I am opposed to development of an entertainment resort on the flats. The flats is a public area and is used by many for kayaking, kiteboarding, wind surfing, swimming, fishing, and other recreational activities. The flats, supports many local businesses from the recreational opportunities of the landscape and accessibility to the bay.  This public park should remain as  bayside public beach.

The proposed area for development is immensely important for many bird species throughout the year.  Over 50 bird species annually use this area.  It is not unusual to count over 600 black skimmers resting on the flats.  During spring and fall migration it is a critical stop-over site for feeding and resting shorebirds that travel 1000’s of miles to and from northern breeding grounds.  It is the only site on SPI where this type of bird aggregation occurs.  Piping plover and red knot are federally threatened species while reddish egret and peregrine falcon are state threatened species.  Snowy plover and Wilson’s plover are in serious decline.  Ecotourists from around the world come to the Rio Grande Valley and SPI to see our waterbirds and shorebirds, a significant economic benefit.  Surveys of bird use and environmental impact studies should be conducted immediately before any development plans proceed.


DISCLAIMER: This petition was created by the Lower Rio Grande Valley Sierra Club. Required fields are necessary for acceptance and consideration by the Cameron County Commissioners.