Zapata County Opposes Federal Border Buoys in Rio Grande

Commissioners vote to study impact of proposed 'Smart Wall' system on water flow and public safety

Mar. 29, 2026 at 4:50pm

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A serene, photorealistic painting of a single border buoy floating in the Rio Grande, the water and surrounding landscape rendered in muted earth tones and dramatic lighting, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation about the potential consequences of this proposed infrastructure.As tensions escalate over federal border enforcement, a proposed system of buoys in the Rio Grande raises concerns about the environmental and public safety impacts in Zapata County.McAllen Today

Zapata County Commissioners have passed a resolution opposing the placement of federal border buoys in the Rio Grande, citing concerns over the impact on water flow, drinking water supplies, and public safety. The county is preparing to present a plan to the Department of Homeland Security within 45 days outlining their position on the proposed 'Smart Wall' system.

Why it matters

The border buoys are part of the Department of Homeland Security's plans to install 56 miles of the 'Smart Wall' system along the Rio Grande in Zapata County. Local officials and environmentalists worry the buoys could disrupt the river's flow, trap debris during floods, and threaten critical infrastructure and public safety in the region.

The details

Zapata County Judge Joe Rathmell, a rancher and borderland owner, led the opposition to the border buoys, which he says could 'create inevitable, unique and unprecedented threats to human life, property and critical bridge infrastructure.' The county has approved spending up to $25,000 to study the potential impacts of the buoy system. Environmentalists have also presented findings from a recent river study that warn of the 'dramatic' risks, including increased flooding, debris trapping, and threats to livestock and property.

  • On March 29, 2026, Zapata County Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution opposing the border buoys.
  • The resolution authorizes the county judge to present a plan to DHS within 45 days on the county's position regarding the federal government's proposed project.

The players

Zapata County Commissioners

The governing body of Zapata County, Texas, which passed a resolution opposing the placement of federal border buoys in the Rio Grande.

Joe Rathmell

The Zapata County Judge, a rancher and borderland owner who led the opposition to the border buoys, citing concerns over water flow and public safety.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

The federal agency planning to install 56 miles of border buoys and 25 miles of new border wall as part of a 'Smart Wall' system along the Rio Grande in Zapata County.

Martin Castro

The watershed science director for the nonprofit Rio Grande International Study Center, who presented findings from a recent river study to Zapata County Commissioners.

Mark Tompkins

A fluvial geomorphologist hired by the Rio Grande International Study Center to study the potential impacts of the border buoys on the river basin.

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What they’re saying

“As it is designed, it would create inevitable, unique and unprecedented threats to human life, property and critical bridge infrastructure.”

— Joe Rathmell, Zapata County Judge

“Projects of this magnitude are going to have enormous consequences not only for our structure but for public safety and the long-term stability of this river corridor.”

— Martin Castro, Watershed Science Director, Rio Grande International Study Center

“The wall, the buoys, is essentially going to speed up what's already been happening with flooding and erosion in extreme ways. This is a public safety issue that requires more in-depth analysis and more studies from qualified professionals to really evaluate the risks to critical infrastructure and public safety.”

— Martin Castro, Watershed Science Director, Rio Grande International Study Center

What’s next

The Zapata County Judge has 45 days to present a plan to the Department of Homeland Security outlining the county's position on the proposed border buoy system.

The takeaway

This dispute over the border buoys highlights the ongoing tensions between federal immigration enforcement efforts and local concerns about the environmental and public safety impacts of border infrastructure projects in South Texas communities.