Chapter 4. Consequences of Leaving San Luis Pass Open
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Texas Rookery Islands Project
5 Chapter 5: Texas Rookery Islands Project 5.1 Restoration and Protection of Texas Rookery Islands: Project Description ................................... 1 5.1.1 Project Summary................................................................................................................. 1 5.1.2 Background and Project Description .................................................................................. 3 5.1.3 Evaluation Criteria ............................................................................................................ 13 5.1.4 Performance Criteria and Monitoring .............................................................................. 14 5.1.5 Offsets ............................................................................................................................... 14 5.1.6 Estimated Cost .................................................................................................................. 15 5.2 Texas Rookery Islands Project: Environmental Assessment ......................................................... 16 5.2.1 Introduction and Background, Purpose and Need ........................................................... 16 5.2.2 Scope of the Environmental Assessment ......................................................................... 17 5.2.3 Project Alternatives .......................................................................................................... 18 5.2.4 Galveston Bay Rookery Islands ........................................................................................ -
Improving Water Quality in Dickinson Bayou One TMDL for Dissolved Oxygen
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Total Maximum Daily Load Program Improving Water Quality in Dickinson Bayou One TMDL for Dissolved Oxygen Water Quality in Dickinson Bayou Impaired Segment Stream Segment The state of Texas requires that water quality in Project Watershed Houston Seabrook Dickinson Bayou Tidal (Segment 1103) be suitable for Galveston swimming, wading, fishing, and a healthy aquatic HARRIS Bay ecosystem. However, water quality testing found that Webster Kemah dissolved oxygen levels in the water are occasionally low. Oxygen, which dissolves in water, is essential for the survival of aquatic life. While the amount of Friendswood Dickinson dissolved oxygen in water fluctuates naturally, various League City human activities can cause unusually or chronically low 1104 1103 dissolved oxygen levels which may harm fish and other Dickinson Bayou aquatic organisms. Alvin Texas City Santa Fe GALVESTON In response to these conditions, a total maximum daily La Marque load (TMDL) project has been initiated to evaluate the effects of low dissolved oxygen on aquatic life and to BRAZORIA determine the actions necessary to maintain water Hitchcock quality in the tidal portion of Dickinson Bayou. The goal of a TMDL is to determine the amount (or load) of a 012345 pollutant that a body of water can receive and still Miles K support its designated uses. This allowable load is then allocated among all the potential sources of pollution traffic. Rice fields in the upper watershed receive within the watershed. Measures to reduce pollutant irrigation water via canals from beyond the watershed. loads are then developed as necessary. The irrigation water returns to Dickinson Bayou in the form of irrigation return flows. -
Storm Surge and the Future of the Houston Ship
Storm Surge and the Future of the Houston Ship Channel By Jim Blackburn, SSPEED Center, Rice University Excerpted from work-in-progress with Amy Jaffe, Council on Foreign Relations The Houston Ship Channel and Galveston Bay are home to eight major refineries and over 200 chemical plants producing a variety of plastics and other synthetic products. This industrial infrastructure provides about 12% of U.S. refining capacity, produces about 27% of the nation’s jet fuel and an even larger percentage of military-grade jet fuel, about 13% of the nation’s gasoline, and about 25% of the U.S. production of ethylene/propylene. This is a key region for U.S. national security as well as for the Texas and Houston-area economies. Unfortunately, this petrochemical complex is at significant risk of long- term catastrophic failure due to the potential impact of hurricane storm surge. Over the last 100 years, severe hurricanes with substantial surge have missed the Houston region. Galveston was destroyed by a major hurricane in 1900, about the time that oil and gas was discovered on the Texas coast. The major development of the Houston Ship Channel industrial complex lagged behind that oil discovery in Spindletop by at least two decades and experienced major growth and expansion before and after World War II. To date, the largest surge recorded up the Houston Ship Channel was from Hurricane Ike in 2008 and Hurricane Carla in 1961, and neither of those storms generated more than about thirteen to fourteen feet of surge up the channel, a level that can generally be accommodated by these industries. -
