• Why do we need to plan for the future of our coast?
  The Texas coast is a blend of natural environments, human communities, wildlife habitats, and built infrastructure that must be preserved, because:
  • The state’s natural coastal environments contribute invaluable cultural and recreational benefits, seafood, flood prevention, and habitat productivity that bolster business development, improve quality of life, and attract people to Texas.
  • Human development along the coast provides the support services, transportation, and infrastructure that allow our communities, businesses, and families to grow and flourish.
  • The Texas coast is a hub for trade, tourism, recreational opportunities, and energy production. However, the coastal region is also susceptible to the extreme impacts of natural disasters as well as the impacts from environmental, social, and economic pressures that have dire consequences such as widespread flooding, structural damage, erosion, high tide events, and fish kills. Working to defend our  coast against these vulnerabilities is the main mission of the GLO Coastal Division.

• What is the Texas Coastal Resiliency Master Plan?
  The Texas Coastal Resiliency Master Plan is an ongoing, state-led coastal planning effort coordinated by the GLO that seeks to restore, enhance, and protect our Texas coast. The Plan recommends specific coastwide and regional projects to provide solutions to restore, enhance and protect coastal habitats, infrastructure and communities. 

• What is coastal resiliency?
  Coastal resiliency is the ability of coastal resources and coastal infrastructure to withstand natural or manmade disturbances and quickly rebound from coastal hazards. There are two ways we can create resiliency along our coast: 1) First, is taking action by implementing the projects in this plan to eliminate or reduce negative impacts from natural and man-made disturbances; and 2) Responding effectively in instances when negative impacts cannot be avoided.

• What are the key objectives of the Texas Coastal Resiliency Master Plan?
  The key objectives for the Texas Coastal Resiliency Master Plan are to:
  • Identify immediate and future coastal hazards that endanger the long-term growth of our coastal communities, infrastructure, and ecosystems.
  • Working closely with local partners, evaluate and select high priority, “Tier 1” projects that reduce potential coastal hazards to ensure long-term resiliency along the Texas coast.
  • The GLO will coordinate with local partners to use various funding streams to implement Tier 1
  • Maintain and update the lan on a regular basis to ensure the plan is current and adapts to changing coastal conditions and evolving needs of our Texas coast.
  • Increase awareness of the value and vulnerability of the Texas coast and explain the benefits of investing in coastal resiliency strategies and projects that aim to restore, enhance and protect the coastal area.

• What coastal hazards or vulnerabilities is this Plan addressing?
  The Plan aims to reduce or alleviate coastal hazards such as:
  • Altered, Degraded or Lost Habitat
  • Gulf Beach Erosion and Dune Degradation
  • Bay Shoreline Erosion
  • Existing and Future Coastal Storm Surge Damage
  • Coastal Flood Damage
  • Impact on Water Quality and Quantity
  • Impact on Coastal Resources
  • Abandoned or Derelict Vessels, Structures and Debris

• What kinds of projects are recommended by this Plan?
  Each project is considered for its ability to enhance coastal resiliency. Multiple perspectives are considered: project type, cost, benefits, vulnerabilities addressed, feasibility, constructability, and more. Nature-based (“green”) solutions, traditional (“gray”) infrastructure, and hybrid green/gray projects are considered, as well as planning, research, and administrative projects.

• How will these projects benefit the Texas coast?
  Each project has been prioritized based on its ability to effectively and efficiently address immediate and gradual coastal hazards and vulnerabilities. The projects have been reviewed through close coordination with a Technical Advisory Committee that includes coastal experts and local decision-makers.
  
  
• What is a multiple lines of defense approach?
  The 2019 Texas Coastal Resiliency Master Plan incorporates a broader vision of “green” (nature-based) and “gray” (built) projects working together in a complementary manner. This approach utilizes the natural physical features of the landscape, like the barrier islands and dune ridges, along with built infrastructure, like roads and seawalls, to collectively reduce risk and to mitigate against the coastal vulnerabilities such as:
  • Altered, Degraded or Lost Habitat
  • Gulf Beach Erosion and Dune Degradation
  • Bay Shoreline Erosion
  • Existing and Future Coastal Storm Surge Damage
  • Coastal Flood Damage
  • Impact on Water Quality and Quantity
  • Impact on Coastal Resources
  • Abandoned or Derelict Vessels, Structures and Debris

• What is a Tier 1 project? What are the possible project levels?
  Tier 1 projects are the priority projects that are recommended for implementation now to create a more resilient Texas coast for the future. The Texas Coastal Resiliency Master Plan recommends Tier 1 projects (priority projects for implementation), Tier 2 projects (need refinement to become priority), and Tier 3 projects (not recommended at this time). Information on Tier 2 and 3 projects can be found in the Technical Report for the Plan. (We will need to link to this) 

• Who was involved in the project selection and prioritization process?
  To identify the vulnerabilities facing the Texas coast and evaluate projects to address these coastal challenges, the GLO formed a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). TAC members were invited to share their expert feedback with fellow TAC members and the GLO during a series of meetings along the Texas coast. The TAC provided critical input throughout the entire planning process with regard to scientific and specialized knowledge of coastal problems and possible solutions. The prioritized Tier 1 projects in the Texas Coastal Resiliency Master Plan were reviewed and evaluated by the TAC consisting of coastal experts and local decision-makers representing:
  • local governments
  • state and federal agencies
  • universities
  • non-profits
  • engineering firms
  • port authorities
  • other regional trusts, foundations, and partnerships
    
    
• How are these projects being funded?
  The Texas Coastal Resiliency Master Plan assists with funding priorities for GLO internal programs, such as the Coastal Erosion Planning and Response Act (CEPRA) Program and the Coastal Management Program. The Plan has also been utilized by decision makers for funding sources external to the GLO such as the RESTORE Council, Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. For detailed information on funding for a specific project, go to that project under the county it’s in for more information.
  
  
• When will the projects be constructed?
  The prioritized Tier 1 projects are in various phases of implementation. Some projects are “shovel-ready,” meaning they are already designed and permitted and are seeking additional funding to be constructed, while others need significantly more funding or support to move forward.
  
  
• What is the GLO doing to move projects forward?
  The GLO is directly involved in the funding and management of Tier 1 projects in the Texas Coastal Resiliency Master Plan. Another subset of projects that have less existing support are being advanced incrementally by the GLO’s Coastal Planning team through coordination with local partners to identify and align involved stakeholder objectives and resources.
  
  
• Is this the final plan?
  The next version of the Texas Coastal Resiliency Master Plan is scheduled for release in 2023 and will be updated every four years. 
  
  
• Where can I learn more?
  View and download the current and previous versions of the Texas Coastal Resiliency Master Plan and learn about projects happening in your area by visiting our website here: https://www.glo.texas.gov/crmp
  
  
• What projects are happening in my area?
  To see what projects are occurring in your county and view details of those projects, go to the … “project by county?” tab and click on your county.
  
  
• I have specific questions about a project. Whom should I contact?
  The GLO Coastal Department is happy to answer any questions you may have. They are available at (512) 475-0773. The GLO Government Relations Department is available to speak with state, local and county officials. They are available at (512) 936-1905