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Gulf Coast Protection District briefs council on Coastal Texas (Ike Dike) design, funding and sand needs
Summary
A Gulf Coast Protection District representative told council the Coastal Texas project is authorized at roughly $34 billion with the district responsible for 35% of local non‑federal share; the project includes massive gates across the Ship Channel, beach and dune work and will require an estimated 50 million cubic yards of sand.
A representative for the Gulf Coast Protection District updated council on the multi‑county Coastal Texas ("Ike Dike") project and the district’s work as non‑federal sponsor.
The presenter said the federal authorization for Coastal Texas is roughly $34 billion and that the Gulf Coast Protection District would be responsible for about 35% of that amount as the non‑federal partner. He described major project elements, including the Boulevard Road sector-gate system across Bolivar and the Houston Ship Channel, 15 sluice gates approximately 300 feet wide, and beach-and-dune restoration works that together will deliver the majority of protection for the upper Texas Gulf Coast.
The presenter outlined near‑term design steps: RFQs issued, contracts awarded to Jacobs (Boulevard Road gate system) and HDR (beaches and dunes), and formation of a research council that includes Texas A&M and international partners. He said the program needs about 50,000,000 cubic yards of sand for initial beach/dune construction and that state funding to date includes about $950 million authorized across recent legislative sessions, plus investigative earmarks and items in the federal budget. He noted a $6,750,000 earmark for FY26 and $10,600,000 in FY27 committee funding as early federal appropriations for investigative work.
The presenter closed by noting the district’s office in Clear Lake, planned stakeholder meetings, and an invitation to bring updates to community groups. Council had no substantive questions at the end of the presentation.
