After requests from political figures and residents, the Army Corps of Engineers has extended the public comment period until Feb. 8 for the Coastal Texas Study, which includes a proposed 76-mile coastal barrier along Galveston Island and Bolivar Peninsula.

The comment period was originally scheduled to end Jan. 9, according to a Corps news release.

Several people, including U.S. Rep. Randy Weber, R-Friendswood, and Galveston County Commissioner Ken Clark, requested a 45-day extension on the comment period during a Dec. 18 meeting on the study.

"Public involvement is integral to assessing the environmental consequences of the proposed project and improving the quality of the environmental and feasibility decision-making," the Corps' release reads.

Residents can email comments to [email protected] or send comments by postal mail to USACE, Galveston District, Attn: Jennifer Morgan, Environmental Compliance Branch, Regional Planning and Environmental Center, P.O. Box 1229, Galveston, TX 77553-1229. Comments must be postmarked by Feb. 8.

The Corps will consult officials from other countries and consider input from local experts and residents as it refines the study. More information is online at www.coastalstudy.texas.gov.