More Public Comment - this time for BP oil spill money

Funding - it's all about the funding - where there is money there is hope for our beach.  In this case, Texas is still working to get more of our share of the BP oil spill money.  TCEQ is in charge of this aspect for Texas and the Governor has appointed Judge Nate McDonald from Matagorda County to serve on the committed to decide how that gets spent.  So we like to support the projects that RESTORE is pushing. 

TCEQ has have submitted 2 requests - 1 for about $25M for water quality which includes Matagorda Bay (so those that fish should be supporting this) and one $12.5 M for Living Shorelines (that is what our breakwater is).  

This may help us if we need additional breakwaters built after our project is implemented. So I think it is important to support this as well.  

Here is the project - - https://restorethegulf.gov/sites/default/files/FPL3b_TX_SPLS_Activity_Description.pdf

And here is a great fact sheet about the projects - https://www.restorethetexascoast.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/B2-FPL-3b-Fact-Sheets.pdf

And here is the link to public comment in support  - https://parkplanning.nps.gov/commentForm.cfm?documentID=107854  Comments are due by January 5, 2021

Project Abstract: Texas, through the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), is requesting $12.25M in Council-Selected Restoration Component funding for the Shoreline Protection Through Living Shorelines program. This would include $1,286,250 in planning and project management funds as FPL Category 1, as well as a separate $10,963,750 implementation component as an FPL Category 2 priority for potential future funding. The program will support the primary RESTORE Comprehensive Plan goal to restore and conserve habitat through the construction of large-scale living shorelines that will stabilize estuarine shorelines and protect large tracts of land and coastal resources along the Texas coast. The program will target highly eroding shorelines along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, vulnerable bay shorelines, and locations that have been identified as suitable areas for a living shoreline installation. This program will also address degrading coastal structures that need repair, such as critical seawalls, and add living shoreline elements to enhance their protective capabilities. The program will utilize specified criteria for selecting projects that were identified earlier through public meetings and as part of a stakeholder process. Living shorelines can reduce damage to shorelines by dampening wave action and trapping sediments, elevating shore profiles to a level that will support marsh vegetation. This program will also provide ecosystem services by creating hard structure habitats for fish and oysters, nutrient and sediment removal, seagrass protection, and water quality improvement. Program duration is 4 years. 



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