Corpusfishing.com

[FLOATING CABIN]

THIS IS THE EXACT QUOTE FROM THE HANDOUT BEING DISTRIBUTED BY THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE FOR THE NEW RULES AT B.I.B. BOAT RAM TO BE IMPLEMENTED ON 03-01-08:the following are the new rules the new park superintendant( mr. joe escoto) is trying to implement on march, 01 of 2008.
the purchase of an annual pass for bird island basin boat ramp will not guarantee a daily parking space. The parking lot will be on a first come-first serve basis.
there are 114 parking spaces located at bird island basin boat ramp. Once these spaces are filled the parking lot will be closed to parking. Alternate parking is available at the malaquite visitor center parking lot.
there will be no roadside shoulder parking in the bird island basin boat ramp area or the road accessing the bird island basin windsurfing/ campground areas.
there are 106 parking spaces that will accommodate a vehicle and trailer combination no longer than 40 feet in length. Vehicle and trailer combinations that are longer than 40 feet must be parked at the malaquite visitors center parking lot.
there are 106 vehicle/trailer parking spaces cannot be used by vehicles with no trailers.
there are 4 parking spaces at the bird island basin boat ramp signed for single vehicle use only. These parking spaces will only be utilized for single vehicles with no trailers.
there are 4 handicap parking spaces at the bird island basin boat ramp that can only be utilized by impaired individuals displaying the appropriate documentation. The two handicap slots on the east side are for single vehicle use only and the two handicap parking slots directly to the west of the single vehicle slots will be used for vehicle and trailer up to 40 feet in length.
vehicles staying over night at bird island basin boat ramp are asked to park at the malaquite visitor center.
please do not litter.
for emergencies contact a park ranger or 911.
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I'VE NEVER HAD A BAD FISHING OR HUNTING TRIP, JUST ONES WITH DIFFERENT OUTCOMES.

[BALZTOWAL]

HOW IS THIS DIFFERENT THAN BEFORE. IT APPEARS JUST THE FACT THAT OVERNIGHT PARKING AT MAL. CENTER IS NOT MANDATORY YET.

[rabbit]

I think its time to blockade the park rd 22 at the front gate.
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Fishing and Kayaking its a rough life but somebody has to do it.

[FLOATING CABIN]

You can contact the park super that is trying to implement theses changes at b.i.b.boat ramp on 03-01-08 at the follow sources;
phone # 361-949-8173 ext. 222 or you can press 8 and then 1 on the menu options of call.
email address is : joe_escoto@nps.gov
this is a very important issue that will eventually effective all. please contact him concerning the changes.
some of the changes i can understand, some of the changes are rediculous and are made to close the boatramp to MOST PEOPLE WITH BOATS unknowingly. if you don,t believe this, measure your vehcicle and trailer while your boat is hooked up, and see if it is over 40 foot long.
and also in oct of 2007 when i received ,the PARK NEWS LETTER, not the recent handout HE WAS GOING TO TOTALLY SHUT THE PARK DOWN FOR USE FROM 11 PM AT NIGHT TO 5 AM THE NEXT MORNING.
ALL the rules proposed in the current handout at the park gate were not in the original park newspaper publication.
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I'VE NEVER HAD A BAD FISHING OR HUNTING TRIP, JUST ONES WITH DIFFERENT OUTCOMES.

[Bayslammer]

Please take a moment to call or e-mail Mr. Escoto if you use the Bird Island ramp and lot. Most rigs do extend over the 40' mark. This proposed change is ludicrous. Imagine the effect it will have on guides who meet clients at the lot? Four spaces are not enough for vehicles not towing a trailer to park. Overnighters may have to be charged extra unfortunately. This lot is not even half full for most of the year. Gas prices are hurting many of us, think of the additional fuel costs. I have chimed in, and I thank all of you who have done the same.

Joe
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Grind

[Big Ed]

I haven't gone out to measure mine, but I will guarantee that mine is over 40'. and that's with a moderate sized bay boat (only 18'9"). by the time you add the trailor tongue and a long bed extended cab truck it would be considerably over 40'. The guy with a 22' or 24' boat and a crew cab long bed truck has to be over 50'. There has got to be a way to get this ruling modified.
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Big Ed
San Antonio

"A word to the wise ain't necessary. It's the stupid ones who need advice.", Bill Cosby

[FLOATING CABIN]

THIS IS A C&P FROM "LAGUNA FREAK" OFF ANOTHER SITE I POSTED THIS SITUATION ON: START OF QUOTE:
"Mr. Escoto just called me. He said a few things that will be of interest.

1) The 40 foot length is simply reflective of the length of the parking spaces as currently painted and is intended to keep the RV's pullling trailers out of the BIB parking lot.

