On January 10, 1997, the State of Texas received federal approval of the Coastal Management Program (CMP) (62 Federal Register pp. 1439 - 1440). Under federal law, federal agency activities and actions affecting the Texas coastal zone must be consistent with the CMP goals and policies identified in 31 TAC Chapter 26. Requests for federal consistency review were deemed administratively complete for the following project(s) during the period of May 15, 2023 to May 19, 2023.  As required by federal law, the public is given an opportunity to comment on the consistency of proposed activities in the coastal zone undertaken or authorized by federal agencies.  Pursuant to 31 TAC §§30.25, 30.32, and 30.41, the public comment period extends 30 days from the date published on the Texas General Land Office web site. The notice was published on the web site on Friday, May 26, 2023.  The public comment period for this project will close at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 25, 2023.

FEDERAL AGENCY ACTIVITIES:

Applicant: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

Location: The project site is located in Offatts Bayou, at Scholes International Airport, 2115 Terminal Drive (Runway 14), in Galveston, Galveston County, Texas.

Latitude and Longitude: 29.273775, -94.869706

Project Description: The applicant proposes to install 106 pre-cast concrete pilings by pile driving into Offatts Bayou and adjacent wetlands to replace approximately 1,379 linear feet of the existing Medium-Intensity Approach Lighting System (MALSR) pier at Scholes International Airport with a new pier consisting of a 9-foot-wide concrete deck and a 71-foot-long by 8-foot-wide T-head at the shoreline. Approximately 200 linear feet of the existing pier at the terminal end will be retained and not replaced. The overall structure will encompass 14,779-square-foot and extend 1,579 feet into Offatts Bayou, with the deck of the pier positioned approximately 14 feet above mean high water.

The purpose of this project is to improve airport operations at Scholes International Airport

by meeting current design standards and operational needs.

A temporary flotation channel would also be dredged to allow barge access for the project

construction. This temporary access work is being evaluated separately under Nationwide Permit (NWP) 33.

The applicant has not proposed to mitigate for the proposed impacts because there will be no impacts to special aquatic sites within the project area.

The applicant stated that they have avoided and minimized the environmental impacts by limiting the project footprint to the minimum needed to meet the need of replacing the MALSR pier. The applicant also stated that they will use best management practices (BMPs) to minimize impact to the shoreline and waterway during construction activities.

The project site conditions are currently a portion of Offatts Bayou, which directly connects to Galveston Bay. There are numerous structures such as piers, boat lifts, aids to navigation, boat ramps, etc., and there are no special aquatic sites located within the vicinity of the action area.

Type of Application: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit application # SWG-2022-00766. This application will be reviewed pursuant to Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899. 

CMP Project No: 23-1266-F2

Further information on the applications listed above, including a copy of the consistency certifications or consistency determinations for inspection, may be obtained from the Texas General Land Office Public Information Officer at 1700 N. Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas 78701, or via email at pialegal@glo.texas.gov. Comments should be sent to the Texas General Land Office Coastal Management Program Coordinator at the above address or via email at federal.consistency@glo.texas.gov.