Port of Houston gets 'F' on environmental rating
Those of you unabashed Houston boosters out there might want to stop reading right about here, because you're not going to like what I have to say. While I love the little town I live in, Seabrook is on the verge of becoming Houston's toilet. Yes, that description might seem a bit strong and a tad overly emotional. Nonetheless, it is something I feel very strongly about. The Port of Houston has for the past several years been doing their level best to force a new and significantly larger container terminal on the people of Seabrook. Hey, we're a small town in the corner of southeast Harris County without much political clout. Never mind the fact that we do not want the new Bayport Terminal. At a minimum, it would bring an increase in 24-hour truck traffic (and the attendant noise and congestion), and most of us here fear an overall decrease in the quality of life- which is why most of us live here to begin with.
The Port of Houston, never a people-friendly organization under the best of circumstances, exists for the sole purpose of bringing business to the Port of Houston. I understand that. The problem here is that the Port is determined to force the Bayport Terminal on the people of Seabrook regardless of our opposition to the project. They propagandized their way through a bond election, and they have been using their superior financial resources and political clout to overcome and and all opposition. In the end, Seabrook will be left with the means of production, but we will realize virtually none of the benefits. Sure, the Port has offered "bribes" in an effort to buy the support of the people of Seabrook, but should we reasonably be expected to believe a group with this sort of record? Besides, will another park or two really make up for the damage that will be done to our way of life?
If it sounds as if I'm angry, it's because I am. Part of the reason I live in Seabrook is that this is a quiet little coastal town. We rarely lock our doors, we know our neighbors, and life is slow, quiet, and pleasant. The Bayport Terminal project threatens to undo all of that, and like most of us here, I find that threatening. Yes, a lot of money will be brought in by Bayport, but how much of it will stay in Seabrook? Not very much. The only wallets that will be fattened will be the friends and customers of the Port of Houston. The people of Seabrook will be left with the noise, the traffic, and the decreased property values.
It would be easy to pass me off as just another NIMBY, but that would be to oversimplify matters. There is another option open to the Port of Houston, one that would be happy for the opportunity to develop a project of this nature. The Port of Texas City, perhaps 15 miles down Hwy. 146, has repeatedly expressed an interest in this project. The Port of Houston has always rejected this option- self-interest, after all, is the ultimate defense mechanism. One, it's in Galveston County, and two, the Port of Houston would not have complete control. Sharing the spoils has never been one of the strengths of the Port of Houston.
My hope is that we can tie up the permitting process through the Army Corps of Engineers for awhile, and then the City of Seabrook will be able to file enough legal action to aggravate the Port of Houston. At best, the project may be delayed by a few years. At worst, the Port's superior financial resources and political connections may in the end wear out any organized opposition.
Susan and I haven't really discussed what will become of our little Paradise if Bayport becomes a reality. As I look out on another beautiful sunrise over the lake in our back yard, though, it's difficult not to be concerned. How much longer will this last? Or will "progress" eventually force us to move? I'd be happy to spend the rest of my life right here on this little corner of the world, but now I find myself wondering if we'll have the opportunity to do that.
