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WESLACO, RGV - A roundtable discussion on flood mitigation and drainage held Oct. 14 in Weslaco could end up being one of the most consequential events in the Rio Grande Valley this year.

The in-depth discussion took place at the offices of Hidalgo County Precinct One, with the $400 million Raymondville Drain project the top issue. 

Among those who spoke at the event were U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, Jayne Harkins, commissioner for the U.S. Section of the International Boundary & Water Commission, Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez, Willacy County Judge Aurelio Guerra, Mercedes Mayor Henry Hinojosa, Hidalgo County Commissioners David Fuentes and Ellie Torres, and Hidalgo County Drainage Director Raul Sesin. 

Sen. Cornyn was the most senior figure present. After listening to elected officials, drainage experts, community leaders and farmers, Cornyn said he would act on three fronts: 

• To seek congressional authorization for federal dollars to go towards construction of the Raymondville Drain , the Valley’s No. 1 flood control project;
• To bring Texas Transportation Commission Chairman J. Bruce Bugg, Jr., to the Valley to discuss flood control on the on and off ramps of Expressway 83;
• To secure additional monies for the cash-strapped International Boundary & Water Commission.

The above podcast includes the raw audio from the roundtable discussion and a news conference that followed.

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