Suppresion of Hurricane Surge Forerunner and Peak Surge in Galveston and West Bay Achieved with A
Proceedings THC-IT-2018 Conference & Exhibition SUPPRESION OF HURRICANE SURGE FORERUNNER AND PEAK SURGE IN GALVESTON AND WEST BAYS ACHIEVED WITH A WESTERN SEGMENT OF THE COASTAL SPINE. Bruce A. Ebersole, Thomas W. Richardson and Robert W. Whalin Jackson State University Jackson, Mississippi Abstract The original Ike Dike concept was a coastal barrier, or “spine”, comprised of a continuous line of dike/wall sections that followed the coastline from Freeport, TX to Sabine Pass, TX, with storm surge gate systems at the two tidal passes, San Luis Pass and Bolivar Roads. The Ike Dike concept has evolved slightly to a shorter alignment, which turns inland at High Island and follows Texas State Highway 124 north to Winnie, TX. This latest alignment, referred to herein as Alignment 1a and comprised of western, middle and eastern dike sections, is shown in Figure 1. Figure 1 The Gulf Coast Community Protection and Recovery District (GCCPRD) conducted a Storm Surge Suppression Study; and, in their 2016 Phase 3 Report they recommended a different alignment for a coastal spine. The approximate alignment they recommended is shown in Figure 2, referred to here as Alignment 2. Their recommended alignment had only a middle section, without any eastern or western sections, and it had a storm surge gate system only at Bolivar Roads. The tidal inlet at San Luis Pass is left open in their recommended plan. The alignment shown in Figure 2 is approximate, in the sense that it is situated at the coastline; whereas, the actual alignment recommended by the GCCPRD is situated along the highways on both Galveston Island and Bolivar Peninsula. -
Bookletchart™ Houston Ship Channel – Alexander Island to Carpenters Bayou NOAA Chart 11329
BookletChart™ Houston Ship Channel – Alexander Island to Carpenters Bayou NOAA Chart 11329 A reduced-scale NOAA nautical chart for small boaters When possible, use the full-size NOAA chart for navigation. Included Area Published by the leads to Goose Creek. Private poles and markers may at times mark the preferred route. Goose Creek contains numerous oil wells, pipelines, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration pilings, and other hazards; local knowledge is advised. The creek is used National Ocean Service by oil well supply and commercial fishing vessels. Office of Coast Survey The highway bridge 2.8 miles above the entrance has a 48-foot fixed span with a clearance of 9 feet. Two highway and two railroad bridges www.NauticalCharts.NOAA.gov between the entrance and this bridge have fixed spans with a minimum 888-990-NOAA width of 32 feet and minimum clearance of 14 feet. Overhead power cables crossing the creek between the mouth and the highway bridge What are Nautical Charts? 2.8 miles above the entrance have a least clearance of 36 feet. Baytown, 4 miles above Morgans Point on the NE side of the channel, is Nautical charts are a fundamental tool of marine navigation. They show the site of the Exxon Company, U.S.A., refining facilities. water depths, obstructions, buoys, other aids to navigation, and much About 1.5 miles above the Baytown facilities, a privately maintained more. The information is shown in a way that promotes safe and channel leads in a SW direction from the main ship channel along the efficient navigation. -
Galveston, Texas
Galveston, Texas 1 TENTATIVE ITINERARY Participants may arrive at beach house as early as 8am Beach geology, history, and seawall discussions/walkabout Drive to Galveston Island State Park, Pier 21 and Strand, Apffel Park, and Seawolf Park Participants choice! Check-out of beach house by 11am Activities may continue after check-out 2 GEOLOGIC POINTS OF INTEREST Barrier island formation, shoreface, swash zone, beach face, wrack line, berm, sand dunes, seawall construction and history, sand composition, longshore current and littoral drift, wavelengths and rip currents, jetty construction, Town Mountain Granite geology Beach foreshore, backshore, dunes, lagoon and tidal flats, back bay, salt marsh wetlands, prairie, coves and bayous, Pelican Island, USS Cavalla and USS Stewart, oil and gas drilling and production exhibits, 1877 tall ship ELISSA Bishop’s Palace, historic homes, Pleasure Pier, Tremont Hotel, Galveston Railroad Museum, Galveston’s Own Farmers Market, ArtWalk 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS • Barrier Island System Maps • Jetty/Breakwater • Formation of Galveston Island • Riprap • Barrier Island Diagrams • Town Mountain Granite (Galveston) • Coastal Dunes • Source of Beach and River Sands • Lower Shoreface • Sand Management • Middle Shoreface • Upper Shoreface • Foreshore • Prairie • Backshore • Salt Marsh Wetlands • Dunes • Lagoon and Tidal Flats • Pelican Island • Seawolf Park • Swash Zone • USS Stewart (DE-238) • Beach Face • USS Cavalla (SS-244) • Wrack Line • Berm • Longshore Current • 1877 Tall Ship ELISSA • Littoral Zone • Overview -
