Learn More

See the summary for ocean and coastal management in Texas.

Ownership: Texas Restoration

Location

Galveston Bay, TX, USA

Description

This case study presents a project in Texas in which two non-profit organizations joined forces to protect intertidal lands owned in fee-title. 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 this case study's See also section.

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-title 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 & Wildlife Service Texas Coastal Program

Cost Summary

Not available.

Funding Sources

Lead Organizations

Galveston Bay Foundation
17324-A 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 & Wildlife Service Texas Coastal Program

Partners

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