Starvation Cove Restoration and Acquisition Project

Information from the USFWS National Wetlands inventory (NWI) on the project area shows that between 1956 and 2002 there has been a loss of approximately 80 acres of fringing, estuarine marsh, 11 acres of palustrine emergent marsh, and 35 acres of seagrass over the last 46 years.  The Texas Coastal Program is providing technical assistance and funds to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department for the protection, restoration, and acquisition of 451-acres of coastal wetlands and associated habitats within Starvation Cove. The project consists of three major components, the construction of a wave barrier estimated to be 2,300, the restoration of approximately 10-acres of emergent marsh and 1-acre of seagrass bed, and acquisition of approximately 100 acres of adjacent properties consisting of upland and wetland habitats.

Many causes have contributed to the loss of wetlands including: channelization, dredging, subsidence, sediment diversion, saltwater intrusion, erosion, and hydrologic alteration. Overall, subsidence, erosion, and saltwater intrusion have contributed to wetland and adjacent habitat loss in the project area. Some of the localized wetland loss can also be attributed to over-grazing of cattle that has taken place within the project area. Recent aerial photographs of the site show that fences have restricted cattle movement in some area of the marsh, which has helped to protect and restore wetland vegetation.

Partners: NOAA-Fisheries, Coastal Conservation Association, Reliant Energy Inc., Spanish Grant Property Owners Association, Trust for Public Land, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Galveston Bay Estuary Program, Texas General Land Office, Galveston Bay Foundation, & the Texas Coastal Program