Faculty scholar Jim Blackburn proposes a series of realistic ideas that can substantially reduce misery and damage the next time a catastrophic storm like Harvey tears through the Houston-Galveston area.
This research paper examines the potential market for a system that would pay landowners to restore natural ecosystems, such as native prairies and oyster reefs, that protect the Gulf Coast from hurricane and severe storm damage.
What structural and nonstructural solutions could better protect the Houston-Galveston area from the devastating impact of hurricanes and severe storms? Baker Institute fellows Jim Blackburn and Regina Buono studied the issue from legal, policy and governmental perspectives.
Jim Blackburn, Regina M. Buono, Larry DunbarNovember 12, 2015
The Texas coast is one of the most ecologically productive and least appreciated natural assets of the United States. Unfortunately, this coastal resource is being destroyed by the various management actions (or inactions) of the state of Texas. It is not too late to reverse this destruction, but major policy shifts will be required to alter this trend.