National Guardsmen and the Texas Department of Public Safety are guarding an island on the Rio Grande they say is a spot for human and drug trafficking.

The area, known as Fronton Island in Starr County, is being cleared out as part of Operation Lone Star.

A Rio Grande Valley botanist says Fronton Island has also been home to wildlife, and that clearing out vegetation on the island could have consequences.

“That's what's holding these islands down, this vegetation,” Betty Pérez said. “We're heading into times when there are big storms. That island will just sort of blow away, and then the silt will end up going down river and causing more damage."

Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham authorized DPS to clear and patrol the island last month. 

“We want complete operational control of the border,” Buckingham said. 

When Channel 5 News asked Buckingham for a comment regarding concerns from environmentalists, she responded by saying “they should get a real concern."

Roma assistant police Chief Francisco Garcia says they also have to deal with the drug and human smuggling activity in the area. He said he is not sure having DPS and the National Guard on the island will stop the issue. 

“They'll just probably move to a different location,” Garcia said.

DPS said they'll continue clearing out the island for the next few weeks before they start patrolling. 

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