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Release # 080802

Aug. 19, 2008

The Galveston District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has announced a postponement in the

timeline for the work to reopen the mouth of the San Bernard River. The postponement, which is

estimated at four months, is a result of two actions required as part of the environmental phase of

the project.

First, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has requested formal consultation because of the

impact to 1.1 acres of piping plover critical habitat, which is protected under the Endangered

Species Act, as well as potential impact to nesting sea turtles. The second requirement is a water

quality certification from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Once these two

requirements are met, then the contracting bidding process can proceed, according to Corps

officials.

”Though both the community and the Corps of Engineers are anxious for this project to be

completed, following these requirements is crucial to its eventual success,” said Karl Brown,

Operations Project Manager overseeing the project. ”In the long run, the community benefits by

ensuring that these environmental issues are addressed.”

U.S. Fish and Wildlife site and pic of the plover.  http://www.fws.gov/plover/