After three years of study, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced Friday that the so-called "Ike Dike" -- the 70-mile-long coastal barrier that could cost as much as $31 billion -- is the preferred choice for protecting the Texas coastline from future storm surges.

The coastal barrier plan, developed in a partnership between the Army Corps of Engineers and the Texas General Land Office, is similar to the original "Ike Dike" proposal made by researchers at Texas A&M University in Galveston after Hurricane Ike devastated southeast Texas in 2008.

"One storm can cost many lives and billions of dollars in damage, so the expense of doing nothing far outweighs the investment to protect and enhance our coast," Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush said in a written statement.

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"Texas' coast is home to one in every four Texans and 30 percent of the American oil refining sector resides here," Bush said. "The Coastal Texas Study is about protecting our people, our economy and our national security. The options selected are proven to be effective in mitigating the deadly effects of storm surge on our state."

The barrier system would be a system of levees and sea gates beginning on high ground north of High Island and running the length of Bolivar Peninsula. It would then cross the entrance of Galveston Bay and run the length of Galveston Island, incorporating the existing Galveston seawall, It would end at San Luis Pass.

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At the entrance of Galveston Bay, a system of storm surge gates would be constructed to accommodate navigation to the ports of Galveston, Texas City and Houston. A large navigation gate would also be placed along the Houston Ship Channel. These gates would only close during storm events, and are modeled after similar gates in London on the River Thames and on the coast of the Netherlands.

A "ring levee" would also be placed around Galveston to protect the backside of the island, a densely populated area, from surge and flood waters. Gates and other barriers would be built near Clear Creek, Dickinson Bayou, Offatts Bayou and Highland Bayou.

The plan released on Friday also includes beach and dune restoration along the lower Texas coast, and nine ecosystem restoration projects to increase resilience.

The report outlined several environmental concerns, however, including possible impact on wetlands and constriction of tidal exchange that could affect the salinity of estuaries such as Galveston Bay. This, in turn, could potentially impact the ecology of Galveston Bay and the fish, birds and wildlife species that depend on the resources provided by wetland and marsh habitats.

The Army Corps and GLO will hold a series of public meetings to review the plans for the coastal spine, beginning Nov. 27 in Port Lavaca. The final feasibility report and environmental impact study is expected in 2021. Once a final report is issued, it would be sent to Congress to consider funding the project.

nick.powell@chron.com