After many years of committed advocacy led by your San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and other community partners, Bexar County successfully secured $14.6 million for reimbursement towards the Mission Reach project in the FY 2018 Work Plan released by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).
The Mission Reach project has restored the ecosystem of an eight-mile stretch of the San Antonio River south of downtown previously channelized for flood control purposes. The project has created 113 acres of aquatic habitat, 31 riffle structures, 13 acres of embayment, and restored two river remnants while maintaining and or increasing the flood control capabilities of the original U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) project. The project is also planting approximately 23,000 native trees which will create 334 acres of riparian woodland habitat at full maturity.
“Receiving this funding is welcome news as we work with our partners to support funding for the continuation of the San Pedro Creek Culture Park and to the future ecosystem restoration of other Westside Creeks,” said Suzanne Scott SARA’s General Manager. “The Chamber’s continued advocacy for the Mission Reach reimbursement at the annual SA to DC trip has been vital in communicating with our local delegation that bringing this funding back to our community has an economic and quality of life benefit to San Antonio.”
This legislative victory is a clear result of incredibly successful SA to DC trips. Securing funds to reimburse Bexar County for the Mission Reach projects has been a key federal legislative priority of the Chamber for nearly five years. The Chamber applauds our delegation for their efforts and support in securing the reimbursement. These funds will help continue the incredible work being done by Bexar County & the San Antonio River Authority (SARA) on San Pedro Creek.
