Someone was telling me that the beach access down by the San Luis area has been blocked off by the State/City .. is there any truth to this? has anyone been down in that area in the pass week?
Looking forward to anyone's reply. Thanks Marinaman

I hope that isn't true. I enjoy that area and would hate to see it messed with.

Well big john, after i wrote this I started looking for it and i found this. click on the link below, I have been fishing this area for so long I can't remember the frist time , my dad is from the Island and when I told him about it he was sick over it. it's a danm shame we are losing this place and if something is not done. texas beaches will no longer be open to us unless you own a million dollar home.. sorry for being on my soap box. it just makes me mad.EEEERRRRRRRRRRR!!!


http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/news/033104_local_beach.html

If it makes you mad...join the club! Please go to texasopenbeaches.org and join up. It's free and only takes a minute. Visit the Message Board too for all the latest details in TOBA's fight for fair and reasonable access for us all.

There will be an afternoon "Fun Raiser" on Saturday May 15th at the pavillion next to the Spillway Pier in San Leon. There will be great music and food. Bring your beverages, a lawn chair, and some bug repellant. This is a family event and there is a huge playground for the kids. My girls are 12 and 10 and had a blast last year. They can't wait for this one!

You can also send an e-mail voicing your concerns to beachbills@texasopenbeaches.org They are then forwarded to elected officials. Keep it short, to the point and civil. Be sure to include your name and address for verification purposes.

The Texas Open Beaches Act is the law around here. The GLO has not enforced it and if we do not take a stand now, other beaches will be next.

A link to the TOBA site from this one would be a big help too... Any chance we can ask for one?

Drew

Thanks Drew and i will check out this site and add my 2cent. I'm going down to SL in the morning and see for myself. I'll post what i see..thanks again.

I was down there last year and I heared that some corporation was going to build something there. Us fihermen wre outraged that a prime fish spot and access to a great fishing spot was being taken away.

When I was there there was no problem. I guess it is one of those things that sneals up on you. One day you got the spot to fish and the next day there is no access. I have some problems with this one. I would like to know what the CCA position is. Politics at work.

San Luis Pass Area for years has been the place. Wade for almost anything the salt has to offer.

I fear that any action is to late. I will look at the links above. Inside deal.

Scottie

I hear you Scottie... I was down there on monday and had no problems getting on the beach at the access just before the bridge. but you can see for about 2 to 4 miles back all the new building is going on. I sure would hate to lose is spot.I've been doing alot of reading and talking too people. I to would like to know where CCA stands on this if you hear any please drop me a line-

Well, yes i have heard about this going on. And yes it is a shame. Matagorda is also trying to keep vehicles off of the beach. You can still continue to fish there, just you can't drive any motorized vehicle. Which is some BS. But they have not passed this yet so hopefully it doesn't pass. If you go to the little corner stores down there they have information you can get to sign up and help to keep them from passing this law.

I stole this form Texasopenbeaches.org...

Galveston Dune Protection and Beach Access Plan Proposal:
The Texas General Land Office filed the City of Galveston's Dune Protection and Beach Access Plan certification rule proposal on Monday, March 8, 2004, and published in the Texas Register on March 19, 2004. A 30-day public comment period began on March 19, 2004, and will close on April 19, 2004, at 5:00 p.m. CST

OK,

So now, the only opportunity that you have to make a difference in the Galveston Beach Access Plan is to write the General Land Office by April 19, 2004, 5pm CST. TOBA has filed suit already and we do need your comments on public record. For all of you who did not attend the public hearing, this is your chance to make a difference in regards to our future beach access. The GLO is prepared to restrict our historical access along the beaches of San Luis Pass for CENTEX a major developer who wishes to put in a $500 million dollar development that will also include a marina on the back side of the pass. Hopefully, you have been following the issue and will take a moment to write an email. Below, I have listed a few sections of the Beach/Dune rules that your letter should focus on. The Texas General Land Office will take your letter more seriously if you focus on the rules and how they affect you. The three rules I have provided for you to review pretty much sum up our historical access along the beaches of San Luis Pass and will help you write your letter. I also provided some of my input in regards to the three rules for you.

Tim's input on 3 rules:
15.1 (7) talks about preserving and enhancing our access. So, if the beaches are closed to vehicular traffic at San Luis Pass, does this preserve and enhance your access if you have to park off the beach and walk to your desired spot with all of your gear? It also mentions equal or better access. Would having to park of the beach be equal or better access to you?

15.7 (h) talks about Preservation and enhance of our beaches. Does regulating vehicular traffic preserve or enhance your existing right of access that we currently have along the beaches of San Luis Pass? This rule also allows for the beaches to be closed to vehicular traffic. Problem is, the City of Galveston has not followed the rule of providing and access point every half mile with a parking space for every 15 feet of linear beachfront along most of the beaches along West Galveston Island. That's why most of the West end is non compliant with the Open Beaches Act. They City basically disregarded the Open Beaches Act and the Beach Dune Rules while platting subdivisions for development along the West end for over the last decade.

15.7 (m) refers to the proper signage. How many Private Property, No Trespassing, No Public Beach Access signs have you seen along Galveston? These signs are detouring the general public from accessing the beach and are violations of the Open Beaches Act.

So, please take the time to send an email. Texas Open Beach Advocates have set up an email address that will automatically go the appropriate person in the General Land Office for the public comment period. The email will also hit 19 other State Senators, House Reps, and Attorney General. This my friends is your last chance. Write your letter and send it to this email address:

BeachBills@texasopenbeaches.org

Thank you,
Tim Lopas
TOBA


RULE �15.1 Policy

(7) to protect the public's right of access to, use of, and enjoyment of the public beach and associated facilities and services as established by state common law and statutes. The public has vested property rights in Texas' public beaches, and free use of and access to and from the beaches are guaranteed. The Open Beaches Act requires local governments to preserve and enhance use of public beaches and access between the beaches and public roads. If an access point must be closed, then existing law requires it to be replaced with equal or better access consistent with the appropriate local dune protection and beach access plan. Whenever practicable, local governments should enhance public beach use and access;

RULE �15.7 Local Government Management of the Public Beach

(h) Preservation and enhancement of public beach use and access. A local government shall regulate pedestrian or vehicular beach access, traffic, and parking on the beach only in a manner that preserves or enhances existing public right to use and have access to and from the beach. A local government shall not impair or close an existing access point or close a public beach to pedestrian or vehicular traffic without prior approval from the General Land Office.

(m) Prohibitions on signs. A local government shall not cause any person to display or cause to be displayed on or adjacent to any public beach any sign, marker, or warning, or make or allow to be made any written or oral communication which states that the public beach is private property or represent in any other manner that the public does not have the right of access to and from the public beach or the right to use the public beach as guaranteed by this subchapter, the Open Beaches Act, and the common law right of the public.