Corpusfishing.com

[mastergunner]

Mr. Patterson replied to my letter but really didn't tell me anything I didn't already know. Looks like the GLO isn't going to help.


Dear Mr. Hukill:

Thank you for your email of April 11, 2006 regarding the possible
closure to vehicular traffic of some of Corpus Christi's beaches adjacent to
Packery Channel.

Under the Open Beaches Act (OBA), the public has an easement for free
and unrestricted access and use of gulf-facing beaches, including those
in the vicinity of Packery Channel and the seawall. The City can
restrict vehicular access provided it is consistent with the OBA and the Land
Office's Beach/Dune Rules. However, any change to public beach access
requires a local government to amend its dune protection and beach
access plan prior to altering existing beach access. The Beach/Dune Rules
require the City to provide alternate access with off-beach parking of
one parking space for each 15 linear feet of vehicular-restricted beach
and pedestrian beach access points separated by not more than one-half
mile. The Beach/Dune Rules also would require the City to establish,
enhance, and preserve beach access for the disabled.

The Corpus Christi City Council voted on March 28, 2006 to amend the
Corpus Christi Dune Protection and Beach Access Plan (Plan) to restrict
vehicles from approximately 7,200 feet of beach adjacent to the North
Padre Island Seawall. The City has submitted the amended plan to the
Land Office, and we are currently reviewing the plan for consistency with
the OBA and the Beach/Dune Rules.

If the Land Office determines these changes preserve or enhance the
public's right to use and have access to and from the beach and is
otherwise consistent with the Beach/Dune Rules and the Open Beaches Act, the
amendment to the Plan may be certified by adoption into the rules
adopted by the Land Office in Title 31, Texas Administrative Code, Chapter
15.

Notice of the proposed rule amendment concerning the certification
status of the Plan must be submitted by the Land Office to the Texas
Register as a proposed rule amendment. The Texas Register is available on
the Secretary of State's Web site at
www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/index.shtml. Following publication of the proposed notice, there will be a
30-day public comment period. The Land Office may conduct a public hearing
in Corpus Christi during the public comment period in order to solicit
additional public input. I urge you to provide your comments on any
changes that have been published in the Texas Register so that they will
be part of the official record.

Please contact Eddie Fisher, Director of Coastal Stewardship, at (512)
463-9215 or at eddie.fisher@glo.state.tx.us, or Mr. Jim Weatherford,
Beach/Dune Team Leader, at (512) 463-2572 or at
jim.weatherford@glo.state.tx.us for more information or updates
regarding this matter.

Sincerely,


JERRY PATTERSON
Commissioner, Texas General Land Office
_________________
Mastergunner, supporter of hardheads for state fish of Texas

[jbonorden]

Tone of the letter is not encouraging about lifting the ban.I wonder if he realizes the number of people opposed? This is where the out of town folks that cannot sign the petition can make a difference with their letters and e-mails. Mine is on the way.