I POSTED THIS UP AWHILE BACK. HERE IS THE NEWEST ADDITION TO HOW OUR WONDEFUL GOVERNMENT WORKS:
PADRE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE HAS A NEW PARK SUPER. HIS NAME IS MR. JOE ESCOTO. THERE HAVE BEEN SOME BREAKINS EVERY NOW AND THEN TO VEHICLES THAT PARK OVERNIGHT AT THE BIRD ISLAND BASIN BOAT RAMP THAT IS LOCATED IN THE PADRE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE. OCCASIONAL VEHICLE BREAKINS HAPPEN NO MATTER WHERE YOU FROM CHURCH PARKING LOTS, HEB STORES, ECT, ECT.
HIS SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM WAS TO BAN OVERNIGHT PARKING AT B.I.B. THIS IS A NATIONAL PARK ( FEDERAL) AND HAS NEVER BEEN CLOSED FOR ANY TYPE OF USE AS LONG AS IT HAS BEEN IN EXISTANCE UNLESS AND IMMINANT
DISATER IS GOING TO HAPPEN ( HURRICANE).
THIS IS THE EMAIL HE SENT TO ME CONCERNING THIS ISSUE AFTER I EMAILED HIM SEVERAL TIME ON THIS ISSUE.
ACCORDING THE THE LATEST HAND OUT THE CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE. THIS IS NOT WHAT I WAS EMAILED IT IS AS FOLLOWS:
THIS WAS AFTER I I STARTED THE ORIGINAL POST. I WAS HANDED A NEWSLETTER THAT THE PARK HANDS OUT TO THE PEOPLE GOING THROUGHT THE GAIT WHERE YOU PAY. AND ON PAGE 3 TOWARDS THE BOTTOM IN THE BIRD ISLAND SECTION THERE WAS INFO ON WHAT THEY WANTED TO CHANGE AT THE BIB BOATRAMP. THAT IS WHY I POSTED IT UP. THEN I EMAILED THE SUPER MULTIPLE TIMES BEFORE I RECIEVED A REPLY. THIS IS THE REPLY FROM HIM:

here is the email mr. j escoto park super just sent to me:
FROM MR ESCOTO TO ME VIA EMAIL:
The message printed in our fall newspaper concerning parking at Bird
Island Basin is incorrect. Though we ask that anyone staying overnight
park at the Visitor's Center, overnight parking will still be allowed in
2008. We will be enforcing the attached parking regulations.

Thank you for your interest.


Joe Escoto
Superintendent
Padre Island National Seashore

(See attached file: PAIS BIB Regulations given to public.doc)
the following document is the regs:
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior Padre Island National Seashore
PO Box 181300
Corpus Christi, TX. 78480

Bird Island Basin Parking Regulations

Effective March 1, 2008

Welcome to Padre Island National Seashore. New regulations have been established to assure that recreational activities do not hinder or pose a threat to the visitors, employees, personal property, and to the natural and cultural resources that exist at Bird Island Basin (BIB) Boat Ramp area. Your cooperation is appreciated to assure that all activities are in compliance with the park’s regulations and objective of protecting the visitor and resources.

Please review these important changes that will be effective March 1, 2008:

 The Purchase of an annual pass for the Bird Island Basin boat ramp does not guarantee a parking space. The parking lot is on a first come - first served basis.
 There are 114 parking spaces located at Bird Island Basin boat ramp. Once these spaces are filled, the parking lot will be closed to parking. Alternate parking is available at the Malaquite Visitor Center Parking Lot.
 Roadside shoulder parking in the Bird Island Basin Boat Ramp area or the road accessing the Bird Island Basin windsurfing/campground areas is not allowed.
 There are 106 parking spaces that will accommodate a vehicle and trailer combination up to 40 feet in length. Vehicle and trailer combinations longer than 40 feet must be parked at the Malaquite Visitor Center Parking Lot.
 The 106 vehicle/trailer parking spaces may not be used by vehicles without trailers.
 There are 4 parking spaces at the Bird Island Basin boat ramp signed for single vehicle use. These parking spaces may only be utilized for single vehicles with no trailers.
 There are 4 handicap parking spaces at the Bird Island Basin boat ramp for impaired individuals displaying the appropriate documentation. The two handicap parking slots on the east side of the parking lot are for single vehicle use only and the two handicap parking slots directly to the west of the single vehicle use slots will be for vehicle and trailer combinations up to 40 feet in length.
 Vehicles staying over night are asked to park at the Malaquite Visitor Center.
 Please do not litter.
 For emergencies contact a park ranger or 911.

this was what i recieved before BALZTOWLAZ posted up the NEW flyer that is being handed out at htis time.
i am going to try to contact mr. escoto to find out what is going on. there are alot of moxed signals coming from his office.

