LETTER FROM COMMISSIONER GEORGE P. BUSH

Dear Col. Zetterstrom, Thank you for the critical work that you have done to protect the Texas Coast. As commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District you hold considerable responsibility and played an enormous role in helping our state of Texas recover after Hurricane Harvey. I appreciate your dedication to helping create resiliency measures and practices as we prepare for the next inevitable storm. I am concerned by the length of United States Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) comment process for the Coastal Texas Protection and Restoration Study Draft Integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Impact Statement (Coastal Texas Study). Storm after storm has weakened the Texas coastline, creating a critical need for coastal protection. The draft proposal is an essential step in the effort to reduce the risk along the Texas coast from dangerous storm surges and other threats. However, the release of the Coastal Texas Study has generated a great deal of discussion and concern over the location of the proposed levee and design of the gate. The intent of the public comment period is to receive ideas and concerns from the citizens of Texas. Constituent feedback is a vital part of this process, and I applaud all those who have come forward to make their voices heard. Due to the overwhelming desire of the public to submit their comments, the upcoming meeting on Bolivar Island will be held at overflow conditions. The current plan proposed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers is to limit the meeting attendance to 250 people. Quite simply, this is not acceptable. As the representative of the people of Texas, I urge the Corps to consider extending the public comment period an additional 30 days. An extension would allow the community to further consider the 442-page study and provide more informed feedback. In addition, a second public meeting should be held on Bolivar Island, allowing the members of the community who are not able to attend the first meeting (due to the fire code limitations) the opportunity to gather additional information about the plan from the USACE and General Land Office and have their voices heard. It is of vital importance that the community and my constituency be provided an opportunity to review the recommended plan before it is sent to Congress. Finally, I request that the USACE grant an additional comment period for the citizens of Texas to weigh in again before it is finalized. The Coastal Texas Study is a monumental undertaking and deserves proper consideration before being submitted for possible authorization and funding by our United States Congress. Thank you for your attention to this critical matter. It is my sincere hope that the USACE considers not only an extension and addition to the public comment period but the inclusion of a second meeting for Bolivar Island. Your dedication to the Texas coast is admirable and I appreciate the work that you have done to ensure the people of Texas remain protected from harm’s way. Sincerely, Commissioner George P. Bush Texas General Land Office