Texas Requires Permits to Disturb Coastal Dunes

Chapter 63 of the Natural Resources Code makes it an offense to damage, destroy, or remove a sand dune, or kill or remove its vegetation, seaward of a county dune protection line or within a critical dune area unless a permit authorizes the conduct. Gulf-coast counties with mainland shoreline, a barrier island, or a peninsula set the dune protection line and issue permits under General Land Office rules in 31 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 15. Grazing livestock, oil-and-gas production, and non-vehicular recreation are exempt. Violators face civil penalties of $50 to $2,000, with each day a separate offense.

Under Section 63.181, a person who violates Chapter 63 or any rule, permit, or order is liable for a civil penalty of not less than $50 nor more than $2,000, and each day a violation continues is a separate offense.