Proposed Lone Star Coastal National Recreation Area or Rice Dike Post
Hurricane Land Grab in Disguise or Has There Been a Ike Dike Game Change Plan
?
Greetings County Officials, Professor Merrell et al TAMU, Family, Friends,
Neighbors et al,
In regards to ;
Galveston County
League City City Council
by Garrett Bryce and Jim Guidry with photos courtesy League City TV
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
League City City Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to deny a resolution
supporting the creation of the Lone Star Coastal National Recreation Area.
Several people spoke in opposition to the proposal. “They proclaim that
preserving our wetlands will slow down and reduce repetitive losses associated
with storm surges; at the same time they want to achieve a national recreation
area status,” Kim Kitchen said, adding that the coastal spine proposed by Dr.
William Merrell would provide better protection. “I don’t know about you, but
unless there is a 200-foot rogue wave, I’ll take my chances with the Ike Dike,
because I have more faith in Mother Nature than I do with the government and
their organizations.” Listen (2:39)
The resolution, if approved, would have allowed the city to become a member
of the partnership formed to implement the proposed recreational area, which
includes portions of Matagorda, Brazoria, Chambers and Galveston counties.
*** The resolution also stated that the city would agree to "allow some or
all of the properties that they own within the boundaries of the proposed Lone
Star Coastal National Recreation Area to be considered for use to achieve the
recreation, conservation, and flood mitigation goals" of the proposed area.
IF this is not a ‘red herring’ of sorts, and you all made this choice
unanimously on the merits alone i.e. IKE DIKE VS RICE DIKE, and that the League
City Council is 100% for the Ike Dike, then I think the League City Council made
the right decision on this one.
THANK YOU !
NICE JOB !
What is the Proposed Lone Star Coastal National Recreation Area or Rice
Dike ?
Proposed Lone Star Coastal National Recreation Area or Rice Dike Post
Hurricane Land Grab in Disguise?
How can more Tourism, stop a 20 or 25+ foot tidal surge?
Proposed Lone Star Coastal National Recreation Area A Concept for the Upper
Texas Coast
Proposed Lone Star Coastal National Recreation Area
The Lone Star Coastal National Recreation Area: Economic Prosperity,
Recreation and Flood Mitigation Based on Natural Assets
The Lone Star Coastal National Recreation Area (LSCNRA) is a creative idea
to realize the economic potential of the fabulous natural and historic resources
of the upper Texas Coast. The LSCNRA, conceived as part of an integrated,
long-term flood mitigation system, focuses on the low-lying tidal and brackish
marshlands and the surrounding upland areas. The concept emerged from work
funded by The Houston Endowment and conducted by the SSPEED Center at Rice
University in association with the Green Think Tank of Houston Wilderness. While
providing flood protection benefits, the LSCNRA would also help realize the
significant potential economic value these lands have for
geotourism--bird-watching, kayaking, history trails, and hiking, and more
traditional uses such as fishing and hunting. The LSCNRA is compatible with, and
even complimentary to, structural surge flood solutions.
What is a National Recreation Area?
National Recreation Areas are designated by Congress as land and water with
outdoor recreation potential of national significance. Most emphasize
water-based recreation and range in size, contiguity, land ownership structure,
governing institutions and functional purposes. Some are stand-alone units,
while others comprise a cluster of noncontiguous lands and structures.
Recognition as a National Recreation Area would place the upper Texas coast
alongside the Boston Harbor and the Golden Gate National Recreation Areas as
nationally acclaimed tourism and recreation destinations.
What does the upper Texas Coast have to offer?
The upper Texas coastal region has the benefit of being highly accessible
with recreational opportunities of this area as impressive as they are varied.
These opportunities include:
•World-class bird-watching on Mad Island, High Island and Bolivar Flats
along with the East End Lagoon, San Luis Pass on Galveston Island, the rookeries
of Drum Bay and coastal and forested habitats of the Brazos, Colorado and San
Bernard river areas.
•Fishing and crabbing in Galveston Bay and Matagorda Bay.
•Seasonal hunting within the wildlife refuges and management areas and on
private property.
