortium of La Linda (COLINDA). The only property of COLINDA consists of the bridge structure and the land beneath it – under 1/5th acre. RGI owns rights to a documentary film on the Rio Grande in association with Florentine Films; RGI also owns three computers, desks, chairs, files, camping equipment, a kayak and tools used for saltcedar control and revegetation.
Where does RGI get money to do its work ? From grants and contracts provided by government agencies, foundations and universities; a few small donations of under $1,000 have been made by individuals. Funds for acquiring the La Linda bridge from its several owners and the associated legal and survey costs were provided by Museo Maderas del Carmen. RGI’s work on La Linda other border crossings, the Wild and Scenic River and keeping state ownership of river frontage is pro-bono, i.e. not compensated and constitutes volunteer work by RGI and its staff, Board and consultants. The sources of all grants and contracts are listed on the RGI website — www.riogrande.org.
Does RGI provide grants, internships and scholarhips ? No.
What partnerships, agreements, joint ventures, obligations and other alliances does RGI have ? The Museo Maderas del Carmen and RGI have a partnership agreement on ownership of the La Linda bridge (COLINDA- Consortium of La Linda) ; RGI and the National Park Service have a cooperative agreement concerning Big Bend National Park and the Wild and Scenic Rio Grande; RGI is associated with National Parks Conservation Association through www.feelfree.org. Contracts for cooperative pro jectsare in place with PROFAUNA, AC; Texas Rivers Institute of Texas State University; the National Wildflower Center; Sul Ross State University and the Texas Division of Emergency Management. RGI is a Member of the Tamarisk Coalition, Southwest Biological Control Consortium, Chihuahuan Desert Resource Conservation and Desert Area and works in an informal alliance with the Mexican conservation organization Mundo Sustentable, AC.
Does RGI lobby ? No but it does take non-partisan positions on issues regarding the Rio Grande border. On behalf of RGI Tyrus Fain has testified by invitation before committees of the US Congress and Texas Legislature and responded to requests for meetings with government officials and legislators. In the course of that RGI has testified on behalf of a bill to extend the Wild and Scenic Designation for the Rio Grande and for re-opening the bridge at La Linda and crossings at Boquillas and Lajitas to support conservation and tourism. It has also provided draft language for legislation concerning control of invasive plants and reduction of disaster risks along the Rio Grande border to Members of Congress. RGI appeared before a Legislative Committee and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission to express opposition to the proposed sale of waterfront property on the Wild and Scenic river in the state’s Black Gap Wildlife Preserve to the General Land Office for re-sale to the CEMEX company or to otherwise remove it from public ownership.
Does RGI make contributions to or endorse candidates for public office or host events for them ? No.
Where does RGI do its work ? RGI’s focus is on the Rio Grande portion of US-Mexico border. Recently, the Cover the Border hazard mitigation project extended across 66 border region cities and counties from Pecos to Padre Island; the cross-border tourism program once extended from El Paso to the Gulf but is now concentrated in the area between Presidio and Amistad Reservoir; the saltcedar control projects are along the Rio Grande on private ranches and the state and national parks in Presidio and Brewster Counties.
Who is Ty Fain ? Does he own RGI ? Tyrus Fain is the founder of RGI, formerly a resident of El Paso and Marathon (1998-2010) and now a resident of Austin . He retired as President and a Member of the Board of RGI in July 2009 but continues as a Senior Advisor. Mr Fain is Managing Partner of the COLINDA Partnership for RGI but does not own any interest in the La Linda bridge.
Who runs RGI? The President and CEO of RGI is Bill Skeen who lives in Austin and has long experience working on restoration of border-area historical properties and housing for low income families and senior citizen. He is hired by the Board of Directors of RGI.
