the problems with a desalination plant

The Port of Corpus Christi Authority (PCCA) has proposed a major desalination plant on Harbor Island. Because of the large volume of negative comments the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) referred the matter to the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH), which recently concluded a contentious hearing in which PAC and numerous private parties argued that the permit application should be denied.  The judges will issue their recommendation by February 5, 2021. Then the matter goes to the TCEQ commissioners for a final decision, which is likely to occur in March or April 2021.

"The TCEQ executive director has completed the technical review of the application and prepared a draft permit." 

Despite the studies we submitted showing the ecological damage that this plant would entail TCEQ decided that dumping 95 million gallons per day of hypersaline water into waters next to the estuary wouldn't be a problem:

 "The effluent will be discharged via pipe directly to Corpus Christi Bay in Segment No. 2481 of the Bays and Estuaries. The designated uses for Segment No. 2481 are primary recreation, exceptional aquatic life use, and oyster waters." 

The Port Aransas Conservancy is strongly opposed to POCCA's plans to place a desalination plant on Harbor Island next to the ferry landing and directly across from Roberts Point Park. The plant would discharge up to 95.6 million gallons per day of highly saline effluent into the ship channel; the tides would move this plume into the surrounding wetlands, killing off the spawning grounds for shrimp, crabs, and fish. This project would be an ecological disaster that could drive off the fishing industry and would certainly impact the tourism that supports Port Aransas. We strongly support Mayor Bujan and the city in their opposition to it. 

This project must not go forward.