Current Threats to the Texas Gulf Coast

Galveston Island - Most of the island is currently out of compliance with the Texas Open Beaches Act, having systematically closed off beach access without replacing of "equal or better access" for over 17 miles of beach.   Now this sad situation appears to be worsening.  The West Galveston Island Property Owners Association (WGIPOA), a so-called "non-political" group, has now proposed a ban on vehicular access to the final 3.2 miles of the island's beaches, the only portion that has been in compliance with the Open Beaches Act.   Even worse, they hope to sway the public with the offer of a public park/nature sanctuary on some unstable wetlands at one of the most dangerous tidal flows in the state.  Fifteen years ago this property didn't even exist!  Their entire proposal is riddled with half-truths and incorrect information.  The WGIPOA claims over 8,000 members, but it just isn't true...they have a few delegates of a few homeowners associations.  The whole thing is actually run by three or four monied beachfront property owners.  Read the entire page.

Matagorda - Matagorda is currently in compliance.  However, the Lower Colorado River Authority plans to build a nature/preserve and tourist attraction which will border both FM 2031 (the road from town to the beach) and about 3 miles of the beach.  There are plans for adequate walkovers for the section of the beach that is designated "pedestrian only".  However, blocking this section will ultimately block the entire beach from most vehicles, unless and alternative roadway is built to the open beach area.  Even if that is done, vehicles without four wheel drive will not be able to access the beach.  Again, we have to question how anyone can close off a beach and replace total access with walkovers, when the law clearly states that replacement access should be "equal or better".  What can be equal or better than total, open access?  (see the plan photo)