Weir Waiting: Atkinson advises holding project pending Mexico's approval

The Brownsville Public Utilities Board expects to receive Mexico's approval for a weir project July 15.

However, Commissioner Charlie Atkinson asked that not "another dime" be spent on the project until Mexico gives its approval.

Atkinson's comments came during a contentious commission workshop Tuesday where PUB CEO John Bruciak and Mayor Pat M. Ahumada, who sits on the PUB, provided a status report at Commissioner Carlos Cisneros' request.

"At the end of the day, you are creating a phantom weir dam that we are never going to see. Stop it now," Atkinson told Bruciak, adding that this project was starting to seem like the Brownsville Navigation District's non-existent international bridge project.

Bruciak said he would be the first to, "pull the plug" if the weir couldn't be built and later noted that the weir proposal has no similarity to the bridge project.

Atkinson, along with Commissioners Ricardo Longoria Jr., Cisneros, Edward Camarillo and Anthony Troiani, collectively complained about Ahumada and his involvement in the weir project. The commissioners charged that there is lack of communication, that they are not being apprised of the project's progress, that the mayor is traveling to Mexico, and that commissioners have been excluded from participating in project-related meetings.

PUB has spent approximately $9 million toward the project that carries an estimated $55 million price tag. PUB has spent roughly $9.5 million toward the weir project and has received grants totaling $18.3 million.

The purpose of the project is to capture excess water and create a long-term water supply for the city and region.

Bruciak said the International Boundary and Water Commission identified the need for the project in 1957. PUB identified it in its water supply report in 1984 and it was included in the regional water plan in 2002 and 2007. Bruciak said PUB secured all the required permits for its construction by 2003.

He noted that PUB would develop plans and specification when Mexico approves the project and said that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security would not consider the weir as an alternative to the border fence because it is not ready for construction.

Commissioners also took Ahumada to task for saying previously that Mexico would approve the weir in April, but Ahumada fired back that Mexico provided the dates and that he has no control over what happens in Mexico.

Ahumada did note that had it not been for his initiative and contacts in Mexico, the country would not have identified the weir project as a priority and it would not be presently under consideration.

"Don't fault me for doing the mayor's job," Ahumada said.

eperez-trevino@brownsvilleherald.com