The Army Corps of Engineers and Texas General Land Office are working on a $23 billion-$32 billion plan to minimize coastal flooding and storm surges during hurricanes and other extreme weather events. The plan's biggest component is a 76-mile coastal barrier of floodwalls that would be constructed along Galveston Island and the Bolivar Peninsula.
The plan calls for creating the world's largest navigable storm surge barrier gate between the two islands. The gate would remain open most times but be closed during extreme storms to help prevent flooding and damage in areas along Galveston Bay, including Clear Lake and League City.
Other measures in the plan include restoring beaches and protecting shorelines along the entire Texas coast.
The Army Corps of Engineers and Texas GLO are holding meetings to give updates on the study since the entities last held public meetings in fall 2018, according to a release from Houston Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin's office. No formal presentations will be made, but officials will be on hand to answer the public's questions, and displays and materials will be available.
The Bay Area meeting will be held Feb. 13, from 6-8 p.m. at the Bay Area Community Center, 5002 E. NASA Parkway, Seabrook. Other meetings will be held in High Island on Feb. 11 and in Galveston on Feb. 12, the release reads.
Residents will be able to submit written comments in person; by mailing them to Coastal Texas Study at 2500 Summer St., Ste. 1130, Houston, TX 77007; or by emailing them to [email protected]. These comments will be considered but will not be documented as part of the second official public comment period that will be held in the fall, according to the release.
