Joe Martinez
Joe Martinez, Ed.D., is a Doctor of Curriculum & Technology, a U.S. Military Veteran, and a San Benito native.
San Benito is known for many things.
It’s Freddy Fender’s hometown, for instance. It’s known for its friendly people, and it’s called “The Resaca City” (our sign upon entering the city says so)!
So, what is happening to our resacas? There seems to be an overwhelming growth of plants, a type of Hyacinth, that can take over our water systems if not eradicated quickly.
What does this overgrowth of the plantation do to our water ecosystems? Well, for one, it invades our waterways, potentially altering water flow and degrading our water quality.
These plants could also harm native aquatic life by outcompeting them for nutrients needed to survive.
It also deprives aquatic plants and phytoplankton of much-needed sunlight, which is essential for photosynthesis and, in turn, for producing oxygen.
Sunlight also helps break down harmful bacteria and contaminants that degrade the quality and purity of our water systems.
Now, let’s look at the benefits our namesake, “The Resaca City” provides.
It gives the city its identity, our nomenclature, our stamp of who we are!
Visitors come to San Benito to see our resacas because they are not as commonly seen as they are here.
Resacas also provide food for various rare birds that frequent the Valley seasonally, drawing many bird lovers and photographers to our area.
We need to treat our Resacas better because they are also a source of revenue for San Benito.
Resacas also provide an outline for running or walking trails. Many people love to exercise and walk their dogs near water, but if the water looks dirty and is overrun with invasive plants, who will want to frequent our walking trails?
Invasive water plants are an eyesore in our city, and they need to be removed.
We must act, or else the problem will fester and continue to grow. The city and other governing entities must either remove these invasive plants, contract with local vendors to do so, or support volunteer groups willing to give of their time to beautify our Resacas.
San Benito could do a lot with our Resacas. They could potentially host water-based contests yearly, such as kayaking or canoeing competitions, to improve our position on the map.
Resacas are a gift to our city, and I don’t think they’ve reached their full marketing potential. If we come together as a community, we can share part of our culture with the rest of the world through our identity and, yes, even through the beauty of our Resacas.
3 comments
It is a reckless injustice the irrigation district is doing to our community. The death of the resacas in the area are affecting the wildlife and any future migration. Something needs to be done and the community needs to know we can make a difference.
You do know that the Cameron County Irrigation District governs the majority of water Ways in our neck of the woods…….I think the city governs the easements? Someone correct me please and shed some light
You are correct in your statement. The City, within it’s limits, is resposible for basically, the areas around the water banks and parks.
The Cameron County Irrigation District is responsible for the water flow, water quality.
The general Cameron County office is resposible for areas outside the city limits.
However, not only is a joint venture needed, but one of these entities should show good faith by improving what they DO have control over until a plan is developed for a broader collaboration. There is much that the city can improve with areas around the resacas other than just the one used for the concerts. Granted, that one is a great attraction area for the public to enjoy, however, there are serveral residents that live on resaca banks that need repair, and banks that don’t have parks but are definately an eye sore to our city.
I can agree with the article to a great extent, however, the larger issue (opportunity) to our city right now should be to the infustructure of streets, drainage and traffic. ALL three of which have been so badly neglected or done in areas of “preference” rather than true need. Not in the budget? Well, if the issues had been addressed much sooner the cost would have been much more agreeable and if we don’t get ahead of it soon, the cost will only be worse.
The purpose of “marketing” a city is to attract potential tax generating businesses and residents. If we can’t control traffic, our streets look like war zones (except around the government buildings) and our city smells because of improper drainage, and old water lines are continuously breaking, then who in the world would be attracted to that?
I’ve lived here since the early 80’s. I was a proud SB Greyhound for much of my life. The sad part is, I’ve grown disappointed and frustrated with the administration’s (past and present) handling of our tax dollars and their lack of UNIFIED direction for our city. I know I’m not the only resident that feels this way either. I also know that we will never be the perfect city, but rather than our officials trying to build extravigant concert venues and arenas, how about we take care of who brought you to the dance. If you really want to leave a legacy behind, you won’t find your names on those venues, you’ll find them on the lips of communities that you’ve restored to the greatness this city once was.