BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

                                                                                                                                       C.S.S.B. 740

                                                                                                                                            By: Janek

                                                                                                          Land & Resource Management

                                                                                                        Committee Report (Substituted)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

Most of the inlets from the Gulf of Mexico to Texas bays and estuaries are navigational inlets constructed and maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that are protected by artificial jetties and stone revetments.  Where natural inlets occur, the location of the pass can be very dynamic and result in extraordinary erosion that may adversely affect vital public infrastructure such as roads and bridges.  Beach nourishment projects are not a feasible response to erosion due to the dynamic nature of such passes.  In such areas, revetment-style coastal protection structures may be the only alternative to retreat and removal of public infrastructure.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

It is the opinion of the committee that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

 

ANALYSIS

 

This bill amends the Natural Resources Code, § 61.022 to allow a political subdivision of the state, acting with the approval of the Commissioner of the General Land Office, to construct a shore protection structure designed to protect public infrastructure, including state highways or bridges, at a natural inlet from the Gulf of Mexico pursuant to design specifications and in a location that the Commissioner may require.  The bill also amends the Natural Resources Code, § 61.017 to fix the line of vegetation at the seaward side of a shore protection structure constructed at a natural inlet with approval of the Commissioner.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2005.

 

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

 

The substitute clarifies that the bill refers to any natural inlet to the Gulf of Mexico extending not more than 4,500 feet along the shoreline.  The substitute also clarifies that the shore protection structure must be designed to protect public infrastructure including