Thread: TX:Farmers fear fence will raise water costs

I suspect they're more worried about their labor costs rising than water costs.

Farmers fear fence will raise water costs
By Brandi Grissom / Austin Bureau
Article Launched: 01/12/2008 12:00:00 AM MST


AUSTIN -- Plans to build about 50 miles of border fencing from El Paso to Fort Hancock could make accessing water for crops in the Lower Valley more difficult and more expensive, some farmers said Friday.
"The placing of the fence is just what's irking everybody," said Ramon Tirres Jr., who grows cotton on land near the Fabens port of entry.

U.S. Border Patrol officials in El Paso recently unveiled a proposal to build 54 miles of new fencing in the El Paso sector. Local farmers and Jesus "Chuy" Reyes, general manager of the El Paso County Water Improvement District No. 1, said the plans could make it harder to maintain the levees that provide water to 32,000 customers. That, in turn, could drive up rates for farmers.

"We've gone all the way to Washington and addressed it with the head of Border Patrol," said Reyes, brother of U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes, D-El Paso.

El Paso Border Patrol sector spokesman Doug Mosier said local officials were working with landowners, the water district and the International Boundary and Water Commission as they develop plans for the fencing. They have had several meetings, he said, and spoken with dozens of stakeholders. "There are no plans to deprive water to anyone in the area," Mosier said.

Brandi Grissom may be reached at bgrissom@elpasotimes.com; 512-479-6606.

http://www.elpasotimes.com/ci_7947732

Oh my gosh! They can make up any excuse. Here I'll try one...the fence will reflect the sun and cause global warming! The rust from the fence will cause the land to be full of iron! The increased heat from the sun reflecting off the fence is causing skin cancer to be on the rise! It'll make the earth heavier on this side and cause it to go spinning out into space in and uncontrolled manner!

The cost of water went up because our stupid government gave Mexico controll of the Rio Grand.

In Texas we have the right of capture. If you can collect the water, it's yours.

Dixie