Galveston's counsel Susie Green tells GlobeSt.com that councilapproved the terms negotiated with the Houston Port Authority,Galveston Wharves of Board and Galveston City Council. The plancalls for Galveston Bay to host the regionalized port, but the Portof Houston Authority will be the manager. The Port of GalvestonAuthority will become a business unit of the overseer. Houston'sport authority will infuse $30 million in the next 10 years intothe Galveston operation.

If approved, lawyers will dig in to compile and execute thedefinitive agreement. All involved say that process may take awhiledue to the volumes of paperwork accompanying such a move.

The Galveston port encompasses 300 operating acres in citylimits and 500 acres on Pelican Island, just outside of Galvestonproper. Of the 500 Pelican Island acres, 50 acres have beendeveloped, 100 are planned for development and the rest are in aland bank.