HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-2013-26 opposing Centennial Gate Concept/proposed by Rice University,SSPEED CenterAm-�
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE, TEXAS, OPPOSING THE
CENTENNIAL GATE CONCEPT IN ITS CURRENT FORM BEING PROPOSED BY
THE RICE UNIVERSITY, SSPEED CENTER (SEVERE STORM PREDICTION,
EDUCATION AND EVACUATION FROM DISASTERS), AND PROVIDING FOR THE
DELIVERY OF SUCH RESOLUTION TO THE SSPEED CENTER AS WELL AS
REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES AND STATE LEGISLATORS
THAT REPRESENT LA PORTE.
WHEREAS, the City of La Porte, Texas is a coastal community with 3.1 miles of sea
level frontage on Galveston Bay and a significant population of residents
and businesses that can be affected by storm surge and sub -tropical
coastal rain events, and
WHEREAS, a storm -surge suppression concept called Centennial Gate has been
developed by the SSPEED Center as a structural means to protect
Houston Ship Channel areas upstream of the Fred Hartman Bridge, and
WHEREAS, Centennial Gate has been proposed in one of two proposed locations
known as Option A and Option B, and
WHEREAS, the Centennial Gate concept, if constructed in either of its currently
proposed locations, is projected to cause six additional inches of flooding
beyond the otherwise -expected storm surge, for the low -elevation areas
seaward of Centennial Gate, and
WHEREAS, any such increase in storm surge will not only affect the physical state of
improvements of La Porte residents and businesses contending with such
an event, but will also exacerbate flood insurance costs with increasing
depth of flooding for those unprotected by Centennial Gate.
WHEREAS, the City of La Porte does not accept the notion that areas of lower
elevation seaward of Centennial Gate within any community fronting
Galveston Bay should be considered collateral damage from the impacts
of a storm surge,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
LA PORTE, TEXAS THAT:
Section 1. City Council finds that the recitals above are true and correct.
Section 2. City Council hereby agrees that industries along the Houston Ship Channel
should be protected, but opposes the Centennial Gate concept in its current
form due to storm surge impacts that have been represented to
disproportionately increase damage for unprotected areas of the City of La
Porte and communities that front Galveston Bay.
Section 3. City Council hereby directs the City Secretary to send this Resolution to the
SSPEED Center as well as area regional economic development agencies
and all State of Texas Legislators that represent La Porte, Texas.
414
PASSED AND APPROVED, this day 2013.
CITY Of J�AVORTE, TEXAS
by
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City Secretary
ZA4el,t-e -7� 7-q-�
City Attorney