by Art Gorlick

A federal district judge ruled in favor of a huge $1.2 billion container and cruiseship terminal planned by the Port of Houston Authority.

U.S. District Judge Vanessa Gilmore held that the Army Corps of Engineers complied with the National Environmental Protection Act and the Clean Water Act when it issued permits in January for the 1,043-acre Bayport Container and Cruise Terminal.

The city of Shoreacres and other communities contended the Corps acted improperly in issuing the permits. POHA was not a party to the suit, but joined as friend of the court.

The port authority plans to begin construction of the first 1,660 feet of the 7,000-foot wharf soon and would put the initial 65 acres operational by late 2006.

Additional phases would be built as needed over the next 20 years, POHA officials said.

The project is to be financed by general obligation bonds approved by voters in 1999. The bonds would be reimbursed through county property taxes.

A three-mile berm 20 feet high would act as a buffer zone and would include a storm-water collection system to protect Galveston Bay.

Norwegian Cruise Lines plans to use the wharf to operate leisure Caribbean cruises to Honduras, Belize, and Mexico. Other luxury cruise lines are expected to follow.

The wharf would include facilities for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Service, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and administration buildings and parking areas.