AUSTIN — Today, Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D. announced the approval of the Coastal Erosion Planning & Response Act (CEPRA) funding for the final phase of the Adolph Thomae Jr. County Park Shoreline Protection project.

The fifth and final phase of the project proposes to stabilize 2,940 linear feet of eroding shoreline by the construction of a living shoreline (habitat bench) and a rip rap breakwater that was initially designed and permitted during Phase 3 of the project.  

“As someone who spent more than a decade living on the Texas coast, ensuring our communities, wildlife, and their habitats are safe and thriving is near and dear to my heart,” said Commissioner Buckingham. “The Texas General Land Office is pleased to award Cameron County with funding for the crucial shoreline restoration effort at Adolph Thomae Jr County Park. The creation of additional living shoreline that incorporates natural vegetation will not only help connect the land to the shore, but it will also reduce erosion and ensure coastal resiliency for generations to come.” 

The living shoreline component will consist of a vegetated slope stabilization habitat bench that will be constructed along 2,740 feet of shoreline. Additionally, a stone rip rap breakwater will be constructed parallel to the shoreline in the nearshore zone along 200 feet of shoreline.

Funding allocated for this phase of the project includes $4,908,200 from the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act and $88,200 in CEPRA Cycle 13 with $58,800 of County match bringing the total project cost to $5,055,200.

The CEPRA Program helps communities across the Texas coast implement erosion response projects and related studies to understand and reduce coastal erosion as it threatens public beaches, natural resources, coastal development, public infrastructure, and public and private property.