•Kayaking on the backside of the Bolivar Peninsula, the marsh lakes of the
mainland of Chambers, Galveston, Matagorda and Brazoria Counties and the oyster
reefs and sea grass flats of Christmas Bay.
•Bicycle trails in Galveston and Surfside.
•Cultural, architectural, military and maritime historical landmarks of
both Texas and the United States.
What are the benefits of National Recreation Area Designation?
•A National Recreation Area designation would serve to drive economic
development by packaging and promoting year-around tourism and outdoor
recreation, while protecting the ecological services that support the region’s
bountiful estuaries and rookeries, and the low-lying lands that help to mitigate
storm surge during large hurricanes. By its 10th year of operation, the Lone
Star Coastal National Recreation Area is estimated to:
•Attract 1.5 million visitors and support $192 million in local sales, more
than 4 times the current level;
•Sustain 11% more jobs in the regional tourism industry.
•At seven similar national sites similar to the proposed LSCNRA, visitation
grew an average of 565% in the first ten years of operation.
National Recreation Area Partnership Structure
The LSCNRA is proposed as a partnership in which local, state, and federal
governments along with non-governmental organizations and private property
owners voluntarily choose to participate. The partnership blends local
priorities with National Park Service opportunities.
•A charter for the LSCNRA, developed by those interested in participating,
would be tailored to local preferences, needs and circumstances.
•Landowners within the area could elect to participate, depending upon
their needs and desires. All decisions to participate would be voluntary.
•If individual landowners choose not to opt in to the LSCNRA, they would
not be subject to guidelines or management criteria that might be adopted under
the charter now or in the future.
•The Park Service brings funding and staffing to the table, contributing
its expertise in areas such as education, science, visitor services, and
planning.
•A general management plan developed by the partnership guides national
recreation area operation and helps coordinate participating agency activities.
The general management plan does not override partners’ decision-making
authorities.
More Resources for Lone Star Coastal Recreation Area
OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS, instead of the IKE DIKE $$$
OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS
Star Coastal Nation Recreation Area Could Attract Visitors, Boost Business,
and Create Jobs
The Lone Star Coastal National Recreation Area
By Jim Blackburn, SSPEED Center, Rice University Presented to CLE
International, February, 2013 Updated July 2013
Severe Storm Prediction, Education and Evacuation from Disaster (SSPEED)
Center at Rice University to study “Lessons Learned From Hurricane Ike”.
In light of these precepts and our understanding of the potential for
economic damage to the Houston economy, and therefore the region, and ecological
damage to Galveston Bay, six areas have emerged from our research that are
worthy of special attention for surge impact mitigation.
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PLEASE TAKE NOTE...TSS
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(1) We have concluded the Houston Ship Channel needs to be protected from
storm surge and that a gate structure could be constructed in the vicinity of
the State Highway 146 Hartman Bridge that crosses the Houston Ship Channel near
its outlet to Galveston Bay. We believe that this alternative could be funded by
local bond funds at a cost in the vicinity of $1 billion and would provide more
than $100 billion in economic benefits as well as saving the ecology of
Galveston Bay from
3
hazardous materials and oil released by a surge from tanks in the
refineries and chemical plants that line 20+ miles of the Houston Ship
Channel.
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PLEASE TAKE NOTE...TSS
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(2) We have determined that the Clear Lake area is extremely vulnerable,
and that a structural alternative to protect this area is unlikely in the short
term. Information is the key in this area that is extremely vulnerable to surge
flooding. All new home buyers should be told about the vulnerability of their
home to storm surges. We are working on a hurricane/flood warning, evacuation
and re‐entry system for this area. And we urge that a fund be set aside to be
used in the event of serious surge flooding to buy out those who have lost
everything.
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PLEASE TAKE NOTE...TSS
==========================================================
(3) We have determined that most of the flooding of the City of Galveston
came from the “backside” of the island and that a levee system could be
constructed that would connect the existing seawall around the city itself. This
solution would leave the West End of Galveston Island unprotected. We have
concluded that a structural solution to protect the West End is not feasible
unless it provides much larger economic benefits than will be generated by
protecting the West End development.
