HomeMy WebLinkAbout032530 RES - 08/24/2021Resolution to support submission of proposal under Section 7001 of the Water
Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 (WRDA 2014)" to US Army Corps of
Engineers (USACE) to modify the North Padre Island Storm Damage Reduction and
Ecosystem Restoration project (Packery Channel) to remove Flood Risk Management as
an authorized project purpose
WHEREAS, The North Padre Island Storm Damage Reduction and Ecosystem Restoration
Project (Packery Channel) was authorized by Section 556 of the Water Resources Development
Act of 1999 (WRDA 99) (P.L. 106- 53). The project consists of dredging a 12 -foot deep by 116 -
foot wide channel to connect the existing Packery Channel to the Gulf of Mexico. The total
length of the proposed channel from the Gulf end of the jetties to the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway
(GIWVV) is approximately 18,500 feet (3.5 miles). Approximately 15,000 cubic yards of
estimated maintenance dredging was estimated to be required every year to keep the channel
open. The maintenance dredged material is to be placed in an upland site for beach
nourishment.
WHEREAS, the Packery Channel project has been a major success for the region since project
construction was completed in 2006. We have realized significant recreational and safety
benefits as the maintained opened waterway provides easy access to the Gulf of Mexico for
recreational boating interests. We have also realized significant fish and wildlife benefits from
the project as it also provides a constant tidal exchange that has improved fishing in the Upper
Laguna Madre. Maintenance dredging was originally estimated to be required every year.
However, since the project was completed, maintenance dredging has only been required twice.
WHEREAS, The Packery Channel sustained major damage in Hurricane Harvey in 2017.
WHEREAS, in early 2020 FEMA declined to fund repairs for the damage caused by Hurricane
Harvey under the belief that Packery Channel was eligible for assistance under the USACE P.L.
84-99 Rehabilitation and Inspection Program (RIP
WHEREAS, On May 25, 2021, USACE issued a final determination that the jetties and
associated structures were primarily built for channel alignment, protection against shoreline
erosion, and for the benefit of fish and wildlife, which are not project purposes eligible for
funding under the P.L. 84-99 (RIP). USACE further determined the Flood Risk Management
(FRM) benefits are incidental to the project since the benefits result from placement of
maintenance dredge material along the beach. As such, the proposed repairs to Packery
Channel were determined not to be eligible for rehabilitation assistance under P.L. 84-99 (RIP).
WHEREAS, it took more than 3 years to resolve the confusion between USACE and FEMA.
The City would like to codify the USACE determination by modifying the WRDA 99 authorization
for Packery Channel to remove Flood Risk Management as a project purpose
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, THAT THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI TEXAS is
pleased to submit the attached 2021 proposal in accordance with Section 7001 of the Water
Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 (WRDA 2014).
BE IT FURTHER RESOVED THAT THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI TEXAS respectfully
requests the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) support the recommendation to modify
the North Padre Island Storm Damage Reduction and Ecosystem Restoration (Packery
Channel) project to remove Flood Risk Management (FRM) as an authorized project purpose.
032.530
SCANNED
PASSED AND APPROVED on the
Paulette M. Guajardo
Roland Barrera
Gil Hernandez
Michael Hunter
Billy Lerma
John Martinez
Ben Molina
Mike Pusley
Greg Smith
day of
, 2021:
ATTEST: CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI
Rebecca Huerta
City Secretary
Paulette M. Guajardo
Mayor
O32C!?U