Commissioner Jerry Patterson, who spoke at the South Padre Island Chamber of Commerce's quarterly luncheon, said it's the entire state's responsibility to maximize the coastline's development potential.

"We all claim ownership," Patterson said. "Texas has given short-shrift to its coast."

Patterson said about 56 miles of the state's 375-mile coastline is developed and at least 26 miles are still available for development. The remaining coastline is designated for parks and wildlife refuges and coastal barrier resource area.

"I think that is a good ratio," Patterson said. "That we have parts of Texas that will never see a condo or a high-rise. You can have both. We are having both and we will have both."

The General Land Office is responsible for balancing economic development and preservation of the state's natural resources.

Patterson said a second causeway to between the mainland and South Padre would facilitate expansion on the north end of the island.

Walt Kittelberger, chairman of the Lower Laguna Madre Foundation, disagreed. A second causeway would benefit only a handful of developers, Kittelberger said.

"Environmentally, it's a bad idea, but economically it benefits too few people," Kittelberger said in a story in Tuesday's editions of The Brownsville Herald.

Earlier this year, the commissioner launched Coastal Texas 2020, a marketing plan to promote development of the state's coastal resources. A public hearing on the agency's vision will be held Oct. 21 in South Padre Island.

Information from: The Brownsville Herald