Scientist tout big gate for storm protection

1. Berger, Eric. (2013, September 25). City & State: Scientist tout big gate for storm protection. Houston Chronicle, B1/B2.
2. Category of problem: Economy
3. Level of problem: Local Level
4. The article concerns: Five years after Hurricane Ike devastated the upper Texas coast, Houston scientist have proposed a gate to protect the Houston Ship Chanel and much of the Bayou City's industrial base during another hurricane. 
5. Why is this important to families / individuals OR how does it affect individuals / families?
1. Academia have studied the effects of a Hurricane Ike-like storm passing through different regions of the Texas Coast, and, particularly, the effect it would have on chemical industries along the Houston Ship Chanel.  Had Ike come in to the region along the San Luis Pass, it would have had a devastating effect on the Ship Channel.  Losses to facilities, downtime, productivity and environmental charges would produce an estimated $148 billion in economic losses to the Ship Channel.
6. What are your views on the issue / policy?
1. Industries along the Houston Ship Chanel employ several thousand people from the Houston / Baytown and surrounding areas.  Additionally, the support industries to the Ship Chanel employ another several thousand people.  Any catastrophe, including an Ike-type hurricane, would be financially shocking to not only the businesses in the zone, but to the people who depend on those industries for their livelihood.  Storm surges, where water enters into bays, tributaries and channels from the Gulf, are as damaging to people and property as the force of the wind from a hurricane.  Since most of Houston is at, or just a little higher, than sea level, not only would a 20' surge damage business, but thousands of homes, and the people who live in them, would be greatly affected.  The design for a 25' high gate, 600-800' across the Ship Chanel would protect many properties from the consequences of a strong hurricane.  Of course, protecting one, larger area has potential environmental impact on other areas.  Getting past the bureaucratic hurdles of local ecologists, and, of course, the Environmental Protection Agency of the federal government, may be very hard to overcome.  However, the time is now to start planning, designing and researching the potential impacts / benefits of the proposed gate so that anticipated delays are minimized.  The thought that something like this could hypothetically decrease the economic burden of businesses and the people who support them, as well as possibly saving hundreds of lives in the process, appears to be an idea whose time has come.  Environmental and financial impacts aside, if building this gate saves the lives of one person, it would be a good idea.  Waiting for another Ike to come before looking into this concept is not a good idea.