The Texas General Land Office has awarded approximately $84.6 million to 14 coastal counties through two major coastal protection programs, including multiple projects in San Patricio County.
Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham announced the awards on Tuesday, Feb. 24 during a series of check presentations in Corpus Christi and Brownsville. The funding comes through Coastal Management Program Grant Cycle 31 and the Coastal Erosion Planning and Response Act program Cycle 14.
“As someone who spent more than a decade living on the Texas coast, ensuring our communities, wildlife, and their habitats are safe and thriving is of utmost importance,” Buckingham said. “I am honored to bring this much-needed funding to our coastal communities for these beneficial projects. By dedicating this crucial assistance to these impactful projects, the GLO is ensuring our Texas coast will continue to thrive and remain resilient for generations to come.”
San Patricio County projects focus heavily on shoreline stabilization, marsh restoration, water quality management and public coastal access.
Among the funded initiatives:
The Indian Point Causeway Phase II Project, led by the Port of Corpus Christi Authority, will construct 1,500 linear feet of breakwaters and restore sandy beach areas.
Additional shoreline protection at Indian Point, including 1,800 linear feet of breakwaters and wetland restoration design work.
Nueces Bay Portland Causeway Marsh Restoration, reinforcing breakwaters to protect restored marsh habitat.
Nueces Delta freshwater inflow management improvements to maximize retention of freshwater entering the delta.
Nueces River Delta shoreline stabilization analysis to evaluate protection alternatives.
Shoreline erosion control projects along Nueces Bay led by the San Patricio Soil and Water Conservation District.
Installation of a pumpout station by the San Patricio County Navigation District to improve coastal water quality.
The Oak Motte Habitat Acquisition and Public Access Enhancement project in Ingleside, adding approximately 20 acres of preserved habitat and public facilities.
Restroom facilities construction at Cove Harbor Park in Ingleside.
Kayak trail facility improvements at Aransas Pass Community Park and Nature Area.
Coastal boundary survey work conducted through a GLO interlocal agreement with San Patricio County in preparation for living shoreline implementation.
Agricultural water quality compliance programs administered by the San Patricio Soil and Water Conservation District under Senate Bill 503 and related management initiatives.
Sediment transport modeling in Nueces and Corpus Christi bays conducted by Texas A&M University–Kingsville.
Several projects are joint efforts spanning multiple counties.
The GLO administers CMP and CEPRA funding to support erosion response, shoreline stabilization, habitat restoration, water quality improvements and public access enhancements along the Texas coast.