Text Questions to (512) 968-6816 ERP Website: cameroncountyerp.com WELCOME! Public Forum #1 Cameron County Erosion Response Plan October 28, 2015 Peter

Text Questions to (512) 968-6816 ERP Website: cameroncountyerp.com

WELCOME!

Public Forum #1Cameron County

Erosion Response Plan

October 28, 2015

Peter A Ravella Consulting, LLC

Applied Coastal Research & Engineering, Inc.

The ERP Team PAR Consulting, LLC

Peter Ravella, Principal

Lillian Johnson, Project Manager

Applied Coastal Research & Engineering,

Inc.

Dr. Mark Byrnes, Principal & Senior Coastal

Scientist

Steve Underwood, Senior Coastal Scientist

Putting it All Together….Regional Planning and Financial Capacity

Cameron County

ERPStrategy Development Sediment/Dune

3

4

Defined Coastal Region

2

1

Coastal Processes andGeological Framework

“Data Driven”

(Modified from 2011 NC BIMP)

Funding and Implementation

Plan

Integration of Tasks for Erosion Response Plan

Task I: Public Engagement & Preliminary Draft ERP

Task II: Baseline Coastal Processes Analysis& Shoreline Position and Dune Management Strategy

Task III: Funding Concepts for Shoreline Position and Dune Management Strategy

Task IV: Final Draft ERP

ERP SCOPE OF WORK

Regional Analyses of Shoreline Change and Barrier Island Topography

• Identify, compile, and analyze shoreline data sources and Lidar topographic surveys

Document Dominant Coastal Processes, Including Storm Impacts• Summarize local wave climate and identify the

mostsignificant hurricanes to impact the area since the 1900s; document storm characteristics and impacts to the shoreline.

Shoreline Position and Dune Management Strategy• Develop a conceptual strategy, including estimated

costs, to manage the future position of the shoreline and dune system for a period not less than 25 years.

SCOPE OF WORK

Time periods of Interest?

Pre-human intervention1850-1937

Human Engineering1930’s+

Active Sediment ManagementBeneficial use 1997+

1800’s 19371960 19691974 19952000 20052007 20092010

Other combinations

The jetties at Brazos Santiago Pass and Mansfield Channel, and the human-caused reductions in the flow of the Rio Grande have altered shoreline change patterns since the 1930’s.

LiDAR- Light Detection and Ranging, uses light in the form of a pulsed laser to measure ranges (variable distances) to the Earth.

Hurricane Isabel

Pre-Post Hurricane 3D Evaluations

3 Dimensional information for Dune Management Strategy

Length/Width/HeightUsed for calculating volumes

Various time periods provides for understanding

Dynamics of dune changes

Document Dominant Coastal Processes: Including Storm Impacts

Allen 8/10/80 (C3)

Beulah 9/20/67 (C3)

Am

elia

7/3

0/7

8 (T

D)

Unnamed 8/5/33 (C1)

Unnamed 9/5/33 (C3)

Dolly 7/23/08 (C1)

Some examples of Major Hurricanesthat have impacted the area

% of Ordered Days

0% 50% 100%0%

50%

100%%

of

Tota

l San

dTr

ansp

ort

(From Douglas 1985)

The Influence of storms on longshore sediment transport

The importance of recognizing these features lies in the fact the same areas tend to be washed over during subsequent storms

Is there a way to incorporate this

vulnerability into Dune Restoration Strategy or

Not???

Shoreline Position and Dune Management Strategy

• a nice wide high tide beach backed by a gently sloping and well vegetated sand dune.

Natural dune dynamics - storm cut and recovery

• waves lower the beach and erode the dune behind

• Sand eroded from both the beach and the dune is transported offshore and deposited as a bar.

• The lowering of the beach and the deposition of sand offshore creates a wide shallow platform - which helps dissipate the increased wave energy which occurs during storms.

• Over a period of weeks (and sometimes months) after the storm, more gentle waves gradually return the eroded sand from offshore back to the beach.

• This restores a high tide beach. If the dune has sand trapping vegetation then it begins to extend down the dune face.

• The steep dune face will also gradually collapse to a more gentle angle.

• Native sand trapping vegetation grows down the seaward dune face, it slows the wind close to the ground.

• This reduces the amount of sand the wind can carry – so large

volumes of sand carried in the wind drop out and are trapped by the plants.

• This natural sand trapping process gradually builds and repairs the dune.

Questions & Discussion

Steve Underwood

[email protected]

225-337-2365

http://www.appliedcoastal.com/

Applied Coastal Research and Engineering, Inc.Gulf Coast Regional Office, Baton Rouge445 North Blvd, Suite 850

http://www.linkedin.com/in/SteveUnderwoodAppliedCoastal

Presentation OverviewWe’re Here to Listen to You

What is an Erosion Response Plan?Why Prepare an ERPPurpose of the ERP

Schedule for ERP Consideration

How to Participate in the Process

Elements of an ERP

ERP Challenges

Open Discussion

Text Questions to (512) 968-6816 Project website: cameroncountyerp.com

What is an ERP?An Erosion Response Plan is a State-Mandated Plan

that must be Adopted by Coastal Cities and Counties under 33 TNRC § 33.607

The Legislature concluded that the public will benefit from ERP adoption because of reduced public expenditures associated with loss of structures and public infrastructure due to storm damage and erosion, disaster response costs, and loss of life.

