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ACND takes control of Copano Bay pier
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| The Copano Bay State Fishing Pier (old Copano Bay causeway in background) will be under the control of the Aransas County Navigation District beginning Nov. 1. Beginning on that date, a Texas fishing license and saltwater stamp endorsement will be required when fishing from the pier since it will no longer be a TPWD operation. Photo by MIKE PROBST |
The Aransas County Navigation District (ACND) will assume control of the Copano Bay State Fishing Pier beginning Nov. 1. Management was transferred from the State Park System to the local district.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) State Parks Division has operated the fishing pier since 1967, after it was transferred to the TPWD from the predecessor of today’s Texas Department of Transportation. The pier is the remnants of the old causeway bridge over the bay. After a hurricane damaged the causeway, the swing bridge in the middle was never replaced. This later became the state fishing pier, which is actually two piers, a 6,190-foot north pier and a 2,500-foot south pier.
Two bait and tackles shops, one on either pier, have been operated as a leased concession by Danny Adams of Rockport since the piers opened as a public park.
The current transfer is a project which has been in the works for almost two years. It is a result of HB 2108, a bill passed by the Texas Legislature several years ago which provides a process to transfer operation of state park sites which would be more appropriately managed by local entities. At that time, TPWD sent letters to local governments seeking possible transfer partners.
The ACND had been awarded a grant last year to use for a boat ramp in Fulton, but the project was rejected. ACND staff then requested the use of those funds for a boat ramp project at the Copano Bay Causeway instead.
The cost of the project is $688,912, of which, 75 percent will be paid by the TWPD grant, a total of $516,684. The plan includes the refurbishing of the single lane boat ramp and constructing a second lane, as well as constructing a walkway/mooring pier and ADA ramp, fish cleaning stand and rehabilitating the parking area.
The ACND began working with TPWD to take over the operation of the causeway fishing pier and boat launching facility.
An agreement was recently signed with TPWD. The ACND then awarded a one-year contract to Adams to operate the fishing pier.
The ACND believes this action will benefit the residents of the county by improving the level of service available at the site, it will also increase the revenue of the district and lessen the burden of funding operating costs within the district.
Additionally, the repairs and improvements will increase the safety, comfort, convenience, and capacity of this already extremely popular facility and thereby promote increased use and enjoyment.
Fisherman are reminded beginning Nov. 1, a Texas fishing license and saltwater stamp endorsement will be required when fishing from the pier since it will no longer be a state park.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) State Parks Division has operated the fishing pier since 1967, after it was transferred to the TPWD from the predecessor of today’s Texas Department of Transportation. The pier is the remnants of the old causeway bridge over the bay. After a hurricane damaged the causeway, the swing bridge in the middle was never replaced. This later became the state fishing pier, which is actually two piers, a 6,190-foot north pier and a 2,500-foot south pier.
Two bait and tackles shops, one on either pier, have been operated as a leased concession by Danny Adams of Rockport since the piers opened as a public park.
The current transfer is a project which has been in the works for almost two years. It is a result of HB 2108, a bill passed by the Texas Legislature several years ago which provides a process to transfer operation of state park sites which would be more appropriately managed by local entities. At that time, TPWD sent letters to local governments seeking possible transfer partners.
The ACND had been awarded a grant last year to use for a boat ramp in Fulton, but the project was rejected. ACND staff then requested the use of those funds for a boat ramp project at the Copano Bay Causeway instead.
The cost of the project is $688,912, of which, 75 percent will be paid by the TWPD grant, a total of $516,684. The plan includes the refurbishing of the single lane boat ramp and constructing a second lane, as well as constructing a walkway/mooring pier and ADA ramp, fish cleaning stand and rehabilitating the parking area.
The ACND began working with TPWD to take over the operation of the causeway fishing pier and boat launching facility.
An agreement was recently signed with TPWD. The ACND then awarded a one-year contract to Adams to operate the fishing pier.
The ACND believes this action will benefit the residents of the county by improving the level of service available at the site, it will also increase the revenue of the district and lessen the burden of funding operating costs within the district.
Additionally, the repairs and improvements will increase the safety, comfort, convenience, and capacity of this already extremely popular facility and thereby promote increased use and enjoyment.
Fisherman are reminded beginning Nov. 1, a Texas fishing license and saltwater stamp endorsement will be required when fishing from the pier since it will no longer be a state park.
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cheri palmer wrote on Mar 15, 2009 10:38 PM: