status of hurricane surge suppression
DESCRIPTION
Status of Hurricane Surge Suppression. Scott A. Jones Environmental Policy & Outreach Galveston Bay Foundation. Galveston Bay Foundation. Mission: To preserve, protect, and enhance the natural resources of Galveston Bay and its tributaries for present users and for posterity. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Status of Hurricane Surge Suppression
Scott A. JonesEnvironmental Policy & Outreach
Galveston Bay Foundation
Galveston Bay Foundation
Mission: To preserve, protect, and enhance the natural resources of Galveston Bay and its tributaries for present users and for posterity.
Four target areas: • Advocacy• Education• Conservation• Research
Hurricane Ike – 9/13/08
Galvanized local efforts to address storm surges.
Revealed vulnerabilities of immediate coastal and bay communities and HSC industries.
But this is nothing new…
NOAA
History of Storms and Responses
1900 Storm leads to Galveston Seawall - authorized by Texas legislature in 1901.
First segment completed in 1904. Last segment extended seawall to 99th Street in 1963.
Texas City levee – authorized by USACE in 1958.
Galveston and Texas History Center – Rosenberg Library
Halff Associates
Upper Texas Coast…Sea Level Rise (SLR)
Background or natural sea level rise.
In geological time scale, we are coming out of last ice age.
Factor in movement of landmass and you have relative seal level rise (RSLR).
NASA JSC
Subsidence =Accelerated RSLR
Data source: HGCSD 2008; TWDB 2008
Subsidence
Burnet Bay
Location
Shoreline Changes
Gibeaut, UT BEG, 2007
-125 -100 -75 -50 -25 0 25 50 75 100 125D istance from M onum ent (m )
-1
0
1
2
3
4
Hei
ght A
bov
e N
AV
D88
(m
)
2002 profile
2062 estim ated pro file
vertical exaggeration = 10:1
Imminent Geohazard Potential/Present Critical Environment
High Geohazard Potential/Future Critical Environment
Beach/Dune Profile Translation
Climate Change
Accelerated sea level rise with global warming.
Source: Hayhoe & Farley, A Climate for Change (2009)
So here we are…
Retreating beaches…
Eroding shorelines...
Response to Ike -Ike Dike Concept - 2008
Bill Merrell, TAMUG.
Dike from High Island to Freeport.
No firm plans for GBF to comment upon.
Response to Ike -Ike Dike Concept
Costs to build?
Costs to acquire land?
Costs to maintain?
Exactly where – FM 3005? Seawall?
Concerns with Ike Dike
Sufficient sediment budget?
Sea level rise and new shoreline.
Will FM 3005 Ike Dike become the new seawall?
Concerns with Ike Dike
Direct impacts to habitat.
Indirect impacts to habitat.
Changes to bay circulation.
“Green light” to runaway development?
Gulf Coast Community Protection & Recovery District - 2010
Harris
Galveston
Brazoria
Chambers
Orange
JeffersonGuidry News Service, 2010
SSPEED Center – Rice University – est. 2007
Severe Storm Prediction, Education, and Evacuation from Disasters
http://hydrology.rice.edu/sspeed/
http://hydrology.rice.edu/sspeed/downloads/SSPEED_Interim_Report_2010.pdf
SSPEED Center – Ike Dike and Alternatives
“A number of structural and non-structural alternatives exist that offer varying levels of protection…from hurricane surge flooding, rainfall and wind. A thorough examination and comparison of the economic costs, environmental impacts, social hazards and overall reliability and effectiveness of these alternatives should be completed before any final selections.”
-Executive Summary, Learning the Lessons of Hurricane Ike, SSPEED Center, May 2010
SSPEED Center – Ike Dike and Alternatives
“In studies conducted in Florida and Texas, non-structural alternatives have been 9. found to be consistently more effective in reducing flood damage than structural control measures. As such, they are being evaluated as an alternative to traditional structural options.”
-Executive Summary, Learning the Lessons of Hurricane Ike, SSPEED Center, May 2010
SSPEED Center – Structural and Non-Structural Alternatives
Ike DikeZone Specific Levee Solution
Land-Use ControlsNatural Surge Protection - Land Acquisition and Conservation EasementsBuffer ZonesBuilding ElevationsBuilding CodesEvacuation Planning and Improvement
In the meantime, let’s keep doing some things…
Habitat restoration
Habitat conservation: preserves and easements.
What are the Benefits of Habitat Preservation and Restoration?
Habitat for Fish and Wildlife
Stabilizes Eroding Shorelines and Provides Flood Protection
Improves Water Quality
and surge suppression…
Join the GBF team as an individual or corporate
member
Volunteer with GBF!
www.galvbay.org