Notice: Notice and Opportunity to Comment on Requests for Consistency – United States Army Corps of Engineers

October 11, 2019

October 11, 2019 17:00PM

Coastal Coordination Advisory Committee



On January 10, 1997, the State of Texas received federal approval of the Coastal Management Program (CMP) (62 Federal Register pp. 1439 - 1440). Under federal law, federal agency activities and actions affecting the Texas coastal zone must be consistent with the CMP goals and policies identified in 31 TAC Chapter 501. Requests for federal consistency review were deemed administratively complete for the following project(s) during the period of September 20, 2019 to October 4, 2019.  As required by federal law, the public is given an opportunity to comment on the consistency of proposed activities in the coastal zone undertaken or authorized by federal agencies.  Pursuant to 31 TAC §§506.25, 506.32, and 506.41, the public comment period extends 30 days from the date published on the Texas General Land Office web site. The notice was published on the web site on Friday, October 11, 2019.  The public comment period for this project will close at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 10, 2019.

FEDERAL AGENCY ACTIONS:

Applicant: United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)

Project Description:  USACE has completed an Integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Impact Statement for modifications to the existing Houston Ship Channel (HSC) System. The scope of the study area included the entire HSC, which was evaluated for current and projected vessel size and traffic. Beginning at the seaward end of the HSC (Bolivar Roads at the Galveston Entrance Channel), the study examined possible moorings and bay widening to provide for safe and efficient meeting opportunities in the Bay Reach, as well as study the following side channels:

Bayport Ship Channel, Barbours Cut Channel, Jacintoport Channel, and Greens Bayou Channel. The study also investigated deepening opportunities and widening where practicable in the upper reach of the HSC between Boggy Bayou and the Main Turning Basin. Further analysis was conducted during feasibility-level design, during which a dredged material management plan (DMMP) was developed. Placement opportunities that were evaluated included a suite of upland confined placement areas (PA), beneficial use (BU) sites, and offshore placement at the existing Ocean Dredged Material Disposal Site (ODMDS No. 1). The HSC study scope did not include the Galveston Entrance Channel, Galveston Channel, Texas City Ship Channel, or the Cedar Bayou Navigation Channel. The Galveston Entrance Channel provides access to these channels, inclusive of the HSC, from the Gulf of Mexico and its depth is sufficient since the HSC main channel from Bolivar Roads to Boggy Bayou would remain at its existing -46.5-feet mean lower low water (MLLW).

CMP Project No: 20-1029-F1

Further information on the applications listed above, including a copy of the consistency certifications or consistency determinations for inspection, may be obtained from Ms. Allison Buchtien P.O. Box 12873, Austin, Texas 78711-2873, or via email at federal.consistency@glo.texas.gov. Comments should be sent to Ms. Buchtien at the above address or by email.


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