AUSTIN — Attractive as ornamentals and functional in some applications, invasive aquatic plants can also pose a threat to the state’s natural resources. To provide appropriate opportunities for use of certain non-native aquatic plants and algae without risking impacts to the state’s natural resources, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is looking for help compiling a prospective list of exotics that could be allowed for sale in Texas.
Abandoned Crab Trap Drop-off Sites Announced
CORPUS CHRISTI — Texas Parks and Wildlife Department officials announced drop-off sites for the 8th Texas Abandoned Crab Trap Removal Program, scheduled this year from Feb. 19 to 28.
During this 10-day period, all Texas bays will be closed to crabbing with crab traps, and any traps left in the bay will be presumed to be abandoned and considered litter under state law, thus allowing volunteers to legally remove any crab traps they find.
TPW Commission Approves $2.5 Million in Boat Ramp Grants
AUSTIN — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission has approved $2,545,249 in grants to pay for 10 boat ramp construction or repair projects across the state.
The funding receiving the commission’s OK at its January 28 meeting is made possible by the State Boating Access Program authorized by the 64th Legislature in 1975. The program provides funding for the purchase, construction, renovation and maintenance of boat ramps, access roads and other related projects aimed at improving the recreational boater’s access to public waters. The money for the program comes back to the states from the federal recreational boating gasoline tax and an excise tax on fishing tackle collected under the Federal Aid to Sport Fish Recreation Act.
Local governments will operate and maintain the ramps.
Texas Parks & Wildlife takes Expo on the Road
AUSTIN, Texas — On Feb. 20-21 at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will debut its new Life’s Better Outside® Experience, in effect taking its TPW Expo on the road. In San Antonio and at similar events this year in Houston, Longview and Corpus Christi, visitors of all ages can try fishing, archery, birding, rock climbing, camping, Wildlife CSI, and other activities, with gear and guidance provided free.
$1.5 million Federal Grant to Expand Texas Artificial Reef Program
7 Reef Projects to Benefit, Including Accessible Shallow-Water Sites
AUSTIN, Texas — The sand-bottom Gulf of Mexico provides almost no natural reefs for marine life, which is why the Texas Artificial Reef Program was created to provide structures for a thriving ocean ecosystem of aquatic invertebrates and the fish that feed on them. A $1.5 million federal grant will fund creation or enhancement of seven reef sites off the Texas coast in coming years.
TPWD scoping options for future Rollover Pass recreational fishing opportunities
AUSTIN — The Texas General Land Office (GLO) has made application for a permit to close Rollover Pass on Bolivar Peninsula due to its impacts on beach erosion and sedimentation within the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. If the pass is closed, there will be loss of public recreational fishing access.
13 State Parks to Host Go Fish! Events This Spring
AUSTIN — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department wants to make it easier for Texans to go fishing and this year has renamed and expanded its learn-to-fish initiative to include dozens of special springtime events being held at 13 state parks throughout Texas.
“Go Fish! Learn-to Fish Events at Texas State Parks” gets into high gear at Bastrop and Huntsville state parks on March 13, and March 16 at Buescher State Park just down the road from Bastrop, in a week when most kids are out of school on Spring Break. The “how-to” events are informative and fun, and often result in participants — both children and adults — landing their first fish.
Galveston Island State Park Reopens Beach Camping July 2
GALVESTON, Texas — Galveston Island State Park, whose facilities were devastated by Hurricane Ike last September, has made a remarkable comeback and will once again offer beachside camping in time for the busy Fourth of July weekend. Beginning July 2, visitors will be able to choose from 36 beachside campsites situated on three loops.
Galveston Bay Oyster Reef Restoration Gets Underway
HOUSTON — Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has begun construction on two oyster reef restoration projects in Galveston Bay funded by multi-million dollar federal grants to restore hurricane damage. One project is in East Galveston Bay, an area hit hard by Hurricane Ike. The other project is located along the north facing shoreline of Eagle Point near the community of San Leon.
TPWD Seeking Redesign Bids For Galveston Island State Park
AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is seeking a top-notch architectural/design firm to come up with a state-of-the-art, sustainable design for rebuilding hurricane-ravaged Galveston Island State Park.
When planning and design costs are known and future monies become available, TPWD will redevelop the popular seaside state park as a flagship project. The 2,000-acre park, which features more than a mile of public beach access and camping, only reopened this summer after being closed for six months due to catastrophic damage from Hurricane Ike in September 2008.