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Council backs applicant’s plan for submerged breakwater off Ocean Drive, with condition banning navigational lighting
Summary
Council voted to support a privately led submerged breakwater project off Ocean Drive to reduce shoreline erosion and create habitat; approval was conditional on the project not installing nighttime lighting, and the applicant said Army Corps and GLO permits and environmental surveys are in hand.
The City Council on March 25 voted to record a statement of no objection for a proposed submerged, detached breakwater offshore of Ocean Drive and Doddridge Park, with an amendment that the project include no navigational lighting.
Palacios Marine & Agricultural Research (PMAR) and local partners proposed a roughly 2,500‑foot submerged breakwater about 300 feet offshore to blunt wave energy, protect the Ocean Drive shoreline and provide hard substrate for oyster and marine life colonization. The applicant said the structure would be placed in shallow water and remain submerged at all tides; construction would use barges and 200‑pound limestone armor units and was estimated at about $750,000 with a short mobilization and installation period.
Regulatory work: Presenter Taylor (PMAR) said the Army Corps of Engineers had reviewed and issued the project drawings for the two sections in question and that PMAR has a General Land Office surface lease for the northern private property portion; the council’s endorsement was requested so the applicant could proceed to secure a GLO lease for the city property at Doddridge. The team also said they completed an archaeological magnetometer survey, natural resources and TPWD coordination and consultation with National Marine Fisheries Service and US Fish & Wildlife Service.
Council amendment and questions: Several councilmembers asked about signage, lighting and safety. Staff said the Army Corps requires notice to the U.S. Coast Guard for aids to navigation; the Coast Guard had not yet issued a definitive lighting requirement. Council members pressed the applicant for a no‑lighting assurance and the council approved the support resolution as amended to require the project include no nighttime lighting on the submerged structure.
Why it matters: The project is framed as a living shoreline approach that could reduce erosion, protect private and public bank lines and provide habitat; it is privately financed and the sponsor said it will monitor effects. The council conditioned its support on no night lighting and required the applicant to follow all Corps/GLO/Coast Guard requirements.
Ending: The council’s resolution of support (as amended) moves the GLO lease process forward for the city property; the applicant said they will continue permit coordination with federal and state regulators and proceed to construction after final approvals.
