South Padre Island could lose federal funding that helps protect the area from hurricanes and flooding, according to the city.

The Trump administration's budget proposal could eliminate funding from the National Coastal Zone Management Program, which the city says has helped pay for beach access and dune restoration projects.

The dunes are the island's first defense against storm surge.

"This funding is a priority for the city since we have been able to increase accessibility to improve our island’s resiliency,” South Padre Island Shoreline Director Kristina Boburka said. “This funding is critical for the city as well as the other coastal areas." 

The city says current projects are not at risk but future ones could be.

The city is collecting signatures to send to Congress to protect the funding. The deadline to submit is next Saturday.