Texas Coastal Coalition Hails TCEQ Decision Document on Harbor Island Desal Plant

PORT ARANSAS – The Texas Coastal Coalition is thrilled at the recommendation to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to deny the discharge permit for a desalinization plant proposed for Harbor Island. Harbor Island is within the city limits of Port Aransas in one of the most environmentally sensitive areas on the Texas Coast. The Port of Corpus Christi is seeking the permit for the desal plant as part of a much larger project known as the Lone Star Ports Plan.

In a Proposal for Decision document issued on Feb, 6, 2021, the State Office of Administrative Hearings affirms the arguments made by the Port Aransas Conservancy and other individuals and organizations that the proposed discharge would have a devastating impact on the sensitive marine environment and the communities of Port Aransas and the Coastal Bend. The decision won’t be finalized until the TCEQ commissioners officially rule on the matter. That hearing date has not yet been set.