Corps of Engineers asks for comments about Segment E wetlands permit

Deadline: Sept. 18

Steve Hawley, Sep 11, 09.

The US Army Corps of Engineers is holding a public comment period for a proposed wetlands permit for Segment E of the Grand Parkway. The comment period ends September 18.

The permit would allow the destruction of 45.63 acres of wetlands near the Grand Parkway. The mitigation plan calls for the Harris County Toll Road Authority to purchase 23 acres of credits in the Katy Cypress Wetland Mitigation Bank and 22.63 acres at the Greens Bayou Wetland Mitigation Bank.

According to the mitigation plan, Segment E is in the Cypress Creek watershed, as is part of the Katy Cypress Wetland Mitigation Bank. However, the bank did not have enough credits to offset the entire construction of Segment E, and the Greens Bayou Wetland Mitigation Bank is 30 miles east, far from the affected areas. Consequently, the mitigation efforts in Greens Bayou would provide no benefit to the Cypress Creek watershed.

Some Harris County residents have expressed concern that the construction of Segment E and ensuing floodplain development could lead to more severe flooding in Houston.

In March, the Sierra Club filed suit against Segment E, claiming that the Federal Highway Administration failed to adequately assess the environmental impacts of the project.

Segment E is currently scheduled to begin construction in early 2010 using $181 million in stimulus funds, but the Sierra Club lawsuit may slow the project down.

Comments about the wetlands mitigation permit may be sent to Mr. Sam J. Watson, Regulatory Branch, CESWG-PE-RB, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, P.O. Box 1229, Galveston, Texas 77553-1229, faxed to 409-766-3931, or emailed to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Vicinity maps, plans, and mitigation (Project SWG-1997-02901)