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Hidalgo County drainage board says $15 million for Delta Region water project included in state budget; seeks federal reimbursements
Summary
The Hidalgo County Drainage District’s general manager updated directors June 24 that $15 million for the Delta Region Water Management project was included in Senate Bill 1 and described ongoing federal coordination, including a meeting with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Galveston District and possible Section 204 reimbursement.
The Hidalgo County Drainage District’s general manager, Raul (General Manager), told the board June 24 that Senate Bill 1, signed by the governor, included a $15,000,000 appropriation for the Delta Region Water Management project.
“The budget check item for Delta Region Water Management project, the $15,000,000 was included in Senate Bill 1, which was signed by the governor. So those $15,000,000 are not secured for for for this project,” Raul said during the district’s meeting.
The project aims to take drainage water and produce potable water, Raul said, and the inclusion in SB1 moves the proposal “one step closer” to securing additional funding in the valley and for the district.
Raul also reported a June meeting with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston District, and federal staff in Washington, D.C., to discuss the district’s Rainbow drain work. “We had a great discussion,” Raul said, and the district’s consultant attended the meeting.
Raul told the board the Corps confirmed a possible path under Section 204 (the transcript references “section 2 0 4”) that “will allow us to seek our reimbursement, $65.35 at a minimum,” and that the district will pursue reimbursement options with federal and state senators and through the NEPA/environmental review processes. He said the district will brief the board as those federal processes advance.
Board members did not take additional formal action on the project at the meeting beyond the update; Raul said staff will return to the board with next steps as federal processes and environmental reviews progress.
Why it matters: If implemented, the Delta Region Water Management project would change how drainage flows are managed in parts of Hidalgo County by treating drainage water for potable use. Federal cost-sharing or reimbursement (including a potential Section 204 pathway) could affect project financing and timing.
Next steps noted at the meeting include continued coordination with federal and state elected officials, moving forward with NEPA and environmental review steps, and future board briefings as reimbursements and funding are clarified.
