A feasibility study to ongoing erosion at Magnolia Beach in Texas was approved by the Calhoun County Commissioners’ Court during its meeting last week.
Over the past two years there have been numerous meetings with many people ranging from State Senators, State Representatives, U.S. Congressman’s office, to Army Corp of Engineers all resulting in no forward movement in addressing this issue.
There have been several feasibility studies done in the past but never directed directly at Magnolia Beach.
Last Tuesday, Commissioner David Hall held a meeting with coastal engineers with Mott MacDonald at his Precinct 1 office to request solutions.
One day later, Commissioner’s Court allowed Commissioner Hall to sign contract with Mott MacDonald for part one of three phases.
“ This phase 1 includes compiling all available data collected over the years by USACE, Formosa, and any other agencies/entities that may have done a study and coming up with a solution for erosion protection ,” Calhoun County TX Precinct 1 said in its release.
The study will also include a passing vessel analysis for shipping traffic. It will include the channel’s current configuration and the proposed depth and widening. The study will also include, not just Magnolia Beach, both directions of the coastline to try and anticipate and prevent unintended consequences.
“Once Phase 1 is complete there will be a conceptual design presented to Commissioners for approval in approximately 5-7 months. Once this is complete, Phase 2 will consist of engineering and permitting,” according to Calhoun County TX Precinct 1.
After the phase 2 is complete, they will have a ‘shovel ready’ project with an estimated dollar amount for construction. Phase 3 would be construction, said the Calhoun County TX Precinct 1 in its release.