Texas Resources

Ecoregional Assessment for the Northern Gulf of Mexico

Ecoregional Assessment for the Texas, Louisiana, and Mexico Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes

The Nature Conservancy's Texas Chapter

Texas Summary

The Ocean and Coast

The state of Texas has over 3,359 miles of coastline (approximately 376 miles as the crow flies) and owns approximately 4 million of acres of submerged land within its coastal bays, inlets, and the Gulf of Mexico. Texas’s submerged lands generally start at the mean high water mark and continue nine nautical miles into the Gulf of Mexico.

Conservation Leasing and Ownership

While The Nature Conservancy is not aware of formal leasing or ownership assessments related to Texas submerged lands, there are many existing in-water projects to draw lessons from. Private leasing and ownership of submerged lands in Texas is relatively common and the Conservancy and Galveston Bay Foundation have undertaken leasing and ownership projects for conservation purposes. There is also a significant amount of commercial oyster reef leasing in the Galveston Bay system.

At this time, organizations wishing to pursue leasing or ownership of lands or resources lying below the high tide line should work with state agency staff to undertake site-specific assessments. Whether organizations pursue leasing or ownership opportunities, several local, state, and federal authorizations may be required to undertake conservation activities on submerged lands in Texas. The information that follows provides context for and information regarding possible authorization needs.

Submerged Lands

Submerged lands along the Texas coast generally include any lands lying between the mean high tide line and the seaward extent of the state's jurisdictional limit, which lies nine nautical miles offshore. The State Lands Division of the Texas General Lands Office manages all leases, easements, and permits on submerged lands in Texas. As of early 2007, there were over 7,749 active coastal leases and easements for everything from hunters’ cabins to piers to energy platforms. Leasing for recreation, scientific research, wildlife or estuary protection by public and not-for-profit entities is specifically envisioned in the coastal leasing program.

Texas General Land Office
Coastal Resources Program
PO Box 12873
Austin, TX 78711-2873
Tel: 512-475-1536
Fax: 512-463-5233

Coastal Zone, Beaches, and Shoreline Development

Texas has implemented a Coastal Management Program to oversee the coastal resources of the state. The goals and policies of the management program are drafted by the Coastal Coordination Council, which is made up of representatives from many of the major state and local governing agencies. While the program manages all development on the coast, it also oversees the Open Beaches Act, which ensures public easement on all beaches whether publicly or privately owned. Any entity wishing to undertake activities or development within the coastal zone or beaches should contact the Coastal Resources Program and the Permit Service Center.

Texas General Land Office
Coastal Resources Program, Permit Service Center
PO Box 12873, Austin, TX 78711-2873
Tel: 512-475-0773
Fax: 512-463-5233
Email: jody.henneke@glo.state.tx.us

Water Quality

The Water Quality Division within the Texas Commission for Environmental Quality is responsible for managing the water quality within the state. Conservation projects that may directly or indirectly affect water quality should contact the Water Quality Division. In addition, the Texas Coastal Non-point Source Pollution Control Program is administered by the Texas General Land Office under the Coastal Management Program.

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
Water Quality Division
P.O. Box 13087
Austin, TX 78711-3087
Tel: 512-239-4671
Fax 512-239-4114

Texas General Land Office
Coastal Non-point Source Pollution Control Program
PO Box 12873
Austin, TX 78711-2873
Tel: 1-800-998-4GLO or (512) 475-1393
Email: melissa.porter@glo.state.tx.us

Fish and Wildlife

The Coastal Fisheries Division within the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) manages fisheries in coastal waters. This division issues permits for commercial or recreational fishing. Any entities wishing to undertake activities that may impact fish or wildlife and their habitat will need to gain permits through this department. A permit may also be required from TPWD to mine sand for beach renourishment.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Coastal Fisheries Division
4200 Smith School Road
Austin, TX 78744
Tel: 512-389-4864

Aquaculture and Shellfish

Aquaculture permits need to be obtained from the Texas Department of Agriculture for private facilities raising or culturing fish and shellfish species. It is unclear at this time how and if aquaculture permits could be used to authorize shellfish or finfish conservation projects. However, shellfish and finfish conservation projects on state-owned submerged lands will, in most cases, require a lease issued through the Texas General Lands Office (see above).

Texas Department of Agriculture
Regulatory Programs - Aquaculture
1700 N. Congress, 11th Floor, 78701
P.O. Box 12847
Austin, TX 78711
Tel: 512-463-7401
Email: Regulatory@agr.state.tx.us