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
225-337-2365
http://www.appliedcoastal.com/
Applied Coastal Research and Engineering, Inc.Gulf Coast Regional Office, Baton Rouge445 North Blvd, Suite 850
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
Text Questions to (512) 968-6816 Project website: cameroncountyerp.com
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
Text Questions to (512) 968-6816 Project website: cameroncountyerp.com
Text Questions to (512) 968-6816 Project website: cameroncountyerp.com
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?
Text Questions to (512) 968-6816 Project website: cameroncountyerp.com
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.”
Text Questions to (512) 968-6816 Project website: cameroncountyerp.com
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
Text Questions to (512) 968-6816 Project website: 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?
Text Questions to (512) 968-6816 Project website: cameroncountyerp.com
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
Text Questions to (512) 968-6816 Project website: cameroncountyerp.com
Text Questions to (512) 968-6816 Project website: cameroncountyerp.com
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
Text Questions to (512) 968-6816 Project website: cameroncountyerp.com
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
Text Questions to (512) 968-6816 Project website: cameroncountyerp.com
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
Text Questions to (512) 968-6816 Project website: cameroncountyerp.com
What we Must Solve to Implement an Effective
ERP
Resolution of Property Rights
Sand and Sand Dunes
Money
Permission (Permits & Easements)
Text Questions to (512) 968-6816 Project website: cameroncountyerp.com
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
Text Questions to (512) 968-6816 Project website: cameroncountyerp.com
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?
Text Questions to (512) 968-6816 Project website: cameroncountyerp.com
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?
Text Questions to (512) 968-6816 Project website: cameroncountyerp.com
Let’s talk About it
Open Discussion
For On-Line AttendeesText Questions to (512) 968-6816
Project Website:
cameroncountyerp.com