Economic Impacts of Beach Nourishment in Texas

Galveston Island

ASBPA Texas Chapter 2017 Symposium South April 25, 2017 Padre Island Economic Impacts of Beach Nourishment in Texas

Michael Walther – Coastal Tech – G.E.C., Inc.

Reuben Trevino - Galveston Island Park Board of Trustees ASBPA Texas Chapter 2017 Symposium Economic Impacts of Beach Nourishment in Texas Special Thanks

for data and reports obtained from:

▪ Reuben Trevino - Director of Operations, Galveston Island Park Board of Trustees

▪ Darla Lapeyre - Executive Director, South Padre Island Economic Development Corporation

▪ Rodrigo Gimenez - Chief Financial Officer, City of South Padre Island ASBPA Texas Chapter 2017 Symposium Economic Impacts of Beach Nourishment in Texas

Galveston

Dominant Features:

• Entrance Channel • Seawall

From: “Galveston Island, Texas, Sand Management Strategies” by USACE – ERDC, July 2016 ASBPA Texas Chapter 2017 Symposium Economic Impacts of Beach Nourishment in Texas

Galveston

Historical Shoreline Historical Shoreline Recession Rates (m/yr) Recession Rate

From: http://coastal.beg.utexas.edu/shorelinechange/ ASBPA Texas Chapter 2017 Symposium Economic Impacts of Beach Nourishment in Texas

March 10, 1985 Spring Break in Galveston

From: Houston Chronicle - http://www.chron.com/neighborhood/bayarea/news/article/Photos-Galveston-beaches-through-the-years-10894925.php ASBPA Texas Chapter 2017 Symposium Economic Impacts of Beach Nourishment in Texas Galveston

From: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/71/FEMA_-_38817_-_Aerial_of_Local_Residents_Returning_to_Galveston_Island.jpg ASBPA Texas Chapter 2017 Symposium Economic ImpactsASBPA of Beach Nourishment in Texas Texas Chapter 2017 Symposium Economic Impacts of Beach Nourishment in Texas

1985 USACE Galveston District Galveston County Shore Erosion Study

• ≈ 10 miles of beach along seawall • considered 40 foot to 100 foot berm • evaluated benefits for: o Damages Prevented to Structures o Damages Prevented to Land o Recreation o Reduction of Seawall Maintenance

March 10, 1985: Spring break in Galveston

1985 USACE Galveston District - Summary of Annual Benefits and Costs

From: “Galveston County Erosion Study – Feasibility Report and Environmental Impact Statement”, USACE Galveston District, May 1985 ASBPA Texas Chapter 2017 Symposium Economic Impacts of Beach Nourishment in Texas Galveston ASBPA Texas Chapter 2017 Symposium Economic Impacts of Beach Nourishment in Texas

2008

Galveston Island Tourism Econonmic Impact Analysis

“The beaches of Galveston are the city’s premier attraction.”

“According to visitor surveys, the vast majority of all tourists to Galveston visit local beaches.” ASBPA Texas Chapter 2017 Symposium Economic Impacts of Beach Nourishment in Texas

From: “2008 Galveston Island Tourism Econonmic Impact Analysis” by AngelouEconomics ASBPA Texas Chapter 2017 Symposium Economic Impacts of Beach Nourishment in Texas

2.25 Mcy

1.0 Mcy Beach Fill Cumulative Volume Placed

Adapted From: “2008 Galveston Island Tourism Econonmic Impact Analysis” by AngelouEconomics ASBPA Texas Chapter 2017 Symposium Economic Impacts of Beach Nourishment in Texas End of Seawall Beach Nourishment and Dune Restoration 2014-2015

From: “End of Seawall Beach Nourishment and Dune restoration– 2014-2015” Fact Sheet ASBPA Texas Chapter 2017 Symposium Economic Impacts of Beach Nourishment in Texas

2015 Habitat Restoration at Babe’s Beach st th 61 Street to 75 Street “restoration of … coastal beach habitat that hasn’t existed since before Hurricane Carla in 1961”

April 8, 2015 September 23, 2015 Facing west from 65th street Facing west from 61st street toward 65th street

From: “2016 Best Restored Beach Nomination - Habitat Restoration at Babe’s Beach Restoring a Beach That Was Lost for Generations In Galveston, Texas” ASBPA Texas Chapter 2017 Symposium Economic Impacts of Beach Nourishment in Texas “Galveston Park Board report says 2015 best year ever for Island tourism” From: Houston Chronicle May 10, 2016 : http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Galveston-scores-record-tourism-year-7446641.php

VOLUME OF VISITORS TO GALVESTON Millions, including day and overnight visitors

From: “2015 Rack Card Economic Impact-Update” – provided by Reuben Trevino ASBPA Texas Chapter 2017 Symposium Economic Impacts of Beach Nourishment in Texas Galveston - Overnight Visitor Spending by Category Average = $114 /person/day

