County begins negotiations on levee

Cameron County will begin contract negotiations will Dos Logistics Inc., of Donna to perform work on the county's levee enhancement project.

County commissioners on Tuesday approved awarding the contract to the company, which will provide the county with schematics and a cost estimate for the enhancing the county's levees. The contract would have to first be approved before any work begins.

County officials hope the levee enhancement can serve as an alternative to the border fence, which Department of Homeland Security officials insist is going to be constructed before year's end. The fence will stand about 18 feet high.

County Judge Carlos H. Cascos said the only thing that could halt the fence is an act of Congress.

"I know everybody doesn't agree" with the county's proposal, but "we have to do what we believe is best," Cascos said.

County Administrator Pete Sepulveda Jr. said the county is looking at a levee enhancement project similar to Hidalgo County's.

With the DHS pushing to have construction of the fence completed by Dec. 31, the county has to aggressively pursue the project. Officials are expected to notify DHS of the county's intentions today in hopes of getting the federal government to grant the county a deadline extension.

The contract with Dos Logistics could be presented to the County Commission within the next two to three weeks to see if the proposed work is feasible.

Prior to the contract approval, several landowners who will be affected by the fence asked the county officials not to award the contract and to continue to voice the concerns of those affected.

"I feel you are not voicing it loud enough for us," said landowner Michelle Monciviaz. "You tell me: What else can I do as a landowner?" she said, adding she has sent more than 50 letters to federal and state officials seeking their help with little to no response.

Precinct 1 Commissioner Sofia C. Benavides said she has arranged for agents from U.S. Customs and Border Protection to meet with the landowners to discuss their concerns on Monday. She is sending letters to them to inform them of the meeting.

"The judge is right. I don't think we can stop them (DHS)" from constructing the fence, Benavides said.

Resident Sarah Bishop Merrill said more studies need to be done. She is concerned that the fence would cut off access to Sabal Palms and the Southmost Preserve.

"We are having training this Saturday to do civil disobedience and (teach the public how to) lie down in front of a bulldozer," Merrill said.

Previous statements that county officials are not doing anything to help the landowners didn't sit well with Precinct 3 Commissioner David Garza, who said, "I don't appreciate those comments."

"I still stand against the wall, but refuse to sit here and do nothing ... We have not been sitting here idly," Garza said.

lmartinez@brownsvilleherald.