Packery.Com - Information source for the proposed Packery Channel Project...
operation and maintenance costs of $290,000. Additional bypassing system design
details, threshold levels, and a littoral monitoring plan should be included in the FEES.
Because of the potential financial burden on the local sponsor and the current lack of
detail regarding the bypassing system for the proposed project, a financial and contractual
commitment from the local sponsor should be established prior to construction of the
proposed project to ensure that sand bypassing is adequately addressed.2.0 Project Alternatives
The analysis of salinity changes and resulting habitat evaluation procedure indicate
that the proposed Packery Channel project is expected to yield negligible environmental
benefits. The environmental justification for this project lacks detail and should be
substantiated in the FEIS.3.4.1 Mollie Beattie Habitat Community (MBHC)
The southern boundary for the MBHC includes a portion of Reach 2 of Packery
Channel and does not stop at the northern boundary of the channel as indicated in the
DEIS- The MBHC management plan team composed of representatives of GLO, Texas
Paries and Wildlife Department (TPWD), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). and
Texas Audubon Society should be consulted with regards to potential project impacts to
this sensitive area.3.4.5 Coastal Shore Areas/Beaches/Sand Dunes
The discussion of dunes should include information regarding their formation as a
result of aeolian transport of sand from the beach. The dynamic action of wind in the
beach and dune environment in the project area should be acknowledged in the FEIS as it
is likely to be a factor contributing to the transport of sediment into the proposed channel.4.1 Environmental Setting
The DEIS mentions that "there may be a slight increase in water levels in Corpus
Christ! Bay during a hurricane surge because of the new channel, but the effect is not
likely to be significant." A portion of the proposed channel in Reach 1 from the Inner
Basin to the Gulf of Mexico will occupy an existing washover area that naturally conveys
water during tropical storms and hurricanes. It appears that no analysis was performed
with regard to the functionality and hydraulics of the existing washover during storm
events. Therefore, it is unclear if the proposed channel will alleviate or exacerbate the
impact of storm waters in the vicinity of the proposed project and Corpus Christi Bay.
Additional information is needed in the FEIS to substantiate the statement regarding the
behavior of the channel during storm surges,4.4.1 Mollie Beattie Habitat Community
As stated previously, the MBHC management plan team composed of representatives
of GLO, TPWD, USFWS, and Texas Audubon Society should be consulted with regards
to potential project impacts to this sensitive area. We still have concerns regarding the
impact of boat traffic and hydrologic changes on this area. The local sponsor has
indicated that a maritime enforcement office will be opened near the project and staffed
24 hours a day by peace officers to enforce a "no wake" zone. A financial and
Copyright 2001 ©
Packery.Com all rights reserved
No tax dollars or political funds have been used to create or maintain
this web site. webmaster