The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Fort Worth District awarded an ecosystem restoration contract for a tract of land along the Rio Grande in Laredo under the Continuing Authorities Program. The district awarded a $2.44 million contract Sept. 17 to M.D. Merrett Inc. of Carefree, Arizona, under Section 206, Water Resources Development Act of 1996. The project is a cost-share partnership with the city of Laredo.