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Checking the scene in Topolobampo
By Jason Hennington \ Special to the Avalanche
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Sul Ross students and sponsors, front, from left, Diego Jimenez, Ying Jing Xing, Elsa Dominguez, Jennifer Chavarria, Oswaldo Orozco, Leticia Tamayo, Pam Marett, Myrna Ruiz, Diwash Pokharel, Vicky Barge; back, from left, Leo Dominguez, Perla Dozal, Benjamin Dozal, Alfonso Solis, Peyton Marett, Juan Nieto, Sawit Sriwarom, Ryan Zent, Abby Garza, Robert Barge, Jason Hennington
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A Sul Ross State University delegation saw the proposed locally controversial La Entrada international trade route from the Mexican side during a recent trip.
Dr. Pamela Marett, associate professor of business administration; Leo Dominguez, associate vice president of Advancement and University Relations; Jason Hennington, Sul Ross news writer; and MBA students from Alpine joined MBA students from Chihuahua, Mexico, for a field trip to Port Topolobampo in early December. The trip was intended for students to see firsthand what they had been researching and to gain insight on the project.
La Entrada seeks to create a more efficient way to transport goods from Pacific ports in Mexico to the central United States. This route would use the border crossing in Presidio as an alternative to the overcrowded crossing in El Paso. At the same time, according to planners, La Entrada would relieve some of the traffic in the port at Long Beach, Calif.
The proposed truck route, however, threatens to pass through Alpine and the Big Bend, causing controversy locally. Concerned residents believe the increased truck traffic will jeopardize the beauty of the region, and they are seeking an alternate route.
"Weekly reports and editorials in the local papers make it clear that the reasons people choose to reside in Brewster County - its beauty, unique topography and peace and quiet - shall be destroyed by this trade route," Marett noted before the trip. "Yet, apart from the image provided in the papers of hundreds of trucks barreling through downtown Alpine, what do we really know about La Entrada?"
The field trip provided considerable insight.
According to port officials, the geographic position of Port Topolobampo is strategic for importing and exporting goods between the central-east region of the United States and Asia.
Because of this, commercial interchanging is encouraged by the North Logistic Corridor Project, the governments of the Mexican states of Sinaloa and Chihuahua, and Texas in the United States.
Presently, the port invests in machinery and equipment for shipping bulk minerals such as iron and copper, as well as material from the mineral deposits located near the port. The port's location and infrastructure allow the handling of containers, agricultural bulk and minerals, as well as adequate conditions for receiving large vessels.
"Mexico needs this and wants this," Marett said. "Just seeing everything is a real wake-up."
The journey included a drive to Creel, Chihuahua, Mexico, and a train ride through Copper Canyon to Los Mochis. From there, the Sul Ross delegation toured Port Topolobampo, met port officials and representatives, and heard a number of presentations on the benefits of the port.
"It will provide opportunities and jobs for people," said Juan Carlos Nieto of Presidio.
Students had their views on La Entrada before embarking on the trip, and some changed their minds after returning.
Diwash Pokharel of Nepal believes this can be a plus for the American economy.
"Although it has positives and negatives, for the economy it will be good," Pokharel said.
Ying Jing Xing of China thinks the controversy in Alpine will cause rerouting to a different area.
"It may go to another community because of the resistance," Xing said.
"The idea is to gain access to Asian goods coming into Mexico and relive congestion in Long Beach," said Ryan Zent of Alpine. He believes a compromise can help both the environment and the transporting.
"If the economy can be taken care of in a friendly way through a compromise, then it would be good," he said.
After visiting the port, some students agreed that La Entrada is good for the country, but both sides will have to bend to make it work.
"A bypass out of Alpine's city limits would make it work," said Steve Sawit Sriwarom of Thailand. "Somebody has to sacrifice for the whole country."
At Port Topolobampo, presentations were given about the benefits of La Entrada, and it appeared that everything is already in order to happen.
"They really want to get started," Nieto said. "Funding, government and private investors are ready, now they just need to coordinate."
"It's definitely happening," said Vicky Barge of Fort Davis.
Traveling in the Topolobampo area was a first for the students; some were surprised.
"I never saw ports before, and it's good to know about them," Pokharel said. "I was expecting big ports with 50 or 60 ships. There were only a few ships because this is just the beginning stage."
Students saw no construction at the port; presentations revealed that work is to begin in January.
Port Topolobampo was showcased as a shipping station as well as a tourist attraction. Students saw much of what it had to offer through a land and water tour.
"I expected to hear more about the port expansion," Nieto said. "It was interesting that they were also speaking of tourism."
During the train trip, students saw both beautiful scenery and poverty. Throughout Copper Canyon there were a number of small houses and very poor communities. Marett and others said they did not expect to see these types of living conditions. "I thought it would be beautiful and picturesque," Barge said.
The travelers said expectations were met and exceeded - not just at Topolobampo but Mexico itself.
"Everything is totally different from what I had heard," Sriwarom said. "You don't really know about Mexico until you are there."
"This was an enjoyable trip, and it was a fantastic group. We saw and learned a great deal," Marett said.
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