If you sail on Galveston Bay, this may be of interest.
Public comments needed
From HYC:
"As some of you may already be aware, the Port of Houston Authority has applied for a permit from the Corps of Engineers to widen and deepen the Bayport Channel. While the dredging project itself should have little impact on the Club, one potential plan for disposal of the resulting dredge material is of major concern to the Club. The Port is proposing in its permit application one option to dispose of all of the dredge material in a new, very large dredge island west of the Houston ship channel and north of HYC. The island would initially be below water level, with the ability to raise it higher in future years. The Port is also including an option in its permit application to dispose of the dredge material in existing disposal cells on the east side of Atkinson's Island.
The immediate past and current HYC Flag have been meeting with the Port for nearly a year to express our opposition to any dredge material disposal west of the ship channel in the Upper Galveston Bay area. We believe that the island would represent a significant hazard to navigation in an area of the Bay heavily used by recreational boaters, could damage a world-class sailboat racing venue, and would take away a public asset from all boaters in the Galveston Bay area. There would be other safety, environmental, and community impacts as well that HYC and other affected parties are concerned about.
The HYC Flag just found out two days ago that the Public Notice has been published. Public comments are due on June 4, although the Club and other interested parties are requesting an extension from the Corps and TCEQ for the comment period. The Public Notice can be found at http://www.swg.usace.army.mil/reg/notice/PN2011-01183.pdf. We encourage all members to submit comments to the Corps and TCEQ. We will send out sample letters shortly if you need some help with the letters.
Be assured that the HYC Flag and Board of Trustees are vigorously opposing the taking of our waters. In addition to continued meetings with the Port, the Flag is meeting with area elected officials, talking to other affected constituencies, and developing a legal and technical strategy for protecting our front yard. But we need your help now as well. In addition to writing letters to the Corps and TCEQ, please contact your elected representatives and ask for their help in preserving the Bay for future generations.
We'll keep you posted as this issue continues to develop."
Public comments needed
From HYC:
"As some of you may already be aware, the Port of Houston Authority has applied for a permit from the Corps of Engineers to widen and deepen the Bayport Channel. While the dredging project itself should have little impact on the Club, one potential plan for disposal of the resulting dredge material is of major concern to the Club. The Port is proposing in its permit application one option to dispose of all of the dredge material in a new, very large dredge island west of the Houston ship channel and north of HYC. The island would initially be below water level, with the ability to raise it higher in future years. The Port is also including an option in its permit application to dispose of the dredge material in existing disposal cells on the east side of Atkinson's Island.
The immediate past and current HYC Flag have been meeting with the Port for nearly a year to express our opposition to any dredge material disposal west of the ship channel in the Upper Galveston Bay area. We believe that the island would represent a significant hazard to navigation in an area of the Bay heavily used by recreational boaters, could damage a world-class sailboat racing venue, and would take away a public asset from all boaters in the Galveston Bay area. There would be other safety, environmental, and community impacts as well that HYC and other affected parties are concerned about.
The HYC Flag just found out two days ago that the Public Notice has been published. Public comments are due on June 4, although the Club and other interested parties are requesting an extension from the Corps and TCEQ for the comment period. The Public Notice can be found at http://www.swg.usace.army.mil/reg/notice/PN2011-01183.pdf. We encourage all members to submit comments to the Corps and TCEQ. We will send out sample letters shortly if you need some help with the letters.
Be assured that the HYC Flag and Board of Trustees are vigorously opposing the taking of our waters. In addition to continued meetings with the Port, the Flag is meeting with area elected officials, talking to other affected constituencies, and developing a legal and technical strategy for protecting our front yard. But we need your help now as well. In addition to writing letters to the Corps and TCEQ, please contact your elected representatives and ask for their help in preserving the Bay for future generations.
We'll keep you posted as this issue continues to develop."
