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Drainage project causes environmental concern in Rockport

Last Tuesday, the city council voted on the condemnation of an underground easement in Veterans Memorial Park.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A drainage project is causing a bit of as stir in the community of Rockport. 

Last Tuesday, the city council approved the condemnation of an underground easement in Veterans Memorial Park. This has many residents upset because they believe it could impact the Harbor's ecosystem.

Navigation District Commissioner Tommy Moore said the future of the Harbor is at stake with a new drainage project that will carry pollution into the water.

"The City comes up with a plan that has absolutely no storm water pollution prevention, none, one bit what's so ever," Moore said. "160 acres of untreated storm water is a big deal and it will affect the Harbor with sediment and trash."

City manager Vanessa Shrauner said the project will help with flooding in the area by slowing down the flow of storm water into the Harbor.

"So, it's the same water, the same amount of water...just a different delivery method," Shrauner said. "So, there's no new pollution or water stream or area that will be draining into what we are proposing."

Owner of Tommy's Bait and More shop, Tom Connery said he's experienced the pollution firsthand on the Harbor and he's worried the new untreated drainage will make things worse and turn people away from the area. 

"There's too much pollution here as it is, especially after a bad rain and it's horrible and there's trash everywhere," Connery said. 

Shrauner said this project is important to the area and has to be completed. 

"280 structures that are at risk of flooding right now," Shrauner said. "When we complete that line, then it will hopefully reduce that risk of those structures." 

Moore believes if the community and City work together, they will find another solution.

"One of them is installed in Aransas County, down by Bahia Bay that will filter this much water and multiples can filter even more water, so there some solutions, they're pretty cost effective." Moore said. "We think there are some resources out there that will pay for and we're going to ask the city to work with us and move forward." 

According to Shrauner, the Navigation District and the City are still working to come to an agreement about the new project.

Both parties will be meeting again next month.

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