Coastal Texas Research Council

Coastal Texas Research Council

Charged with serving as a science and technology partner in support of the Coastal Texas Project, the Council will evaluate proposed research investments, conduct independent studies on pivotal engineering, environmental and societal challenges, and deliver expert input to inform critical project decisions for two elements of the Coastal Texas Project—Galveston Bay Barrier System, also known locally as “Ike Dike,” and Galveston Bay Shoreline and Island Protection.

Participating Research Institutions

Participating Government Agencies

Logo of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, a key partner in the Coastal Texas Protection and Restoration Project
Logo of the Texas General Land Office.
Gulf Coast Protection District Logo Social Image

Key Activities

  • Develop and guide the research agenda, identify key research questions for investigation, and perform selected research and design studies.
  • Advise on monitoring and data collection strategies.
  • Support education and training programs for the next generation of researchers and practitioners in the construction, operation, and management of relevant infrastructure and systems.
  • Coordinate and facilitate communication across multiple academic and research institutions.
  • Engaging international experts and partners across academia, government, and private sectors.
  • Disseminate findings through peer-reviewed scientific venues and other appropriate reporting channels.
  • Recommend creditable work academic institutions can deliver to drive innovation for the Coastal Texas Project.
Master Service Agreement
Press Release
Financing Coastal Storm Risk Management Projects Through the Use of Carbon Credits

This project examines financing for the Galveston Bay Shoreline and Island Protection element of the Coastal Texas Project by using carbon credit revenue accrued from constructed living shoreline structures protecting the Gulf Intercoastal Waterway from erosion. If successful, this funding mechanism would be a first of its kind in the United States.

The research project will evaluate the feasibility of funding construction of living shorelines at locations along the 30 miles of West Bay and 20 miles of East Bay within Galveston County with high integrity carbon credits. “Blue carbon” credits will be generated by protecting coastal marsh from inundation and loss due to rising sea levels and continuous barge wakes with the construction of living shorelines for erosion control.

Carbon credits would be certified under a BCarbon protocol and awarded based on the quantity of wetland carbon prevented from being released through marsh loss and subsequent soil erosion.

Deliverables:
  • Soil carbon and GIS mapping analysis
  • Carbon credit feasibility assessment
  • Living shoreline placement and cost evaluation
  • Stakeholder and buyer engagement summaries
  • Interim and final technical reports
  • Final presentation to GCPD leadership and/or Board
Duration:

12 months

Principal Investigator(s):
  • Dr. Sam Brody, Texas A&M University at Galveston
  • Jim Blackburn, Rice University

This project will evaluate the degraded state of the Coastal Texas Project’s dual-dune and beach system under current storm conditions, and then the dune and beach system’s geometry (dune height, slope, width, and inter-dune spacing).

The objective of the study is to reduce breaching and backbarrier flooding risk. The work combines numerical modeling (XBeach and CSHORE) with physical wave flume experiments at Texas A&M University’s Galveston campus, and is structured to inform, but not complete, the beach and dune design team’s 35% design effort. 

Deliverables:
  • Phase 1 includes numerical model setup and an initial optimized dune geometry, with a report due about one year after Notice to Proceed. 
  • Phase 2 includes a second numerical model and physical wave flume testing, with a final report due at the end of year, as well as a planned half-day visit for Board members to see the wave flume testing in action and take part in a hands-on demonstration of a morphology flow table at Texas A&M University’s Galveston campus. 
Duration:

2 Years

Principal Investigators:
  • Dr. Jens Figlus (Texas A&M University, Dept. of Ocean Engineering)
  • Dr. Orencio Duran Vinent (Texas A&M University, Dept. of Ocean Engineering)

Research Projects coming soon …

Research Projects coming soon …