(4) We believe that the existing levee systems of Texas City and Freeport
have served us well in the past and should be upgraded and maintained. During
Ike, storm waters reached the top of the Texas City levee. Both the Texas City
and Freeport levees need to be increased in height and in some cases in the area
protected.
(5) We have proposed that a non‐structural surge mitigation concept called
the Lone Star Coastal National Recreation Area (LSCNRA) be developed for the
low‐lying, generally undeveloped areas of Chambers, Galveston, Brazoria and
Matagorda Counties. The basic idea is to focus on development and enhancement of
economic development that is flood resilient. The remainder of this paper is
focused on the LSCNRA.
(6) We have also proposed another non‐structural, economically focused
alternative called the Ecosystem Services Exchange. This alternative is distinct
from the LSCNRA and involves creating a supplemental farm and ranch economy
associated with restoring the ecosystem service value of natural coastal
ecosystems and allowing for the buying and selling of these services. That
alternative will be the subject of a subsequent paper.
the ‘non‐structural surge mitigation concept called the Lone Star Coastal
National Recreation Area (LSCNRA)’, might bring greater tourism and more money
to the area economy, but it will not stop a 25+ foot storm surge, or a 20 foot
storm surge as far as that goes.
what Jim Blackburn has done by endorsing the Rice Dike or the Proposed Lone
Star Coastal National Recreation Area, has taken everyone’s property along the
Galveston Bay Coast, and all it’s fishing villages, all it’s homesteads, and all
the folks there from, and made them collateral damage in favor of Tourism and or
Big Petro Chemical, and the cost and protection there from will be on the backs
of every one that lives in these areas. this is sad in my opinion.
if that’s the case, make the big petro chemicals and or tourism
industry pay for it, not a dime off the backs they will profit from, the coastal
community’s.
seems this Lone Star Coastal National Recreation Area (LSCNRA) is the RICE
DIKE in disguise. it’s a clone of the Rice Dike in my opinion.
it’s time to start building the Ike Dike. the sooner the better. if we can
still put folks on the moon (I know we did before), pay to go to Mars, maybe via
the moon, give our money away to every Country that puts a hand out, why in the
hell can’t we build a big gate to protect everyone in Galveston Bay, instead of
those just on the North end, north to Houston, vie gate under Fred Hartman
Bridge? it does not compute.
if Holland can do it, why can’t the USA?
enough debate. enough studies. enough talk. build the IKE DIKE, not a
tourist attraction, and especially not from taking our land. you have already
drawn us off the map. well we’re still here damn’t.
*** Furthermore, this proposal leaves
waterfront properties and communities east of SH- 146 vulnerable; however, it
maintains the possibility of waterfront recreation and other environmental and
natural coastal features.
I stated before ;
‘’The Rice Dike is not about saving our communities from another Hurricane
Ike, the Rice Dike is a LAND GRAB.’’
and apparently, that’s all the Proposed Lone Star Coastal National
Recreation Area is, maybe a watered down version, and a name change.
Call your City, County and state government officials and representatives
and tell them NO to the Rice dike, and the Proposed Lone Star Coastal National
Recreation Area, and YES to the Ike Dike. we can’t wait any longer.
*** Furthermore, this proposal leaves waterfront properties and communities
east of SH- 146 vulnerable;
*** however, it maintains the possibility of waterfront recreation and
other environmental and natural coastal features.
RICE UNIVERSITY IKE DIKE hwy-146-levee proposal, THAT WOULD WASH AWAY
SEABROOK, KEMAH, BAYVIEW, BACLIFF, AND SAN LEON
NOVEMBER 2011
Preliminary research results indicate that the most feasible structure will
be a levee along SH-146 accompanied by pocket levees, built by private
landowners. The levee would connect natural 25 foot elevations near the Houston
Ship Channel and the Texas City Dike effectively protecting the properties and
critical facilities and infrastructure west of SH-146. However, moveable
barriers would need to be placed at Clear Lake and highway underpasses.
