Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Devils River?
The Devils River watershed covers parts of Schleicher, Crockett, Sutton, Edwards and Val Verde Counties in Southwest Texas. The surface water flows of the Devils River arise in northern Val Verde County, originating near Juno, Texas and flowing approximately 40 miles south into the Rio Grande at Amistad Reservoir, ultimately providing water to the lower Rio Grande Valley. The Devils River watershed is one of the most diverse and ecologically intact watersheds in Texas and home to the purest river in the Southwest United States.
Who is the Devils River Conservancy (DRC)?
Formed in 2010, DRC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The mission of DRC is to preserve and protect the Devils River and the lands within its watershed. DRC is committed to promoting the significance of the Devils River and ensuring that this uniquely pristine watershed remains a natural and scenic treasure for future generations of Texans. Since taking the first stance against industrial development in the region, DRC has become the rallying point for local stakeholders with a strong and reasonable voice.
Is DRC opposed to wind power?
DRC fully supports renewable energy. However, DRC is dedicated to the protection and preservation of the rich biodiversity that defines the Devils River and the lands within its watershed. Wind energy installations compromise the abundant environmental values and services this region provides and risks impact to one of Texas’s most unique, scenic, and untouched treasures, the Devils River.
Who funds DRC?
The DRC is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Our board members are listed on our website, but we do not disclose the names of our individual donors.
This is private property; shouldn’t anyone be allowed to do anything they want?
We are staunch supporters of private property rights and believe that everyone should be able to do what they want on their land so long as it is legal, ethical and does not harm your neighbor. This is Texas! But we are also dedicated to preventing wind energy developments from compromising one of Texas’s most unique natural treasures.
There are already wind farms operating in the Devils River area. Why is DRC opposed to any new proposed wind farms?
DRC strongly supports renewable energy and development by design. However, it is opposed to any wind power in the immediate region around the Devils River in Val Verde County. Not only will 700-foot wind turbines obstruct the view and destroy the natural beauty of the land, but they will also impact local and migrating populations of bats and birds, as well as disrupt the delicate and rich biodiverse ecosystem of the region. The Devils River is a true national treasure and wind farms would destroy the region’s natural beauty and environmental values.
Who owns the existing wind turbines and who maintains them?
The Rocksprings Val Verde Wind Farm is owned and operated by a partnership of the French company Akuo and the United Arab Emirates’ Masdar. Mr. Sun Guangxin is connected to this project through his Harvest Texas land parcel, which has nine turbines covering approximately 8,000 acres.
What does DRC want to happen?
DRC would like the owners of the land to realize the neighboring 150,000 acres have long held voluntary conservation easements and to join this conservation legacy so that the unique ecosystems and natural beauty of the watershed is protected forever. However, to date, the owner of the land and their appointed representatives have stated their determination to build wind farms all over Val Verde County.
In general, DRC would like to see more land in the Devils River region dedicated to conservation easements to protect this unique area for generations to come.
What has Mr. Sun Guangxin purchased?
Mr. Sun Guangxin, through a variety of subsidiaries, has acquired ten ranches in the Devils River watershed totaling about 132,000 acres. The ranches are in proximity to Laughlin Air Force Base and the U.S.-Mexico border.
What can concerned citizens do?
Texans and other Americans should contact their local, state, and national representatives. Call your representatives in Congress and at the Statehouse! You can find contact information by using official websites like this: https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials and inform them of the problem. You can also direct your representatives to the Don’t Blow It Texas website to learn more. Finally, ask them to raise the issue publicly and write to the Treasury Department with their concerns.
Contact information for select Texas and US Senators and Congressmen:
US Representative Tony Gonzales (TX-23)
317 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-4511
Website: https://hurd.house.gov
US Senator John Cornyn (TX)
517 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-2934
Website: https://www.cornyn.senate.gov
US Senator Ted Cruz (TX)
Russell Senate Office Building 127A Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-5922
Website: https://www.cruz.senate.gov
Texas House Representative Eddie Morales (District 74)
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
Phone: (512) 463-0566
eddie.morales@house.texas.gov
Texas Senator Roland Gutierrez (District 19)
P.0. Box 12068 Capitol Station Austin, TX 78711
Phone: 512-463-0119
Website: https://senate.texas.gov/member.php?d=19
Governor Greg Abbott
Office of the Governor P.O. Box 12428 Austin, Texas 78711-2428
Website: https://www.gregabbott.com/contact-us/
Val Verde County Judge Lewis Owens
400 Pecan Street Del Rio, TX 78840
Phone: 830-774-7501
lowens@valverdecounty.texas.gov