Presenters: Tim Hogsett

Commission Agenda Item No. 8
Action
Boating Ramp Grant Funding
January 28, 2010

I. Executive Summary: The Department has recently received ten applications for public boating access construction and renovation projects requesting $2,545,249 in matching fund assistance. Federal boating access funds are available to fund all ten projects. Funding approval of 10 projects totaling $2,545,249 is recommended.

II. Discussion: Local Boating Access Grants: The State Boating Access Program was authorized in 1975 by the 64th Texas Legislature. The program provides funds for the purchase, construction, renovation and maintenance of boat ramps, access roads and other related facilities to improve public recreational boating access to public waters. The program receives funding from the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act, also known as the Wallop-Breaux Program. Recreational boaters and fisherman fully fund this program through the federal gasoline tax on fuel purchased for recreational boating and an excise tax on fishing tackle that is collected and redistributed back to states. Fifteen 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 approved projects is supported on a 75 percent (federal), 25 percent (local) basis.

The Department has recently received ten applications for renovations of existing or new boat ramp construction requesting $2,545,249 in matching fund assistance. Based on project review, staff finds that all submitted projects meet program eligibility requirements and recommends fully funding all ten projects. Exhibit A contains the priority listing with funds requested by the sponsors and funds recommended by staff.

All facilities will be operated and maintained by the local government sponsors.

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

"Funding for boating access construction/renovation projects listed in Exhibit A in the amount of $2,545,249 is approved."

Attachments - 1

1. Exhibit A - Project Descriptions

Commission Agenda Item No. 8
Exhibit A

Boating Access Project Descriptions
January 28, 2010

Project Sponsor:

Aransas County Navigation District

Project:

Copano Bay Boat Ramp Parking Expansion

Matching Funds Requested (75%):

$215,628

Location:

Boat ramp at south side of Copano Bay Fishing Pier, Aransas County

Discussion:

The Aransas County Navigation District is requesting a 75 percent matching share grant in the amount of $215,628 to expand the parking area, construct an ADA walkway, covered picnic tables and signing. The facility provides public boating access to Copano Bay.

Recommendation:

Support the project. The boat ramp was renovated last year and has become so popular additional parking for vehicles and boat trailers is needed.

Support in Matching Funds:

$215,628

Project Sponsor:

City of Bastrop

Project:

Colorado River Boat Ramp Renovation

Matching Funds Requested (75%):

$397,600

Location:

Colorado River, Bastrop County

Discussion:

The City of Bastrop is requesting a 75 percent matching share grant in the amount of $397,600 to replace a boat ramp, construct a parking area, bulkheads, dredging and ADA sidewalk. The facility will provide access to the Colorado River.

Recommendation:

Support the project. Existing boat ramp in need of replacement, bulkheads needed to address bank erosion.

Support in Matching Funds:

$397,600

Project Sponsor:

Brazos River Authority

Project:

Lake Granbury Boat Ramp Renovation

Matching Funds Requested (75%):

$82,500

Location:

Lake Granbury, Hood County

Discussion:

The Brazos River Authority is requesting a 75 percent matching share grant in the amount of $82,500 for renovation/expansion of boat ramp, bulkheads, lighting, and signs. The facility provides public boating access to Lake Granbury.

Recommendation:

Support the project. Boat ramps are located in a popular location but damaged and in risk of collapse. Sponsor has renovated other ramps in recent years and has produced a high quality project at a relatively low cost.

Support in Matching Funds:

$82,500

Project Sponsor:

City of Corpus Christi

Project:

Clems’s Boat Ramp Renovation

Matching Funds Requested (75%):

$500,000

Location:

Boat Ramp on Laguna Madre under JFK Causeway, Nueces County

Discussion:

The City of Corpus Christi is requesting a 75 percent matching share grant in the amount of $500,000 to renovate/improve a 2-lane boat ramp, access road, parking area, utilities, courtesy dock, bulkhead and signs. The facility provides public boating access to Laguna Madre and the Intracoastal Waterway.

