HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-2022-13RESOLUTION 2022-13
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE, TEXAS,
OPPOSING THE GALVESTON BAY PARK PLAN CONCEPT CURRENTLY
PROPOSED BY THE SEVERE STORM PREDICTION, EDUCATION, AND
EVACUATION FROM DISASTERS (SSPEED) CENTER AT RICE UNIVERSITY,
AND ANY PUBLIC FUNDING TO ASSIST IN FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THE
PLAN
WHEREAS, the City of La Porte is located on Galveston Bay and is vulnerable to storm -surge
flooding caused by hurricanes because of its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico; and
WHEREAS, in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike, a major initiative was launched by officials
along the southeast Texas Gulf Coast to find storm surge suppression that would protect the
entire region from major flooding due to the storm surge; and
WHEREAS, a storm surge suppression concept called the "Coastal Spine Project", sometimes
referred to as the "Ike Dike", was proposed by Texas A & .M University at Galveston. The
Coastal Spine Project will protect the entire Houston -Galveston region, including Chambers
County. The project has overwhelming support and is the preferred storm surge suppression
project for this region; and
WHEREAS, the Severe Storm Prediction, Education, and Evacuation from Disasters
(SSPEED) Center at Rice University has now developed a storm surge suppression concept
called the Galveston Bay Park Plan and is soliciting support for the project throughout Harris
and Galveston Counties; and
WHEREAS, the stated intent of the Galveston Bay Park Plan is to protect Harris County and a
portion of Galveston County from flooding caused by storm surge; the plan offers no protection
for the City of Texas City, City of Galveston, or Chambers County; and
WHEREAS, the SSPEED Center did not solicit input from entities that will be adversely
impacted by the Galveston Bay Park Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Galveston Bay Park Plan would be built almost entirely in Chambers County
and Chambers County taxpayers would be responsible for operation, maintenance, and policing
parks, without receiving any benefit of storm surge suppression; and
WHEREAS, the Galveston Bay Park Plan will damage and disrupt the ecosystems of
Galveston Bay and Trinity Bay, causing harm to the fish and oyster industries; and
WHEREAS, the United States Army Corps of Engineers, the Texas General Land Office, and
the six county Gulf Coast Community Protection and Recovery District (GCCPRD) have
independently evaluated and have each rejected the Galveston Bay Park Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Galveston Bay Park Plan is the third storm surge suppression plan presented
by the SSPEED Center after Centennial Gate and Mid Bay projects failed to garner support;
and
Now, therefore, be it resolved that the City Council of the City of La Porte does
hereby oppose the Galveston Bay Park Plan Concept and any public funding to assist
in further development of the plan.
The City Council officially finds, determines, recites, and declares that a sufficient written
notice of the date, hour, place and subject of this meeting of the City Council was posted at a
place convenient to the public at the City Hall of the City for the time required by law
preceding this meeting, as required by the Open Meetings Law, Chapter 551, Texas
Government Code; and that this meeting has been open to the public as required by law at all
times during which this ordinance and the subject matter thereof has been discussed,
considered and formally acted upon. The City Council further ratifies, approves and confirms
such written notice and the contents and posting thereof.
This resolution shall be in effect from and after its passage and approval.
PASSED AND APPROVED this, the day of ' L f\o- ,
2022.
A
CITY OF LA PORTE, TEXAS
Lou GRigby, M y r
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Clark T. Askins, Assistant City Attorney