The Pros and Cons of the construction of the Bolivar Roads Gate System, as mentioned in the documentary “Chasing the Tide”
Overview
What was the key issue mentioned in episode two of “Chasing the Tide”? The problem mentioned was the construction of a gate system in Galveston Bay, also known as the Bolivar Roads Gate system. This system is part of a more significant Texas Coastal Project, known as the “Ike Dike.” The gate system of Galveston Bay is proposed to combat pre-storm surges that occur during intense weather systems, such as hurricanes. This storm surge has been a persistent problem in the area for decades, most recently evident on the Bolivar Peninsula after Hurricane Ike made landfall as an intense Category 2 hurricane.
Reasons why people do not support the project
So why would anyone be against a project that could save hundreds of lives? Environmentalists, such as those with the Galveston Bay Foundation, identify numerous problems associated with constructing a gate of this magnitude. The Corps of Engineers' most recent estimates indicate that significant permanent damage to the bay would result if the gate were built. The Corps estimates that water flows into the bay may be restricted by anything from 10 to 30%. If true, this restriction of water flow would have extensive consequences on the wildlife in the area. Since the gate would heavily limit the amount of fresh water entering the bay, environmentalists are most concerned about the water quality of the bay and the loss of the wetlands. Since the project would require an extensive amount of concrete and artificial island, members of the bay association are worried that the water quality of the bay would deteriorate as a result. The wetlands around the bay would also disappear if flows are restricted.If the water quality were to deteriorate, fisheries would be vastly impacted. Since fish can not survive in poor water conditions, it is feared that a large population of fish would die. In turn, this would affect wildlife far inland of the bay. Many birds in the area rely on these fish for food and a source of protein. So if a large number of the fish die, it can be inferred that a large number of shore birds would die as well. The seafood industry, which relies on Galveston Bay, would practically disappear as the overall quality of the seafood would decrease severely. The gates, as well, are only projected to help prevent the surge associated with a category two storm. Many do not think it would be worth risking the bay and $ 50 billion to build a project that only combats category two hurricanes.
Reasons why the project has support
Although there are numerous negatives associated with building this gate, there are also several positives. The primary purpose of this gate is to combat the storm surge water that enters Galveston Bay. If the gate is able to accomplish this, thousands of homes and facilities would be safe from these dangerous rising waters, particularly critical infrastructure, such as the petroleum refineries that exist along the bay. The port of Houston, as well, would be protected, which could face up to $ 100 billion in damages if a severe storm produces a catastrophic storm surge. In building this gate, many think it would benefit both the economy and national security. Other ports, such as those in New Jersey, Boston, Charlotte, and Miami, have been in contact with those associated with the building of this gate, as they are also interested in protecting the assets that lie within their ports.
My personal opinion
Personally, I believe that this system should not be built. I fear that the consequences of building the system far outweigh the positives. I believe that the money allocated for installing the gate should be used to strengthen the infrastructure itself. There are many better ways to protect the industries around the bay that do not come at the cost of the bay itself.
Helping our community
Figuring out how to stop the impacts of climate change can seem like too big of a job, but if all of do small things in our communities it can really make a difference. Little things add up, right? My family is very involved in nonprofit work and my mom founded a shelter in Houston that houses immigrant women and children who just entered the US. It’s called Casa Mateo. Shelters house a lot of people and aren’t always great at being “environmentally friendly” so I talked with their team to see if I could help out at their facility in a way that would improve their environmental impact. I learned that they would really like to build a community garden. I immediately agreed as I felt that a shelter of this size would benefit greatly from the ability to grow some of their own vegetables. They also told me that gardening and being outside can help people who have experienced a lot of trauma, so this was an easy decision.
So how does growing your some of your own food help the environment?
Takes away the need to drive to the grocery store which reduces carbon emissions from cars
No plastic containers. It takes a ton of fuel to make these things and then they are immediately thrown into the trash which ends up in landfills
No need for pesticides - which by the way can end up in our rivers and streams harming our fish and other wildlife.
After completing the garden boxes, I realized that irrigating them will use both energy and water. So we are now planning to build a rain-water collection system . This is going to help Casa Mateo reduce its irrigated water use, and thus energy consumption. Although the difference may seem small, many cutbacks like this go a long way in saving our planet. If we all do a few little things, it can make a big impact.
How differences in snowpack affects our fisheries
The effect of climate change on fisheries
Climate change, as we all know, poses a real threat to fisheries and lands that people love to enjoy, especially outdoor enthusiasts. A variety of the effects of climate change have already been seen. According to the USDA, a severe increase in annual temperatures has already occured in states in the Pacific Northwest, such as Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska. Alaska, home of famous national parks such as Denali National Park, has seen sharply increased temperatures. In some areas of Alaska, temperatures have risen 6.2 degrees Fahrenheit since 1900.
So, how does this drastic change affect us? Fisheries, for starters, have been heavily affected by this change in temperature. A temperature rise reduces snowpack, and precipitation that would be snow quickly turns to rain. This mass increase in rain causes severe flooding, and the Washington government estimates that streamflow will increase by 25-34% by 2080. This means severe damage to not only human habitats but also fish habitats. The increase in streamflow eradicates calm water needed for fish to reproduce and survive.
Small towns such as Ketchum, Idaho, have seen major consequences from climate change. Drastic differences in snowpack year over year have made it almost impossible for the rainbow trout in the region to stabilize their population. Warmer water temperatures in small towns, such as Ketchum, make it even harder for fish to survive in these new, harsh conditions. As a result, these towns have experienced lackluster fishing seasons.
Consequences
Although seemingly minor, the consequences of climate change have had major impacts on these regions. An estimated 4 billion dollars will be lost in the economy due to new climate changes, as ski resorts have seen a snowfall decrease of 40% over the past 40 years. So, not only do these changes affect the world's outdoorsman, but they also affect regular consumers.
So, how can you help? For starters, irrigation plays a massive role in the fluctuation of river flows. For example, in the Wood River Valley of Idaho, the vastly important Big Wood River sections are arid due to irrigation. As seen in the photo below,
As you probably could have guessed, this majority disrupts the habitats of the trout in the region. It is another factor in the poor fishing seasons the area has experienced. You can help stop this damage by installing a rainwater collector in your yard. The rainwater collector can be used to water your plants, which you typically might have used a hose or a sprinkler system to water. Decreasing the amount of irrigated water you use can help contribute to the decline in water /from key waterways such as the Big Wood River.
Welcome to my blog
Thank you for visiting my blog! My name is Wilson Johnson, and I am a High School Junior. I started fly fishing with my family as a child, and over the last few years, it has become a passion. As a result, I have become increasingly interested in external factors that impact the fish and, therefore, fly fishing. This past summer, I worked as a junior guide in an Orvis-endorsed shop in Idaho, and I learned from the senior guides the effects of global warming on the sport. Before working in Idaho, I believed climate change would have minimal impact on fishing in a state in the Pacific Northwest. However, this belief was completely misplaced. The senior guides taught me how vital the snowpack was to fishing and the local ecosystem. They taught me that the seasonal snow was the lifeblood for the local fishery (and fly fishing) and that if that winter snow turned to rain due to rising temperatures (which results in irregular stream flows), it would be catastrophic for the fish. The guides then explained that the small rivers in their community had already felt the effects of climate change for reasons I explain in this blog. This surprised me, and I wanted to research these issues further. In addition, I found this newly acquired information so interesting that I decided to make a blog to share this information (and additional information I find) with the rest of the community.
Here is a picture of me:
