DEFINITIONS.

In this subchapter:

(1) "Account" means the coastal erosion response account established under Section 33.604.

(2) "Beach nourishment" means the placement of beach-quality sediment on an eroded beach to restore it as a recreational beach, provide storm protection for upland property, maintain a restored beach by the replacement of sand, or serve other similar beneficial purposes.

(3) "Coastal erosion" means the loss of land, marshes, wetlands, beaches, or other coastal features within the coastal zone because of the actions of wind, waves, tides, storm surges, subsidence, or other forces.

(4) "Critical coastal erosion area" means a coastal area that is experiencing historical erosion, according to the most recently published data of the Bureau of Economic Geology of The University of Texas at Austin, that the commissioner finds to be a threat to:

(A) public health, safety, or welfare;

(B) public beach use or access;

(C) general recreation;

(D) traffic safety;

(E) public property or infrastructure;

(F) private commercial or residential property;

(G) fish or wildlife habitat; or

(H) an area of regional or national importance.

(5) "Erosion response project" means an action intended to address or mitigate coastal erosion, including beach nourishment, sediment management, beneficial use of dredged material, creation or enhancement of a dune, wetland, or marsh, and construction of a breakwater, bulkhead, groin, jetty, or other structure.

(6) "Hard structure" means an erosion response structure such as a bulkhead, seawall, revetment, jetty, groin, or similar structure that is the functional equivalent of one of those structures.

(7) "Institution of higher education" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003, Education Code.

(8) "Local government" means a political subdivision of this state.

(9) "Project cooperation agreement" means a contract executed by the land office and a qualified project partner that explicitly defines the terms under which a study or project will be conducted.

(10) "Public beach" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.013.

(11) "Qualified project partner" means a local government, state or federal agency, institution of higher education, homeowners' association, or other public or private entity that enters into an agreement with the land office to finance, study, design, install, or maintain an erosion response project.

(12) "Shared project cost" means a project cost identified by the commissioner and established in a project cooperation agreement that will be shared with a qualified project partner.