Battleship Texas Dry Berth Project: Preserving an Invaluable Place in History
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is moving forward with conceptual design and consideration of alternatives for the Dry Berth of the Battleship Texas (BB-35) State Historic Site. In 1948, Battleship Texas became the nation’s first permanent battleship memorial museum, and she was secured in a slip off the Houston Ship Channel adjacent to the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site. A veteran of both world wars, she is one-of-a-kind as the only remaining dreadnought.
Over the last sixty years, Battleship Texas has been subject to dire environmental and physical threats while resting in the shallow, brackish waters of the ship channel. To protect and preserve this unique National Historic Landmark, a new dry berth will be created to provide her with a permanent home.
This $29 million project was approved by Texas voters in 2007 and funded in 2009 by the Texas State Legislature. The project includes $25 million in voter-approved bonds and an additional $4 million match by the Battleship Texas Foundation.
In the fall of 2010, TPWD brought AECOM USA Group, Inc. aboard to carry out the conceptual engineering, design and alternative studies necessary for the dry berthing of Battleship Texas. The project team is now preparing conceptual designs and considering project alternatives through preparation of an Environmental Assessment document on behalf of the lead sponsoring agency, the Department of Navy, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA).
What is an Environmental Assessment?
An Environmental Assessment, or EA, is a formal study that considers the possible impacts – positive or negative—that a proposed project may have on the natural, social, and economic environments in which the project is located. The EA study process evaluates multiple alternatives according to their feasibility and their associated effects. Throughout this process, the public is invited and encouraged to participate by providing valuable feedback about the project. An EA also identifies measures to prevent, minimize, mitigate, or compensate for adverse effects to the environment. Following this organized data gathering and evaluation process, a “preferred,” or most desirable, project alternative may be selected.
The EA document is being prepared to comply with Department of Navy requirements in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). See additional information at Citizens Guide to the NEPA. Concurrent to this action, the project team is following the formal cultural resources process mandated by Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). See additonal information at Citizens Guide to Section 106 Review. To accomplish these efforts, TPWD and AECOM are performing extensive:
- engineering, archeological and environmental studies;
- alternatives consideration; and
- public outreach activities.
What is the project schedule?
Following the completion of the EA process and detailed design of the temporary and the dry berth facilities, bidding for construction is expected to occur in 2014. Completion of construction is expected to occur in the summer of 2017.
How do I get onboard for this project?
Would you like to take part in the project process?
TPWD and NAVSEA accepted proposals for any reasonable alternatives to the dry berth through May 31, 2012. No alternatives were proposed.
