Save Our Beach

Got some good news late last week. The corps finally sent the county the executed lease. That means a lot of things but specifically it means that the county can legally start spending money on the west side of the island. I could go into what I think of the corps real estate division and the way they handled this whole thing, but it wouldn’t be productive and efficient with my time.  You all will start seeing some activity on the west side of the island very soon. I am meeting with the contractor and their engineer next week to begin the process of rebuilding that road that is already funded. I would love to turn the contractor loose with a dozer to start the road today but the corps requires it to be engineered so that’s a process and expense we have to deal with. At the same time the county will be executing an MOU with the Port of Bay City who have graciously committed to rebuild the boat ramp. This will get that process started with their engineering and all. While the road is...

 On the Matagorda County Commissioner agenda was to approve and authorize the signing of the lease on the area which will allow the Sargent Beach breakwater and jetty project to move forward.  A huge win and the county attorney saw no issues with the lease.  According to Mike Estlinbaum, the Army Corps has the money wired to proceed with the project and is supposed to release the new request of proposal at the end of June 2025 - hopefully this bid package is better and will get solid companies bidding so it can be awarded in August and proceed in the fall.  A long time coming - hopefully it is actually moving forward. 

 From Commissioner Mike Estlinbaum -  Please keep in mind that this office doesn't sit on information that could be put out on timelines regarding all the projects coming to Sargent. We pass along information and/or updates as soon as we receive them. Furthermore, there isn't anything related to any of these projects sitting on my desk that could cause any delays. I turn around anything needed from this office or the county immediately. Unfortunately, we don't have any control how long things sit on a desk at agencies this office doesn't have any control over. All I can do is follow up regularly and ask if anything is needed from me. Having said that, I got an update on the breakwater project and a new timeline. Unfortunately the timeline has been delayed once again. This time only a couple of months. The new timeline is as follows: Advertise [go our for bid] 6/20/2025 Bid Opening 7/21/2025 Award* 8/29/2025 Issue Notice to Proceed 9/26/2025 Estimated Construction Comple...

 Interesting - the Army Corps is now in charge of the Sargent Breakwater project and they are seeking information about our project as well as dredging the Colorado River mouth.  It seems like they might be combining the two projects.  This is not a bid - but rather a “sources sought” to get information so they can create the bid. The skeptics amongst us might say - “so this means they have no idea what they are doing?!?!?” And you might be partially right.  It is a complex project but - those of us half glass full types will be happy that at least they are doing something.  Something is better than nothing - right?  Note - it says building 4 of the 5 breakwaters so it looks like they are cutting one breakwater from the project to get it back to the original budget. The longer they wait the more it costs https://sam.gov/opp/5195061ef69148499778b8815115b1e0/view SOURCES   SOUGHT   SYNOPSIS   TITLE:  Mouth of Colorado Maintenance Dredging ...

Below is the press release put out by Matagorda County today. Judge Sieferman and I had a meeting with the USACOE last week and they are not doing anything with the road. They made it clear once again that they don't care about the road or anyone that needs it. They care about one thing only and that is keeping the ICWW open for commercial traffic. Judging by the fact that the erosion is now to the road and the revetment wall is being overtopped regularly, the ICWW will be part of the Gulf of Mexico soon. This is due to decades of inaction. But I'm not an engineer, just someone that has been watching it erode 30' per year for the last 40 years.  This office has already taken steps to be ready with funding if the breakwater and replentishment projects ever happen to protect a rebuilt road. I got an estimate today that it will take ~$1.5 million to rebuild the mile of road. I already had an estimate for ~$200K to rebuild the pavillions and picnic table covers and the Port of ...

 https://www.swg.usace.army.mil/Media/News-Releases/Article/3957269/usace-closes-sargent-beach-for-public-safety/ GALVESTON, Texas -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Galveston District (SWG) and Matagorda County Officials have indefinitely closed a section of federally owned property, known as Sargent Beach (West Mooring Dock Park and the Sargent Public Boat Ramp). The designated areas of the boat ramp, mooring dock, and access road (referred to as County Road 238 or West Revetment Road) along the Gulf of Mexico are now closed due to safety concerns stemming from significant erosion and compromised infrastructure caused by recent storms. The decision aligns with USACE’s mission requirements, public safety, and a shared stakeholder commitment to protect beach visitors, reduce risks, and ensure environmentally sustainable practices while potential solutions to reopening access are examined. “Our shared responsibility to protect life and safety while ensuring the Gulf Intraco...