From: “2015 Rack Card Economic Impact-Update” – provided by Reuben Trevino ASBPA Texas Chapter 2017 Symposium Economic Impacts of Beach Nourishment in Texas Galveston - Day Visitor Spending by Category Average = $53 /person/day

From: “2015 Rack Card Economic Impact-Update” – provided by Reuben Trevino ASBPA Texas Chapter 2017 Symposium Economic Impacts of Beach Nourishment in Texas Galveston - Cruise Passengers and Total Visitor Trends

From: “Economic Impact of Tourism on Galveston Island_2015_04282016” ASBPA Texas Chapter 2017 Symposium Economic Impacts of Beach Nourishment in Texas Galveston

Government Revenue

Texas imposes a 6.25 percent state sales and use tax …

Local taxing jurisdictions (cities, counties, special purpose districts and transit authorities) can also impose up to 2 percent sales and use tax for a maximum combined rate of 8.25 percent.

From: https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/sales/ From: “Economic Impact of Tourism on Galveston Island_2015_04282016” ASBPA Texas ChapterASBPA 2017Texas SymposiumChapter 2017 Symposium Economic Impacts of Beach Nourishment in Texas Economic Impacts of Beach Nourishment in Texas

2017 from 12th Street to 61st Street

from Galveston 61st Street to Recent 75th Street Nourishment 2015

from End of Seawall to Dellanera RV Park ASBPA Texas Chapter 2017 Symposium Economic Impacts of Beach Nourishment in Texas

February 2017 Crews to pump sand dredged from the Galveston Ship Channel onto the beach near 12th Street

USACE

Brazos Island Harbor, South Texas Channel Padre

Federal Navigation Project Island

Dominant Feature: Brazos Santiago Pass

From NOAA Chart : Texas ICWW - Stover Point to Prt Brownsville ASBPA Texas Chapter 2017 Symposium Economic Impacts of Beach Nourishment in Texas

South Padre Island From: http://coastal.beg.utexas.edu/shorelinechange/ Historical Shoreline Recession Rate

Historical Shoreline Recession Rates (m/yr) South Padre

Island ASBPA Texas Chapter 2017 Symposium Economic Impacts of Beach Nourishment in Texas

South Padre Island ASBPA Texas Chapter 2017 Symposium Economic Impacts of Beach Nourishment in Texas

South Padre

Island

From: http://www.sopadre.com/things-to-do/ ASBPA Texas Chapter 2017 Symposium Economic Impacts of Beach Nourishment in Texas

South Padre Island

Beach

Nourishment ASBPA Texas Chapter 2017 Symposium Economic Impacts of Beach Nourishment in Texas

South Padre Island

USACE Brazos Island Harbor, Texas Channel

From: “Brazos Island Harbor, Texas Channel Improvement Study Final Integrated Feasibility Study Report and Environmental Assessment “, USACE, July 2014 ASBPA Texas Chapter 2017 Symposium Economic Impacts of Beach Nourishment in Texas

South Padre Island

USACE Brazos Island Harbor, Texas Channel

Beach Nourishment

3,507,000 cy on Beach

4,414,000 cy on Nearshore Berm

From: “Beneficial Use of Dredged Material at South Padre Island, Texas: A Partnership Success Story” ; E. Ray Newby; ASCE Ports 2016 ASBPA Texas Chapter 2017 Symposium Economic Impacts of Beach Nourishment in Texas South Padre Island

2009 Consistent Beach Nourishment 1997 Initial Beach Nourishment

From: “City of South Padre Island Economic Index” September 2015 by Aaron Economic Consulting ASBPA Texas Chapter 2017 Symposium Economic Impacts of Beach Nourishment in Texas

South Padre Island

2009 Consistent Beach Nourishment 1997 Initial Beach Nourishment

From: “City of South Padre Island Economic Index” September 2015 by Aaron Economic Consulting ASBPA Texas Chapter 2017 Symposium Economic Impacts of Beach Nourishment in Texas South Padre Island

From: “Coastal Erosion Planning and Response Act (CEPRA) Economic and Natural Resource Benefits Study Texas” by Taylor Engineering, April 2013 ASBPA Texas Chapter 2017 Symposium Economic Impacts of Beach Nourishment in Texas South Padre Island

South Padre Island

CEPRA Study

Summary CEPRA Cycle 6 & 7 Projects

Costs and Benefits

Conclusions

▪ Tourism monitoring data indicates beach nourishment has yielded significant benefits – beyond USACE NED benefits.

▪ Continued maintenance of Gaveston and SPI beaches is critical to maintain these tourist-based economies.

▪ Further documentation of benefits appears warranted to support policy-makers decisions relative to future beach maintenance. ASBPA Texas Chapter 2017 Symposium Economic Impacts of Beach Nourishment in Texas

Thank you!