Galveston, Texas — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Galveston District convened its Annual Dredging Meeting on November 5th, 2024, at the Tremont Hotel in Galveston, Texas. The event gathered experts, officials, and stakeholders to discuss the district’s ongoing and upcoming dredging and waterway improvement initiatives. The meeting included an extensive agenda covering operational updates, safety protocols, and major waterway enhancement projects.
Opening Remarks and District Overview
The meeting began with opening remarks from Col. Rhett Blackmon, District Commander of the Galveston District, who provided an overview of the district’s Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) priorities and goals. Col. Blackmon outlined the USACE’s commitment to maintaining navigability and environmental sustainability across Texas’ key waterways.
Safety Briefing and Operations Update
Vernon Griffin, Safety and Occupational Health Specialist, delivered a comprehensive safety briefing, underscoring the district’s emphasis on safety protocols across all dredging operations. Following this, Andrew Cook, Operations Manager, shared insights into the district’s current operational strategies and upcoming maintenance efforts.
Operations & Maintenance FY25 Scheduled Program
Sara Knoll, Andrew Cook, Lisa Finn, Aron Edwards, and Seth Jones, all operations managers within the district, presented the FY25 scheduled program for operations and maintenance. They highlighted the planned projects and ongoing contracts, noting the importance of the Galveston District Operations Dashboard as a tool for real-time updates on the status of various initiatives.
Key Waterway Improvement Projects
The meeting showcased significant projects, particularly focusing on two high-impact initiatives:
- Houston Ship Channel Expansion Project: Project Manager Carlos Tate discussed the Houston Ship Channel’s expansion and the improvements designed to accommodate increased commercial traffic and enhance safety.
- Sabine-Neches Waterway Channel Improvement Project: Franchelle Nealy, Project Manager, provided updates on the Sabine-Neches Waterway project, a major effort to expand and improve this critical trade channel.
Additional Project Highlights and Innovations
The meeting also included presentations on other key projects and innovations:
- NIST & CMMC Compliance: Procurement Analyst Amanda Zawieruszynski from the Southwestern Division provided a briefing on National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) requirements. Attendees were encouraged to consult local Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs) for further guidance on CMMC compliance.
- Navigating the Sabine-Neches Waterway: LDCR Kimberly Gates from the U.S. Coast Guard offered a presentation on navigation protocols along the Sabine-Neches Waterway, focusing on safety and efficient navigation management for both commercial and government vessels.
- Mouth of the Colorado and Sargent Beach Projects: Seth Jones and Rhonda Gregg-Hirsch, Operations Managers, discussed ongoing improvements at the Mouth of the Colorado and Sargent Beach, focusing on efforts to enhance shoreline resilience and protect nearby communities from erosion.
- Expanding Beneficial Use of Dredged Materials: Rhonda Gregg-Hirsch led a discussion on the district’s commitment to beneficial reuse of dredged materials, emphasizing projects aimed at environmental restoration and habitat enhancement.
Leveraging Technology with GIS
Brittany Tiemann, Acting Chief of the Water Management Section (WMS), provided a GIS (Geographic Information Systems) overview, demonstrating how the Galveston District is using advanced mapping technologies to monitor projects and ensure effective resource allocation.
The Annual Dredging Meeting highlighted the district’s multi-faceted approach to managing Texas waterways, with initiatives spanning from large-scale channel improvements to community-focused projects. With these updates and ongoing projects, the Galveston District aims to bolster the resilience, efficiency, and safety of Texas’ vital waterways in the coming year.