Houston port authority intervenes in lawsuit against Bayport development

Houston port authority intervenes in lawsuit against Bayport development    The Port of Houston Authority said on Thursday (Oct. 9) that it has filed to intervene in the pending federal court lawsuit concerning the port’s proposed Bayport container and cruise terminal.
   The lawsuit was filed against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in June by the City of Shoreacres and other local municipalities and organizations.
   While the lawsuit is related to Port of Houston Authority ‘s proposed Bayport facility, it does not specifically name the port authority as a defendant.
   “The lawsuit alleges that the Corps should prepare a supplemental draft environmental impact statement on the Bayport project and asserts other challenges to the Corps’ review of the Bayport project, including the Corps’ delineation of jurisdictional wetlands
at the Bayport site,” the Port of Houston Authority said.
   Jim Edmonds, commission chairman of the Port of Houston Authority, said that the authority is seeking, through this legal intervention, to protect the port authority’s rights and prevent further delays. The Port of Houston Authority is backing the Corps in the dispute with local communities.
   The Corps released its Bayport final environmental impact statement in May. After receiving public comments, it is expected to issue a decision on the Bayport permit later this month.