Notice and Opportunity to Comment on Requests for Consistency
Agreement/Concurrence Under the Texas Coastal Management Program
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 26. Requests for federal consistency review were deemed administratively complete for the following project(s) during the period of December 8, 2025 to December 12, 2025. 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 §§30.20(f), 30.30(h), and 30.40(e), 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, December 19, 2025. The public comment period for this project will close at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 18, 2026.
Federal License and Permit Activities:
Applicant: Intercontinental Terminals Company, LLC
Location: The project would affect waters of the United States and navigable waters of the United States associated with Buffalo Bayou and is located in Buffalo Bayou, approximately 1-mile west of the Beltway 8 bridge crossing Buffalo Bayou, in Houston, Harris County, Texas.
Latitude and Longitude: 29.740341, -95.164426
Project Description: The applicant’s stated primary purpose of the requested authorization is to
dredge approximately 40 acres of a barge dock to allow for larger vessels and safer docking and
construct two new barge docks, and one new ship dock, as well as the deepening of three existing docks to accommodate larger vessels. The proposed project will consist of the following activities:
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The modification of the previously authorized Barge Dock 5, also known as Barge Dock 7, (western dock) and associated new work dredging to -12.5 feet mean low lower water (MLLW).
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The modification of the proposed Barge Dock 5 (75 feet by 30 feet) (eastern dock) and associated new work dredging to -18.5 feet MLLW.
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The modification of the previously permitted Ship Dock 6 (37 feet by 60 feet) and full-faced fender system and associated new work dredging to -47 feet MLLW.
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The deepening of Barge Dock 4 from the currently authorized depth of -18.5 feet MLLW to -47 feet MLLW.
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The deepening of Ship Docks 1 and 2 from the currently authorized depth of -43.5 feet MLLW to -47 feet MLLW.
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The construction of approximately 1,020 feet of combi-wall bulkhead wall along the proposed Barge Dock 5.
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The addition of silt blade dredging methods to maintain the authorized dredge depths.
These activities will result in the dredging and excavation of approximately 300,000 cubic yards (CY) of material of obtain depths of -47 feet MLLW within approximately 42.0 acres and -18.5 feet MLLW within 6.23 acres. Approximately 0.5 acres of material above the MLLW line will be excavated to provide the area necessary to safely maneuver and berth incoming and outgoing vessels. Approximately 315,000 CY of material located below the MLLW line will be dredged within an approximate 12-acre dredge footprint to obtain depths of -47 feet MLLW within Ship Docks 1-4, and 6. Approximately 128,000 CY of material located below the MLLW line will be dredged to obtain depths of -18.5 feet MLLW within Barge Docks 5 and 7. A mechanical of hydraulic dredge would be used to remove the material located beneath the MLLW line.
Additionally, site development consisting of the mechanical excavation, modification of site elevations, and mechanical trenching preparation for the installation of the modified bulkhead wall will be required within the portions of the project area located above the MHW line. The proposed 1,020 feet of modified bulkhead will be positioned so that no portion will be installed below the MHW line. All piles supporting the new bulkhead wall will be pneumatically driven into place and spaced accordingly to ensure structural integrity. The proposed project will also require the discharge of clean fill material behind the proposed bulkhead wall alignment. None of the proposed clean fill material will be placed below the MHW line.
The proposed modified Barge Dock 5 will be positioned perpendicular to the Houston Ship Channel along the proposed bulkhead wall and will consist of a full-faced fendering system. The proposed ship and barge docks will exhibit a minimum 225-foot setback from the limits of the Houston Ship Channel. The proposed modified Barge Dock 5 will be supported by concrete piles pneumatically driven to depths to ensure structural integrity.
The applicant has provided the following explanation why compensatory mitigation should not be required: The applicant has not proposed to mitigate for the proposed impacts because there will be no permanent loss of waters of the U.S. and dredge material will be placed in designated placement areas.
Type of Application: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit application # SWG-2007-00909. This application will be reviewed pursuant to Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. Note: The consistency review for this project may be conducted by Texas Commission on Environmental Quality as part of its certification under §401 of the Clean Water Act.
CMP Project No: 25-1045-F1
Further information on the applications listed above, including a copy of the consistency certifications or consistency determinations for inspection, may be obtained from the Texas General Land Office Public Information Officer at 1700 N. Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas 78701, or via email at pialegal@glo.texas.gov. Comments should be sent to the Texas General Land Office Coastal Management Program Coordinator at the above address or via email at federal.consistency@glo.texas.gov.