Save Our Beach

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...

There have been multiple articles about the same study on the beach destruction by Beryl.  The study was funded by NOAA and done by UofH.   The study, funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Texas General Land Office, highlights the changes observed at Galveston, Follett's Island, Matagorda, Mustang Island, North Padre Island and Sargent Island, close to where Beryl made landfall. “Sargent Island experienced the most significant impact and is unrecognizable,” Khan said. “The flooding, overwash and scarping caused by Beryl wiped out nearly all the dunes and left the area virtually inaccessible. The findings parallel a previous study by Khan’s team on the coastal impacts of Hurricane Harvey in 2017 that revealed similar but more significant changes. “After Harvey, we found an average shoreline retreat of just over 16 meters, with certain areas near the landfall site in Rockport seeing nearly 60 meters of erosion,” Khan said. “Those values far e...

There was a meeting on the Sargent Breakwater project - it was underwhelming according to those that attended.  Hello Dave Saba, this is Pat Jarrett. Attended the session at the park this morning with county commissioner, GLO & USACOE. Basically it was useless. 1) USACOE is reviewing what the GLO turned over to them. May or may not tweak it. Still in review stage. 2) June/July 2025 May be ready to send out for bids.  3) Will move approx. 900,000 cubic yards of sand from Matagorda area to Sargent after Breakwater/Groin installed. Funds are in place for that according to the individual that handles dredge operations for the USACOE. The only person that I thought was helpful was the guy (named Seth) from the USACOE and the only one that spoke really. Very compartmentalized, so he was limited on giving out info. Only other person from the CORPS that said anything ( as I asked a question asking if the county/Corps has a new lease signed... Was the real estate gentleman. No new ...

So apparently the real problem is that the way the project was designed was not entirely feasible.  So it has now gone out for bid twice without success and now have to modify the project again to get it done.  The GLO commissioner says that they will get started in the next six months.  I have been the most positive cheerleader on this project but this is so discouraging.  I know that Mike Estlinbaum has been all over it and pushing hard but he can't control the GLO and their glacial pace.  So I guess we just have to expect more of this -  From Bay City Tribune if you subscribe -  Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham visited Matagorda County with an $8M check in hand to bolster the county’s drainage and sewer systems in response to Hurricane Beryl damage. The Texas General Land Office awarded over $66M to regional mitigation projects across 10 cities and three counties Thursday. “The GLO is proud to work with Texas communities to strengthen and...

Still no word on the project being awarded - - - sigh.  Matagorda County Emergency Operations Center Press release / For immediate release June 28, 2024 1600 hours Matagorda County officials have been instructed to immediately close West Revetment Road by the United States Corp of Engineers. This road is along the revetment wall and is west of FM 457, in Sargent Texas. An inspection of the road was recently completed because of Tropical Storm Alberto. The storm has undermined the road and left huge holes all along the road. The call came in approximately 215 pm from the Office of Robert J. Buchalski Chief, Management and Disposal Branch Real Estate Division U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Galveston District. He stressed the need to close the road to the public to prevent damage and injuries. He asked the County to close the road out of an abundance of caution. Matagorda County Commissioner Mike Estlinbaum said he would follow the direction of the Corp of Engineers and hopes for a pe...