In an exclusive interview with Texas Politics, Michel Bechtel, President of the Board of Directors for the Gulf Coast Protection District (DCPD), discussed the urgency behind building the coastal barrier system known as "The Gate," a centerpiece of the Coastal Texas Project.
The initiative aims to protect the upper Texas Gulf Coast from devastating hurricane storm surges and safeguards the nation's vital energy and economic infrastructure.
"The Gate is a hurricane storm surge protection system for the upper Texas Gulf Coast," Bechtel explained. "Originally, it was called the Ike Dike, but it evolved into what's now authorized by the federal government as the Coastal Texas Project. The most critical part of that project is the Bolivar Road Gate System, which goes across the Houston Ship Channel between Galveston Island and Bolivar Peninsula."
Bechtel brings a lifetime of experience to the cause, shaped by his years as mayor of Morgan's Point and his personal history growing up in Louisiana.
"Hurricane Betsy in 1965 wiped out my hometown, and forty years later, Katrina did it again," he said. "I've seen firsthand how storm surge destroys communities; it's not just homes, it's lives, schools, and livelihoods."
That lived experience drives his sense of urgency for federal action. Bechtel emphasized that a partnership with President Trump could help fast track funding and support for the project, noting that Trump's leadership on protecting critical American infrastructure aligns perfectly with the project's goals.
"Federal government funds 65 percent of the project and the state covers 35 percent," Bechtel noted. "Texas has already stepped up with $950 million in matching funds across three legislative sessions. We're a willing and able partner; now we need the federal side to move.
He emphasized that this isn't just a local concern; it's also national security.
"Our five-county district is the economic engine of the United States," he said. "The Houston Ship Channel is home to the world's largest petrochemical complex. Four of the five largest refineries in the U.S. are right here, and about 80 percent of the military grade fuel used by our country comes from this region."
Beyond energy resilience, Bechtel said the project balances protection with environmental restoration.
"We'll be building new beaches, dunes, marshes, and oyster reefs all along the coast," he said. "It's a win-win, it strengthens our defenses while restoring ecosystems and tourism."
Bechtel emphasizes that building "The Gate" is a critical step in protecting the Texas Gulf Coast, its communities, and the nation's economic and energy infrastructure.
