Notice and Opportunity to Comment on Requests for Consistency
Agreement/Concurrence Under the Texas Coastal Management Program
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 March 16, 2026 to March 27, 2026. 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 §§30.20(f), 30.30(h), and 30.40(e), 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, April 3, 2026. The public comment period for this project will close at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 3, 2026.
Federal License and Permit Activities:
Applicant: Port of Corpus Christi
Location: The project would affect waters of the United States and navigable waters of the United States associated with the Corpus Christi Ship Channel (CCSC) and is located at the Southside Marine Center (SMC) at 1741 Navigation Boulevard, Corpus Christi, Nueces County, Texas.
Latitude and Longitude: 27.817222, -97.453611
Project Description: The applicant requests authorization to modify the existing permit to support expanded emergency response capabilities at the SMC. The proposed activities include dredging, installation of new in-water structures, placement of fill, shoreline protection, and associated site improvements. All work would occur within the developed waterfront footprint along the CCSC but would expand the previously permitted dredge template. The installation of the proposed shoreline protection would result in approximately 0.06-acre of fill of unvegetated shoreline below the High Tide Line (HTL). The proposed new dredging would permanently impact 0.22-acre of unvegetated channel bottom outside of the authorized 3.2 acres area of impact.
The new dredging work would be conducted within an approximately 1.06-acre dredge template, of which approximately 0.22-acre extends beyond the limits of the existing dredge template. The 0.22-acre dredge template expansion would primarily consist of a 2.5H:1V slope into the slip basin. The channel bottom elevations average approximately -10.5 feet mean lower low water (MLLW) and a uniform dredge template to -14.0 feet MLLW +2 feet of allowable overdepth (–18.0 feet MLLW) with 2.5H:1V side slopes. The estimated dredge volume is approximately 1,900 cubic yards (CY) for the expanded template. Dredging would be conducted using hydraulic, mechanical, and/or silt-blading methodologies, with material placed at existing Dredge Material Placement Areas (DMPAs) and/or Beneficial Use Sites (BUSs). A smaller amount of dredged material may be placed in upland areas within the SMC site. Work may occur from land or barge-mounted equipment. Turbidity and erosion controls would be implemented during landside and waterside work. Maintenance dredging is currently authorized through December 31, 2030. This activity would be conducted using hydraulic, mechanical, and/or silt-blading methods, with dredged material placed in one or more identified DMPAs and/or BUSs. Changes to the existing permitted maintenance dredging is for the inclusion of the silt-blading methodology and the additional placement areas.
The project includes construction of a 157-foot by 32-foot reinforced boat slip and associated perimeter bulkhead to support vessel mooring and shoreline stability. The boat slip would be oriented northwest–southeast, allowing vessels to launch to the northwest and return to the ramp heading southeast. Dredging for the proposed boat slip falls within the dredging impacts as described above and within uplands. A new 330-linear-foot (LF) steel sheet pile bulkhead would be installed around the perimeter of the boat slip to stabilize the shoreline. The bulkhead alignment would connect to shoreline infrastructure and would be designed to achieve proper tie-in elevations, support navigational safety, and accommodate required scour protection.
Shoreline protection would consist of riprap or articulated concrete block (ACB) revetment placed along approximately 215 LF of shoreline adjacent to and south of the boat slip. The concrete material would be installed over a prepared and graded slope of approximately 2.5H:1V at an approximate thickness of 1.5 to 2 feet, resulting in the placement of approximately 404 CY of concrete material below the HTL. The riprap design features an upper anchor trench and a lower toe trench to secure the armor layer and prevent displacement due to wave action or scour. The ACB revetment system features an upland anchor trench to lock the upper edge of the articulating concrete block mattress in place. Both structures would be placed along the shoreline beginning at an elevation of approximately +8.0 feet MLLW and terminating no lower than -6.0 feet MLLW. The placement of the proposed 215 LF of shoreline protection structure would be in addition to the currently authorized 322 LF of riprap that is proposed to span from the eastern side of the boat ramp to the floating dock gangway access ramp. The proposed riprap would be placed at elevations between +5.0 feet MLLW and -2.0 feet MLLW, occupying a total of 0.06 acre below the HTL. The project would remove existing shoreline material. As part of the currently authorized shoreline stabilization work, approximately 0.083 acres of live oyster reef would be relocated. No new impacts on oysters are associated with this authorization request.
The applicant has provided the following explanation why compensatory mitigation should not be required: Compensatory mitigation is not proposed due to the disturbed nature of the area of impact and low quality of potential habitat.
Type of Application: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit application # SWG-2008-00486. This application will be reviewed pursuant Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. Note: The consistency review for this project may be conducted by Texas Commission on Environmental Quality as part of its certification under §401 of the Clean Water Act.
CMP Project No: 26-1111-F1
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.