Saltcedar (Tamarisk)
What is saltcedar ? It is a non-native plant that was introduced from the middle east in the 1800s for ornamental and erosion control purposes. The most common species (Tamarisk R_) is highly invasive and has crowded out native vegetation and created monocultures along many Western US rivers, including the Rio Grande and Pecos. There is a larger saltcedar (Athel) that is less invasive and provides shade for homes and villages in the Chihuahuan desert.
Why biological control of saltcedar ? The spread of these plants is very difficult to stop. The use of herbicides is very expensive if employed on a plant by plant basis and environmentally dangerous if applied by aerial spraying. In its original habitat for thousands of years saltcedar proliferation has been limited by its native predator – a small beetle whose only diet is saltcedar foliage. Those insects exist in a symbiotic relationship with the plant that limits is propagation.
Scientists from the USDA Agricultural Research Service have been working for over twenty years to assure that these beetles can be safely released into infested areas in the US. Their efforts have paid-off and major saltcedar control and restoration work is having success on the Colorado, Green, Dolores and Carson rivers as well as Bealls Creek near Big Spring Texas. RGI worked from 2006-2009 under federal grants with USDA scientists and the Chihuahuan Desert RC & D Area to establish a colony of the beetles along the Rio Grande on the forgotten river stretch (La Junta de los Rios) upstream from the juncture of the Conchos tributary. Other organizations worked downstream from the Presidio through the Big Bend state and national parks to release the beetles and establish colonies.
Colonies of beetles were established in 2009-2010 and have begun defoliating saltcedar across infested areas from the La Linda crossing area (Adams Ranch) up the Rio Grande to the Candelaria community. These tiny creatures feed only on Tamrisk plants, providing a cost effective way to reduce saltcedar dominance and restore native habitat along the river. RGI cooperated on the La Junta project with Mexican government conservation agencies, the IBWC and private ranchers; its work was funded awards from the USDA, Meadows Foundation and World Wildlife Fund. Follow-up on RGI’s La Junta Project is being conducted by Sul Ross State University. Contact: Chris Ritzi, Chairman of the Biology Department (critzi@sulross.edu)
The Athel Issue - Although RGI was assured that the beeles being released would not feed on Athel Saltcedar plants reports surfaced after the La Junta project was concluded that beetles were defoliating Athel plants in a number of areas near Presidio. Although the RGI La Junta project has been completed and all releases of beetles were under direction of the USDA there is a continuing interest in this matter by RGI. Accordingly some work is being undertaken by RGI in consultation with IBWC to facilitate monitoring of Athel impacts and mitigate damage to shade trees in Mexico
The La Linda Bridge and Maderas-Big Bend Conservation Corridor
Does RGI own the Bridge ? Why ? In 2000 the Brewster County Judge and Big Bend National Park asked for help from La Linda to halt implementation of an order from the US Coast Guard to have the Bridge removed. Subsequently the National Park Service and RGI signed a Cooperative Agreement in which they agreed to work together to re-open the bridge and other border crossings associated with the Park. In 2007 the Texas Legislature passed a resolution signed by Governor Perry calling upon state agencies to work with RGI on behalf of reopening the bridge for tourism and conservation. From the outset RGI worked to preserve the bridge and have it support the cross-border tourism priorities in the Border Tourism Plan prepared at the request of the Texas Legislature in 2003. Following the 2006 annual US-Mexico Bridges and Border Crossings working group meeting RGI was informed by the State Department and Coast Guard that if the bridge is not to be put into use it will be removed and further, there will be no consideration of re-opening unless ownership of the US Section is consolidated and the new owners meet certain criteria. There was no support forthcoming for state, federal or county ownership so RGI consulted with interested officials and stakeholders and then proceeded to form the COLINDA partnership in order to purchase the bridge property and meet the terms set for its re-opening, either directly or in concert with new owners. Future work on La Linda will be determined by RGI’s board of directors and the COLINDA Partnership in consultation with the US and Mexican governments. Input was sought from interested parties in a series of local workshops in 2009-2010.
