Project Name: Watershed Protection Through Enforcement 
Basin:R 
  Sub-watershed Description: The project affects all watersheds that share a
portion of their area with the City of Laredo limits.  These include the Chacon
Creek, Zacate Creek, Sombrerito Creek and Manadas Creek Watersheds.  The
following approximate the longitude and latitude of tributary confluence with
the Rio Grande.
Sombrerito Creek: 99* 33' 23"W by 27* 36' 49"N
Manadas Creek: 99* 30' 44"W by 27* 34' 08"N
Zacate Creek: 99* 29' 38"W by 27* 29' 57"N
Chacon Creek: 99* 28' 44"W by 27* 29' 11"N

Lead Entity: City of Laredo Environmental Engineering Division
Other Participants:
Funding Source:  EPA 319(h) + city match
Amount of Funding: $268,597.44
Project Start Year: December 1997
Project Finish Year: December 2000

Contact:  Raj Guntnur, P.E. - Environmental Manager
          City of Laredo
          1110 Houston St.
          Laredo, Tx. 78042
          tel: (956) 791-7358
          fax: (956) 791-7496
          e-mail: raj@icsi.net

Abstract:  The City of Laredo has recently been identified as the second fastest
growing city in the U.S.  Due to this tremendous growth, land is being developed
at an alarming rate.  In the past year approximately 250 land clearing and
grading activ ities in excess of 1 acre have been recorded.  Directly related to
the rate of new constructions is the incidents of dumping of debris and other
pollutants into creeks and adjacent low lying areas within the flood plain.
Included within the debris a re materials such as scrap plywood, shingles,
gypsum board, paint and solvent containers, as well as large quantities of fill
dirt from unknown origins.  The short term consequences of this activity are
primarily aesthetic.  Considering the long term effects, these activities are
changing the hydraulics of the creeks, creating flooding conditions, discharging
indeterminate amounts of pollutants and in general threatening the receiving
waters.  These activities are contributing to an already high ly impacted Rio
Grande River.  To combat the problem, the City proposes to establish a campaign
specifically to target these activities.  The program will be implemented in
three phases.  Briefly, Phase I will consist of clearly defining the flood
plains.  Phase II will consist of an educational campaign which will educate the
general public as to the consequences of improper disposal of solid waste and
potentially hazardous materials.  Phase III will involve enforcement actions.

Progress to Date:
Category : O