2003-06-23 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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tit e Page 4 o The Bayport FEIS now states that ship maneuvering m~y occasionally cause noise- induced vibration at reSidential structures up to 4,600 feet from the Bayport Ship Channel, the effects of which would be perceived as window rattling or wall vibration. o The Bayport FEIS now concludes that this noise-induced vibration impact caused by the operations of the proposed Bayport Project'is long-term and considered potentially significant depending on t~e design, condition and orientation of each residential structure. , · Residences located in Shady Oaks and Bay Colony subdivisions to the north, the EI Jardin and Stirf Oaks subdivisions to the south, and the subdivisions 'of the City of Taylor 'Lak~ Village to the west are all within the range of this potentially significant noise":induced vibration impact. o It has been estimated that over 5,000 people living within one mile of the proposed Bayport facility. , 0 Prior to the release of the FEIS these residents were not aware that a significant vibrations impact could occur in their neighborhood. ShiDDina o The permit application continues to be silent on the impact of deepening the channel from 45 feet to 50 feet even though the Bayport wharves are being designed for ,a 56-foot d~pth. We believe it is better to understand the incremental change from 45 feet to 50 feet today rather than hear the Port has decided to seek a.permit for a 50-foot channel within the next five years. o In the FEIS response to comments, the, Corps states that it decided to exclude consideration of a 50-foot channel based upon, the overriding fact that such a project has not .been authorized. , oln the FEIS re~ponse to comments, the Corps further states that in a regulatory EIS, the Corps only reviews the projeCt 'as. propo~ed by the applicant and the PHA has r)ot propOsed to widen or deepen the Houston ShipC~annel or the Bayport channel. o The Bayport FEIS now includes a diagram where wharf' cranes proposed for construction at the Bayport site are specifically labeled as being designed to unload post-Panamax vessels. o The Bayport FEIS now states that, when fully loaded, Post-Panamax vessels require channel depths between 45 to 53 feet. o This new information regarding the required channel depths for fully loaded Post-Panamax vessels explains the necessity for the future widening and deepening of the Houston Ship Channel and its connecting channels to at least 50 feet. . o The Corps has continued to state that deepening of the Houston Ship Channel and its connecting channels would likely be necessary in the future.