Shouldn’t the Bridge be Owners and Operated by either the Federal, State or Logal Government ? Yes and RGI has continuall taken that position. It is actively encouraging the US government to acquire the American section of the bridge and have it become transportation infrastructure for the US-Mexico collaboration on conservaiton along the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo in the Big Bend-Maderas del Carmen region.
Should the bridge be demolished or re-opened ? RGI has been working to have it re-opened on terms that will compliment an officially sanctioned plan for a cooperative program of conservation, scientific research, education, public safety and interpretive tourism. If there is no such plan or program neither the US government nor COLINDA will allow the bridge to open. Until such time as the bridge can be put into operation RGI believes it should be preserved, preferably as an asset belonging to the people of the United States. Its destruction and replacement with a wall or fence is not an acceptable or sensible alternative. We believe demolition of the bridge would symbolize failure of any hope for a cooperative program across the border.
Will La Linda be a magnet for violent smugglers and drug runners ? When the bridge is in operation US and Mexican law will require the presence of law enforcement officers. When it is not open it will be barricaded like it is now and there is no requirement that law enforcement be present. Those who wish to cross the border illegally or pass contraband prefer to use routes where they are not detected because no one is there to see them, or where their cargo can be hidden in large vehicles or un-noticed in traffic confusion, or where they have corrupted law enforcement. Accordingly, COLINDA believes there will be more safety and security if the bridge is open, inspection facilities are operating and there is vigilant law enforcement along Ranch Road 2627 and associated roads and trails. The US government will not allow the bridge to re-open unless it is considered a safe crossing.
Will the bridge benefit ordinary people, business and conservation ? Yes, but only if there is no high-volume commercial/industrial traffic or there is lax law enforcement. If the bridge and other “soft” border crossings operate within a well conceived plan for a binational conservation area and associated low-impact nature-based tourism they can be critical infrastructure in an expansion of the sustainable tourism-based economy enjoyed by Brewster County. That will necessarily be a slow process realized in small steps and won’t “just happen” without careful planning, public/private partnership and people-friendly law enforcement. The alternative is to abandon prospects for a safe cooperative conservation program of the kind under consideration by the US and Mexico, leaving La Linda and that area as a “badland” ready to be exploited by drug cartels, smugglers and industrial interests.
Will the future of border crossings effect land values in the US or Mexico ? Yes and both sides should benefit over the long term if La Linda and pedestrian crossings are re-opened and operated safely. On the other hand, if the Maderas and Ocampo areas become an industrial zones or chronic crime scenes the safety and quality of life of residents on either side will decline along with the value of their property and businesses.
Who will ( or will not ) be able to cross at La Linda, how often, starting when? All of this will hopefully be addressed in the on-going discussions between the US Secretary of Interior and his Mexican counterpart at SEMARNAT. RGI and its COLINDA partner envisage the US and Mexican resource management agency ( NPS and CNA) planniingfor series of steps starting with opening for use “by appointment” by authorized conservation-education groups, federal and state resource management and law enforcement, scientific research and emergencies associated with fires and accidents. At some point permits and procedures for use of the bridge might be granted to residents for medical, family, emergency travel and celebrations such as International Day at BBNP.
As visitor amenities, transportation infrastructure and public safety matters are dealt with COLINDA and the federal inspection authorities can grant more appointments for bridge use and open the facility for use by groups accompanied by licensed guides and outfitters and by day-visitors to the Village of La Linda or groups starting or concluding a river trip on the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo.
As long as it is the owner/operator COLINDA will not permit industrial or commercial cargo vehicles to use the bridge at any time and has no plans to allow any use of the bridge by casual visitors who wish to cross the river on self-guided trips. The US section of La Linda is a Congressionally authorized toll bridge and its use can be limited by the owners and, of course, the government authorities.
