AUSTIN, Texas— Today, Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D., announced that the City of South Padre completed construction, funded in part by the Texas General Land Office's (GLO) Coastal Management Program (CMP), to improve accessibility at Neptune Circle, Beach Access #16 located on Gulf Boulevard between East Saturn Lane and East Venus Lane. The improved beach access point is once again open to the public.
"As a Texan who spent over a decade living on our coast, I am continuously looking for ways to ensure all Texans can enjoy our beautiful beaches with their families and friends during beach season and year-round," said Commissioner Buckingham. "It has been a pleasure to work with the City of South Padre to provide an improved beach access point with an ADA dune walkover to this vibrant community. I look forward to delivering more wins for the Texas coast and and every Texan who calls it home."
ADA Compliant Dune Walkover at Neptune Circle, Beach Access #16 on South Padre Island
There were several improvements made to this popular beach access point to ensure all Texans can enjoy this beautiful stretch of shoreline including, an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant dune walkover, a permanent restroom, a rinse station, and parking lot updates.
Accessible Restrooms at Neptune Circle, Beach Access #16 on South Padre Island
The Texas Coastal Management Program (CMP), which receives funding from NOAA, focuses on the state's coastal natural resource areas. The program is managed by the Texas Land Commissioner. The federally approved program brings approximately $2.2 million in federal Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) funds to Texas, most of which goes to state and local entities to implement projects and program activities.
The GLO has funded projects in all parts of the coastal zone for a wide variety of purposes. The GLO established the following categories for the use of these funds by coastal communities:
- Public Access
- Coastal Nonpoint Source Pollution
- Coastal Hazards
- Coastal Habitat
Texas is one of only a handful of coastal states that pass substantial amounts of CZMA funds through to coastal communities for projects in the coastal zone.
RELATED: Commissioner Buckingham Announces Beach Nourishment Project on West Galveston Beach
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Dr. Dawn Buckingham made history in 2022, winning a statewide election to become Texas' first female Land Commissioner. As Land Commissioner, Dr. Dawn Buckingham is committed to helping Texans after a disaster, supporting Texas energy, ensuring that every child in Texas receives a high-quality public education, serving Texas Veterans, and securing the border to keep our communities safe.