Aug. 19, Southeast Texas Congressmen Randy Weber and Brian Babin, along with Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn, sent a letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to continue advancing the Orange County element of the Sabine Pass to Galveston Bay Coastal Storm Risk and Ecosystem Restoration project. In 2018, Congress authorized the S2G project through the Water Resources Development Act to reduce the noted “devastating effects on coastal storm surge along the upper Texas coast,” including Orange County communities that have faced repeated flooding from major storms. As design work has progressed, estimated project costs have increased and the Corps of Engineers is currently developing a Port Authorization Change report.
Texas lawmakers are seeking to ensure that the Orange County element can continue advancing while that process moves forward and that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has the direction needed to begin construction using available funds.
"Orange County has waited a long time to see this project become a reality" said Weber, whose 14th Congressional District includes parts of Jefferson, Orange, Brazoria, and Chambers counties, along with all of Galveston County. "Congress authorized S2G nearly a decade ago. Texas has invested significant resources, and the Army Corps has advanced the project.”
The Sabine Pass to Galveston Bay project will reportedly strengthen storm surge protection across Orange County, where more than 86,000 Texans live and work, and nearly $5.9 billion in economic activity is generated each year. The effort is protected by the Gulf Coast Protection District.
“Although costs have increased, the required level of protection, anticipated
benefits, and communities served remain unchanged. Because the project continues to fulfill its authorized purposes and provides commensurate benefits, we strongly encourage you to provide policy direction to USACE to exercise its discretionary authority to begin constructing the refined project without delay.”