Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Coastal Restoration topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Preferred plan for Raccoon Island restoration totals nearly $103 million; construction targeted for summer 2027
Summary
Mr. Black told the committee that the preferred restoration alternative for Raccoon Island would restore roughly 410 acres of beach, dune and marsh, add living-shoreline structures and cost almost $103 million, with construction expected in summer 2027 to avoid bird-nesting season.
Mr. Black presented the preferred alternative for the Raccoon Island Restoration (TE 163), saying it would restore about 410 acres of beach, dune and marsh and include 13 bayside living-shoreline structures and raised mounds to support bird nesting.
"The total estimated construction cost for this alternative comes to almost $103 million," Mr. Black said, and he added the figure equates to roughly $251,000 per acre. He said 100% design is anticipated in December, construction is scheduled to begin in summer 2027, and a notice to proceed is expected in fall 2027 in order to avoid conflicts with bird-nesting season.
According to Mr. Black, the preferred alternative balances habitat restoration benefits, shoreline protection, resiliency and cost-effectiveness. The plan would reduce erosion pressures and help establish emergent marsh edge important for fish and shellfish nursery habitat and for fledgling birds.
Staff noted the project includes temporary fill at marsh level on the island backside, booster pumps for placement and segmented rock barriers and groin extensions on the island front where prior works have aided accretion. Geotechnical work led staff to recommend sourcing borrow sand from Ship Shoal about 8.6 miles offshore after finding insufficient material at the far western island end; staff described the need for seismic testing to identify densest, lasting sand.
The committee heard that the project team expects construction notice-to-proceed in the fall of 2027 and that contractors will schedule work to avoid nesting seasons. Project managers for related landbridge work (TE 181 and TE 186) were identified as Kent Bulus Bulus and Robert Seaman, and staff said they are coordinating with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and NRCS and meeting with major landowners (Apache Minerals, Kico Phillips, Continental Land and Fur) to secure cooperation and signatures.
Next procedural steps reported to the committee: complete 100% design (target December), finalize mitigation and procurement details, and issue the construction notice following required clearances.