*** Furthermore, this proposal leaves waterfront properties and communities
east of SH- 146 vulnerable; however, it maintains the possibility of waterfront
recreation and other environmental and natural coastal features.
*** HERE is a IKE DIKE proposal that would help SAVE AND PROTECT
SHOREACRES, La Porte, SEABROOK, KEMAH, BAYVIEW, BACLIFF, AND SAN LEON.
*** THIS Ike Dike proposal by TAMU does NOT abandon all of us that have
lived here all our lives, and this proposal does not sell out to developers ;
Thursday, November 27, 2014
IKE DIKE VS RICE DIKE PUBLIC INPUT SOUGHT PLEASE WRITE IN SUPPORT OF TAMU
IKE DIKE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
URGENT !
************UPDATE IKE DIKE SPECIAL INTEREST GAME
CHANGE*****************
HOWEVER, in December 2014, seems the concept of the IKE dike vs the SSPEED
Rice Dike converged, we had a GAME PLAN CHANGE, and in my opinion, it’s not
good, seems big business and special interest won out, and coastal communities
inside of Galveston Bay, well, they are all just going to be collateral
damage $$$
************UPDATE IKE DIKE SPECIAL INTEREST GAME
CHANGE*****************
Working document, not to be referenced.
GAME PLAN: Framework for Flood Risk Reduction in the Galveston Bay Area
VERSION 1 – December 5, 2014
Main report written and edited by: S.N. (Bas) Jonkman (TU Delft), Mathijs
van Ledden (RHDHV & TU Delft) Kasper Lendering (TU Delft), Leslie Mooyaart
(RHDHV & TU Delft), Bill Merrell (Texas A&M Galveston), Arno Willems (Iv
Infra).
With contributions from: Samuel Brody (Texas A&M Galveston), Kayode
Atoba (Texas A&M Galveston), Wes Highfield (Texas A&M Galveston),
Russell Blessing (Texas A&M Galveston), Jens Figlus (Texas A&M
Galveston), Galen Newman (Texas A&M Galveston), Eric Bardenhagen (Texas
A&M Galveston), Bruce Ebersole (Jackson State University), Tom Richardson
(Jackson State University), Antonia Sebastian (Rice University), Robert Gilmer
(Bauer College of Business, Univ. of Houston) and Adam Perdue (Bauer College of
Business, Univ. of Houston).
GAME PLAN Flood Risk Reduction for the Galveston Bay area
snip...
Game plan - SSPEED Center statement
Another recent development in Galveston Bay surge suppression research is
an agreement between the SSPEED Center at Rice University and Texas A&M
University at Galveston to work more closely together. So far, the two research
groups have agreed to the following statement.
“The SSPEED Center at Rice University and Texas A&M University at
Galveston have been studying strategies for surge suppression for the Galveston
Bay Region. SSPEED had been concentrating its efforts on suppressing surge using
barriers internal to the Bay system and non-structural alternatives, while Texas
A&M Galveston has concentrated on methods to stop the surge at the coast
using a continuous coastal barrier – the “Ike Dike” concept. Both Texas A&M
Galveston and the SSPEED Center will continue their research efforts, while
collaborating with each other, with an eye towards ultimately combining their
various strategies to achieve the best overall solution for the region from an
economic, environmental and social perspective.
GAME PLAN Flood Risk Reduction for the Galveston Bay area
6
The SSPEED Center and Texas A&M University at Galveston will coordinate
their modelling work and analyses so that the knowledge gained by all efforts
can be shared and utilized to more efficiently and effectively reach the
development of a regional surge defence strategy for the entire
Houston-Galveston area. Each institution is committed to finding the best
overall solution for the entirety of Galveston Bay and will work together to
achieve that result.“
As the two groups work together, more synergies and common interests will
appear. It is in everyone’s interest to see that the very best academic research
and thinking is fully included in the actionable plans developed for suppressing
surge in the Galveston Bay region. As one step in this process, SSPEED
researchers have been invited to participate in the December 14-17, 2014 meeting
of Ike dike researchers.
