H.R. No. 998
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The Little Bay Restoration Initiative is working to
revive and preserve the coastal resources of Aransas County, and
this vital effort is truly worthy of special recognition; and
WHEREAS, On August 25, 2017, Hurricane Harvey made landfall
along Aransas Bay, bringing heavy rains, high winds, and a
four-foot storm surge, resulting in nearly $950 million in damage
to the county; Little Bay is an inlet of Aransas Bay, with Fulton to
the north and Rockport to the south, and it receives stormwater
runoff from Tully Creek and 11 storm drains; the hurricane
accelerated the accumulation of sediment in this system, creating
higher water elevation and lower flow of runoff; and
WHEREAS, The Little Bay Restoration Initiative seeks to
improve drainage and stabilize and protect the shoreline from wave
energy and storm surge, in order to reduce coastal erosion and
prevent the flooding of area businesses, homes, and infrastructure;
moreover, the initiative will help protect habitats from coastal
erosion and bolster the ecotourism economy; and
WHEREAS, An integral part of the Aransas County Long Term
Recovery Plan, the initiative is also a Tier I project of the Texas
Coastal Resiliency Master Plan of the Texas General Land Office; it
is a collaborative effort of Aransas County, the City of Rockport,
the Town of Fulton, and the Aransas County Navigation District,
with invaluable support from state and federal agencies such as the
Texas Division of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency
Management Agency; and
WHEREAS, The project benefits from the leadership of Aransas
County Judge C. H. "Burt" Mills Jr., Rockport Mayor Patrick R. Rios,
Fulton Mayor Kelli Cole, and Aransas County Navigation District
Chair Malcolm Dieckow; and
WHEREAS, In the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, the
hardworking public officials of the region have responded to the
challenges of recovery with fortitude and a spirit of cooperation,
and they may indeed take great pride in their ongoing efforts to
restore and preserve Little Bay; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas
Legislature hereby commend the Little Bay Restoration Initiative
and extend to all those associated with the endeavor sincere best
wishes for continued success in their important work; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the partners in the Little Bay Restoration Initiative
as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of
Representatives.
Morrison
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 998 was adopted by the House on May 8,
2021, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House