Presenter: Tim Hogsett

Commission Agenda Item No. 5
Action
Boat Ramp Funding
August 1998

I. Discussion: The State Boat Ramp Program was authorized in 1975 by the Sixty-fourth Legislature. The program provides funds for the purchase, construction and maintenance of boat ramps, access roads and related improvements. Program funds may also be used for capital improvements to existing state boat ramp sites. The program receives funding from two sources: (1) The Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act, also known as the Wallop-Breaux Program, and (2) The State Game, Fish and Water Safety Fund.

Twelve and one-half percent of the State's annual apportionment from the federal Wallop-Breaux Program must be used to provide public access for motor boating facilities. Construction for new ramps is supported on a 75 percent (state) - 25 percent (local) basis.

The Department received four applications for new ramp construction requesting $944,170 in matching fund assistance by the January 31, 1998 deadline. Federal Wallop-Breaux funds available at this time for boating access projects include $3,276,678 in FY 1998 and prior year funds.

II. Recommendation: The staff recommends the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopt the following motion:

"Funding for new construction of boat ramp projects as listed in Exhibit A in the amount of $944,170 is approved, as described for individual projects in Exhibit B."

Attachments – 3

1. Exhibit A – Project Listing
2. Exhibit B – Discussion of Individual Project Proposals
3. Exhibit C – Fiscal Note
(Exhibits A-C – Available upon request.)


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