HERE IS TSOME CONFLICTING INFO FROM THE RECENT HANDOUT THAT IS BEING DISTRIBUTED AT THE GATE OF PADRE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE
FROM THE EMAIL OF MR. J. ESCOTO:
 Vehicles staying over night are asked to park at the Malaquite Visitor Center.

 There are 114 parking spaces located at Bird Island Basin boat ramp. Once these spaces are filled, the parking lot will be closed to parking. Alternate parking is available at the Malaquite Visitor Center Parking Lot.

FROM THE HANDOUT PRESENTLY BEING DISTRIBUTED AT THE GATE OF PADRE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE:

MAR 1 2008
1. ONCE 114 PARKING SPOTS ARE FULL, THE RAMP IS CLOSE NO MORE PARKING ON THE SHOULDER

2. TRUCK AND TRAILER CAN'T BE OVER 40 FEET

3. THEY WILL ALLOW 4 SPOTS TO BE USED BY VEHICLES WITHOUT TRAILERS.

4. IF YOU INTEND TO PARK OVERNIGHT OR NO MORE ROOM YOU HAVE TO PARK AT MALAQUITE VISITOR CENTER.

IT ALL OF A SUDDEN WENT TO YOU HAVE TO FROM YOU ARE ASKED TO.
THE CHANGE IS IN THE WORKS FOLKS AND ITS ONLY GONNA GET WORSE FOR ALL. THE SUPERINTENDANT IS NOT GOING BY WHAT HE SENT ME VIA EMAIL.

I AM GOING TO TRY TO CONTACT HIM TO FIND OUT WHAT IS UP.
__________________

UPDATE FROM HANDOUT I RECIEVED ON 12-22-07 AT THE GATE OF PADRE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE:
the following is a direct qoute from new handout:"Vehicles staying over night at Bird Island Boat Ramp are ASKED to park at the Malaquite Visitor Center".
"there are only four parking slots for vehicles without trailers all ohters must park at malaquite visitors center.""
"Vehicles and trailers that are longer than 40 feet in length MUST be parked at the Malaquite Visitors Center."
this is from the handout i just recieved from the gate at the entrance of the park on friday 12-22-07 and it IS a different handout than the park magazine i recieved back in oct 2007. these regs are supposed to be implemented on 03-01-08.
this is going to affect alot of folks down that way. hope some of us can get invovled on this it is about a 4 to 5 mile walk from the malaquite center back to the boat ramp. there are going to be some major issues and concerns for folks if this takes place.

1ST PHONE CONVERSATION WITH MR. J. ESCOTO P.I.N.S. SUPER TODAY AT 1330 CONCERNING THE PROPOSED RULES TO B.I.B. BOAT RAMP:

THIS IS A C&P/ RESPONSE FROM ANOTHER SITE/PERSON THAT I POST UP ON THAT WAS ALSO CONTACTED BY MR ESCOTO TODAY:
START QUOTE:
Mr. Escoto just called me. He said a few things that will be of interest.

1) The 40 foot length is simply reflective of the length of the parking spaces as currently painted and is intended to keep the RV's pullling trailers out of the BIB parking lot.

2) The underlying intent of the new 40' reg is to prevent vehicles impeding the flow of traffic. He said that my rig at 44' should be no problem as long as I'm not in a position (near turning points) that impedes the flow of traffic. He also said that if anyone is driving a rig greater than 40' in length they need to be conscientious and park in a location that does not impede the flow of traffic. He said his park rangers are being instructed that if a vehicle is impeding traffic, a photo of the impedance is to be recorded to demonstrate that traffic is indeed being impeded. He assured me his park rangers are being instructed that no citations are to be issued for vehicles over 40' that are not impeding traffic flow. I asked him to consider replacing the "40' length" language with language that reflects the intent of avoiding the impedance of traffic. He is considering the change.

