Bill Overview
Title: Texas Coastal Spine Authorization Act
Description: This bill authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to carry out the project on coastal Texas protection and restoration in accordance with the plans and conditions laid out in the report issued by the Chief of Engineers on September 16, 2021. The report recommends plans to reduce the risks of tropical storm surge impacts and to restore degraded coastal ecosystems on the Texas Gulf Coast.
Sponsors: Rep. Weber, Randy K., Sr. [R-TX-14]
Target Audience
Population: People living in or near the Texas Gulf Coast
Estimated Size: 5000000
- The bill focuses on coastal protection and restoration in Texas, specifically targeting the Texas Gulf Coast.
- The primary impact will be on people living in the coastal areas of Texas, who are vulnerable to tropical storm surges.
- The construction and maintenance of the coastal spine project may create jobs, impacting individuals seeking employment in related fields.
- The project aims to restore coastal ecosystems, which can benefit recreational users and businesses reliant on healthy ecosystems.
Reasoning
- The primary impact of this policy will be on residents of the Texas Gulf Coast, particularly those in areas prone to flooding and storm surges.
- The project will likely provide economic benefits through job creation, particularly in construction, engineering, and environmental restoration sectors.
- Residents not directly impacted by flooding might experience indirect benefits through community stability and increased job opportunities.
- Some individuals may fear negative environmental impacts from construction, while others will prioritize improved infrastructure and safety.
- The large budget limits direct impact strictly to those in the Texas Gulf Coast, with indirect impacts potentially extending to broader economic gains.
Simulated Interviews
Elementary School Teacher (Houston, TX)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Frequent flooding in Houston disrupts my life and my teaching.
- I worry every hurricane season about losing my home.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Fisherman (Galveston, TX)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Storm surges have made fishing more dangerous and unpredictable.
- Restoring ecosystems might improve fishing conditions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Environmental Scientist (Corpus Christi, TX)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm hopeful that the policy will lead to better protection and more projects focusing on restoration.
- Balancing construction with environmental impacts will be key.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Construction Manager (Dallas, TX)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This project could mean more business and job stability for me.
- Even though I'm not directly affected, better coastal protection is important for the state.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Retired (Austin, TX)
Age: 62 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I worry about my grandchildren in Houston when storms come.
- Knowing something is being done for their safety is reassuring.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Business Owner (San Antonio, TX)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Property damage from storms has cost me a lot in repairs and lost income.
- I'm hopeful that improved infrastructure will protect my investments.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Graduate Student (Houston, TX)
Age: 23 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Government action on climate change is crucial, I hope this policy is executed sustainably.
- I'm worried about the potential environmental side effects.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Civil Engineer (Houston, TX)
Age: 31 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could bring more engineering projects and job opportunities.
- Better coastal infrastructure is a wise long-term investment.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Real Estate Agent (Austin, TX)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My clients often worry about the property damage costs from flooding.
- A successful project implementation might stabilize property markets.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Retired Military (Galveston, TX)
Age: 47 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Better coastal protection will make it easier for emergency services to do their job.
- I support measures that can mitigate damage and protect lives.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $1500000000 (Low: $1200000000, High: $1800000000)
Year 2: $1600000000 (Low: $1280000000, High: $1920000000)
Year 3: $1700000000 (Low: $1360000000, High: $2040000000)
Year 5: $1900000000 (Low: $1520000000, High: $2280000000)
Year 10: $2500000000 (Low: $2000000000, High: $3000000000)
Year 100: $5000000000 (Low: $4000000000, High: $6000000000)
Key Considerations
- The complexity of implementing a large-scale infrastructure project across multiple decades.
- Ongoing maintenance and operational costs are critical to ensure the project's long-term viability and effectiveness.
- Potential environmental impacts during construction must be mitigated to protect local ecosystems.