AUSTIN — State Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr. said when he was a boy he used to help with dune conservation projects to build up the shoreline on South Padre Island.
Yesterday, he may not have been at the island he loves aiding in its conservation, but now he can help in a different way.
Lucio met with state and local leaders to talk about the Island’s economic development and long term dune protection plans.
“The meeting on the issue of the future shoreline in Cameron County was important as each year our shoreline is receding with the loss of sand,” said state Rep. Oscar Longoria, who also attended the meeting. “Our beaches are an economic driver and a great attraction to Texans and people from all over the world.”
Much of the coastline north of the City of South Padre Island is eroding rapidly due to lack of vegetation.
The erosion greatly reduces the prospects of future development because few are willing to risk losing their financial investment as the shoreline changes.
Surfrider Foundation South Texas Chapter Chairman Rob Nixon said the erosion on the Island varies from area to area, but basically anything south of Esperanza Street is stable.
The Surfrider Foundation is a nonprofit environmental organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s oceans, waves and beaches for all people, through conservation, activism, research and education.
“Near the Tiki, Clayton’s area and La Quinta is eroding at about five feet a year and the further north you get the bigger the erosion rate,” Nixon said.
“Texas considers anything over five feet a critical erosion area. The northern beaches are definitely in a critical condition.”
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