Related Articles Related Links

BRIEF: The Lone Star State has yet another thing to put on its list of top honors. Only in this case, the honor isn't much of an honor at all. According to the [Washington] D.C.-based river conservation group, American Rivers, two Texas waterways are in the top ten lists of most endangered Rivers. Polluted and reduced to a meandering trickle in some places, the Rio Grande is fifth on the list, while the Trinity River in East Texas is number 10. American Rivers says one reason for the Rio Grande's endangered status is a federal dam proposal in Brownsville that will deliver irrigation water to farmers. This despite water demands in the area that often dries up whole stretches of the river each year. Environmental advocacy agencies say Brownsville, Texas has cheaper options to meet its water needs, including conservation, reuse and voluntary purchases of agricultural water rights. But the Brownsville Public Utilities Board says they are addressing conservation groups' concerns with the proper regulatory agencies, including the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Water Conservation Groups note, for the last two summers in a row, the Rio Grande has failed to reach the sea. Jackson Allers, KPFT News, Houston. E-mail Jackson Allers at jacksonallers@hotmail.com . This story was broadcast on April 18, 2003.