Local governments that fail to adopt an ERP are ineligible for state financial assistance and grants under CEPRA (Erosion Project Funding) Program


Why Adopt an ERP?

The Plan is Legally Mandated

Ensures Access to State Coastal Grants and Financial Assistance under CEPRA

Development on Barrier Islands can be Risky Given Periodic Hurricanes & Tropical Storms

Post-Storm Recovery Costs can be SubstantialPublic: Federal, State & Local CostsPrivate: Costs to Private Property Owners & Insurers

Improved Planning Can Reduce Losses



All Tropical Cyclones in the North Atlantic Ocean

1980 to 2005

Why we are Here Today

ERP QUESTION

CAN WE DEVELOP OUR SANDY BEACHES IN A LESS RISKY WAY AND THUS

PROTECT PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PROPERTY

REDUCE THE COST OF POST-STORM RECOVERY

AVOID PROPERTY DAMAGE AND LOSS OF LIFE?


ERP ProcessLocal Action Prepares ERP with Public Input Based

on Shoreline Data provided by UT-BEG

Local Government Adopts the ERP

State Review and Approval of ERP

“The ERP must be submitted to the General Land Office for review and approval as a dune protection and beach access plan amendment

“A local government's governing body must formally approve the ERP prior to submission to the General Land Office.”


ERP Project Schedule Public Workshop #1 – October 28th

Development of Preliminary ERP – December 5th

Public Workshop #2 – December 15th

Development of Technical Report – January 15th

Identify Funding Concepts for ERP – January 15st

Revise for Final Draft of ERP – February 1st

Public Workshop #3 – February 15th

County and GLO Consultation – February 25th

Submit Final ERP for County Consideration – March 15th

Submit Final ERP for GLO Consideration – March 31st

How to ParticipateAttend the Workshops In Person or On-Line

Track Progress, Review Drafts & Comment

Project Website: www.CameroncountyERP.com

Facebook: Cameron County Erosion Response Plan

Contact the Team (Info on Website)

All Workshops will be recorded & Can be

accessed through the Project Website


http://www.CameroncountyERP.com/

Unique OpportunityLongest Undeveloped Stretch of Barrier Island in

US

New Causeway from the Mainland

Space X Coming to Boca Chica

Potential for Economic Growth

A High Risk, High Erosion Shoreline

A Chance to Think and Plan Ahead: Can we get this right & reduce or avoid future harm?


ERP ElementsWhat’s in One of These Things?

A building set-back line

A prohibition on new construction seaward of the building set-back line.

Narrow exemptions from the construction prohibition

Stricter construction standards for exempt properties

Procedures for preserve & enhancing public access

Procedures for preserving, restoring, and enhancing critical sand dunes

Criteria for voluntary acquisition of property seaward of the building setback line



Expected OutcomeA Plan to Stabilize or Counter High Erosion Rates

Beach Nourishment?Sand Retention Strategies?

Wide, Healthy Dunes to Protect Future Development

Vehicle Access Limitations?Off-Beach Parking @ ½ Mile increments176 parking spaces per access point

Streamlined Permitting Landward of Setback line

One Model: The Shores


Key Attributes of The Shores

Pedestrian Beach

Structures Set-Back from the Beach

Wide, healthy dune field

Relatively stable shoreline position due to northern migration of beach nourishment sand from city projects


1. Tremendous economic opportunity—development is

likely

2. New public revenue streams are limited

3. County taxpayers face unfunded public costs

4. County cannot mimic the City’s Erosion Response

Strategy

5. Range of Shoreline Management Costs –

Could be Millions of dollars per year

6. Beach will be at PR 100 in 30 years without

intervention

Cameron County Erosion Challenges

PARC & LJA EngineeringReport Date: January 31, 2013

Typical SPI Lots

Lot Position

Number of Lots

Value

Submerged

Lots

61 $280,839

Partially Submerge

dLots

106 $35.2M

Lots On the Beach

92 $2.4M


What we Must Solve to Implement an Effective

ERP

Resolution of Property Rights

Sand and Sand Dunes

Money

Permission (Permits & Easements)


ERP Challenges 1Pro-Active, Coordinated Action is Required

What about existing beachfront lots and others that extend across beach and into the water?

Do we have a sand supply to counter erosion?

As much as 60,000 cubic yards lost per mile per

year?

Beneficial use of dredged material is limited

Can we find and afford a long-term sand supply


ERP Challenges 2Do we have the funds to manage the shoreline?

ERP must include implementation funding plan

Limited State Funds (CEPRA)

Unlikely Federal Investment (No new federal projects)

How do we Raise and Sustain Local Funds?

Special Tax Districts or Assessments?

County-Wide Funds?

How should costs be allocated?


These are the Challenges of Developing the County’s Gulf

Beaches

Can we find a way to address the risks or erosion?

Can we reduce the potential harm while securing economic benefits of development?

Can we the find a way to limit or manage the financial risks to the state, county and local taxpayers?


Let’s talk About it

Open Discussion

For On-Line AttendeesText Questions to (512) 968-6816

Project Website:

cameroncountyerp.com

Documents

Text Questions to (512) 968-6816 ERP Website: cameroncountyerp.com WELCOME! Public Forum #1 Cameron County Erosion Response Plan October 28, 2015 Peter