Dune Destruction South Padre Island Texas

2/17/07

Texas is guaranteed beach access and beach environment protection by a law called the “Texas Open Beaches Act” or “TOBA”. This Act generally states that no concrete or other permanent pad may be placed within 200’ of the shoreward edge of the Dune vegetation line. Structures that already exist forward of this line are subject to removal when the high tide reaches these structures. The Act is meant to protect from flooding associated with storms by leaving a sound dune system with vegetation intact to act as natural levees. There are severe penalties under the law for driving on or damaging these dunes in any way by citizens. New structures must meet stringent requirements under the law to be able to build behind the dunes. These laws are administered by The Texas General Land Office “TGLO” and other Federal laws also apply to the Dunes.

The North end of the City of South Padre Island has been identified as an area of beach erosion for many years. Old seawalls exist there and Millions of Dollars have been spent on beach renourishment projects in this area. The areas to the North are not affected as there are limited structures on the beach and new structures have been built behind the Dune line in compliance of TOBA. South of the affected area there has actually been net gain of beach over the years. Despite these facts a variance was given to build a new La Quinta within the last few years right in the middle of the affected erosion area and an Historic Building Line “HBL” was established that allowed the Hotel to be built forward of the Dune Line. Beach renourishment had been taking place on that stretch of beach to no avail since 1994.