KGNS - Congressman Cuellar Announces Chacon Creek Rehabilitation Study

News Article

By Matt McGovern

On Wednesday, Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28) announced the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved language in H.R. 5303, the Water Resources Development Act of 2016, to authorize a feasibility study on rehabilitating Chacon Creek in Laredo.

The committee unanimously approved this legislation. The language provides for a study on the feasibility of flood damage reduction, ecosystem restoration and recreation along the creek.

This will turn the area, which has become a serious flood risk, into a vibrant and pleasant part of the cityscape.

Cuellar has been a strong supporter of the Chacon Creek revitalization and other revitalization projects in the 28th District - working with stakeholders at the local, state and federal levels to improve the quality of life for his constituents.

Authorization for this feasibility study is a key step forward toward revitalizing Chacon Creek.

"Last year, the Army Corps of Engineers, which are the ones that we're working with, found that 73 residential structures along the Chacon Creek need to be permanently evacuated due to risk of flooding - which means that if a large storm would come, it would cause damage - up to $20 million dollars or more to private property, drainage structures and other work," Cuellar said.

Cuellar has been working to revitalize the Chacon Creek area since he started in Congress in 2005. Since then, he has worked with the City of Laredo and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to address the flooding and safety issues.

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