2002-01-28 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

0 • Bayport /Army Corps of Engineers Draft E.I.S. Report It is my belief that we should point out the primary concern with this project at this location and that has to do specifically with us being in a "severe" non -attainment situation with regards to the "Clean Air Act". This alone should be reason to reject this project from an environmental standpoint We have to lower our speed limits to 55 MPH, can only operate lawnmowers (commercially) after noon, various heavy equipment operations are going to be very severely impacted from an operational standpoint, and numerous other restrictions simply because our air is already unacceptable from a health /safety consideration. In addition to this we will be postured to or eit future federal highway funds due to our non - attainment status. Even in the event that we do not forfeit highway funds TxDot is on schedul approximately ten (10) to twelve (12) years behind the Port on infrastructure (road) improvements that are going to be dramatically affected by the port expansion. If we remain a "non -attainment" area not only is this end of Harris County going to suffer from major traffi problems but the entire Houston / Galveston region is going to lase funding far major scheduled road projects. We need to make sure that everyone around us is aware of the very negative effect this is going to have on an economic development standpoint for our entire region. This will more than off -set any positive gains from the port expansion. Again, I believe that this should be the central theme for our approach to the Corps and I believe we should copy the EPA Region VI director, our federal elected officials, and our Governor as well as all local / region city councils and county governments for support. In addition to this I believe that the position paper should be attached that addresses all of the other positions /considerations that we have stated.