Protecting the Bay and its Wetlands: Galveston Bay Foundation’s recent Advocacy Efforts

Galveston Bay Foundation (GBF) continues to advance its advocacy efforts to protect the health and resilience of Galveston Bay through active engagement in key regulatory and local development decisions.

Galveston Bay Foundations Government Affairs and Public Policy Manager, Jacob Hupp, recently returned from his trip to Washington, D.C., where he attended the Land Trust Alliance Advocacy Days with the Texas Land Trust Council alongside Texas member groups. Attendes met with congressional offices to seek support for increased funding for land conservation and passage of the Farm Bill.

He shares insights below on local issues to watch in the coming weeks.

Monitoring the Bayshore Desalination Permit

GBF is currently engaged in the permitting process for the proposed Bayshore desalination facility, with a focus on protecting the ecological integrity of Galveston Bay and its watershed. The Foundation is submitting comments that express opposition to the intake of bay water and discharge of hypersaline brine proposed for Galveston Bay. 

GBF’s concern is not limited to general project design. The proposed intake and discharge would introduce direct impacts to the Bay and could affect water quality, aquatic habitat, and the broader watershed systems ability to flush in a way that supports the Bay’s long-term health. For that reason, GBF is urging decision-makers to reject the project as currently proposed.

The draft permit is expected to be released for final review later this month or in early July. Once issued, that will trigger a 30-day public comment period, giving the public and stakeholders an opportunity to weigh in before any final permitting decision is made. You can view the permit application here and submit comments here.

Discovery Sands Development Concerns

GBF is also actively engaged in the ongoing debate surrounding the proposed Discovery Sands development on Galveston Island. The Foundation has raised concerns about the project’s potential to affect sensitive coastal wetlands, including the possibility of increased nonpoint source runoff from impervious surfaces, stormwater conveyance, and associated pollutant loading.

Nonpoint source runoff is especially concerning because it can carry sediment, nutrients, petroleum products, and other contaminants into nearby waterways without a single identifiable discharge point. In a coastal setting like Galveston Island, those impacts can degrade wetland function, reduce water quality, and place additional pressure on already vulnerable habitat.

GBF’s opposition also reflects concerns that the project could undermine previous restoration efforts in Jumbile Cove. Protecting these restoration investments is essential to preserving habitat value, stormwater buffering, and the broader ecological function of the area.

The Galveston City Council is scheduled to consider the project at a public meeting on June 25 at Galveston City Hall. GBF encourages the community to stay informed and engaged as the discussion moves forward.