Developers present environmental findings and preliminary design for proposed South Padre deepwater marina

Greg Weicamp of Edgewater Resources and consultant Phil Henley presented a progress update on a proposed South Padre Island deepwater marina and wider “South Padre Island Marine Park.” Weicamp described the marina as a catalyst within a larger plan of constructed islands intended to protect the facility, create habitat and manage sedimentation.

“...we do not wanna disturb 1 more blade of seagrass than we absolutely have to,” Weicamp said, describing the project’s aim to avoid and then minimize impacts to seagrass, mangroves and oysters before mitigating unavoidable effects. He said the team has focused on two candidate sites, rejected the Sea Ranch location after county issues, and is now advancing work at the Causeway site.

Phil Henley summarized recent fieldwork: high‑resolution drone imagery, transect seagrass surveys on 200‑foot spacing, ground truthing of mangrove lines, topographic surveys supplemented by LIDAR where possible and an upcoming bathymetric survey scheduled to start Thursday of the work week. Henley reported that an existing channel through the site has no seagrasses or oysters inside it and measured roughly 180 feet wide at the north and south ends and 150 feet in the center — findings that Henley said could allow a public boardwalk through the channel while preserving boat transit lanes.

Weicamp described engineering and modeling underway to design a network of islands that would reduce wave energy, control sedimentation and maintain water flow for habitat connectivity. He said hydrodynamic models are being refined and that the project team will submit permit applications to the State of Texas and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers when the alternatives analysis and mitigation plans are complete.

Design features shown to council included an 18–20 foot‑wide public boardwalk, shelters, kayak/paddlecraft kiosks and provisions for public access and education. Weicamp and Henley referenced a comparable completed project in Fort Pierce, Florida, to illustrate long‑term habitat outcomes.

Why it matters: the project proposes engineered islands and a protected harbor intended to reduce the need for frequent dredging, add public waterfront access and create new habitat. The council received the update; no permitting approvals or funding commitments were requested or made during this meeting.

ACTIONS: No formal motions or votes were taken on the marina at this meeting; the presentation was an informational update.