AUSTIN, Texas— Today, Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D., is pleased to announce the commencement of The Continuing Authorities Program Section 204 (CAP 204) West Texas Beach Nourishment Project, which will be executed through a partnership between the Texas General Land Office (GLO), the City of Galveston and the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers (UACE). UACE will oversee the project's construction efforts through Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company as the contracting partner.
Galveston residents and beachgoers will see nourishment materials placed on the island's west end beginning in September. The project will take place between Sunbather Lane to 11-Mile Road, a nearly two-mile stretch of beach.
"Galveston Island was my home for more than a decade, and safeguarding its beautiful beaches for the enjoyment of Texans and the preservation of our unique wildlife is a mission close to my heart," said Commissioner Buckingham. "Through our partnership with the City of Galveston and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the GLO will help dramatically reduce the erosion rate at West Galveston Beach, which threatens the beach's recreational opportunities, wildlife habitats, and storm resilience. The project will utilize beach-quality dredge material from the Galveston Ship Channel to build the beach back stronger, making a resource that would have otherwise been discarded into a solution that supports Texas’ economic interests and environmental stewardship. I look forward to working on this project with our partners and continuing to serve the people and wildlife that call the Texas coast home."
Galveston residents and beachgoers will see nourishment materials placed on the island's west end beginning in September and will take place between Sunbather Lane to 11-Mile Road, a nearly two-mile stretch of beach.
“With erosion rates approaching seven feet per year on the west end, this project is essential to protecting our shoreline, homes, and infrastructure,” City Manager Brian Maxwell said. “By partnering with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Texas General Land Office, and the Park Board, we’re turning what would have been discarded dredge material into a meaningful investment in our future.”
In June 2025, after recognizing the urgent need to address significant erosion along the island’s west end, the City of Galveston formally requested assistance from USACE to explore long-term solutions, which included a feasibility study that showed the overall cost and scope of the project and determined federal interest.
Galveston residents and beachgoers will see nourishment materials placed on the island's west end beginning in September and will take place between Sunbather Lane to 11-Mile Road, a nearly two-mile stretch of beach.
“These ‘beneficial use’ beach nourishment projects are environmentally and economically responsible ways to use the dredged material from our routine maintenance to benefit local communities,” said USACE Galveston District Public Affairs Chief Carlos Gomez. “They also improve eroded coastlines by adding more buffer zones to protect our coastal communities against severe storms.”
The feasibility study formulated alternatives to achieve restoration, evaluated the environmental effects of the alternatives, documented project requirements, and provided a scope and cost estimate for project implementation. Once the feasibility study was complete, the USACE began preparing detailed project plans and specifications while handling the required federal permits needs.
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Dr. Dawn Buckingham made history in 2022, winning a statewide election to become Texas' first female Land Commissioner. As Land Commissioner, Dr. Dawn Buckingham is committed to helping Texans after a disaster, supporting Texas energy, ensuring that every child in Texas receives a high-quality public education, serving Texas Veterans, and securing the border to keep our communities safe.