Coastal Erosion
Texas has some of the highest coastal erosion rates in the country. Research shows that 64 percent of the Texas coast is eroding at an average rate of about 6 feet per year with some locations losing more than 30 feet per year. As a whole, the Texas coast is eroding at an average rate of 2.3 feet per year.
When the Texas coast erodes, property values decrease, homes are lost, tourism suffers, and local economies feel the impact. Additionally, without healthy beaches, dunes and wetlands to protect the coast, the impact of major storms like Hurricane Ike is far more
severe.
As steward of the Texas coast, the Texas General Land Office is leading the fight against coastal erosion. By maximizing federal, state and local resources the Land Office works with all coastal stakeholders to fight erosion where it makes economic sense to do so.
The primary means to combat erosion is through increased funding of a wide range of anti-erosion tools, including beach nourishment, wetland restoration and hard protective structures where appropriate. Further study of the issue is also an important tool in the fight against erosion.
The Texas Coastal Sediments Geodatabase (TxSed) is comprised of sediment-related geospatial and geotechnical data. TxSed can be used to assist in identifying compatible sediment resources for proposed beach nourishment or habitat restoration projects, and can be used as an aid in the permitting/regulatory processes for such projects. Launch TxSED Viewer
The Land Office provides funding for these efforts primarily through the Coastal Erosion Planning and Response Act (CEPRA) and other funding streams. Learn More
Fighting Erosion
The Coastal Erosion Planning and Response Act (CEPRA) Program has been administered by the Texas General Land Office since its creation in 1999. The Land Office tries to leverage funding for projects by collaborating with federal and local governments, non-profit entities and private citizens.
The General Land Office funds a wide range of erosion response projects and studies, including funding for beach nourishment, dune restoration, shoreline protection, habitat restoration/protection, debris removal, structure relocation/demolition, coastal engineering/research and studies. View Funded Projects
Through CEPRA, the Land Office implements coastal erosion response projects and related studies. Coastal erosion threatens public beaches, natural resources, coastal development, public infrastructure, and public and private property.
The following types of projects are generally considered by the Land Office for funding, with priority given to erosion response solutions during the biennium:
- beach nourishment on both Gulf of Mexico and bay beaches
- shoreline stabilization
- habitat restoration and protection
- dune restoration
- beneficial uses of dredged material for beach nourishment, habitat restoration, etc.
- coastal erosion related studies and investigations
- demonstration projects
- structure relocation and debris removal
Jason Pinchback