Commission Agenda Item 10
January 23, 2025

• Item Type: Action
• Presenter: Stan David

Grant of Shoreline Restoration Easement – Matagorda County – Approximately 1 Acre at Matagorda Peninsula Coastal Management Area

I. Executive Summary:

The Texas General Land Office (GLO) is seeking a long-term shoreline restoration easement on the Matagorda Peninsula Coastal Management Area (CMA) to construct a terminal groin designed to arrest the accelerated erosion along the Gulf shoreline of Sargent Beach.

II. Discussion:

In 2017, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department established the Matagorda Peninsula CMA with the acquisition of approximately 5,100 acres of land on Matagorda Peninsula from the GLO. The Matagorda Peninsula CMA currently consists of more than 6,300 acres preserving approximately 14 miles of peninsula from the Caney Creek Cut westward and from the Gulf of Mexico to East Matagorda Bay. This is a remote and undeveloped barrier system that preserves habitat for a remarkable diversity of coastal wildlife, including nesting sea turtles and resident and migratory shore and wading birds, several of which are listed as species of greatest conservation need.

The shoreline restoration project would benefit the CMA as well as Sargent Beach by slowing the beach erosion and stabilizing the shifting land in the immediate area.

III. Recommendation:

Staff recommends that the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopt the following motion:

“The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopts the Resolution attached as Exhibit A.”

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Exhibit A – Commission Agenda Item No. 10

A Resolution by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission Regarding the Granting of a Shoreline Restoration Easement of Approximately 1 Acre of Real Property in Matagorda County

Resolution

Whereas, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) owns and operates the Matagorda Peninsula Coastal Management Area (MPCMA) for a variety of recreation and conservation values; and,

Whereas, Texas General Land Office (GLO) is seeking a shoreline restoration easement (Easement) at the MPCMA to construct a terminal groin designed to arrest the accelerated erosion along the Gulf shoreline of Sargent Beach,

Whereas, GLO estimates the Easement required for the project will be approximately 1 acre in total area; and,

Whereas, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (Commission) finds that as required by Texas Parks and Wildlife Code (PWC) chapter 26, notices of today’s hearing of this matter were published at least once a week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation which is published at least six days a week in the communities nearest to the MPCMA in which such newspaper is published (Matagorda County), with the last day of publication being not less than one week or more than two weeks before the date of today’s hearing; and,

Whereas, the Commission finds, in accordance with PWC chapter 26, that (1) there is no feasible and prudent alternative to the use or taking of such land; and (2) the program or project that requires the Easement includes all reasonable planning to minimize harm to the land; and,

Whereas, the Commission finds that the grant of an easement subject to conditions that will minimize harm of the Easement to the Coastal Management Area is in accordance with PWC section 11.301; and,

Whereas, in accordance with Texas Natural Resources Code section 33.205, the Commission has taken into account the goals and policies of the coastal management program and determined that the proposed action is consistent with the program goals and policies; and,

Now, therefore, the Commission authorizes the Executive Director to take all necessary steps to negotiate terms and conditions under which an Easement may be granted, and to grant an Easement to the GLO for the purposes and subject to the conditions described herein and in the motion approving this Resolution.

Adopted and approved this 23rd day of January, 2025.

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Exhibit B – Commission Agenda Item No. 10

Location Map for Matagorda Peninsula Coastal Management Area (CMA)
Matagorda County

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Exhibit C – Commission Agenda Item No. 10

Vicinity Map for Matagorda Peninsula CMA
20 Miles South of Bay City

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Exhibit D – Commission Agenda Item No. 10

Subject Easement Map
Matagorda Peninsula CMA Boundary Outlined in Blue
Proposed Easement in Yellow