Posted by TSea4 on May 09, 2002 at 06:36:54:
Reading the article on this site regarding the sticky mess on Malibu beach access, I found myself struck with a bit of gratitude. The Texas Coast is lined from Beaumont to Brownsville with barrier islands, many of which I spent my youth upon. In fact, the Padre Island National Seashore (the Northern, and larger barrier of Laguna Madre) is the largest UNDEVELOPED barrier island on this rock we call Earth. Yes, in the WORLD.
And yet, in a capable vehicle, one can drive the entire 60+ miles from the beach access road to the land cut. Call it a victory for the fisherguys as there will NEVER be a million dollar home built here. EVER. Texas FISHERMAN cleaned out some 8000 pounds of trash during last month's cleanup; most of which was there for decades, and the state has funded money to maintain it's serene beauty. (Shark fishing goes into a FRENZY on Big Shell during the Summer months, by the way)
Outside of the capital in Austin, Texas isn't considered a liberal state. No offense here, guys; we simply don't have the issues y'all are facing due to one small act passed years ago. The Texas Open Beaches Act. This state's past legislators, God love 'em, worded the act VERY PLAINLY. Keep and maintain access points every quarter mile. Provide parking and/or walk-overs. But, take a look at what the City of Galveston and the real estate barons are doing.
Currently, TOBA and it's advocates are knee deep in a fight for the last 3 miles of Galveston Island, which is less than an hour from my home (and MANY others) here in Houston and an easy choice on most day trips. The West End of the island is a GREAT fishing area for waders and kayakers alike, as West Galveston Bay dumps into the Gulf via San Luis Pass. I cut my wading teeth here long ago with my pops, and my buds and I can be found here every weekend during the Fall run of bull redfish. San Luis Pass is also a prime spot for kayak access, something which is NOT lost upon my soon-to-have-a-Scupper self.
The City of Galveston has systematically restricted access to Texans' public resource throughout my teens and twenties, and now, just into my thirties, they are trying to take away the last 3 miles we've got. Seems like they don't like us fishermen (who bring LOTS of dollars into the Island's economy during our weekly, if not DAILY treks down there) on "their" beaches.
As you can imagine, the fisherdude lobby in Texas is stronger than a George Foreman uppercut, and a lawsuit seems imminent. The Texas Land Commision will honor Texas land acts, and I hope to be there as they tear down the friggin' fences! Sorta like the Berlin Wall; only in Texas and without the communist oppression thing. It's one of those causes I WANT to send money to, if only to ensure beaches to take Little TSea4's to frolic and fish upon.
I didn't mean to go on a rant, I guess I just had something to say. I can only hope that legislators on YOUR coast can make enough of a difference for all fisher-mankind. Again, no offense, but Cali seems a lot more conducive to eco-laws, and I cannot see a rich minority triumphing over the MAJORITY (those movie-folks really should get over themselves!). Texas just isn't really the sort of place one holds a Greenpeace rally in, if ya catch my drift. Ironically, we seem to be leading the fight for ensuring PUBLIC'S resources. Here's hoping we can set some sort of legal precadent for your groups to follow. Godspeed and tight lines...
-Taylor C. IV
from Texas, y'all