Section of Sargent Beach closed due to erosion, infrastructure concerns

A section of Sargent Beach has been closed indefinitely due to concerns about erosion and compromised infrastructure, officials say.

West Mooring Dock Park and the Sargent Public Boat Ramp are on federally owned property. According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District, the closure affects the boat ramp, mooring dock and the access road known as CR 238 or West Revetment Road.

Matagorda County officials stress that the closure only impacts a small portion of the access road. Where FM 457 ends onto the beach, the section of road to the west is where the closure is located.

The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers Galveston District says recent storms caused significant erosion and compromised infrastructure, leading to the closure.

"Our shared responsibility to protect life and safety while ensuring the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) is protected are part of our core missions," said Neil Murphy, Galveston District’s public affairs chief, in a news release. "The decision to halt beach access ensures that we are doing our part to keep the community free from harm while we work to address options to improve it and make it safe for public use."

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A gate will be installed with signage to prevent unauthorized access. The boat ramp will no longer be accessible by vehicle or vessel traffic, and the public will not be allowed to enter the closed section.

"Residents and visitors are urged to respect the closures for their individual safety and the safety of others," Murphy said.

Matagorda County officials say the entire east side of Sargent is still open and accessible, and the west side beach is also open to foot traffic.

The Sargent Chamber of Commerce shared the following message to let residents and visitors know they can still visit:

Hello, neighbors and friends!

I wanted to take a moment to address recent news articles circulating about Sargent Beach. The headline states that Sargent Beach is closed, but this is misleading. What happened is that the access road to Sargent's West Beach Road has been closed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), but Sargent's East Beach is still open and fully accessible.

Unfortunately, this kind of incorrect reporting can have a negative impact on our local businesses and tourism, as people might assume there is no beach at all to visit in Sargent.

If you’ve been planning a trip to Sargent, don’t let this misinformation keep you away! The East Beach is waiting for you, and local businesses need your support now more than ever.

I’ve already contacted the news outlet to request a correction, but I also encourage everyone to help spread the word to prevent any further confusion. Let’s keep Sargent Beach a welcoming destination for both residents and visitors.

Thanks for helping to keep the facts straight and supporting our community! Don't share misleading information!