HomeMy WebLinkAbout031497 RES - 08/14/2018 RESOLUTION NO. 031497
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS REQUESTING THAT
THE STATE OF TEXAS AND THE TEXAS GENERAL LAND OFFICE ANNUALLY SET
ASIDE A PORTION OF THE STATE GULF OF MEXICO ENERGY SECURITY ACT
(GOMESA) FUNDS FOR TEXAS COASTAL CITIES AND CONTINUE TO FULLY
FUND THE COASTAL EROSION PROTECTION RESPONSE ACT (CEPRA)
PROGRAM WITH STATE REVENUES.
WHEREAS, the Texas coast and its diverse economy provide significant economic,
recreational, and spiritual benefits to the all people of Texas and state investment in the coastal
region is critical to the future of this great state; and
WHEREAS, Texas barrier islands are experiencing significant erosion and storms, wetlands
degradation, and habitat loss which threatens public beach access, reduces tourism, drives down
state and local tax revenues, and damages public and private infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, the Texas coast is threatened by increasingly intense storms, putting our coastal
communities and businesses at greater risk of damage and flooding; and
WHEREAS, the federal Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act(GOMESA) of 2006 instituted a
royalty revenue-sharing program derived from federal offshore oil and gas activities to the direct
benefit of the state of Texas and Texas coastal counties; and
WHEREAS, the GOMESA Phase II payment to the State of Texas for FY 2017 is
approximately $40.5 million and payments to the State will continue annually to the year 2055,
with the maximum state payment of$100 million per year; and
WHEREAS, the guaranteed cumulative GOMESA Phase II payments to Texas coastal counties
for FY 2017 is approximately $10.1 million and the county payments will continue annually to
the year 2055; and
WHEREAS, federal GOMESA provisions unjustly exclude Texas coastal cities from any direct
payment, defining "political subdivision"to mean, 'the local political jurisdiction immediately
below the level of State government, including counties, parishes, and boroughs; and
WHEREAS, certain coastal cities of Texas are responsible for compliance with and/or
implementation of the Texas Open Beaches Act of 1959, the Dune Protection Act, and Coastal
Erosion Planning and Response Act(CEPRA); and
WHEREAS, funding support for Texas coastal cities to meet State-mandated coastal program
responsibilities is inadequate, creating financial stress and hardships on these cities; and
031497
INDEXED
WHEREAS, State GOMESA funds administered through the General Land Office are suitable
for and critical to carrying out state-mandated programs for Texas coastal cities within the Coastal
Management Program boundary; and
WHEREAS, the set-aside of State GOMESA funds for Texas coastal cities would protect and
benefit coastal counties who can then use their annual GOMESA funds for county priorities
without competing financial demand from coastal cities.
NOW THEREFORE; BE IT RESOLVED BY THE TEXAS CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN
SHORE AND BEACH PRESERVATION ASSOCIATION:
1. That the State of Texas and the Texas General Land Office should set aside for Texas
coastal cities each year a cumulative amount of funds from the State's annual GOMESA
payment equal to the total annual GOMESA revenues awarded to all Texas coastal
counties; and
2. That the set-aside of State GOMESA revenues for Texas coastal cities be distributed on a
fair and reasonable basis to Texas coastal cities or entities such as a park board with
direct responsibility to implement CEPRA,the Dune Protection Act, and/or the Texas
Open Beaches Act; and
3. That the Texas General Land Office and Texas Legislature should seek to fully fund
CEPRA or other existing State-created coastal programs with State revenues rather than
shifting federal GOMESA funds to these programs; and
4. That Texas General Land Office support and be consistent with federal GOMESA laws
and regulations allowing city and county GOMESA funds to be used as match for other
federal grant programs.
PASSED AND APPROVED this Fourteenth (14`h) day of August, 2018.
ATTEST:
Rebecca Huerta i e McComb
City Secretary ( ayor
Corpus Christi, Texas
On the Fourteenth (14th) of August, 2018.
The above resolution was passed by the following vote:
Joe McComb
Rudy Garza AL_
Paulette Guajardo ULL
Michael Hunter
Debbie Lindsey-Opel 01f,
Ben Molina
Everett Roy we./
Lucy Rubio '
Greg Smith
Approved As To Form:
Lisa Aguilar
Senior Assistant City Attorney
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