The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is dredging a section of the Intracoastal Waterway near Rollover Pass.
The plan, of course, is to close the pass, which has angered fishermen who love the spot on the Bolivar Peninsula. But there are several advantages to closing the pass. Not having the recurring expense of dredging is one of them.
In essence, sand from the beaches is carried through the pass and ends up in the canal. Crews hired by the Corps of Engineers dredge the sand from the canal and put it back on the beaches.
Most of the cost is covered by the federal government. The Texas General Land Office’s share of the cost for dredging in this area is $342,000 for 2014 and 2015.
It’s a public cost the public can do without.