Permitting and Regulatory Workshop

As part of our Restoration Series, the Permitting and Regulatory Workshop will take place on September 23 and is open to all of MSI. This session will feature expert speakers from HDR Inc., the Texas General Land Office (GLO), and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), providing critical insights into the complex permitting and regulatory environment that shapes coastal and marine restoration efforts. HDR will present a “Permitting 101” overview, covering the basic processes, costs, common challenges, and real-world examples of successful applications—along with required surveys such as coastal boundary assessments and bathymetry. The GLO will discuss their surface lease requirements, a key element for most breakwater and submerged lands projects. Topics will include the application process, rules, and estimated timelines. USACE speakers will highlight two major areas: one will explain how to access Beneficial Use (BU) sediment from federal dredging operations—an often underutilized resource with major cost-saving potential; the other, from the Regulatory office, will address the permitting process, which is often cited as a bottleneck for restoration projects. With permitting timelines commonly stretching 18–24 months and costing upwards of $150,000, this discussion will provide invaluable guidance on how to streamline the process and improve project designs to avoid costly delays—especially for projects with potential impacts on sensitive habitats like seagrass. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn directly from permitting authorities and get answers to your project-specific questions.

Please RSVP to Joan Garland.