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: Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
Target Audience
Population: People living along the Texas Gulf Coast
Estimated Size: 6800000
- Texas has a population of approximately 29 million people.
- The Texas Gulf Coast is home to several large cities including Houston, Galveston, and Corpus Christi, increasing the population at risk from coastal issues.
- The project aims to reduce tropical storm surge risks which primarily affect coastal regions but can also impact inland areas during severe storms.
- Restoration of degraded coastal ecosystems impacts both humans and local wildlife, as healthier ecosystems support fisheries and tourism.
- Given the vulnerability of coastal areas to climate change, millions living near the coast could benefit from improved infrastructure and ecosystem restoration.
Reasoning
- The Texas Gulf Coast has a substantial population that could be directly affected by tropical storms. Protecting this area would prevent property loss, reduce insurance costs, and enhance safety.
- Ecosystem restoration could improve local fishing industries and tourist attractions, which are vital parts of the local economy.
- While the policy targets Texas, many U.S. citizens live there, so simulating different demographic perspectives will help to understand its broader impact.
- Considering diverse occupations and economic statuses is crucial as benefits may vary widely based on people's livelihood and location.
- Not everyone in Texas will see immediate benefits, especially those further inland, hence they may have lower scores related to policy implementation.
Simulated Interviews
Fisherman (Galveston, TX)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The coastal protection act could save our businesses from significant losses when storms hit.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 3 |
Environmental Scientist (Houston, TX)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is a step forward in acknowledging the importance of coastal health for environmental sustainability.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Tour Guide (Corpus Christi, TX)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If this project can help prevent storm damage, it could mean more stable tourist seasons.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Retired Engineer (Beaumont, TX)
Age: 57 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The Gulf Coast needs this type of intervention; infrastructure is vulnerable here.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
Student (Dallas, TX)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This project seems beneficial, though I won't be affected directly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
School Teacher (Brownsville, TX)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Storms have been disruptive; any improvement would enhance daily life significantly.
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 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 2 |
Real Estate Developer (Austin, TX)
Age: 61 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This act might increase property values reducing future risks, which is good for the market.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Meteorologist (New Orleans, LA)
Age: 31 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Regional projects like this could lead to better storm preparedness beyond Texas.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Healthcare Administrator (San Antonio, TX)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Anything that reduces disaster impact would reduce stress on local healthcare systems.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Insurance Agent (Victoria, TX)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Lowering storm surge risks should lower insurance claims and premiums, benefiting everyone.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 3 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $1000000000 (Low: $800000000, High: $1200000000)
Year 2: $1000000000 (Low: $800000000, High: $1200000000)
Year 3: $1000000000 (Low: $800000000, High: $1200000000)
Year 5: $1000000000 (Low: $800000000, High: $1200000000)
Year 10: $1000000000 (Low: $800000000, High: $1200000000)
Year 100: $1000000000 (Low: $800000000, High: $1200000000)
Key Considerations
- The project's scope requires substantial coordination between federal, state, and local agencies.
- There are potential environmental concerns and regulatory processes to navigate.
- The long timescale for construction and completion could affect cost estimates due to inflation and changing material costs.
- Resilience against climate change requires adaptive management plans and possibly additional investments in the future.