While most of our posts are directed at the proposed EXXON/SAUDI project, the San Patricio and Corpus Christi Economic Development Corporations, together with the Port of Corpus Christi, continue to promote the expansion of industrial growth in ways that will undermine our ecosystems that support resident and migratory aquatic dependent species, oyster beds, seagrass beds, and fishing in two bay systems, upsetting the delicate ecological balance in our bays and estuaries. Take a close look at portions of the Port’s Plans below.
The north bay along La Quinta Channel is saturated with industry. There is no room left for the Port’s maniacal desire to become the leading Port in the U.S. They carved a way through their own property for Exxon to dump their 9.3 million gallons of industrial effluent into the La Quinta Channel which is already receiving the waste from other industries. They casually display the projected number of ships and barges that will enter the La Quinta Channel, further exacerbating the destruction of seagrass beds and endangering aquatic life.
They display where they can increase industrial expansion west and north of Portland, and wrapping around Gregory to the east. This link will take you to some of the mega-sites being promoted for heavy industry. These “Qualified Sites” and the Port’s vision will take industry closer to Copano Bay. Industrial expansion will inevitably lead to increased use of precious freshwater resources, and the need to discharge industrial wastewater and stormwater into a receiving bay that affords the easiest and cheapest route. That will increasingly become Copano, Mission, and Port Bays. Exxon already figured that out with their use of ditches that flow through the mud flats and into Copano Bay.
The plans and promotions of these three entities will lead to more threatening conditions for aquatic life and bird habitats in our bays and estuaries. The Port’s vision is on a collision course with endangered and threatened species. The Port’s overreach is impacting cities and counties that are not represented on the Port Commission. They must be stopped. Contact your state house representative, state senator, and local city and county leaders.
