Austin, TX (KRGV) — The Texas General Land Office says nine islands along the Rio Grande are now Texas land, giving law enforcement clear access to patrol and inspect them.

The agency said Border Patrol asked the state to review 28 islands along the river. In a news release, the GLO said these nine islands, which cover roughly 66 acres, met the treaty standard for Texas ownership based on the river's center line.

"Now that the GLO has confirmed these nine islands belong to the State of Texas, we are notifying our law enforcement partners so that they can gain access to these state-owned properties to patrol, inspect, and clear them of any illegal activity they may encounter, consistent with the law," Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham said.

Officials say the decision gives law enforcement clear access to check the islands and keep them from becoming hideouts for smuggling or trafficking. Buckingham also said the state has not confirmed criminal activity on the additional islands.

Texas plans to use Fronton Island near Roma as a model for managing the newly recognized islands. Fronton Island has been under full state control since 2023 after the federal government disputed Texas' claim to it.

After Buckingham's 2023 declaration, the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Military Department cleared vegetation on Fronton Island through Operation Flat Top. The state could eventually lease the newly recognized land for agricultural use after law enforcement assessments.