Notice and Opportunity to Comment on Requests for Consistency - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Aransas National Wildlife Refuge

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 July 7, 2025 to July 11, 2025. 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, July 24, 2025. The public comment period for this project will close at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 23, 2025.

Federal Agency Activities:

Applicant: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Aransas National Wildlife Refuge

Location: The project site is located adjacent to the Gulf Intercoastal Water Way, at eight locations in Aransas National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), in Aransas County, Texas. The seven locations include Mustang Lake, southwest Sundown Bay, Dunham Lake, southern ANWR boundary near Grass Island, southern Sundown Bay Island A, southern Sundown Bay Island B, back bay shoreline of Sundown Bay, and southwestern Mustang Lake.

Latitude and Longitude (NAD 83):

Project Start: 28.2450; -96.7770

Project Terminus: 28.1355; -96.9119

Mustang Lake: 28.2322; -96.7899

Southwest Sundown Bay: 28.1718; -96.8694

Dunham Lake: 28.1448; -96.8998

Near Grass Island: 28.1364; -96.9104

Sundown Bay Island A: 28.1654; -96.8785

Sundown Bay Island B: 28.1595; -96.8868

Back Bay Sundown Bay: 28.1853; -96.8507

Southwestern Mustang Lake: 28.2301; -96.7955

Project Description: The applicant proposes to shoreline protection at eight locations in the ANWR. The design of rock breakwater structures would include a maximum crest elevation of +3.5 feet North American Vertical Datum pf 1988 (NAVD88) with a crest width of 6 feet. The breakwater would be aligned along the -2-foot NAVD88 contour with sills to allow fish passage and circulation. The length of breakwater segments is not expected to exceed 500 feet with sills of 20 to 30 feet long from the crest of each subsequent segment. Each gap would contain a 12-inch high rock sill to prevent scouring. The total footprint of the project would be 35 acres. The purpose of the proposed action is to protect the existing shoreline by reducing wave energy and vessel wake impacts. No mitigation is proposed.

Type of Application: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit application # SWG-2025-00172. This application will be reviewed pursuant to Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act.

CMP Project No: 25-1246-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.

Send a comment about this notice to the GLO

With few exceptions, an individual is entitled on request to be informed about the information that the state governmental body collects about the individual. Under Sections 552.021 and 552.023 of the Texas Government Code, the individual is entitled to receive and review the information. Under Section 559.004 of the Texas Government Code, the individual is entitled to have the state governmental body correct information about the individual that is incorrect.