The Texas Coast is one of our state’s greatest treasures – fueling the economy with rich and natural resources, supplying fresh seafood, and drawing crowds to its breathtaking beaches. However, despite its vitality, this region has been battered by severe natural disasters and other challenges that can threaten the valuable resources and benefits that we rely on.

The Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010 left a lasting mark on the Gulf Coast. To address the damage, Congress passed the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States (RESTORE) Act in 2012, directing 80% of spill-related fines into the Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund (RESTORE) which oversees a big share of these funds. The RESTORE Council membership consists of governors from all five gulf states and executive leadership of six federal agencies. The objective is to develop restoration plans, approve projects, and ensure these funds go toward meaningful environmental and economic recovery.

The Texas RESTORE program administers the civil penalties from the RESTORE Act to support ecological restoration, economic development, coastal protection, and community resilience projects along the Texas Gulf Coast.

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RESTORE Funds Buckets:

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Texas manages its share of funds through the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council. Some of these projects include the expansion of trails and green space of the Bayou Greenways in Houston, protecting wildlife habitats of the South Texas Bahia Grande Corridor, and Texas OneGulf – a research hub for coastal resilience.

This past year, RESTORE teamed up with The Sea Turtle Inc. to replace the inadequate rehabilitation center utilized to rescue and rehabilitate sick and injured sea turtles on South Padre Island. Improvements in the new facility include expanded public restrooms and walkway space to accommodate a large volume of visitors to the complex annually. The turtles also received major upgrades which included a dedicated cold stun space, expansion of the clinic and surgical suite, dedicated research center, dedicated food prep area, and additional rehabilitation space. The $7.17M rehabilitation complex upgrade has provided a valuable increase in capacity of patient count and cold stun intake ability.

“Sea Turtle Inc. is leading the way in conservation and education – not only in Texas, but across the world,” said Steven Schar, Deputy Executive Director with TCEQ and Governor Greg Abbott’s designee to the RESTORE Council. “This facility plays an integral role in helping us understand and monitor sea turtle populations, providing recovery, care, and allowing facility visitors to see them up close to understand just how important they are.”

Another recent major project took place at the Armand Bayou Nature Center (ABNC), where they expanded its protected land to a total of 3,947 acres through the addition of 1,147 acres, formerly part of the Clear Lake Oil Field, making this the largest urban wilderness preserve in Texas. This new tract, acquired in collaboration with Harris County and ExxonMobil, will be restored to coastal tallgrass prairie and riparian forest, enhancing vital habitats for wildlife, like the American bald eagle. All while boosting ecological services like flood mitigation, water purification, and carbon sequestration. The project reflects a shared commitment to conservation, community resilience, and preserving our natural heritage.

“One of the reasons that this new acquisition is so important is because about half of the land is historically Texas Coastal Grass Prairie – which can absorb and hold a million gallons of flood water,” said Tim Pylate, Executive Director of the Armand Bayou Nature Center.

For Texas, RESTORE funds mean stronger wetlands, safer coasts, healthier fisheries, and more recreational spaces. It’s not just about fixing past damage — it’s about building a more resilient Gulf for the future.