Packery.Com - Information source for the proposed Packery Channel Project...
Dr. Lloyd H. Saunders
Page 3
Mollie Beattie Coastal Habitat Community
Several sections of the DEIS identify the southern boundary of
the Mollie Beattie
Coastal Habitat Community (MBCHC) site (Reach 2) as being (the northern
shoreline of Packery Channel. The MBCHC sue (which encompasses Stale
Tracts 59 and 60) extends to the southern shoreline of Packery Channel. The
boundaries of the MBCHC should he corrected in the FEIS. In addition, the DEIS
incorrectly identifies the members of the MBCHC Management team. The
MBCHC Management Team is represented by the Texas General Iand office,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and the
National Audubon Society.
The MBCHC Management Team met on July 31, 2002 to discuss the
Packery
Channel Project. A number of issues were discussed including potential indirect
impacts and habitat conversion as well as the need for monitoring and
contingency plans. The MBCHC Management Team is currently developing a
written response and will be providing specific team comments and
recommendations in the near future. During the July 8, 2002 meeting, the City of
Corpus Christi (local sponsor) was agreeable to conducting baseline surveys,
monitoring, and developing a contingency plan to address the management team's
concerns.
Potential Indirect Habitat Impacts
The project area (Reach 2) located on the west side of the
SH 361 Bridge
currently contains many diverse and ecologically sensitive habitat types such as
seagrass beds, emergent marsh, and tidal flats. As discussed during the July 8.
2002 meeting, TPWD staff and the other resource agencies are concerned about
potential scouring, erosion, sedimentation, boat wake action, increased use of the
area, etc. and the effects that these factors may have on the habitat types. TPWD
staff will work closely with the other members of the MBCHC. Management
Team in developing specific recommendations regarding baseline surveys and
future monitoring needs as well as a contingency plan to address impacts should
they occur. Although the MBCHC does not extend all the way to the GIWW,
TPWD recommends that the surveys, monitoring, and contingency plan be
developed to apply to all of the Slate's natural resources which could be impacted
by the Packery Channel Project Specifically, TPWD staff is concerned about
potential scouring or channelization which might occur at the 90-degree bend in
the existing channel. Any channelization in this area would result in seagrass
impacts. TPWD recommends that the aforementioned baseline surveys,
monitoring needs, and contingency plans be developed through coordination with
the MBCHC Management Team prior to completion of the FEIS.
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