CR 257 Dune Restoration

Summary

The GLO partnered with Brazoria County to address the restoration of approximately five miles of dune system along the seaward side of an approximately nine-mile stretch of County Road 257 (CR257) on Follet’s Island, between Treasure Island and the Village of Surfside. The island is eroding and was badly damaged by storms including Hurricane Ike. The beach and dune system along CR257 has experienced historical erosion rates of up to 10 feet per year. The beach/dune system has historically served as a shoreline protection barrier for CR257, an important hurricane evacuation route. In addition, the beach and dune system protects 2,148 acres of estuarine marsh, four acres of fresh water marsh, and 480 acres of tidal flats. Hurricane Ike caused major damage to the gulf shoreline beach and dune system along CR257, which placed over 2,632 acres of important habitat at risk.