Bad news in west bay!!!!!!

[Ibtsoom]

I just got off the phone with USACE I have forwarded an e-mail to someone who is looking into the project for us.

Coe it wouldnt hurt to ask them if they have conducted an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) -- They require private companies to do this all of the time -- don't see why they shouldnt have to.

[reeltime]

I just left a message via phone with Ron Paul.

[frankie14]

Anyone contact the TPWD or Galveston papers?

[reeltime]

Coe a email with the privacy act form is on the way!

[Robalo]

I think the calls into the COE and TPWD will initiate some action as well as to media. WTG all!! Also, as JT said, find an attorney to file an injunction on the local level-maybe the Gal. Bay Foundation can do that??? The CCA is worthless as teats on a boar hog-they would do nada IMO.


I got an idea!!! Those Occupy Wall Street folks aint doing sheeeit-just sitting on their butts and complainin-someone load up several suburbans full of the OWS folks drive to Fat Boys, load em in boats and drop em off by the barge and let em block the dredge and dump! At least that way they contribute something other than defecating all over the parks and trashing the places while crying all the time.

[Robalo]

I sent an email to the GBF and Shannon Tompkins at the Chronicle:

The C.O.E. is conducting a Dredging Operation in West Galveston Bay and is dumping the dredge material directly over sea grass beds, destroying the sea grass which has taken years to grow and flourish. It is being destroyed without any concern by the Corps of Engineers at this time and they also are silting over live oyster reefs in the immediate vicinity. The Corps operation is part of ongoing maintenance of the ICW. The project is:

GULF INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY, TEXAS, GALVESTON CAUSEWAY TO BASTROP
BAYOU, IN GALVESTON AND BRAZORIA COUNTIES, TEXAS
Dredge Jonathan King Boyd (RLB Contracting) commenced maintenance dredging of the GIWW near
mile marker 370 on September 16, 2011. Dredging continues westward with material being placed in
Placement Area 64. A barge restriction is issued between mile markers 370 and 374 due to double-wide
barge interference with dredging operations. This reach of the GIWW is restricted to single-wide barges.

My concern is that the Corps can easily find disposal site for the dredge material without impacting the sea grass and destroying what little sea grass exists in the West Galveston Bay Complex. Is there any action that the Galveston Bay Foundation can take towards protecting the grass beds? I and others sharing concern over the dumping of dredge materials on the grass beds have contacted the COE and so far it appears to be of no avail.

Thank you and I hope that the GBF can use some of its resources to address this issue.

[Gater]

Ok here is what I have found out this morning.

First I spoke with the Owner of the dredging company and from what he tells me is that the permit only allows them to dump dredge material in that area from November 1st - March 1st when the seagrass is dormant. I am not a scientist but that did not make any sense and the biologist from TP&WD laughed when I told him that. The dredge owner told me they are headed north for another 6 miles.

There is a Water Resource Conservation Plan that is run by the GLO, TP&WD, and the TNRCC there are guidelines that address this and in speaking with the TP&WD they are currently reviewing permits concerning this project.

The TP&WD agree's with everyone here but they are limited in what they can do. As they mentioned to me and as I mentioned earlier we are dealing with the Feds.

TP&WD is on top of it and they have been bombarded with calls this morning.

TP&WD told me that they have been contacted by CCA requesting help in this matter.

While the TP&WD look into this, the suggestion that was made to me is to bombard the Corps of Engineers Regulatory Branch with phone calls. That number is 409-766-3982, they have the ultimate word.

This shows that there needs to be changes in the way the State and Feds issue/review permits. There needs to stipulations to where there are periodic reviews of long standing permits so if there are changes to the enviroment they can be addressed before proceeding.

I can tell you this, you have got some people's attention this morning. Keep it up by calling the USACE 409-766-3982 and let them know your concerns.

Gater

[Gater]

Dredging

Keep in mind that the only ones that can stop this is the Feds. Don't waste calls to the TP&WD, CCA ect....
Just about every State agency is aware of whats going on now but they have about much power as you and me.
Keep the pressure on the Corp. At the very least we can get them to send someone out to investigate.

Gater

[WestEndAngler]

Just faxed something to Ron Paul that reeltime had me fill out.

[Hogie70]

Do I need to pay RP a visit???

[WestEndAngler]

Do I need to pay RP a visit???

It would not hurt! Go down to his office I already faxed them a request to investigate on my behalf...

[Gater]

Rusty from the NMFS emailed me back and said that they are aware of the situation and are working with the USACE to
resolve the issue!

Gater

[WestEndAngler]

Good job. I have sent e-mails to Click 2 Houston and other news agencies

[WestEndAngler]

E-mailed to Jim Blackburn, Environmental Lawyer.

[WestEndAngler]

Just got off the phone with project manager. They will be in this area for 1 more week... They they are moving to the East side of Carranchua cut & will be dredging down towards Greens then onto the causeway.

Here is the PDF plan:

It appears that they are going to rebuild the spoil bank at Greens and Meacoms area in another week!

Causeway to bastrop.pdf