PATTERSON HAS PLAN FOR HOUSES ON PUBLIC BEACH

By Ella Tyler

Jerry Patterson, Commissioner of the Texas General Land Office, announced Wednesday that he is making $1.3 million in state money available to help remove houses from public beaches. The money would be available to homeowners for reimbursement of expenses relating to moving or demolishing the houses. Grants will be for up to $40,000. The deadline to apply is October 1.

Under the Texas Open Beaches Act, land that is on the seaward side of the natural vegetation line is public beach, where construction is not permitted. The natural vegetation line moves in response to beach erosion and subsidence. After Tropical Storm Francis in 1998 and additional erosion of beaches in the Galveston and Freeport areas, the General Land Office began suing property owners who had failed to remove houses that were now on the public beach. Two years ago, however, Patterson ordered a moratorium on litigation so that the natural line of vegetation would have time to re-establish itself and the issue could be studied. That moratorium ended Wednesday.

The targeted houses are mainly in Bermuda Beach, Jamaica Beach, Sea Isle, Spanish Grant, and the Village of Surfside Beach. Patterson did not rule out the possibility of renewed litigation to force removal of the houses.

The announcement included a larger plan for open beaches, some of which would require legislative action. The entire plan is at the GLO website.