Since their arrival, Space X has affected the Brownsville community and ecosystems of Boca Chica Beach. Their latest rocket launch on April 20th prompted over 27 local organizations to sign on to a letter expressing community concern, writing that Space X has been “destroying more than 60 acres of wildlife habitat for threatened and endangered species, and threatening public safety with rocket shrapnel blown into fishing spots and the community.” The letter has shown a unified front amongst local indigenous, environmental, reproductive justice, civil rights, LGBTQ+, creative groups, and more against Space X’s injustices, lack of transparency, blatant disregard for the community, and utter disrespect for our environment.

The RGV is located near the Gulf of Mexico, making it susceptible to flooding from rain, thunderstorms, and hurricanes. According to Texas Public Radio, “Hidalgo County is expanding quickly, and drainage improvements and developments can’t keep up… Colonias bear the brunt of this issue (flooding) because they exist in rural areas that aren’t built for such rapid growth and that have the worst infrastructures in the Valley — if they have any at all.”

According to an article from Rice University Kinder Institute for Urban Research (written by three urban planning researchers who grew up in the RGV), “The population in the RGV is projected to nearly double by the year 2045 (from 1.3 million to 2.4 million on the U.S. side), driven by significant employment growth.” This rapid growth can be attributed to the arrival of Space X, especially near the Brownsville area. Gentrification and rising housing costs may soon attribute to a lack of affordable housing and resources for residents in the Valley.

On Thursday, April 20th, The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission gave LNG companies NextDecade and Glenfare the green light. According to the local environmental organization Save RGV, “The Brownsville Navigation District has leased sites for LNG terminals to 5 companies for a total of 2834 acres along the Brownsville Ship Channel.” Ultimately, these projects will pose critical hazards for nearby communities and wildlife habitats. Save RGV offers a plethora of information on why the approved LNG export terminals are detrimental to the valley’s wetlands.

The peace of being surrounded by the natural world should be an experience accessible to all. Recognizing that the recreational system historically was built on oppression means there is a need to dismantle the effects of racism that have affected communities of color. The continuous presence of border patrol along the natural parks surrounding the border affects how Latinx and POC individuals in the Rio Grande Valley interact with the outdoors in 2023.

There needs to be more transparency and access to recycling and disposal services throughout Mission, Palmview, Penitas, and La Joya. As a result, our Valley landscapes are littered with illegally dumped tires, mattresses, and other bulky items. We’ve included a list of (limited) services these cities provide.with the outdoors in 2023.