common special interest, is what they meant $$$...terry
see how high the tide still was, a day or two after IKE, looking right into
our garage and garage apartment, look how high the tide still is, WITHOUT THE
RICE SPPEED DAM...dike.
see a shot of our garage and apartment out back of our house and our land
from the neighbors video next door (*see how high tide still is several days
after Ike*). we need Ike Dike. tourist and money are NOT going to stop a 25+
foot storm surge, when the next big one comes up the ship channel. also,
consider Bacliff. this area was the highest around the Bay, back when it was 18+
feet when I was a child. now we are sitting around 14 feet.
see some old history on IKE vs RICE SPPEED Dike ;
=====================
From: Terry S. Singeltary Sr.
Sent: Tuesday, October 09, 2012 5:30 PM
To: William Merrell
Cc: Cherie Coffman
Subject: Re: Ike Dike question ?
fantastic! thank you for your kind reply Sir, and explanation for the
layperson such as me. many thanks, I like your proposal much, much, better Sir,
considering my backyard is Galveston Bay here in Bacliff, 77518 shoreline. with
that rice university plan, the shorelines from Kemah to San Leon and property
values there from would tank and the next big one, we would all be marsh land.
course, it would not matter much anyway, because that big toxic dredge island I
have to look at everyday now, you know the one they propose to double in size
now, well all that would be in our houses. ...what were they thinking. ...thanks
again. with kindest regards, terry
=====================
From: William Merrell
Sent: Tuesday, October 09, 2012 5:08 PM
To: Terry S. Singeltary Sr.
Cc: Cherie Coffman
Subject: RE: Ike Dike question ?
Again - the Dike you describe is proposed by Rice University. It has
nothing whatsoever to do with the Ike Dike. The Ike Dike protects everyone in
the Bay because it is along the coast. You can verify this and learn the details
of the Ike Dike by going to our website
=====================
From: Terry S. Singeltary Sr. [mailto:flounder9@verizon.net]
Sent: Tuesday, October 09, 2012 5:00 PM
To: William Merrell
Cc: Cherie Coffman
Subject: Re: Ike Dike question ?
Greetings again Dr. Merrell,
Sir, I had a question.
I did not have any ideas, other than the fact, I am concerned and confused
on one of rumored proposals of Ike Dike, and we wanted to know the truth, and I
was told, you were the person to go to, and my question was as follows ;
i heard that one of the potential designs for the ike dike, would have
everyone living south of the Kemah bridge on hwy 146, and everyone east of hwy
146 there from, i.e. Kemah, Bayview, Bacliff, and San Leon, all these fishing
communities would be EAST OF SAID IKE DIKE, as the said IKE DIKE would be built
west of hwy 146, thus leaving everyone east of 146 to be left for marsh land, as
any hurricane after said IKE DIKE built would leave these fishing communities as
marsh lands due to any IKE DIKE built west of hwy 146, is any of this true?
is there any proposal on the table to eliminate the Kemah, Bayview,
Bacliff, and San Leon shore lines from the Ike Dike?
is the scenario of said rumor, I proposed above, is this one of the
proposals?
as home owners, property owners, and business owners, we are concerned, and
we have a right to know if this is a proposal or not?
a simple yes or no answer will do. ...
thank you,
kind regards,
terry
=====================
From: William Merrell
Sent: Tuesday, October 09, 2012 4:38 PM To: Terry S. Singeltary Sr.
Cc: Cherie Coffman
Subject: RE: Ike Dike question ?
The 146 dike is proposed by the SSPEED Center at Rice. I agree with your
ideas on it. The Ike Dike is a coastal spine which would protect everyone.
Details on website http://www.tamug.edu/ikedike/
Best regards, Bill
William Merrell George P Mitchell Chair Texas A&M University at
Galveston Po Box 1675 Galveston, Texas 77553-1675 409-740-4732 work 409-740-4787
fax 409-771-2225 cell
=====================
From: Terry S. Singeltary Sr. [mailto:flounder9@verizon.net]
Sent: Tuesday, October 09, 2012 12:50 PM
To: William Merrell
Subject: Ike Dike question ?
