Beach and Dune Systems Factsheet
Texas has some of the highest erosion rates in the United States, with 64 percent of the Texas coast eroding at an average rate of 5.9 feet per year and some areas experiencing greater than 30 feet per year. When the Texas coast erodes, homes are lost, property values decrease, tourism suffers, local economies are negatively impacted, and the impact of major storms is more severe.
A vital factor in maintaining a healthy Texas Gulf shoreline is the construction and restoration of beach and dune systems in areas vulnerable to high rates of erosion. Beach and dune construction and restoration involves the placement of sand dredged from offshore sources or from nearby navigation channels on degraded gulf shorelines to create or restore dune and beach habitat. Beach and dune systems are maintained by replacing sand at regular intervals after storm events. These systems provide habitat to many plant and animal species and protect habitat, homes, and infrastructure that may be washed away due to erosion and severe storms.
Proposed beach and dune construction and/or restoration projects include:
- Construction of a beach and dune system along the Gulf-side of Bolivar Peninsula;
- Construction of a beach and dune system along the Gulf-side of the west end of Galveston Island; and
- Re-nourishment and sediment management of the existing beach and dune system along the Gulf-side of South Padre Island.
The proposed beach and dune system along Bolivar Peninsula and the west end of Galveston Island will provide pedestrian and vehicular beach access by incorporating walk and drive over infrastructure at locations designated in each local government’s Beach Access and Dune Protection Plan. Beach access will follow the Texas Open Beaches Act and any federal access requirements.
Conceptual rendering of the beach restoration process
Conceptual rendering of a proposed beach and dune field system
Beach and Dune Misconceptions
Misconception: The study would use eminent domain to acquire and demolish any property along the proposed barrier alignment.
The previously proposed levee system on Bolivar Peninsula and West end of Galveston has been removed. The Ring Barrier around Galveston is still proposed but has had adjustments to reduce impacts to communities and the environment. The Study team is now investigating a beach and dune system along the Gulf shoreline of Bolivar Peninsula and west of the Galveston seawall. The non-federal sponsor will have the responsibility of acquiring all necessary real estate interests, which for the beach areas may be in the form of easements, not relocations, for the project and ensuring that relocation of utilities and facilities is accomplished. Where necessary, access easements, voluntary relocations and acquisitions will be pursued, and eminent domain would only be used as a last resort.
Misconception: Simply building a beach and dune system is not going to help protect the coastline.
The Coastal Texas Study utilizes a “multiple lines of defense” approach/strategy. The system would include a combination of structural, natural, and non-structural systems that work together to provide the greatest level of safety possible based on societal values and site conditions. Modeling has shown that although the reduction in risk is not the same as with a levee system, storm surge entering the bay is still reduced with the beach dune system. This natural and nature based system balances the trade-offs between risk reduction and community cohesion.
Misconception: The proposed beach and dune systems along Bolivar Peninsula and the west end of Galveston Island would severely restrict both pedestrian and vehicular access.
The proposed beach and dune systems will provide pedestrian and vehicular beach access by incorporating walk-overs and drive-overs at locations designated by each local government. Beach access will be in compliance with the Texas Open Beaches Act and any federal access requirements.
Misconception: Owners of pedestrian walk-overs will not be compensated for the removal of their walk-over if the proposed beach and dune system is constructed.
Compensation for the removal of privately-owned walk-overs will be evaluated individually. A primary factor to determine eligibility for compensation is whether or not the walk-over was properly permitted.
