DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS 441 G STREET, NW
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20314-1000
AUG 3 1 2017
Ryan Sitton Texas Railroad Commissioner 1701 North Congress Avenue Austin, Texas 78701
Dear Mr. Sitton:
I am writing in response to your letter dated August 8, 2017, requesting prioritization of the Corpus Christi Ship Channel Improvement Project (CCSC). The letter expressed strong support for the CCSC and requested that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) prov,de
thoughts about how to bring the CCSC project to fruition.
I realize that this project would be a tremendous benefit to the Port of Corpus Christi,
local businesses, the State of Texas and our Nation; and I appreciate your support on this
project. The Office of Management and Budget determined CCSC to be a continuing
construction project, which was documented in a December 2016 Question For the Record
and through the inclusion of Section 1146 of the Water Resources Development Act of
2016. Additionally, the Administration and House and Senate Appropriations
Subcommittees have cleared the Port of Corpus Christi Authority's request to provide funds
on an accelerated basis to cover the
of certain work, up to the amount of the non-
Federal cash contribution for the proJi::~ct This will allow the Port to negotiate a Project
Partnership Agreement with the Department of the Army to begin work on the remaining two
separable elements whether or not Federal funding is available.
If funds are provided by Congress for a Work Plan in Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 this project will be considered for eligibility, along with other similar programs, projects and activities across the Nation that are competing for limited Federal resources in accordance with the directions from Congress provided with the Appropriations Act. The project will be similarly considered for inclusion in the FY 2019 President's Budget. However, the Administration cannot commit to including the project in either the FY 2018 Work Plan or the FY 2019
Budget at this time.
Thank you for your interest in the Corps Civil Works program. If you have additional questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me or your staff may contact Ms. Kathleen Williams, Deputy Chief, Southwestern Division Regional Integration Team, at
(202) 761-0315.
Sincerely,
James C. Dalton, P.E. Director of Civil Works
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