.jpg "Beach cleanup activities along the Texas shoreline")
Opportunity for Public Input on Proposed Restoration Projects for Galveston Bay, Texas
July 3, 2026
The Trustees for the Texas City Y Natural Resource Damage Assessment are seeking public review and input on a series of proposed restoration projects designed to restore resources injured by the 2014 Galveston Bay oil spill. Funding will come from a $15.3 million settlement with Kirby Inland Marine Limited Partners (Kirby), which resolved federal and state natural resource damage claims under the Oil Pollution Act.
The Draft Damage Assessment and Restoration Plan/Environmental Assessment (DARP/EA) (PDF, 157 pages) would use settlement funds to restore:
- Wildlife & Habitat: Shoreline habitats, birds, and marine mammals (including dolphins)
- Community Impact: Impacted recreational uses and public access
Additionally, the settlement also provides funding for Trustee oversight, project implementation, and monitoring of restoration activities.
What Happened?
On March 22, 2014, an oil spill occurred when the bulk carrier M/V Summer Wind collided with the oil tank-barge Kirby 27706 in the Houston Ship Channel near Texas City, Texas. The collision punctured the barge's starboard tank, releasing approximately 168,000 gallons of oil into state and federal waters.
Oil spread throughout coastal waters and was observed along approximately 160 miles–equal to the width of Florida–of Texas shoreline, including state and federally managed parks and lands. The spill, response, and cleanup efforts injured natural resources and reduced opportunities for the public to use and enjoy affected areas. Natural resource injuries included impacts to shoreline habitats, birds, marine mammals, fish, and benthic organisms.
On January 20, 2022, the Trustees reached a $15.3 million settlement with Kirby through the Natural Resource Damage Assessment process. The funds will compensate the public for injuries to natural resources and the services they provide.
The Draft DARP/EA identifies a suite of preferred projects.
| Project ID | Preferred Restoration Project Title | Preferr-ed Tier | Location |
Estimated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sh | Matagorda Island Gulf Shoreline Restoration | Tier 1 | Matagorda Island | $6,670,000 |
| Avian-1 | Port Aransas Nature Preserve – Charlie's Pasture Restoration | Tier 1 | Port Aransas Nature Preserve | $1,200,000 |
| Avian-3 | Oyster Lake Protection and Restoration | Tier 2 | Brazoria NWR | $2,250,000 |
| Avian-4 | Artificial Nesting Habitat | Tier 2 | Galveston Bay System | $200,000 |
| Avian-5 | Matagorda Island Cedar Bayou Marsh Dredge Material Placement | Tier 2 | Matagorda Island | $250,000 |
| Marine Mammal-1 | Reducing Pipeline and Trawler Hook-and-Line Fisheries Interactions in and around Galveston Bay | Tier 1 | Galveston Bay | $1,089,000 |
| Marine Mammal-2 | Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network Enhancements | Tier 1 | Galveston Bay | $1,660,000 |
| Marine Mammal-3 | Galveston Bay Bottlenose Dolphin Health Assessment | Tier 1 | Galveston Bay | $800,000 |
| Marine Mammal-5 | Analyzing Existing Photo Identification Data to Determine Resilience and Elucidate Risk | Tier 2 | Galveston Bay | $120,000 |
| Recreation-1 | Follets Island Nature Viewing Trail, Pier, and Signage | Tier 1 | Follets Island Coastal Management Area | $387,000 |
| Recreation-2 | Padre Island Marine Debris Cleanup | Tier 1 | Padre Island National Seashore | $374,400 |
| Recreation-3 | Padre Island Visitor Facilities Replace and Repair | Tier 1 | Padre Island National Seashore | $311,194 |
| Recreation-4 | Galveston Island State Park Trails ADA Access | Tier 1 | Galveston Island State Park | $941,160 |
| Recreation-5 | Galveston Island State Park Kayak Launch and Access | Tier 1 | Galveston Island State Park | $991,160 |
| Recreation-7 | Padre Island Signage and Exhibits | Tier 2 | Padre Island National Seashore | $57,860 |
| Recreation-8 | Galveston Island State Park Ponds and Parking ADA Access | Tier 2 | Galveston Island State Park | $656,000 |
| Recreation-9 | Galveston Island State Park Natural Resource Education | Tier 2 | Galveston Island State Park | $510,000 |
Seeking Public Input
After identifying a suite of preferred restoration projects to recover impacted natural resources, the Trustees are now seeking public input. Feedback is essential to ensuring these restoration efforts successfully address resource injuries.
How to Review and Comment
The restoration plan and related documents are available for public review and comment through August 1, 2026.
Please submit your comments to:
- Mail: Heather Biggs
Texas Coastal and Central Plains ESFO
17629 El Camino Real, Suite 211
Houston, TX 77058
- Email: TexasCityYNRDAR@fws.gov
The Trustees for this case are the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Park Service, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas General Land Office, and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
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