Recommendation:

Support the project. Heavily used, but aged ramp, parking lot is in terrible condition with poor drainage, ramp and docks need renovation. TPWD facility on GLO leased property.

Support in Matching Funds:

$500,000

Project Sponsor:

Calhoun County

Project:

Magnolia Beach Boat Ramp Jetty

Matching Funds Requested (75%):

$126,000

Location:

Lavaca Bay, Calhoun County

Discussion:

Calhoun County is requesting a 75 percent matching share grant in the amount of $126,000 to construct a rock groin or jetty to protect an existing public boat ramp, and improve lighting and signing. The facility provides public boating access to Lavaca Bay.

Recommendation:

Support the project. Rock groin or jetty will protect heavily used boat ramp from silting and wave damage and create safer boat launching and retrieving conditions.

Support in Matching Funds:

$126,000

Project Sponsor:

City of Grapevine

Project:

Meadowmere Park Boat Ramp

Matching Funds Requested (75%):

$198,750

Location:

Lake Grapevine, Tarrant County

Discussion:

The City of Grapevine is requesting a 75 percent matching share grant in the amount of $198,750 for construction of a restroom and pavilion at existing public boat ramp. The facility improves public boating access to Lake Grapevine.

Recommendation:

Support the project. Funding to construct the restroom and pavilion was requested last year but was not recommended due to high demand for funds.

Support in Matching Funds:

$198,750

Project Sponsor:

Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority

Project:

Lake Wood Boat Ramp Renovation

Matching Funds Requested (75%):

$75,000

Location:

Lake Wood on Guadalupe River, Gonzales County

Discussion:

The Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority is requesting a 75 percent matching share grant in the amount of $75,000 for renovation of a boat ramp, ADA walkway, courtesy dock, new bulkhead, lighting, and signing. The facility provides public boating access to Lake Wood.

Recommendation:

Support the project. Existing public boat ramp in need of replacement/renovation.

Support in Matching Funds:

$75,000

Project Sponsor:

City of Jefferson

Project:

Big Cypress Bayou Boat Ramp Construction

Matching Funds Requested (75%):

$361,500

Location:

Big Cypress Bayou, Marion County

Discussion:

The City of Jefferson is requesting a 75 percent matching share grant in the amount of $361,500 for construction of boat ramp, parking area, access road, courtesy dock, lighting, ADA walkway and signs. The facility provides public boating access to Big Cypress Bayou.

Recommendation:

Support the project. Relocation of existing ramp in conjunction with Bayou fish and wildlife habitat restoration project.

Support in Matching Funds:

$361,500

Project Sponsor:

City of Port Isabel

Project:

Pompano Street Boat Ramp Renovation

Matching Funds Requested (75%):

$388,330

Location:

Laguna Madre, Cameron County

Discussion:

The City of Port Isabel is requesting a 75 percent matching share grant in the amount of $388,330 to renovate and improve a public boat ramp, parking area, bulkheads, restroom, utilities and lighting and construct a new of a new courtesy dock and fish cleaning table. The facility provides public boating access to the Laguna Madre.

Recommendation:

Support the project. Popular boating destination. Aged ramp in need of repair located on donated land dedicated to providing public boating access.

Support in Matching Funds:

$388,330

Project Sponsor:

Tom Green County

Project:

South Concho River Boat Ramp Replacement

Matching Funds Requested (75%):

$199,941

Location:

South Concho River, Tom Green County

Discussion:

Tom Green County is requesting a 75 percent matching share grant in the amount of $199,941 for construction of a new boat ramp to replace an aged ramp, parking area, bank stabilization and signs. The facility provides public boating access to the South Concho River.

Recommendation:

Support the project. Only public boat ramp providing access to South Concho River.

Support in Matching Funds:

$199,941