Brazoria County RESTORE Act Projects Presentation to Brazoria County Commissioner’s Court January 25, 2016

Brazoria County Objective Brazoria County has two projects they are currently developing for potential funding through the RESTORE Act program. Project 1: Restoration of the county fishing pier located at Quintana Beach Project 2: Ecosystem restoration project to reopen of the Mouth of the San Bernard River to restore the natural flow of the river to the Gulf of Mexico.

Quintana Pier November 2012 May 2014

Project Scope Brazoria County is seeking a RESTORE Act grant to fund the renovation of the existing Quintana Pier to include a 200 ft. extension of the pier into the Gulf of Mexico capped with a new 150 ft. T-head. The renovation, new extension and T- head will be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Quintana Pier Background The current pier was constructed by the county in the 1988 to facilitate recreation opportunities for county residents and tourists Length- 240 ft. Width- 10 ft. Elevation- 15 ft. T-head- 58 ft. The pier is constructed on timber piles with a treated lumber deck and has a lighting system that runs along the pier and T-head. The current pier is accessible by stairs and a wheel chair ramp but it is not 100% ADA compliant.

Quintana Pier Actions completed to date: Structural assessment of the existing pier is complete Survey of the land and water side is complete Geotechnical borings on landside are complete (waterside boring will be completed during final design) Conceptual design and project opinion of cost are complete USACE permit is pending GLO permit has been issued

Plan and Section Views

Cost Estimate The cost estimate includes: Restoration of the existing pier, Extension of the pier 200 ft. Construct 150 ft. T-head Upgrade and extend electrical lighting Estimated construction cost is $165 per sq. ft. Total project opinion of cost approximately- $1.72M

Project Benefits Recreation Educational platform for local schools Fishing Birdwatching Site seeing Compliments and enhances the County’s existing Quintana Beach Park Educational platform for local schools Promotes Tourism

Readiness Project planning, is complete, permitting is underway and final design and construction can be completed in 7-12 months Projected RESTORE Act funding source- Pot 1

San Bernard River

Project Scope Brazoria County is seeking a RESTORE Act grant to fund an ecosystem restoration project to open the mouth of the San Bernard River. The proposed project is to dredge the river’s historical channel to a width and depth that will enhance river flow, alleviate local flooding, restore normal drainage conditions to the regional wetlands, and reduce sediment flow and erosion along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. The dredge material will be used beneficially to counter subsidence and to restore wetlands within the San Bernard National Wildlife Refugee. Beach quality material will be beneficially used to nourish the beach along the refugee.

Background In 1929, USACE diverted the Brazos River around Freeport to reduce flooding and shoaling at Port Freeport. Today, the mouth of the San Bernard River is heavily influenced by the new Brazos River delta. The average annual suspended-sediment yield of the Brazos is the highest of all rivers in Texas, 39 metric tons per square kilometer (Curtis et al. 1973) The river closure is caused by three main factor; Sediment transfer though the littoral drift from the new delta Reduced flows down the San Bernard River Gulf wave and tidal forces pushes material into the mouth In 2009, USACE dredged the mouth open By Feb 2012, the mouth was again closed due to shoaling

History

Bathymetry Change River Flow Data

San Bernard River Actions completed and pending: Hydrodynamic modeling and alternatives development-complete Team evaluated six different management options No action Dredging only Dredging with stabilization- single jetty/groyne Dredging with stabilization-double jetty Dredging with stabilization- East weir jetty and west typical jetty Establish a channel to connect Cedar Lakes to increase the tidal prism Each of these options was evaluated to maximize channel width, depth and required length for structural features USACE and GLO permitting is underway Survey is complete Geotechnical investigations differed until final design Preliminary project opinion of cost is complete The dredging only option is estimated at $10.3 M

Potential Dredge Channel Configurations

Project Benefits Ecosystem Restoration- Restoring historical flow enhances over 10,000 acres of critical wetlands habitat Reopens a historical fish pass along the coast Enhances water quality within the region Reduces the local flood risk and the navigation hazards along the GIWW associated with backflow Reduces sediment transfer and erosion along the GIWW Reestablishes the historic fish pass

Project Benefits Beneficial use of dredge material Restore wetlands in San Bernard Wildlife Refugee/Justin Hurst WMA Counters regional coastal subsidence Beach Nourishment Reintroduces material to the littoral drift benefiting Matagorda County

Readiness Project Planning is well underway Final alternative selected summer of 2015 Environmental permitting -underway Final design and construction to begin upon approval of the grant Design and construction 12 months Project is supported by the County, the local community, local industry, Port Freeport, the Brazosport Chamber and USACE Potential Restore Act funding sources- Pot 1 and Pot 2 NRDA grant through TPWD and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation

Grant Applications Due to the State by April 15, 2016 Grants evaluated on the following criteria: Economic benefits 25 pts Environmental benefits 25 pts Comprehensive factors 20 pts Project Logistics 20 pts Community engagement 20 pts Evaluation panel is composed of representatives from TCEQ, GLO, TPWD, TxDOT, and Governors of Economic Development and Tourism Governor gets to make the final call

Questions