Greetings Dr. Merrell,
I am a bit concerned and confused, and hoping you might be able to help
straighten out any confusion on the IKE DIKE.
i heard that one of the potential designs for the ike dike, would have
everyone living south of the Kemah bridge on hwy 146, and everyone east of hwy
146 there from, i.e. Kemah, Bayview, Bacliff, and San Leon, all these fishing
communities would be EAST OF SAID IKE DIKE, as the said IKE DIKE would be built
west of hwy 146, thus leaving everyone east of 146 to be left for marsh land, as
any hurricane after said IKE DIKE built would leave these fishing communities as
marsh lands due to any IKE DIKE built west of hwy 146.
is any of this true ?
can you please show me where all the said potential designs and drawings
might be for the public to view on any said IKE DIKE ?
thank you,
kindest regards, terry
===================
END...TSS
Dr. Merrell, a marine scientist from Texas A&M, will be talking about
his proposal December 11, 2012 at 7 P.M. to explain his proposal, at a Town Hall
Meeting in San Leon, Texas, at the San Leon Fire Station. ...
=====================================
see officials from surrounding Galveston Bayshore communities I have spoken
with, and how they feel about the Rice SSPEED dike, VS the IKE dike by TAMU ;
Kemah Mayor
From: Bob Cummins Sent:
Monday, November 18, 2013 1:51 PM
To: Terry S. Singeltary Sr.
Cc: Rick Beverlin
Subject: RE: Is your community just collateral damage? RICE DIKE VS IKE
DIKE
Mr. Singeltary, The City has Dr. Merrill speak on several occasions to help
educate our citizens. We have sent letters to the state and federal bodies to
show our support for the much needed Ike Dike. Dr. Merrell has spoken to every
group in the Bay area and has done a great job to help all of us. If you know of
anyway we can be of greater support of this cause please let me know.
Respectfully, Mayor Bob Cummins City of Kemah
========================
Seabrook Mayor
From: Glenn Royal
Sent: Monday, November 18, 2013 4:56 PM
To: 'Terry S. Singeltary Sr.'
Subject: RE: Is your community just collateral damage? RICE DIKE VS IKE
DIKE
Dear Terry,
Rice University has not bothered to ask the opinion of Seabrook about the
Centennial Gate. Had they asked, our reaction is similar to LaPorte. Prior to
receiving your email, council has discussed our own resolution in opposition to
this plan.
Recent discussions that I have had with area groups about the Centennial
Gate give me hope that it is not going to be implemented given its relative cost
versus storm surge protection. The Ike Dike gives us the greatest cost/benefit
value.
Thank you for reaching out and sharing these articles with me. Please
continue you to do so.
Best regards,
Glenn Royal
Mayor
City of Seabrook
========================
La Porte City Council At Large “A” councilman
From: John Zemanek
Sent: Monday, November 18, 2013 1:58 PM
To: 'Terry S. Singeltary Sr.'
Subject: RE: Is your community just collateral damage? RICE DIKE VS IKE
DIKE
Terry,
City passed resolution opposing the Rice Dike. If you hear anything down
the road, please let us know. We are keeping our eyes & ears open as well.
FYI, I am the At Large “A” councilman.
Regards,
John Zemanek
Zemanek Marine Services, Inc.
From: Terry S. Singeltary Sr. [mailto:flounder9@verizon.net]
Sent: Monday, November 18, 2013 12:28 PM
To: mayorsoffice@laportetx.gov
Cc: atlargea@laportetx.gov; atlargeb@laportetx.gov;
district1@laportetx.gov; cengelken@att.net; district3@laportetx.gov;
district4@laportetx.gov; district5@laportetx.gov; district6@laportetx.gov
Subject: Is your community just collateral damage? RICE DIKE VS IKE DIKE
Say there Honorable Mayor Louis Rigby, and Council Members et al in the
great city of LaPorte, Texas.
snip...end...tss
==============================
kind regards,
terry
Terry S. Singeltary Sr.
Bacliff, Texas 77518
