Regional Highlights - Upper Coast Issues

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Several State Parks Remain Closed Due to Hurricane Damage (Upper Coast)

TPWD is still digging out from under the damage wreaked by Hurricane Ike in September. While there was some facility damage to some structures managed by the coastal fisheries and wildlife divisions, the most severe destruction occurred at several state parks that were in the storm’s path. Here’s an update on the status of the affected parks and the employees who worked there:

• Sea Rim State Park: Remains closed to public — All facilities destroyed or damaged beyond repair — TPWD continues to evaluate losses and future options for park. All employees of Sea Rim were offered other assignments within the agency. Two classified and one hourly resigned.
• Galveston Island State Park: Remains closed to public — All facilities and infrastructure on Gulf side destroyed or damaged beyond repair — Bay side of park received severe damage; however, Nature Center and park maintenance building are repairable and will serve as a staging point for skeleton crew (3) remaining on site — Currently studying the possibility of limited public access on the Bay side with the assistance of the Friends of Galveston Island SP. Galveston Island State Park maintained a skeleton crew of three, two Park Police Officers and one Ranger III. All other employees were offered other assignments within the agency. Five classified and one hourly resigned. All classified employees that chose to resign will remain on TPWD payroll through December 31, 2008.
• Martin Dies Jr. State Park: Remains closed with an expected opening date of November 12—Received severe tree loss—Corps of Engineers (Corps own property) conducted a salvage timer operation—Contractors currently in park assisting with debris and damaged tree removal.
• Village Creek State Park: Remains closed to the public—sustained moderate tree loss and/or damage—Plans to reopen late November.
• Brazos Bend State Park: Closed 30 days—sustained moderate tree loss throughout the park—have currently documented over 2000 hours of staff and volunteer labor dedicate solely to Hurricane Ike debris removal. Park is now fully operational with minor tree removal still to be completed.
• San Jacinto Battleground State Historical Park: Closed 30 days—sustained moderate tree loss—Monument had minor wind driven rain infiltration—water damaged elevator and it remains closed for repairs—Battleship rode fine—Ship rose on mono-piles as designed—Flooding in the park store area—flooded to roof and destroyed all inventory—Building has been declared a total loss by TPWD and there are plans to demolish—Park restrooms flooded but are repairable—Temporary store has been opened on board the BB35—Area east of the Monument is still closed for debris removal, however, the remainder of the park is open to the public.
• Lake Livingston State Park: Park opened to public October 19th—Severe tree loss—TPWD conducted a salvage timber operation—20 loads (logging trucks) of logs removed—some clean up remains, but all areas of park open to public.
• Sheldon Lake State Park: Moderate tree loss—closed two weeks—Region 4 HQ housed for one month at the park's Environmental Learning Center while repairs where made to the R4 office in La Porte—Park now fully open to the public.

Battleship TEXAS Dry Berthing Project on Track (Upper Coast)

The project plan for dry berthing the Battleship TEXAS was submitted as required this summer to the LBB and TPWD anticipates funding will be released later this month. Approvals from the Texas Public Finance Authority and the Bond Review Board should follow with the final release of funding expected early in 2009. In the meantime, solicitation of design firms continues this Fall with the preparation of the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to be issued in November and selection and contract completion in February 2009. Design will commence at that time, concurrent with funding release. The initial design phase will include the firm’s recommendation of the best solution.

Prospects Looking Good for Deer Season (Upper Coast)

Hunters hoping for a shot at a quality deer during the 2008-09 deer season will need to get off the bench and into the game, suggest state wildlife biologists, as current range conditions indicate increased availability of native food sources.

The general deer hunting season opens statewide Nov. 1. This change in deer feeding patterns could also have an impact on opportunity around feeders during the Special Youth Season weekend Oct. 25-26. The youth-only season is available to licensed hunters ages 16 and under.

Coastal Marshes and Prairies Report:

Although range conditions had been dry to extremely dry in most of the area for the past several months, fawn production appears to be above average and antler production is going to be good, according to David Forrester, TPWD district biologist in LaGrange.

"Since the acorn crop was a bumper one last year, we anticipate hunting conditions will be great this year with deer readily coming to feeders or food plots, thus making them easier to encounter," Forrester said. "Again, due to that awesome acorn crop last year, we experienced a down year in harvest numbers. This bodes well for more bucks out there this year. Additionally, the fawn crop last year was a good one, so there should be plenty of yearling bucks this year."