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Money open to coast projects

Federal grant of $17 million to be split between 18 counties

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  • Tara Bozick •
  • Originally published January 14, 2009 at 11:22 p.m., updated January 14, 2009 at 11:22 p.m.

Coastal counties in the Crossroads Area are closer to receiving federal money for environmental projects.

The Minerals Management Service approved the Texas Coastal Impact Assistance Program Plan on Monday to open up $48 million statewide - the first phase in $150 million in state funding, a department news release said.

The state received $31.6 million while $17 million will be split among 18 counties. The department had to approve the state plan before entities could apply for the grants.

The county funding stems from projects applied for in 2007. The counties must resubmit grant proposals now that funds have been made available.

The funding stems from the Energy Policy Act of 2005, where the program disburses $250 million annually for four years, from 2007 to 2010 to Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Alaska and California. Funded projects would mitigate the impacts of those states' oil and gas producing activities.

Calhoun County Judge Michael Pfeifer hopes the county's project to study and stop the sand erosion around Lighthouse Beach will ensure the beach for future generations to enjoy.

Another project would also build a public parking lot near the public boat ramp on Byers Street in Port O'Connor. The town has become a major attraction for fishermen and often vehicles line the streets. Pfeifer wanted to open up the streets for emergency vehicles.

"Hopefully, the 2008 grants are faster," he added.

Jackson County youth groups will benefit from the county's purchase of Mauritz Camp, previously owned by the South Texas Council of the Boy Scouts. The county didn't want to lose the area to development after the Boy Scouts planned to sell it.

The county also plans to fill the current boat ramp at Bennett Park and move it to a better location for public use. Erosion would have made the ramp inaccessible.

"It will enhance the quality of life not only in Jackson County, but visitors from surrounding counties," Jackson County Judge Harrison Stafford II said. "Neither project would be done if we didn't have the CIAP money,"

Victoria County will use its allocated funds to recoup some of the million dollars spent removing hazardous materials and buildings from the Victoria Regional Airport, a county administrator said.

  • Texas Coastal Impact Assistance Program

    2007 Projects and Allocation

    Calhoun County: $875,420.50

    Lighthouse Beach restoration

    Port O'Connor land acquisition to preserve public open space between the city and Seadrift

    Jackson County: $433,034.07

    Relocation of boat ramp at Bennett Park

    Mauritz ...

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    • Texas Coastal Impact Assistance Program

    2007 Projects and Allocation

    Calhoun County: $875,420.50

    Lighthouse Beach restoration

    Port O'Connor land acquisition to preserve public open space between the city and Seadrift

    Jackson County: $433,034.07

    Relocation of boat ramp at Bennett Park

    Mauritz Camp purchase for use by youth organizations

    Matagorda County: $1,274,996.58

    Sargent Beach restoration

    Floating classroom program to convert shrimp boat for lectures

    Coastal Issues Conference to bring together county leaders and coastal authorities for solutions

    Sponsoring environmental activities for high school students

    Study of potential beneficial use of dredged material in Palacios Boat Channel

    Refugio County: $395,340.19

    Oil spill response unit for pipelines, passing trucks

    Participation in Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Coast Program, focusing on teacher training

    Agricultural education outreach about contaminants flowing into bays

    Refugio ISD and Woodsboro ISD Wetlands lab

    Austwell Wetland Information Center for meetings and teaching

    Copano Bay field day for eighth-graders

    Victoria County: $455,275.71

    Removal of hazardous materials and buildings from Victoria Regional Airport



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