GLO Restores 5,300 Feet of Galveston Beach Ahead of Spring Break

As spring break approaches, the Texas General Land Office has successfully restored over 5,300 linear feet of shoreline at a well-frequented beach in West Galveston, which faces ongoing erosion.

On Tuesday, the GLO revealed its collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the city of Galveston to place over 378,000 cubic yards of beach-quality dredged material from the Galveston Ship Channel along almost two miles of Hershey Beach. The segment extends from Sunbather Lane to Jane Road, in proximity to the Tipsy Turtle Bar & Grill and Beach Pocket Park No. 2.

The initiative seeks to restore sand along a coastline that, according to the Corps, is experiencing erosion at a rate of nearly 7 feet annually. In July, officials revealed the initiative, leading to the beach's closure to the public in October as construction commenced. The initiative is part of the Corps' Continuing Authorities Program Section 204, widely referred to as CAP 204.

Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham expressed her commitment to the preservation and protection of West Galveston Beach, emphasizing its importance to the community. “As a proud Texan who called Galveston Island home for more than a decade, ensuring West Galveston beach continues to thrive and is safeguarded from storms will always be a top priority,” she stated. The state has pledged to persist in its efforts to address the challenges posed by encroaching erosion and to strengthen the Texas coast against the threats of tropical storms and hurricanes.

Galveston City Manager Brian Maxwell commended the partnership efforts.

Maxwell expressed optimism for future initiatives aimed at enhancing the state's beaches, benefiting both local residents and the wider Texan community.

Hershey Beach stands out as one of the island's beaches where alcohol is allowed, except in glass containers. This policy has contributed to its popularity among both spring break tourists and local residents.

To illustrate the magnitude of the project, one cubic yard of sand is approximately the size of a standard washing machine. The total volume deposited along Hershey Beach is projected to surpass the capacity required to fill NRG Stadium in Houston. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo utilizes approximately 25,000 cubic yards of dirt, equivalent to around 600 truckloads, to cover the stadium floor annually.

Officials anticipate that the revitalized shoreline will bolster storm resilience and enhance recreational opportunities along Galveston's West End.

‍