What are RGI’s dealings with historic crossings at Boquillas, Paso Lajitas, Candelaria etc.? RGI has testified before Congress and had numerous meetings with US officials in support of re-opening the so-called “soft” crossings. Good news came in 2011 with notification that the National Park Service is proceeding with plans to re-establish a procedure to allow visits to cross from BBNP to Boquillas by boat. We see that as a vital part of a binational conservation and tourism development program now being considered for the report being prepared the Obama and Calderon administrations. Our involvement varies with each of the crossings. RGI has a saltcedar control project underway on Rancho Pensado where the Candelaria bridge was situated before being removed and we helped the owners develop arguments on behalf of retaining the bridge. US access to Paso Lajitas is owned by a private company which is advocating re-opening of a crossing with encouragement from RGI as infrastructure for binational conservation and nature tourism development. In past years RGI worked with Lajitas on clearing saltcedar at the crossing site and planting a cottonwood grove for a birding and picnic site. In 2003 the Lajitas Corporation donated $100,000 through RGI for Florentine Films for work on the Big Bend segment of a Rio Grande documentary. RGI’s involvement in re-opening the Boquillas crossing is in support of its Cooperative Agreement with the National Park Service which owns that crossing point. In 2006 RGI recruited twenty-one workers from Boquillas and secured IBWC river area work permits that allowed them to join BBNP saltcedar control teams That year the workers took home to Boquillas over $12,000 in wages. The previous year RGI worked with a Mexican non-profit (Pro Fauna) the World Wildlife Fund and Mexico’s Protected Area Commission to provide NPS and private funding of over $20,000 for Boquillas workers involved in riparian restoration in Boquillas Canyon. Through its collaboration with BBNP, WWF and Mexican government agencies RGI has been working on planning that will lead to a sustainable economic relationship with Boquillas and nearby ejidos based on conservation work and interpretive tourism. Contrary to what some have said, RGI sees immediate opportunities for re-opening the Boquillas river crossing followed, as plans materialize by opening other pedestrian crossings and a vehicular crossing at La Linda.
Disaster Prevention – Mitigation of Transboundary Hazards
What are the greatest risks facing the Rio Grande Valley from hurricanes ? Based on our studies dating back to 2001 and the work of independent risks analysts and engineers the list is quite long. It includes in no particular order: tidal and floodwater surges across industrial and residential areas of Brownsville and Matamoras; levee and dam failure in Texas or Tamaulipas; toxic spills or releases into residential or ecologically sensitive areas; cross jurisdiction communications breakdowns; failure or absence of emergency evacuation plans across the border; breakdown of cooperation and communication between US and Mexican authorities. The 1980 agreement between the US and Mexico for cooperation on planning for disasters was never implemented. It was replaced with another in 2008. It has not been implemented either.
What is hazard mitigation ? The term is used by disaster managers when speaking of actions to reduce or eliminate known risks to lives and property. RGI’s work in communities along the Rio Grande includes assessment of transboundary hazards associated with floods, tidal surges, dam failures and levee breeches as well as spills or releases of toxic chemicals, breakdown of communications equipment or protocols, humanitarian evacuation or shelter needs and deployment of emergency medical resources.
What is a transboundary risk or TRIMS ? There is always a potential for damage to lives, health, property that originates on one side of the border but has an impact on the other. Floodwaters, toxic plumes, tornadoes, winds and contagious disease ignore political boundaries. Failures the secure or contain fires, epidemics, toxic spills etc by authorities on one side of the border can threaten residents on the other side. Accordingly, RGI is working with local, state and federal authorities in sister cities along the Rio Grande border to design and install Transboundary Risk Identification and Mitigation Systems (TRIMS) for protection against natural disasters and catastrophic accidents.
How can I help RGI in its work? A donation can be made and listed as a charitable contribution under provisions of action 501 C 3 of the Internal Revenue Code. RGI can consider offers for volunteer work or donation of supplies or office equipment. Feedback about what we are doing, including constructive criticism is welcome and very helpful.
