El Paso regulates development near the Rio Grande and its tributaries through floodplain management ordinances and coordination with federal agencies including the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC).
El Paso's waterway regulations focus on the Rio Grande corridor and its flood control infrastructure managed by the Upper Rio Grande Project of the IBWC. The city's floodplain management ordinance restricts construction within FEMA-designated flood hazard areas along the Rio Grande and arroyos. Development near the river must comply with federal flood control easements maintained by the IBWC and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The El Paso Water Utilities manages water resources and coordinates with the Rio Grande Compact, a tri-state agreement between Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas. Remaining wetlands like Rio Bosque are managed under separate environmental protections. The city does not have a standalone shoreline management ordinance but regulates waterfront development through floodplain overlays and stormwater management requirements.
Violations of floodplain regulations can result in permit denials, stop-work orders, and fines. Encroachment on federal flood control easements may trigger enforcement by the IBWC or Army Corps of Engineers.
El Paso, TX
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El Paso, TX
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El Paso, TX
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El Paso, TX
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El Paso, TX
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El Paso, TX
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See how El Paso's shoreline management rules stack up against other locations.
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