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Nueces County backs DIAG grant application to protect Navy airfield clear zone
Summary
The commissioners court approved submission of a Defense Economic Adjustment Assistance Grant application to purchase a restrictive-use easement near Cabaniss Field to protect NAS Corpus Christi operations; the county would provide a 20% match if awarded (estimated maximum $255,000).
Nueces County Commissioners voted Feb. 26 to authorize submission of a DIAG (Defense Economic Adjustment Assistance Grant) application to acquire an easement to protect the clear zone near Cabaniss Field and prevent incompatible development near Naval Air Station (NAS) Corpus Christi. Maria (county staff) described the change in funding source and an updated appraisal; Ben Polak, the NAS community planning liaison, called the easement "the last clear zone that is not protected around that airfield" and said the county's partnership would "protect the mission and keep that runway open."
Staff reported the easement appraisal range at approximately $1.125 million to $1.275 million and explained the grant typically requires an 80/20 state/county match. At the maximum appraisal, the county's 20% share would be about $255,000. Polak said the application deadline was Feb. 28 and, if successful, funding decisions could be made as early as April with up to two years to complete the transaction and spend the funds. He noted the landowner did not want to sell the property outright and that a restrictive-use easement and right of first refusal were the immediate remedies being pursued.
Judge Canales said the county would find budget time in the next fiscal cycle to cover the match if the grant were awarded and that the court would pursue federal Department of Defense reimbursement possibilities later. The court moved and approved the resolution to submit the application by voice vote.
If the grant is awarded and the easement purchased, the county said it would pursue options with the Department of Defense for potential reimbursement so the county could redeploy funds to other projects.
