Differing Visions

DIFFERING VISIONS

There’s a growing discussion in Southeast Texas about whether to harden the coast by building a series of dikes and seawalls, or to take a softer, more environmentally benign approach to coastal development.

146 GALVESTON

Galveston Bay

Bolivar Peninsula

45

6

A BR

Galveston IA

R ZO

Galveston Island 6 mi.

CHAMBERS

Existing seawall Proposed seawalls Proposed floodgates

JEFFERSON

Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge

Proposed “Ike dike” system

McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge

Gulf of Mexico

Environmental alternative Expand existing wildlife refuges, work with coastal landowners to limit future development and possibly turn Bolivar Peninsula into a national seashore.

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Sources: Dr. William J. Merrell, Texas A&M University; Jim Blackburn JAY CARR : C H R O N I C L E