Economic Alliance Houston Port Region
RESOLUTION NO. 001-2014 A RESOLUTION OF THE ECONOMIC ALLIANCE HOUSTON PORT REGION, SUPPORTING THE “COASTAL BARRIER” CONCEPT BEING PROPOSED BY TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY AT GALVESTON, AS THE MOST EFFECTIVE AND EQUITABLE MEANS OF PROTECTING THE ENTIRE HOUSTON-GALVESTON REGION FROM STORM SURGE AND SUB-TROPICAL RAIN EVENTS; AND PROVIDING FOR THE DELIVERY OF SUCH RESOLUTION TO TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY AT GALVESTON, THE GULF COAST COMMUNITY PROTECTION AND RECOVERY DISTRICT, AS WELL AS THOSE STATE AND FEDERAL LEGISLATORS THAT REPRESENT THE HOUSTON PORT REGION. WHEREAS, the Houston Port Region includes 16 coastal communities with a significant population of residents and businesses that can be affected by a storm surge and sub-tropical rain events; and WHEREAS, the Houston Port Region is home to the 25-mile Houston Ship Channel - home to one of the world’s most influential energy corridor and trade ports; and WHEREAS, storm surge entering Galveston Bay as a result of a hurricane or other significant storm event tends to increase in height as it moves further up into the Bay and endangers human life, destroys property, and damages sensitive ecosystems; and WHEREAS, a comprehensive flood gate and barrier system along the Gulf Coast, including San Luis Pass, Bolivar Peninsula and the mouth of the Houston, Galveston and Texas City ship channels would provide the necessary protection for the Houston-Galveston region and in particular, areas surrounding Galveston Bay; and WHEREAS, the “Coastal Barrier” concept looks to existing technology created and effectively -
Stormwater Management Program 2013-2018 Appendix A
Appendix A 2012 Texas Integrated Report - Texas 303(d) List (Category 5) 2012 Texas Integrated Report - Texas 303(d) List (Category 5) As required under Sections 303(d) and 304(a) of the federal Clean Water Act, this list identifies the water bodies in or bordering Texas for which effluent limitations are not stringent enough to implement water quality standards, and for which the associated pollutants are suitable for measurement by maximum daily load. In addition, the TCEQ also develops a schedule identifying Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) that will be initiated in the next two years for priority impaired waters. Issuance of permits to discharge into 303(d)-listed water bodies is described in the TCEQ regulatory guidance document Procedures to Implement the Texas Surface Water Quality Standards (January 2003, RG-194). Impairments are limited to the geographic area described by the Assessment Unit and identified with a six or seven-digit AU_ID. A TMDL for each impaired parameter will be developed to allocate pollutant loads from contributing sources that affect the parameter of concern in each Assessment Unit. The TMDL will be identified and counted using a six or seven-digit AU_ID. Water Quality permits that are issued before a TMDL is approved will not increase pollutant loading that would contribute to the impairment identified for the Assessment Unit. Explanation of Column Headings SegID and Name: The unique identifier (SegID), segment name, and location of the water body. The SegID may be one of two types of numbers. The first type is a classified segment number (4 digits, e.g., 0218), as defined in Appendix A of the Texas Surface Water Quality Standards (TSWQS). -
Houston-Galveston, Texas Managing Coastal Subsidence
HOUSTON-GALVESTON, TEXAS Managing coastal subsidence TEXAS he greater Houston area, possibly more than any other Lake Livingston A N D S metropolitan area in the United States, has been adversely U P L L affected by land subsidence. Extensive subsidence, caused T A S T A mainly by ground-water pumping but also by oil and gas extraction, O C T r has increased the frequency of flooding, caused extensive damage to Subsidence study area i n i t y industrial and transportation infrastructure, motivated major in- R i v vestments in levees, reservoirs, and surface-water distribution facili- e S r D N ties, and caused substantial loss of wetland habitat. Lake Houston A L W O Although regional land subsidence is often subtle and difficult to L detect, there are localities in and near Houston where the effects are Houston quite evident. In this low-lying coastal environment, as much as 10 L Galveston feet of subsidence has shifted the position of the coastline and A Bay T changed the distribution of wetlands and aquatic vegetation. In fact, S A Texas City the San Jacinto Battleground State Historical Park, site of the battle O Galveston that won Texas independence, is now partly submerged. This park, C Gulf of Mexico about 20 miles east of downtown Houston on the shores of Galveston Bay, commemorates the April 21, 1836, victory of Texans 0 20 Miles led by Sam Houston over Mexican forces led by Santa Ana. About 0 20 Kilometers 100 acres of the park are now under water due to subsidence, and A road (below right) that provided access to the San Jacinto Monument was closed due to flood- ing caused by subsidence. -