3) He said that overnight parking & single vehicle (no trailer) parking at Malaquite is currently NOT a requirement in the new regs. But he is encouraging guides and others with the ability to meet their parties at Malaquite to do so to help relieve congestion at BIB.

4) Regarding construction of additional parking areas at BIB; he said that any such endeavor would require environmental impact studies before any kind of bid process would start. This is not in the current plans.

5) Finally, Mr. Escoto assured me that his mission is "to protect and preserve the park for the enjoyment of future generations" including the fishermen/women that launch at the ramp.

I again asked him to seriously consider revising the regs language to reflect what he says the intent is and to post the new regs on the PINS website for all to see. He agreed that such a posting would be beneficial to all.

So there you have it second hand.

After spending 10 minutes on the phone with him, I believe he wants to find the best solution to the issues that he is tasked with resolving. As a man in a similar professional position, I cannot ask more of him than to reasonably and fully apply all of his resources to the task before him. I found Mr Escoto to be open-minded and reasonable as well as genuinely interested in my concerns. I encourage all who have an interest in this issue to continue to contact Mr. Escoto with your concerns. He has responded professionally and very positively to my polite statement of my concerns. END QUOTE

THIS WAS MY RESPONSE:
HELLO HOPE EVERYONES HAVING A GOOD DAY TODAY!. I also recieved a phone call from mr.j. escoto today. everything that is stated above was also discussed with me. i voiced concerns over the future park Superintendants.
my one concern is this: if the existing rule goes into affect on 03-01-08 as it is, then in the future when mr j. escoto leaves and a new replacement park super for p.i.n.s. is put in place, is it worth the gamble to see if he is a leanient to the 40 foot overall size rule for vehicles with trailers attached to them. i work for the goverment and can tell you from first hand experience that some administrators are strickly by the book and some are not. mr escoto is leanient ,but the next park super might not be. if the proposed rule is allowed to go into effect at its current 40 foot length, then it will be virtually impossible to change it. it would have to go through the u.s congress and us senate ect, ect. REMEBER THIS IS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, NOT THE STATE OF TEXAS WE ARE DEALING WITH. someone can say all they want, but rules/ regs and policies that are in place takes precidence over all talk. if anyone doesnt reliazes this, then they are not seeing how the cake is baked, but just the iceing on top of the cake. it is easy to say a lot of words to try to ease the pressure of the situation, when all it would take is some basic changes in the proposed rules and the talking of words would no longer be needed.
i measured my rig ( boat and trailer hooked to my truck) and it is 44 feet and 10 inches long thus resulting in a 4 foot 10 inch overage of the proposed 40 foot rule. i have a 22 foot 6 inch boat hooked to a standard size chevy extended cab p/u truck. like most folks/guides this is a approx length of thier rigs also.
as for a commercial license, i am not a commercial fisherman, and by federal law that is all ready in place, i am not required to have a commercial fishing license. this is AGAIN going overboard. commercial licenses are required only by COMMERCIAL FISHERMEN, not fishing guides.
i suggested to mr j. escoto that an increase in the length restriction of the total overall lenght of the vehicle and trailer combo be implemented and this should alleviate a lot of concerns.
REMEBER SMOOTH TALKING IS PART OF MR J. ESCOTO'S JOB DESCRIPTION THAT IS WHY HE IS, AND I REPEAT, IS THE TOP DOG OF PADRE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE. THAT IS WHY HE GETS TOP PAY, TO SMOOTH TALK.
everyone needs to call mr j. escoto, not just a few, about this issue. sooner or later you might have to use this boat ramp. you never know what life has in store for your future.
also if any vehicle, or vehicle and trailer combo is impedeing traffic no matter what the length is, then they should get a ticket. so to me this is not a valid reason for any type of length limit. there is all ready a federal law in place for this(impedeing traffic), remeber this is federal property with federal law enforcement officers there.

I think that everyone should just stay off MY ISLAND so that I can have all the fish to myself!!!!

STRIAGHT FROM THE HORSES MO--TH. HERE ARE THE GUIDELINES THAT THE PARK SUPER HAS TO FOLLOW TO IMPLEMENT CHANGES AT B.I.B.
National Park Service, Interior § 1.6 36 CFR Ch. I (7–1–01 Edition)
§ 1.5 Closures and public use limits.

