The shifting sands of Galveston Island
The ever-changing coastline on Galveston Island’s West End is creating myriad dilemmas for citizens and government officials.
First, beachfront landholders woke up to the fact that their once-public beaches are now private property due to a recent Texas Supreme Court decision and will no longer be cleaned with tax funds. Seaweed removal is now at the expense of the owners, and trash pickup by the Galveston Park Board is in danger of suspension soon. The timing could not be better for the state since funding for all Texas State Parks was cut during the last legislative session and it was revealed that their fees were being diverted for other projects.
Secondly, the scientific community, property owners and builders are engaged in a vicious dispute over construction in erosion-prone areas of the coast. Recent studies have shown that rising tides will eventually overtake any building in the zone and builders should instead develop the eastern part of the island which is protected by a seawall. Meanwhile, lawmakers are questioning whether the building codes are sufficient to adequately protect citizens without becoming overly onerous to homebuilders. Caught in the middle are the private property owners who argue their rights to build on their property where they see fit. Unfortunately, the decision to build in hurricane alleys ends up costing not only the owners, but all taxpayers due to federal subsidies in the national wind insurance program.
Finally, the island has lost $40 million in government funding to replenish the beach due to the lack of a public beach easement. Along with the aforementioned Supreme Court decision, came a denial of public capital to rebuild the areas literally swept away by Hurricane Ike.
The barrier island and its residents will continue to struggle with these priorities as it seeks to rebound in the coming years. In the meantime, all coastal residents should be in preparation mode, for we are once again in hurricane season.
