USA: PCCA OKs Contract for Pelican Island’s Shore Protection

Port Corpus Christi Authority (PCCA) Commissioners awarded the contract for the Pelican Island Shore Protection Project – Phase 2 to RLB Contracting Inc.

Pelican Island is located in Corpus Christi Bay along the south side of the Corpus Christi Ship Channel between Port Aransas and the former Naval Station Ingleside. Pelican Island is owned by the PCCA and is approximately 200 acres in size. It is a significant nesting site for a wide variety of protected, threatened and endangered colonial water birds. Erosion from natural and man-made factors has caused a significant loss of nesting habitat.

An earlier project (Phase I), completed in October 2009, provided shoreline protection for 1,332 feet of the most heavily impacted area. The Phase 1 project cost of $1,246,615 was funded with $1,000,000 of Coastal Impact Assistance Program (CIAP) funds and $246,615 of PCCA funds.

In 2011, the Texas General Land Office approved a second CIAP grant, again in the amount of $1,000,000, to allow the PCCA to continue its efforts to protect this area from further erosion. This grant will be used for Phase 2 of the PCCA’s shoreline protection project. This Phase 2 project is included in the 2012 budget with $1,000,000 in grant funds and $500,000 in PCCA funds. The scope of work for Phase 2 consists of extending the stone breakwater that was constructed in 2009 during Phase 1.

“As the Port continues experiencing an economic growth, we continue the efforts of doing so on a sustainable matter protecting the environmental footprint. We are pleased we can move forward with the second phase of the Pelican Island’s restoration,.” said Mike Carrell, Chairman Port Commission.

RLB Contracting Inc. is located in Port Lavaca, Texas. RLB Contracting Inc. has performed other work in this area and was the contractor for the federal construction of Dredge Material Placement Area 14, which is located on the PCCA’s La Quinta property.

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Press Release, September 12, 2012