GLO Post Ike Emergency Rules summarized

AUSTIN - The day Hurricane Ike hit the Texas coast, Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson issued emergency rules that allow coastal property owners to immediately begin work to stabilize and repair structures damaged by Hurricane Ike.

A brief summary of those rules follows:

• For 120 days after Sept. 12, local governments may issue permits for repair of residential structures without regard to the proximity of those structures to the line of vegetation (LOV).
• Repair permits are valid for 180 days
• Repairs may be made to protect public health safety and welfare, and to prevent further damage to the structure
• Local governments may authorize repair of a septic system landward of the LOV if the system complies with TCEQ and local government rules

PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES:

• Repairing or constructing a slab of concrete, fibercrete, or other impervious material
• Placing material other than beach quality sand on the beach
• Repairing or constructing an enclosed space, including a space with breakaway walls below the base flood elevation
• Increasing the footprint of the structure

PLEASE NOTE:

At the present time, LOV determinations are not needed for emergency repairs except for dune restoration or septic system repairs.

This is a summary. Please refer to the complete rules at www.glo.state.tx.us (select "Ike Hurricane Response").

Contact the local permitting authority before commencing any activity. A permit detailing specifically what is to be done will need to be issued.