(a) Consistent with applicable legislation

and Federal administrative policies,

and based upon a determination

that such action is necessary for the

maintenance of public health and safety,

protection of environmental or scenic

values, protection of natural or cultural

resources, aid to scientific research,

implementation of management

responsibilities, equitable allocation

and use of facilities, or the avoidance

of conflict among visitor use activities,

the superintendent may:

(1) Establish, for all or a portion of a

park area, a reasonable schedule of visiting

hours, impose public use limits,

or close all or a portion of a park area

to all public use or to a specific use or

activity.

(2) Designate areas for a specific use

or activity, or impose conditions or restrictions

on a use or activity.

(3) Terminate a restriction, limit,

closure, designation, condition, or visiting

hour restriction imposed under

paragraph (a)(1) or (2) of this section.

(b) Except in emergency situations, a

closure, designation, use or activity restriction

or condition, or the termination

or relaxation of such, which is

of a nature, magnitude and duration

that will result in a significant alteration

in the public use pattern of the

park area, adversely affect the park’s

natural, aesthetic, scenic or cultural

values, require a long-term or significant

modification in the resource management

objectives of the unit, or is of

a highly controversial nature, shall be

published as rulemaking in the FEDERAL

REGISTER.

(c) Except in emergency situations,

prior to implementing or terminating a

restriction, condition, public use limit

or closure, the superintendent shall

prepare a written determination justifying

the action. That determination

shall set forth the reason(s) the restriction,

condition, public use limit or closure

authorized by paragraph (a) has

been established, and an explanation of

why less restrictive measures will not

suffice, or in the case of a termination

of a restriction, condition, public use

limit or closure previously established

under paragraph (a), a determination

as to why the restriction is no longer

necessary and a finding that the termination

will not adversely impact park

resources. This determination shall be

available to the public upon request.

(d) To implement a public use limit,

the superintendent may establish a

permit, registration, or reservation

system. Permits shall be issued in accordance

with the criteria and procedures

of § 1.6 of this chapter.

(e) Except in emergency situations,

the public will be informed of closures,

designations, and use or activity restrictions

or conditions, visiting hours,

public use limits, public use limit procedures,

and the termination or relaxation

of such, in accordance with § 1.7

of this chapter.

(f) Violating a closure, designation,

use or activity restriction or condition,

schedule of visiting hours, or public use

limit is prohibited.

[48 FR 30275, June 30, 1983, as amended at 51

FR 29470, Aug. 18, 1986]

§ 1.6 Permits.

(a) When authorized by regulations

set forth in this chapter, the superintendent

may issue a permit to authorize

an otherwise prohibited or restricted

activity or impose a public use

limit. The activity authorized by a permit

shall be consistent with applicable

legislation, Federal regulations and administrative

policies, and based upon a

determination that public health and

safety, environmental or scenic values,

natural or cultural resources, scientific

research, implementation of management

responsibilities, proper allocation

and use of facilities, or the avoidance

of conflict among visitor use activities

will not be adversely impacted.

(b) Except as otherwise provided, application

for a permit shall be submitted

to the superintendent during

normal business hours.

(c) The public will be informed of the

existence of a permit requirement in

accordance with § 1.7 of this chapter.

(d) Unless otherwise provided for by

the regulations in this chapter, the superintendent

shall deny a permit that

has been properly applied for only upon

a determination that the designated

capacity for an area or facility would

be exceeded; or that one or more of the

factors set forth in paragraph (a) of

this section would be adversely impacted.

The basis for denial shall be

provided to the applicant upon request.

(e) The superintendent shall include

in a permit the terms and conditions

that the superintendent deems necessary

to protect park resources or

public safety and may also include

terms or conditions established pursuant

to the authority of any other section

of this chapter.

(f) A compilation of those activities

requiring a permit shall be maintained

by the superintendent and available to

the public upon request.

(g) The following are prohibited:

(1) Engaging in an activity subject to

a permit requirement imposed pursuant

to this section without obtaining a

permit; or

(2) Violating a term or condition of a

permit issued pursuant to this section.

