Status of Hurricane Surge Suppression

Scott A. JonesEnvironmental Policy & Outreach

Galveston Bay Foundation

Galveston Bay Foundation

Mission: To preserve, protect, and enhance the natural resources of Galveston Bay and its tributaries for present users and for posterity.

Four target areas: • Advocacy• Education• Conservation• Research

Hurricane Ike – 9/13/08

Galvanized local efforts to address storm surges.

Revealed vulnerabilities of immediate coastal and bay communities and HSC industries.

But this is nothing new…

NOAA

History of Storms and Responses

1900 Storm leads to Galveston Seawall - authorized by Texas legislature in 1901.

First segment completed in 1904. Last segment extended seawall to 99th Street in 1963.

Texas City levee – authorized by USACE in 1958.

Galveston and Texas History Center – Rosenberg Library

Halff Associates

Upper Texas Coast…Sea Level Rise (SLR)

Background or natural sea level rise.

In geological time scale, we are coming out of last ice age.

Factor in movement of landmass and you have relative seal level rise (RSLR).

NASA JSC

Subsidence =Accelerated RSLR

Data source: HGCSD 2008; TWDB 2008

Subsidence

Burnet Bay

Location

Shoreline Changes

Gibeaut, UT BEG, 2007

-125 -100 -75 -50 -25 0 25 50 75 100 125D istance from M onum ent (m )

-1

0

1

2

3

4

Hei

ght A

bov

e N

AV

D88

(m

)

2002 profile

2062 estim ated pro file

vertical exaggeration = 10:1

Imminent Geohazard Potential/Present Critical Environment

High Geohazard Potential/Future Critical Environment

Beach/Dune Profile Translation

Climate Change

Accelerated sea level rise with global warming.

Source: Hayhoe & Farley, A Climate for Change (2009)

So here we are…

Retreating beaches…

Eroding shorelines...

Response to Ike -Ike Dike Concept - 2008

Bill Merrell, TAMUG.

Dike from High Island to Freeport.

No firm plans for GBF to comment upon.

Response to Ike -Ike Dike Concept

Costs to build?

Costs to acquire land?

Costs to maintain?

Exactly where – FM 3005? Seawall?

Concerns with Ike Dike

Sufficient sediment budget?

Sea level rise and new shoreline.

Will FM 3005 Ike Dike become the new seawall?

Concerns with Ike Dike

Direct impacts to habitat.

Indirect impacts to habitat.

Changes to bay circulation.

“Green light” to runaway development?

Gulf Coast Community Protection & Recovery District - 2010

Harris

Galveston

Brazoria

Chambers

Orange

JeffersonGuidry News Service, 2010

SSPEED Center – Rice University – est. 2007

Severe Storm Prediction, Education, and Evacuation from Disasters

http://hydrology.rice.edu/sspeed/

http://hydrology.rice.edu/sspeed/downloads/SSPEED_Interim_Report_2010.pdf

SSPEED Center – Ike Dike and Alternatives

“A number of structural and non-structural alternatives exist that offer varying levels of protection…from hurricane surge flooding, rainfall and wind. A thorough examination and comparison of the economic costs, environmental impacts, social hazards and overall reliability and effectiveness of these alternatives should be completed before any final selections.”

-Executive Summary, Learning the Lessons of Hurricane Ike, SSPEED Center, May 2010

SSPEED Center – Ike Dike and Alternatives

“In studies conducted in Florida and Texas, non-structural alternatives have been 9. found to be consistently more effective in reducing flood damage than structural control measures. As such, they are being evaluated as an alternative to traditional structural options.”

-Executive Summary, Learning the Lessons of Hurricane Ike, SSPEED Center, May 2010

SSPEED Center – Structural and Non-Structural Alternatives

Ike DikeZone Specific Levee Solution

Land-Use ControlsNatural Surge Protection - Land Acquisition and Conservation EasementsBuffer ZonesBuilding ElevationsBuilding CodesEvacuation Planning and Improvement

In the meantime, let’s keep doing some things…

Habitat restoration

Habitat conservation: preserves and easements.

What are the Benefits of Habitat Preservation and Restoration?

Habitat for Fish and Wildlife

Stabilizes Eroding Shorelines and Provides Flood Protection

Improves Water Quality

and surge suppression…

Join the GBF team as an individual or corporate

member

Volunteer with GBF!

www.galvbay.org