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 June 15, 2026 to June 26, 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, July 3, 2026. The public comment period for this project will close at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 2, 2026.
Federal License and Permit Activities:
Applicant: Rio Grande LNG Train 6, LLC
Location: The project site is located along the Brownsville Ship Channel (BSC), at the Existing Rio Grande liquified natural gas terminal, in Cameron County, Texas.
Latitude and Longitude: 26.016386, -97.261784
Project Description: The applicant proposes to mechanically and hydraulically dredge approximately 1.2 million cubic yards (CY) of material to create a berth (Berth 3) at a depth of -45 feet mean lower low water. Dredge material will be placed in dredge material placement areas (DMPA) 3, 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B or 7 as capacity allows. Placement operations during dredging may require the temporary installation of a submerged pipeline to transport the dredge material. To stabilize the shoreline, Berth 3 will have 12,000 CY of rip rap to approximately -16 feet elevation. Rip rap will be placed along the slopes using a long reach excavator or similar equipment from land or barge.
Structures at Berth 3 will consist of four breasting dolphins, six mooring dolphins, and a liquid natural gas (LNG) loading platform. Access to the LNG loading platform will be provided by a trestle that will support a 15-foot-wide roadway, a 4-foot-wide personnel walkway, LNG product piping, and auxiliary mechanical and electrical systems. The loading platform and trestle will be supported by steel piles. In addition, catwalks will be provided between the dolphins and the loading platform to provide personnel access. The breasting and mooring dolphins will be equipped with remote release hook assemblies with an integrated capstan.
The purpose of Berth 3 is to enable additional LNG carriers (LNGCs) to arrive at the RGLNG Terminal to accommodate the increased LNG production and to increase the efficiency and reliability of LNGC 2 loading while minimizing cargo loading delays due to adverse weather, maintenance activities, and unexpected vessel traffic; and optimizing LNG cargo-loading operations.
The applicant has stated the proposed project will not disturb special aquatic features, nor will the Project result in a loss of WOTUS; therefore, compensatory mitigation is not proposed. The Corps will determine the type and amount of compensatory mitigation necessary to offset losses of waters of the United States which may result from the proposed activity in accordance with 33 CFR § 332.
Type of Application: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit application #SWG-2015-00114. This application will be reviewed pursuant Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and Sections 10 and 14 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899. Note: The consistency review for this project may be conducted by The Railroad Commission of Texas as part of its certification under §401 of the Clean Water Act. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District has found that this permit request meets the terms of Executive Order 14156 and is therefore subject to special emergency permitting procedures and an expedited review process.
CMP Project No: 26-1170-F1e
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