Opening Packery Channel will allow more rapid influx of any storm surges from Gulf storms and increase the rapidity of flooding on the Kennedy Causeway and Flour Bluff shores. Long term beach nourishment is a losing battle and very expensive. Every norther will undo whatever sand has been placed there from dredging Packery. Ad valorum taxes on Padre Island will increase up to 30 percent due to higher evaluations. All sides agree that normal water exchange into Corpus Christi Bay will be negligible.
Tides are at best only one foot in height and spoil islands interfere with any exchange.
During the season more than 100,000 people congregate in this vicinity. Dredging Packery Channel would benefit only the Lake Padre Development at the expense of the rest of the residents of Nueces County, and the whole country if federal funds are used. Increased siltation on the Intracoastal Canal could be expected if the channel is opened. More expensive dredging of this canal would result. We should have a vote on this project as a single issue.