Bay Area Edition | November 2024

BY RACHEL LELAND & JAMES T. NORMAN

The cost

The concerns

Disasters, such as Hurricane Ike, did nearly $29.5 billion in damage, according to data from the Texas General Land Office. U.S. Rep. Randy Weber, R-Beaumont, said Nov. 13 that he is continuing to push for funding at the federal level, calling the work “critical” to the region. To that end, the federal government’s appropriation process begins at the start of 2025, which could provide an avenue to get more funding. Despite this, Weber did not specify how long he expects it to take to get funding. “However long it takes, you can count on me to keep pushing hard,” Weber said. When work starts, timelines from the project’s website suggest the Galveston Bay system could take between 12 and 20 years to build out.

Funding is the catalyst to all the projects being pitched for the Texas coast. The federal government is on the hook for 65% of the total cost, with the remainder coming from the state and other sponsors, Burks-Copes said. Among the $34 billion , roughly $27 billion is expected to go to infrastructure for the system, Sunstrum said. While she said the current cost estimation is accurate as of now, the length of the project could be impacted by inflation, which becomes more of a factor the longer the project lingers. In addition to the $500,000 from the federal government, the state of Texas has provided $226 million in funding, Sunstrum said. Despite the project’s cost, officials have defended its need in the form of money saved.

As the project has gone through stages, concerns from some groups, including nonprofit Turtle Island Restoration Network, which is dedicated to protecting marine wildlife, have lingered with it. Ocean Program Director Joanie Steinhaus said she’s worried about the effect the project would have on the Gulf near Galveston. Concerns about erosion and the environmental protections still need to be addressed, she said. Nature-based solutions, such as dredges and things that absorb storm surge, are items she said she would support. “We need to work with nature,” she said. “We need to stop building and protect what we have. Not allow more construction.” However, those with the project, including Burks-Copes, point to the number of environ- mental restoration projects included in the plans.

Projected timeline once work begins

Year

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9101112131415161718

Protecting the Gulf While several permanent structures are planned for the gulf project, officials are planning a number of environmental enhancements to protect wildlife and prevent further erosion.

Bolivar Roads Gate System

Bolivar Beach and Dune System

West Galveston Beach and Dune System

Galveston Ring Barrier System

of breakwaters, or structures to protect against tides.

114 miles

Clear Lake Gate System

Dickinson Bay Gate System

12.32 miles

of oyster reef created

Ecosystem restoration

of beach and dune restored across coast

40+ total miles

Total project funding to date

2,000+ acres

of marsh restored

$34B needed

$226.5M funded

SOURCES: COASTAL TEXAS PROJECT, GULF COAST PROTECTION DISTRICT, U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS/COMMUNITY IMPACT

What’s next?

project will get built due to the safety it would bring to both people and the broader economy. Paul shared a similar sentiment, calling the project “life changing.” “I tell people 100 years from now nobody is going to worry about what we’re arguing [about],” he said. “But every Texan will know there’s a coastal barrier that’s protecting their vital region. It’ll be a great legacy for all Texans. … I’m excited to be a part of it.”

expects funding to come in some capacity soon. A new presidential administration along with recent hurricanes, such as hurricanes Beryl, Helene and Milton this year, could prompt officials to approve a disaster relief bill, Sunstrum said. Weber’s office said they weren’t aware if conversations on such a bill have taken place. Despite delays and hangups with funding, Sunstrum said she remains confident the

With the next Texas legislative session starting in January, Paul said he’s optimistic the state will pass the Gulf Coast funding account, which would allow extra federal dollars to be deposited and used for future and current Gulf Coast protection projects. It had support from both parties in 2023 but was vetoed due to technicalities, Community Impact previously reported. At the federal level, Sunstrum said she

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