Presenter: Ted Hollingsworth

Commission Agenda Item No. 14
Action
Pipeline Easement - Harris County
San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site
November 5, 2009

I. Executive Summary: Mustang Engineering, L.P., requests an easement to directionally drill a new pipeline under the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site (SHS).

II. Discussion: San Jacinto Battleground/Monument SHS preserves the site where Texas won independence from Mexico in 1836 by defeating the numerically superior army of General Santa Anna. Although a little more than 1,000 acres, the SHS is surrounded by industrial development and associated industrial infrastructure. More than a dozen chemical pipelines reside in corridors crossing the site.

Mustang Engineering, L.P., acting on behalf of Equistar Chemicals, L.P., has requested an easement to install one (1) 8-inch diameter pipeline under the SHS. The pipeline will carry Ethyl Tertiary Butyl Ether, a gasoline additive, and as proposed will cross 1,554 feet of Department-owned land. TPWD staff has been working with Mustang on the location and design of the pipeline, to minimize impacts to the battleground. Primary mitigative measures include directionally drilling the line at depths of up to 45 feet beneath the surface, and routing most of the line alongside State Highway 134 (Battleground Road). In addition, Mustang Engineering has met with park staff, and with representatives of the site's friends group and Harris County to share information and solicit support for the route and design of the project.

III. Recommendation: The staff recommends the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopt the following motion:

"The Executive Director is authorized to negotiate terms and conditions under which an easement may be granted, and to grant an easement, to Mustang Engineering, L.P., for the construction of a 8" diameter pipeline across the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site."

Attachments - 3

  1. Exhibit A - Location Map
  2. Exhibit B - Vicinity Map
  3. Exhibit C - Site Map

Commission Agenda Item No. 14
Exhibit A

Location Map
San Jacinto Battleground SHS in Harris County

Location of San Jacinto Battleground SHS in relation to the State of Texas

For help in interpreting this map, please contact Ted Hollingsworth.


Commission Agenda Item No. 14
Exhibit B

Vicinity of San Jacinto Battleground SHS, 15 Miles East of Houston

Vicinity of Houston, Sheldon Lake SP and San Jacinto

For help in interpreting this map, please contact Ted Hollingsworth.


Commission Agenda Item No. 14
Exhibit C

Site Map
San Jacinto Battleground SHS Showing Route of Proposed Pipeline

Location of San Jacinto Battleground SHS in relation to route of pipeline

For help in interpreting this map, please contact Ted Hollingsworth.