Dozens of El Paso residents gathered to oppose a proposed highway expansion threatening the Rio Bosque Wetlands Park, emphasizing the area's environmental and cultural significance.
Martha Pskowski reports for Inside Climate News.
In short:
- The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is considering three potential highway routes through El Paso’s Mission Valley, all near the Rio Bosque.
- Local conservation efforts have restored the Rio Bosque Wetlands, creating a biodiverse habitat critical for many bird species and academic fieldwork.
- El Pasoans, including Native American communities and environmental advocates, argue that the highway would damage this vital natural and cultural asset.
Key quote:
"It will functionally kill Rio Bosque."
— Jon Rezendes, conservation advocate
Why this matters:
The need for robust infrastructure often clashes with the imperative to protect our environmental sanctuaries. Opponents argue that the project could disrupt habitats, reduce air and water quality, and sever the ecological connectivity that species rely on to thrive.
