It was just brought to my attention that there has been a new superintendant ( joe escoto) and a new park manager (larry turk) that has recently taking over the daily operations of the padre island national seashore. IT HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION that these 2 gentlemen are going to attempt to change the use of bird island boat ramp for daytime use only, something like 5 am to 10 pm. no vehicles allowed at the boat ramp between 10 pm at night until 5 am the following morn. it was said that people who own both permanent and floating cabins are taking up most of the parking area slots and staying for several days at time making it hard for others to find parking spaces. there are a number of factors affecting this PUBLIC parking facility and one specific group of individuals should not be segregated out for any reason. we need to contact these individuals and voice our opinions about this issue. they can be reached at the park headquarters of padre island national seashore. i am a owner of a floating cabin and also have several friends that also own both floating and permanet cabins. if they are allowed to make this type of decision it would affect all who use the ramp and i'm sure that other policy changes will come that will affect the overall use of the whole PUBLIC PARK even beach access. on PINS. if individuals watch the local events ( i.e. fishing tournaments, beach and waterway cleanups, ect.) with the times when it is hard to find parking you can see a connection between them. there is no blame that can be put on any one set or group of individuals in relationship to this parking issue at bird island basin boat ramp. we need to band together to insure that the current access to bird island basin boat launch is not lost to any set of individuals. your attention is required on this issue. thanx. sorry not a fishing report but one will come very soon.

Just an observation here, as I don't have a dog in this fight.

In my opinion, it seems to be a case of someone, whether it is the park officials, or someone from the Public, that has raised the question of Federal/Public land, being used as a Private Parking Lot by a few individuals.

Don't take me wrong, I can understand your concerns, but just because some one is wanting changes in the way things are being done, does not mean that changes will take place across the board on the whole area.

I could be wrong, and I am not meaning to offend you, but I feel that there is more to this issue than what you are presenting.

I have been to that area one time, but if I remember correctly, the parking area at that ramp is limited.

If that is the case, and cabin owners are coming out and parking their vehicles for the weekend, they are in fact removing parking spaces from public use, there by limiting the number of people that can use that ramp, During The Daytime Hours.

People are going to complain, and since that is Federal Land, other people are going to listen.

This is just my opinion, but I can see why people are looking at changing the rules in this situation.

Maybe the amount of break ins has something to do with it. I was there about a month ago and the parking lot was full of broken glass from windows being broken. Its a pretty isolated place, so thieves like it.

thanks for the heads up!

the increase in vehicle breakins is what started this issue and then other things were included. here are the contact numbers of the people involved on this issue at padre island seashore headquarters.
Joe Escoto - 361-949-8173 ext.229
joe_escoto@nps.gov
Larry Turk - 361-949-8173 ext.240

her 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.