U.S. Texas Field Project
The Texas Marine Conservation Agreement (MCA) field project shows how two non-profit organizations joined forces to protect and restore intertidal lands through fee-simple ownership. While information on this page is for a specific project, Texas is a state with numerous examples of in-water leasing and ownership projects undertaken by various conservation organizations. Additional information related to several other projects, including leasing projects, can be found within the See also section below.
Galveston Bay Restoration
Over the past 50 years, subsidence and erosion have caused approximately 30,000 acres of intertidal wetlands to be lost in Galveston Bay, including coastal habitats in the Pierce Marsh complex that have experienced habitat conversion to open water. The Galveston Bay Foundation (GBF) and The Nature Conservancy's (TNC's) Texas Chapter worked together to protect and restore over 2,000 acres of intertidal lands in Pierce Marsh.
Land transactions began in December of 1987 when two-thirds of a 1,361-acre tract was donated to TNC by Clive Runnells and the Pierce Estate. In December of 1997, GBF purchased the remaining one-third interest in the 1,361 acre tract through a gift from John Davisson. In 1998, GBF acquired an additional 985 acres with funds received from the North American Wetlands Conservation Act. This latter portion has been named the Lloyd and B.A. Bentsen Preserve at Pierce Marsh. As a result, a total of 2,346 acres of intertidal lands are now owned in fee-simple and are being restored. GBF has constructed terraces to restore subsided upland and wetland habitat to historic elevation levels. The terraces are contoured to optimize water circulation and create a natural-looking marsh. After construction and a short settling period, GBF and volunteers plant the newly created terraces with smooth cord grass (Spartina alterniflora).
Additionally, GBF has implemented a citizen-based habitat monitoring program. Six stations are currently located at Pierce Marsh, and new stations will be incorporated to monitor the success of the restored habitat resulting from this project.
Transaction Summary
| Fee-simple | 2 parcels |
| Area | 2,346 acres |
| Resource | Intertidal lands: 70% open water; 20% low salt marsh; 10% high salt marsh |
| Dates/duration | 1987, 1997, 1998; perpetual duration |
| Fee/price | Unknown |
| Location(s) | Pierce Marsh, Galveston Bay |
| Use | Salt marsh restoration |
| Grantor(s) | Clive Runnells, Pierce Estate, Lloyd and B.A. Bentsen |
| Grantee(s) | Galveston Bay Foundation, The Nature Conservancy |
Lessons Learned
Not available.
Pierce Marsh Aerial Terraces. Photo courtesy U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Texas Coastal Program
Cost Summary
Not available.
Funding Sources
- Restore America's Estuaries – NOAA Partnership
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services
- Harborwalk, LTD
- Galveston Bay Estuary Program
Lead Organizations
Galveston Bay Foundation
17330 Highway 3
Webster, TX 77598
Tel: 281-332-3381
Fax: 281-332-3153
Email: gbf@galvbay.org
The Nature Conservancy - Texas Chapter
Coastal Office
P. O. Box 2563
Corpus Christi, TX 78403
Tel: 361-882-3584
Fax: 361-882-8561
Email: lmcbride@tnc.org
Pierce Marsh Aerial Terraces. Photo courtesy U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Texas Coastal Program
Partners
- Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
- Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
- United States Army Corps of Engineers
- Natural Resources Conservation Service
- NOAA - Fisheries
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Authorizing Agency
Texas General Land Office
1700 N. Congress Ave. Suite 935
Austin, TX 78701-1495
Tel: 512-463-5001
Documents
- Attorney General Findings Re: Trespass on Submerged Lands (download .pdf, 151k)
- Dickinson Island Lease Renewal Application Exhibits (download .pdf, 1,329k)
- Dickinson Island NOAA Grant Application (download .pdf, 3,153k)
- Matagorda Island Oyster Restoration Lease (download .pdf, 8,655k)
- Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve Lease (download .pdf, 1,980)
- Pierce Marsh Fact Sheet (download .pdf, 119k)
- Pierce Marsh Restoration Project Summary (download .pdf, 61k)
- West Galveston Bay Conservation Area Overview (download .pdf, 85k)
Publications
None
See also
- Pierce Marsh Preserve, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Armand Bayou Nature Center
- Various Coastal Sanctuaries, Houston Audubon Society
- Marsh Preserve, Scenic Galveston