A Message from Executive Director, Susan J. Kibbe

Dear Members,

As many of you know, border security has taken up a lot of my time since the first of the year. But there are other issues that we as an organization will continue to monitor: Water, ESA and Taxation are a few of those issues. 


The Navigable Waters Protection Rule, announced in January of 2020, ended decades of uncertainty over where federal jurisdiction begins and ends. For the first time, EPA and the Army were recognizing the difference between federally protected wetlands and state protected wetlands. It adhered to the statutory limits of the agencies’ authority. It also ensured that America’s water protections – among the best in the world – remain strong, while giving states and tribes the certainty to manage their waters in ways that best protect their natural resources and local economies. The recent new executive orders have opened the rule to change. We will continue to inform you as to how that will affect you.


The Endangered Species Act (ESA) had been changed, using determinations to add or remove a species from the lists of threatened or endangered species based solely on the best available scientific and commercial information, but it looks like added regulations will be forthcoming.


The changes on Estate Taxes are something all families should be aware of. Here’s a link that informs readers of those changes and what should be considered when estate planning:


Circling back to Border Security and Immigration Reform, I would like to ask all of our members, who have experienced property damage caused by smuggling pursuits, and other damages or theft to please fill out the survey form TODAY by clicking here (Damage Survey for Landowners), then click on 2021 Border Crisis, complete, then submit the form. 


Remember, the damages received have to have occurred beginning June 1, 2021 and after; and only in the counties that have passed an emergency declaration. Here’s a list of those counties: Brewster, Brooks, Crockett, Culberson, DeWitt, Dimmit, Edwards, Frio, Goliad, Gonzales, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Jim Hogg, Kimble, Kinney, La Salle, Lavaca, Live Oak, Maverick, McMullen, Midland, Pecos, Presidio, Real, Terrell, Uvalde, Val Verde, and Zapata.


It’s helpful to read Governor Abbott’s July 1, 2021 news release on property damages.


I would like to thank Zapata County Sheriff, Ray Del Bosque, for including STPRA in his partnership efforts in Zapata County, to help make a difference for landowners in that county. Here are a several photos of last week’s stakeholder meeting at the IBC Bank building in Zapata. 



Sarah Jones





Matthew Hudak, Laredo Border Patrol Sector Chief; Isidro Alaniz, Webb/Zapata County District Attorney, Susan Kibbe; Ray Del Bosque, Zapata County Sheriff; Congressmen Henry Cuellar’s staff members: Melissa Peña and Eric Cleveland.







We are happy to announce the slate of speakers for our October 14th annual meeting and fundraiser! The speaker portion of the event will be made up of a state legislative panel who helped pass all three of our supported pieces of legislation: Human Smuggling: relating to the prosecution and punishment of the offense of smuggling of persons; Eminent Domain: requiring a routing survey, and Landowner Privacy: for electing to manage the cane on private property.


Also speaking will be Raul Ortiz, U.S. Border Patrol Chief; George P. Bush, Texas Land Commissioner; and keynote speaker, Mark McGinnis, a top inspirational speaker and consultant with decades of leadership experience. A graduate of the United States Naval Academy and 4-year varsity football player, he has 24 years of Special Operations experience as a United States Navy SEAL. As a SEAL, Mark held leadership positions at all levels of command and led SEAL missions worldwide.


Please make plans to attend and mark your calendars for October 14th!

Until next month,

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Susan J. Kibbe
Office (361) 348-3020
Susan@STPRA.org

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