(h) Violating a term or condition of a

permit issued pursuant to this section

may also result in the suspension or

revocation of the permit by the superintendent.

[48 FR 30275, June 30, 1983, as amended at 51

FR 29470, Aug. 18, 1986]

§ 1.7 Public notice.

(a) Whenever the authority of § 1.5(a)

is invoked to restrict or control a public

use or activity, to relax or revoke

an existing restriction or control, to

designate all or a portion of a park

area as open or closed, or to require a

permit to implement a public use

limit, the public shall be notified by

one or more of the following methods:

(1) Signs posted at conspicuous locations,

such as normal points of entry

and reasonable intervals along the

boundary of the affected park locale.

(2) Maps available in the office of the

superintendent and other places convenient

to the public.

(3) Publication in a newspaper of general

circulation in the affected area.

(4) Other appropriate methods, such

as the removal of closure signs, use of

electronic media, park brochures, maps

and handouts.

(b) In addition to the above-described

notification procedures, the superintendent

shall compile in writing all

the designations, closures, permit requirements

and other restrictions imposed

under discretionary authority.

I guess I don't get what the problem is. Isn't boat ramp parking supposed to be for people to park tow vehicles with boat trailers?
Sounds like you want to camp out at the boat ramp.

THIS IS A 24 HOUR 7 DAY A WEEK BOAT RAMP ON A FEDRAL/NATIONAL PARK FOR PUBLIC USE (PADRE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE/ BIRD ISLAND BASIN). A lot of people use this ramp 24 hours a day for different reasons just like any lake you would go to with a public ramp. there has been occasional vehicle breakins at the ramp. this can happen whether you are at heb, church or walmart, ect. the park super wanted to initially close the pubilc boat ramp for overnight use, then back down on that issue due to public pressure. a lot of people that go fishing down that way park there soemtimes over 1 or 2 nights.( it is not permitted to camp at the boat ramp). SOME PEOPLE GO THERE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT TO GO FLOUNDERING OR NIGHT FISHING, ECT. people use this ramp all different times of the day and night for a lot of different reasons. the park has different areas for overnight camping. the park super now is trying to impose some rules that are not feasible and would in a adverse way block the ramp for approx 90% of people to use. one of the main proposed rules is the 40 foot overall length limit on the boat and trailer. average boat used in that area is around 21 to 22 feet.
if you measure the overall lenght of the vehcle and the trailer while it is hookd to the vehicle you will see that you would not be able to use the boat ramp due to being oversize.
some of the rules i can see being implemented and with good reason, but some are simple not feasible.
he has been trying to do this as hush hush as possible. but that isnt going to happen.
HERE ARE THE CONTACT NUMBERS FOR THE US SENATORS AND CONGRESSMEN SO WE CAN CONTACT THEM CONCERNING THE SITUATION AT PADRE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE / BIRD ISLAND BASIN;
US SENATORS:

Cornyn, John- (R - TX) Class II
517 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2934
Web Form: cornyn.senate.gov/contact/index.html

Hutchison, Kay Bailey- (R - TX) Class I
284 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5922
Web Form: hutchison.senate.gov/contact.html

US CONGRESS:
Congressman Solomon P Ortiz
(361) 883-5868
3649 Leopard St, Corpus Christi, TX

You can contact the park super that is trying to implement theses changes at b.i.b.boat ramp on 03-01-08 at the follow sources;
phone # 361-949-8173 ext. 222 or you can press 8 and then 1 on the menu options of call.
email address is : joe_escoto@nps.gov
this is a very important issue that will eventually effective all. please contact him concerning the changes.
some of the changes i can understand, some of the changes are rediculous and are made to close the boatramp to MOST PEOPLE WITH BOATS unknowingly. if you don,t believe this, measure your vehcicle and trailer while your boat is hooked up, and see if it is over 40 foot long.
and also in oct of 2007 when i received ,the PARK NEWS LETTER, not the recent handout HE WAS GOING TO TOTALLY SHUT THE PARK DOWN FOR USE FROM 11 PM AT NIGHT TO 5 AM THE NEXT MORNING.
ALL the rules proposed in the current handout at the park gate were not in the original park newspaper publication.
_________________
I'VE NEVER HAD A BAD FISHING TRIP, JUST ONES WITH DIFFERENT OUTCOMES.