Galveston Bay Shoreline and Island Protection

Galveston Bay Shoreline and Island Protection is one element of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Coastwide Ecosystem Restoration Plan, also known as the National Ecosystem Restoration Plan or NER Plan. Part of the broader Coastal Texas Project, this element is complementary to the Galveston Bay Barrier System, but not the same element.

Highlights and Fast Facts

This element consists of:

  • 40 miles of breakwater
  • 326 acres of island creation
  • 18 acres of oyster cultch
  • 1,295.4 avg annual habitat units created

The plan aims to restore wetlands and islands, construct breakwaters, and create oyster habitat. These activities aim to decrease erosion and loss of habitat from vessel wakes, as well as reduce maintenance dredging of the Gulf Intercoastal Waterway.

Aerial view of texas coast
Image of Texas coast with man fishing off a jetty
Overview map of GCPD Galveston Bay Shoreline and Island Protection Project

Located mostly in Galveston County between Chocolate Bay and High Island, this element focuses on 34 miles along the Gulf Intercoastal Waterway (GIWW) shoreline.

Project Funding

Congress formally authorized all elements of the Coastal Texas Project to advance into design with the Water Resources Development Act of 2022.

Estimated Cost

$ 0
Billion

Cost Share

Federal
0 %
Non-Federal
0 %

Funding

FY2024 USACE Work Plan provided an initial $500,000 in Federal funding to advance preconstruction engineering and design. In Dec. 2024, GCPD and Texas GLO executed an Interlocal Agreement, providing ~$2 million in state funding toward design activities.

Construction Progress

Overall Design Completion

0 %

Overall Construction Completion

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Project Partners and Roles

Logo of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, a key partner in the Coastal Texas Protection and Restoration Project

United States Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston District (USACE)

Federal sponsor: A project constructed by USACE using federal funding, then handed off to a local entity for operations & maintenance.

Gulf Coast Protection District color logo icon - protecting 5,220 square miles of Texas Gulf Coast communities

Gulf Coast Protection District (GCPD)

Lead non-Federal sponsor: a local entity partnered with USACE to carry out projects. Responsibilities can include cost sharing, land acquisition, project design, construction, regulatory compliance, and long-term maintenance.

Logo of the Texas General Land Office.

Texas General Land Office (GLO)

Non-Federal sponsor: a local entity partnered with USACE to carry out projects. Responsibilities can include cost sharing, land acquisition, project design, construction, regulatory compliance, and long-term maintenance.