Rebuilding and restoration within bays, rivers, and estuaries following Hurricane Harvey
To assist in the restoration of public, commercial, and residential projects impacted by Hurricane Harvey, Land Commissioner George P. Bush is authorizing current contract holders to rebuild and repair certain coastal structures that were damaged or destroyed by the storm. This emergency authorization will minimize delays in the permitting process, facilitate recovery from the hurricane, and provide protection from further injuries and damage to coastal structures, property, and resources from future storm events.
The General Land Office (GLO) will be responsive to any questions or assistance you need during this time. Please contact the appropriate GLO Field Office or Permit Service Center at the numbers below with any questions you may have about the rebuilding requirements and provide a copy of the diagram and special conditions from your contract, if applicable.
Please read below to identify your specific project and associated rebuilding criteria.
Public Projects
These structures include parks, preserves, habitat creation and restoration projects, public recreation projects, research and education projects, and other structures currently authorized by a School Land Board (SLB) or GLO Coastal Lease (your contract contains a diagram that identifies these structures). Rebuilding and repair of these structures must be in accordance with any special conditions in your current contract.
If repairs are needed for bulkheads, riprap or other structures that protect the shoreline, we request that you contact the appropriate GLO Field Office in advance of these activities. Additionally, to reduce the possibility of navigation and safety hazards in your area, we also request that you please mark any damaged structure(s) as soon as possible and notify the GLO.
Rebuilding and repair activities must be completed by January 10, 2018. Contact the appropriate Field Office prior to this date if additional time is needed.
Residential and Commercial Structures
These coastal structures include piers, docks, marinas, boatslips and other structures in the bays, rivers, estuaries, and bayous currently authorized by a GLO/SLB Easement, Lease, or Registration (your contract contains a diagram that identifies these structures). Rebuilding and repair of these structures must be in accordance with any special conditions in your existing contract. Pilings not used in the rebuilding process must be removed. This emergency authorization does not apply to structures that extend into the Gulf of Mexico.
Rebuilding and repair activities must be completed by January 10, 2018. Contact the appropriate Field Office prior to this date if additional time is needed.
Shoreline Restoration
Coastal property owners may restore bay, tidal river, and estuarine shoreline to the pre-hurricane location. This authorization does not apply to the Gulf or Gulf-fronting beaches. Anyone who places fill or unauthorized structure beyond the pre-storm shoreline without a proper easement or lease is liable for penalties as provided in the Texas Natural Resources Code 51.302.
Restoration activities must be completed by January 10, 2018. Contact the appropriate Field Office prior to this date if additional time is needed. This emergency authorization does not apply to the Gulf of Mexico shoreline.
Cabin Permits
This emergency authorization does not include cabin permits. If your cabin was damaged in excess of 50%, please contact the appropriate field office prior to rebuilding.
If your cabin sustained minor damage, please contact the Field Office to report damage and coordinate repairs in accordance with you contract. Please adhere to Exhibit C and D when repairing structures.
E-mail any questions to cabins@glo.texas.gov
If you have questions or need Permitting Assistance – Contact Us
Permit Service Center:
Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi
602 N. Staples St., Suite 240
Corpus Christi, Texas 78401
361-886-1630
361-888-9305 (fax)
permitting.assistance@glo.texas.gov
Texas A&M University Galveston Campus
1001 Texas Clipper Road, Building 3026, Room 912
Galveston, Texas 77554
409-741-4057
409-741-4010 (fax)
866-894-7664 (toll free)
permitting.assistance@glo.texas.gov
Field Office Contact Information:
Upper Coast Field Office (La Porte)
11811 North D Street
La Porte, TX 77571
Phone: (281) 470-1191
Fax: (281) 470-8071
Lower Coast Field Office (Corpus Christi)
602 N. Staples St., Suite 240
Corpus Christi, Texas 78401
Phone: 361-886-1600
Commercial Leasing
Asset Management - Commercial Leasing
1700 N. Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78701
Phone: (512) 475-1427