TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT (TPWD) IS PARTNERING WITH THE GALVESTON BAY FOUNDATION (GBF) TO CONSERV…

Assistance award details

Assistance award identifier

ASST_NON_F24AP00853_014

FAIN

F24AP00853

Recipient

TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT

Awarding agency

Department of the Interior

Funding agency

Department of the Interior

Assistance listing (CFDA)

15.614

Total obligated

$1,000,000

Period

Oct 1, 2024 – Aug 31, 2026

Fiscal year

2024

Place of performance state

TX

Source file

FY2024_All_Assistance_Full_20261006.zip

Description

TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT (TPWD) IS PARTNERING WITH THE GALVESTON BAY FOUNDATION (GBF) TO CONSERVE 420 ACRES OF COASTAL WETLAND ECOSYSTEMS IN EAST GALVESTON BAY AND CONSTRUCT A MILE-LONG LIVING SHORELINE. GALVESTON BAY, TEXAS LARGEST ESTUARY, HAS EXPERIENCED A PRECIPITOUS DECLINE IN COASTAL WETLAND ACREAGE OVER THE PAST 50 YEARS CAUSED BY DEVELOPMENT, SUBSIDENCE, AND SEA LEVEL RISE. THIS PROJECT WILL CONSERVE SALT AND BRACKISH MARSH, FRESHWATER WETLANDS, AND ASSOCIATED UPLAND HABITATS ADJACENT TO THE TEXAS CHENIER PLAIN NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM. THE TARGET PROPERTY CONTAINS IMPORTANT HABITAT FOR THE FEDERALLY THREATENED EASTERN BLACK RAIL. GBF WILL HOLD A PERPETUAL CONSERVATION EASEMENT OVER THE PROPERTY AND OVERSEE LIVING SHORELINE CONSTRUCTION.SHORELINE EROSION POSES A PROBLEM TO COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS BY REMOVING SEDIMENT THAT SUPPORTS PLANT AND ANIMAL LIFE. COASTAL WETLANDS SERVE AS A BUFFER TO NATURAL EROSIVE FORCES, BUT NATURAL PROCESSES HAVE BEEN EXACERBATED BY SEA LEVEL RISE, SHORELINE ARMORING, AND MARITIME TRAFFIC. THE EAST BAY PROPERTY SHORELINE LOST 500 FEET, OR 30 ACRES, IN THE LAST 50 YEARS DUE TO EROSION. TO REDUCE EROSIVE FORCES AND PROTECT COASTAL WETLANDS, THE PROJECT WILL CONSTRUCT AN OFFSHORE BREAKWATER TO CREATE A LIVING SHORELINE. LIVING SHORELINES ARE NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS THAT REDUCE EROSION WHILE PROTECTING ECOSYSTEM FUNCTION. THE BREAKWATER WILL CREATE A CALM-WATER ENVIRONMENT ALONG THE SHORELINE WHERE WAVE ENERGY IS REDUCED, ALLOWING SEDIMENTS TO ACCRETE AND ESTUARINE WETLANDS TO RE-ESTABLISH.THIS PROJECT FULFILLS A PRIORITY ACTION FOR NATIONAL AND LOCAL CONSERVATION PLANS, INCLUDING THE EAST BAY CONSERVATION INITIATIVE, AND HAS RECEIVED SIGNIFICANT COMMUNITY SUPPORT. IT ADDS TO CONSERVATION SUCCESSES ALONG THE NORTH SHORELINE OF EAST GALVESTON BAY, INCLUDING MOODY AND ANAHUAC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES AS WELL AS CANDY CAIN ABSHIER WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA