HomeMy WebLinkAbout(P 1) North Pleasure Island Protection and RestorationNorth Pleasure Island Shoreline Protection and Restoration
October 12, 2022
City of Port Arthur
Texas General Land Office • George P. Bush, Commissioner
Johanna Valente,
CEPRA Project Manager
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This project would restore the remains of a 15-acre island that once protected the navigation channel at the northern end of Sabine Lake at Pleasure Island by using dredged material
to build up the island and construct up to 2000 feet of breakwater. The project would also restore up to 40 acres of island habitat on the Sabine-Neches Waterway in Jefferson County,
along the southern boundary of the navigation channel separating the channel from the Sabine Lake. The restored habitat would contain wetlands and vegetated shallows. Based on available
funding, the project also could be configured as a single breakwater without beneficial use of dredged material (BUDM) or planting. This could reduce the project cost by approximately
$2.5 million.
Considered a Tier 1 priority project within the GLO’s Texas Coastal Resiliency Master Plan, Jefferson County originally applied to the GLO CEPRA program for 60% match funding and management
of this project. Construction restoration for North Pleasure Island as described in the application and the TXCRMP is to “Restore up to 40 acres of marsh and island habitat at North
Pleasure Island using dredged material beneficially to provide fill and to construct up to 2,000 feet of living shoreline breakwater.”
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The Cycle 12 CEPRA Funds were Awarded to Provide for the Necessary “Phase I” Pre-Construction Activities:
Data Collection
Feasibility Study
Alternatives Analysis
Engineering Design
Permitting
1996
2019
Texas General Land Office
George P. Bush, Commissioner
In December 2021 Jefferson County was notified by the GLO’s CEPRA program that the project had been selected to fund the Phase I Pre-Construction Activities. We believe there would be
a great benefit to the area in terms of ecosystem restoration as well as protection to the City’s uplands.
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Ownership
HB 2914
Texas General Land Office
George P. Bush, Commissioner
Upon further review it was found that North Pleasure Island land parcel is uniquely owned by the City of Port Arthur rather than the General Land Office or a Navigation District as instructed
by HB 2914. Because of this unusual circumstance, it was determined that the original applicant (Jefferson County) would no longer be considered the potential project partner and the
City of Port Arthur has been given the opportunity.
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CEPRA Qualified Project Partner
Upon execution of the CEPRA Project Cooperation Agreement (CPCA) a potential partner approved for CEPRA project funding will become a Qualified Project Partner (QPP)
Texas General Land Office
George P. Bush, Commissioner
Should the City of Port Arthur choose to be the identified project partner with the GLO on this project, it will be the City’s responsibility to communicate and collaborate with Jefferson
County as they see fit. It will also be the responsibility of the City to provide 40% of the match funding as described in the original application, which would be $150,000 of the total
project budget of $325,000. For the listed Phase I activities. The GLO would then provide the project management regarding contracting professional services, media communications, and
financial administration as well as the remaining 60% of the match funds as approved in the original application, $175,000.
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Project Responsibilities
Qualified Project Partner
Confer with the GLO Regarding the Project Goals, Location, Scope of Work and Contract Selection
Provide Cooperative Review and Approval of All Deliverables as Requested
Participate in Project Meetings
Provide Match Reimbursement and Identify a Financial Point of Contact
Cooperate with the Professional Service Provider to Apply for and Maintain all Necessary Permits to Authorize the Scope of Work for the Project and Ensure Compliance
This slide summarizes some of the responsibilities of Project Partner within the project partnership. If the City of Port Arthur were to move forward with CEPRA in a project partnership
agreement for North Pleasure Island, this would be their role.
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Thank You!
Questions?
Coastal Erosion Planning & Response Act (CEPRA)
Johanna Valente CEPRA Project Manager
Texas General Land Office
512-463-2765
johanna.valente@glo.texas.gov
Texas General Land Office
George P. Bush, Commissioner
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