Texas's State and Local Managers Tackle the Largest Civil Works Project in U.S. History

On this jam-packed episode, hosts Peter Ravella and Tyler Buckingham begin by talking to Sally Bakko, a recently appointed (by Governor Abbott) board member of the Gulf Coast Protection District (GCPD) who also serves as the Director of Policy and Government Relations for the City of Galveston. Sally explains the purpose of the GCPD, which was  created by the Texas legislature to operate and leverage state funding to build the unique flood control and surge protection needs for Texas's coastal communities. When completed, the Coastal Texas study will be the largest civil works project in U.S. history, and the GCPD will serve as the local sponsor in backing the project with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Then, Brandon Hill and his new assistant Russell Cole, join the show to bring us the perspective of City of Galveston's Coastal Resources Division, which oversees implementation of the "City of Galveston Dune Protection and Beach Access Plan." Brandon and Russell oversee projects related to shoreline protection and beach nourishment, and assist property owners in navigating the City’s beachfront construction standards for construction along the coast.