The City of South Padre Island on Tuesday granted a beach-and-dune mitigation permit for work at 8600 Breakers Boulevard after the General Land Office (GLO) issued a notice of noncompliance for damaged dune vegetation.

Shoreline Director Christina Baburka told council staff discovered approximately 760 square feet of dune-vegetation loss. The permit application proposed revegetation at the vegetation line and placement of sand fencing. The applicant had requested use of a tractor to place hay, but Baburka said that method is not allowed under state rules cited in staff materials.

Baburka said the city had not issued a fine and that the GLO had issued the notice. She noted the GLO may fine up to $2,000 per day for noncompliance; staff said they had been coordinating with the GLO on enforcement and that citations could be issued by the city if warranted. The Shoreline Task Force reviewed the application and recommended approval so long as shorelines staff coordinate future hay placement and mitigation activities with the department.

Council approved the mitigation permit to correct the damage. Several council members and the city attorney commented that fines or citations are the primary enforcement lever to deter future dune damage.

Why it matters: Damaged dunes can increase coastal vulnerability and degrade habitat; the permit obligates restoration but does not automatically carry a city-issued fine. Staff said the GLO retains enforcement authority and that the city can pursue citations for local code violations.

What’s next: Shoreline staff will work with the applicant on revegetation and will follow up on whether a citation or other enforcement measures are appropriate.