07-77817-02 Final Report Dickinson Bayou
Dickinson Bayou Watershed Protection Plan February 2009 Dickinson Bayou Watershed Partnership 1 PREPARED IN COOPERATION WITH TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY The preparation of this report was financed though grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................................................ 7 LIST OF TABLES .............................................................................................................................................. 8 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................................................. 9 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................................................ 10 SUMMARY OF MILESTONES ........................................................................................................................ 13 FORWARD ................................................................................................................................................... 17 1. INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................................................... 18 The Dickinson Bayou Watershed .................................................................................................................. -
JAMAICA BEACH RV Resort 17200 FM 3005 • Galveston, TX 77554 • GPS: N 29˚ 10’46” - W 94˚ 58’45” 1-866-725-5511 • 409-632-0200 • • [email protected]
Your Island Paradise JAMAICA BEACH RV Resort 17200 FM 3005 • Galveston, TX 77554 • GPS: N 29˚ 10’46” - W 94˚ 58’45” 1-866-725-5511 • 409-632-0200 • www.jbrv.net • [email protected] GOOD SAM RATED 10/10/10 2020 2021 HAIR TECH 16510 San Luis Pass Road 1 16708 Termini-San Luis Pass, Suit e B In Jamaica Beach. Close 2 Serving the Jamaica Beach, TX. 1HR$5.00 Massage OFF West End to RV Resort! Breakfast 409-737-4247 Haircuts • Styling • Color Lunch Highlights • Manicures Dinner Pedicures • Facials Waxing & Massage Dine In — Take Out — Delivery Microblading • Lash Extensions Galveston Island 4 Breakfast Served All Day Duck Tours Open 7 days a week • 8am-2pm 3 Call for Tour Times & Information 1528 Avenue L @ 16th st. LAND & WATER TOURS Galveston, TX 77550 Loading at 25th & Seawall Blvd. 409-621-477i Show Ad for $2.00 Off Each Adult galvestonducktours.com www.shykatz.com 409-770-0500 5 7 6 www.Rvextremedetail.net RV Mobile Service Insured & Bonded RV Parts & Repairs Daniel Reynoso Sergio Reynoso 281-337-1537 2619 Gulf Fwy. 832-447-0211 832-459-3037 Dickinson, TX 77539 [email protected] [email protected] www.duescampingcenter.com 8 BOOK Jamaica Beach ONLINE Hardware Roof Sealants • Tarps Plumbing Accessories Keys Made • Cleaning Supplies BBQ Grills & Supplies Since 1946, Williams Party Boats have oered aordable trips Bungee Cords • RV Supplies for Anglers of all ages. Located in Galveston Texas, we oer 4 hr Bay & Jetty trips which are great for families, Deep Sea 9 409-737-3001 409-762-8808 trips ranging from 8-12 hrs., and our 36 hr long range Tuna Mon-Sat 7:30-5:30 Sun 9-5 or book on-line @ Safari. -
Coastal Planning in Texas
Coastal Planning in Texas Ray Newby Coastal Resources Division Texas General Land Office e The Texas General Land Office (GLO) and the Texas Coast • Since 1836: Manager of Tidally-Influenced State-Owned Submerged Lands. • Lead Agency Responsible for: - Coastal Management Program; - Beach and Dune Protection; - State Coastal Erosion Program; - Debris Removal; - Coastal Oil Spill Response; and - Disaster Recovery Program. The Single Deadliest and Three of the Ten Costliest U.S. Hurricanes Impacted Texas #2: $125 Billion – Hurricane Harvey (2017) #7: $34.8 Billion – Hurricane Ike (2008) GLO Coastal Plans • Texas Coastal Resiliency Master Plan provides a framework for community, socio-economic, ecological and infrastructure protection from coastal hazards. The plan is presented to the state legislature. • Coastal Texas Protection & Restoration Feasibility Study, also known as the Coastal Texas Study, is an engineering, environmental and economic analysis to protect the Texas coast. In partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the study will present coastal storm risk management and ecosystem restoration alternatives to Congress for funding. 4 Planning Team for Texas Coastal Resiliency Master Plan • GLO contracted with AECOM for engineering services, the Harte Research Institute for data analysis, and Crouch Environmental for education and outreach. • The Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) is made up of more than 100 coastal experts. 2017 Texas Coastal Resiliency Master Plan • Described the State of the Coast and a Path Forward toward