About 75 people gathered yesterday at the El Paso Museum of Archaeology to show their support for conserving Castner Range in its natural state. El Paso Senator José Rodriguez and Representative Marisa Marquez presented a framed copy of House Resolution 306 and Senate Resoultion 506 to the Castner Conservation Conveyance Committee.
Loop 375 Project Location Map. Click on image to enlarge.
Many in attendance were curious about the construction site on Castner Range just south of the Border Patrol Museum and next to the Archaeological Museum.
In a press release from earlier this year, TxDOT explains: “The proposed Loop 375 facility (Preferred Alternative) will be constructed from approximately one mile west of US 54 to Dyer Street and will include a four-lane urban freeway divided by a concrete median barrier. The proposed Loop 375 will tie-in directly to the existing Loop 375 west of US 54 and at Dyer Street.”
Finally, in regard to the conservation of Castner Range, the EPWU/PSB proposed a stormwater and sediment detention basin to protect the neighborhoods surrounding Sun Valley Drive in the northeast sector of El Paso, Texas (the Sun Valley 205 Flood Risk Retention Project). In a letter, the Army Corps of Engineers described the project: “The proposed basin would be located upstream of the EPWU’s Northeast Channel #2, a stormwater channel that has a history of overflowing and flooding the surrounding neighborhoods. The proposed project site is west of highway US-54 on the Castner Range . . . " (Map).
Open Space Advisory Board Chairman Charlie Wakeem saw the proposed project and noted that the proposal “calls for a ponding/sediment basin that shows a much larger footprint on Castner Range than the original Stormwater Master Plan does.” EPWU officials argued that digging a detention dam that takes up more area will mean that the maintenance schedule will be shortened. Of course, the larger basin will destroy more open space – but it means that EPWU doesn’t have to work as hard. We note their choice of values.
As a result, the OSAB proposed a resolution for Council to approve that would be submitted to the Corps. City Council unanimously passed the proposed resolution at its meeting yesterday. The mayor's OSAB appointment, Environmental Engineer Katrina Martich, wrote the resolution at Charlie’s request. It was edited and approved by EPWU Stormwater Utility Manager Gonzalo Cedillos and Assistant City Attorney Lupe Cuellar. It asks the Army Corps of Engineers to include in its Environmental Assessment “an alternative that is limited in size to the smallest area needed to retain sediment, while only detaining (not retaining) runoff from the infrequent storm events (25-year and larger return periods), in order to release the storm water at a flowrate that can be safely conveyed by the downstream concrete-lined channel.”
Interesting neighbor to the south! While EP has more apathy than even here, you have more thoughtfulness and desert appreciation too, and that before it is too late.
ReplyDeleteWe must brainstorm on both the power elite of mortared rock and meeting minimums, as well as the thoughtful among the development ranks, into doing better for all income groups.
I think it can happen, but not with baby steps. Thanks for having a longer stride than the norm!