2) The underlying intent of the new 40' reg is to prevent vehicles impeding the flow of traffic. He said that my rig at 44' should be no problem as long as I'm not in a position (near turning points) that impedes the flow of traffic. He also said that if anyone is driving a rig greater than 40' in length they need to be conscientious and park in a location that does not impede the flow of traffic. He said his park rangers are being instructed that if a vehicle is impeding traffic, a photo of the impedance is to be recorded to demonstrate that traffic is indeed being impeded. He assured me his park rangers are being instructed that no citations are to be issued for vehicles over 40' that are not impeding traffic flow. I asked him to consider replacing the "40' length" language with language that reflects the intent of avoiding the impedance of traffic. He is considering the change.

3) He said that overnight parking & single vehicle (no trailer) parking at Malaquite is currently NOT a requirement in the new regs. But he is encouraging guides and others with the ability to meet their parties at Malaquite to do so to help relieve congestion at BIB.

4) Regarding construction of additional parking areas at BIB; he said that any such endeavor would require environmental impact studies before any kind of bid process would start. This is not in the current plans.

5) Finally, Mr. Escoto assured me that his mission is "to protect and preserve the park for the enjoyment of future generations" including the fishermen/women that launch at the ramp.

I again asked him to seriously consider revising the regs language to reflect what he says the intent is and to post the new regs on the PINS website for all to see. He agreed that such a posting would be beneficial to all.

So there you have it second hand.

After spending 10 minutes on the phone with him, I believe he wants to find the best solution to the issues that he is tasked with resolving. As a man in a similar professional position, I cannot ask more of him than to reasonably and fully apply all of his resources to the task before him. I found Mr Escoto to be open-minded and reasonable as well as genuinely interested in my concerns. I encourage all who have an interest in this issue to continue to contact Mr. Escoto with your concerns. He has responded professionally and very positively to my polite statement of my concerns." END OF QUOTE.

FROM HERE DOWN WAS MY RESPONSE TO THE ISSUE:
HELLO HOPE EVERYONES HAVING A GOOD DAY TODAY!. I ALSO recieved a phone call from mr.j. escoto today. everything that is stated above was also discussed with me. i voiced concerns over future park superintendants.
my one concern is this: if the existing rule goes into affect on 03-01-08 as it is then in the future when mr j. escoto leaves and a new replacement park super for p.i.n.s. is put in place, is it worth the gamble to see if he is a leanient to the 40 foot overall size rule for vehicles with trailers attached to them. i work for the goverment and can tell you from first hand experience that some administrators are stickly by the book and some are not. mr escoto is leanient but the next park super might not be. if the proposed rule is allowed to go into effect at its current 40 foot length then it will be virtually impossible to change it would have to go through the u.s congress and us senate ect, ect. REMEBER THIS IS THS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT NOT THE STATE OF TEXAS WE ARE DEALING WITH. someone can say all they want but rules/ regs and policies that are in olace takes precidence over all. if everyone doesnt reliazes this, then they are not seeing how the cake is baked, but just the iceing on top of the cake. it is easy to say a lot of words to try to ease the pressure of the situation. all it would take is some basic changes in the proposed rules and the talking of words would no longer be needed.
i measured my rigged and hooked up and it is 44 feet and 10 inches long thus resulting in a 4 foot 10 inch overage of the proposed 40 foot rule. i have a 22 foot 6 inch boat hooked to a standard size chevy extended cab p/u truck. like most folks/ guides this is a approx length of thier rigs and the rigs used in that area.
as for a commercial license i am not a commercial fisherman, and by federal law that is all ready in place, i am not required to have a commercial fishing license. this is AGAIN going overboard. commercial licenses are required by COMMERCIAL FISHERMEN not fishing guides.
i suggested that mr j. escoto increase the length restriction of the total overall lenght of the vehicle and trailer combo and this should alleviate a lot of concerns.
REMEBER SMOOTH TALKING IS PART OF MR J. ESCOTO'S JOB DESCRIPTION THAT IS WHY HE IS, AND I REPEAT, IS THE TOP DOG OF PADRE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE. THAT IS WHY HE GETS TOP PAY TO SMOOTH TALK.
everyone needs to call , mr j. escoto ,not just a few about this issue. sooner or later you might have to use this boat ramp. you never know what life has in store for our future.
also if any vehicle, or vehicle and trailer combo is impedeing traffic no matter what the length is, then they should get a ticket. so to me this is not a valid reason for a lenght limit. there is all ready a federal law in place for this remeber this is federal property with federal law enforcement officers there.
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I'VE NEVER HAD A BAD FISHING OR HUNTING TRIP, JUST ONES WITH DIFFERENT OUTCOMES.

[The Trash Heap]

The problem you have here is another example of the Tragedy of the Commons. Not only are there too many wanting to share the same limited resources, there are some who want more than their fair share.
And, no, you can't please everyone.

The new Superintendent appears to be doing his job, including listening to criticism and giving rational reasons for his actions. Reading between the lines, he's preparing to accommodate that ever-increasing user pressure on the ramp parking area. If he caters especially to those with individual needs for more space, he screws the majority by having to reduce the number of spaces and the room to maneuver safely among them. (BTW, some of you may have noticed a lot of folks can't back a trailer worth a damn ) By sending the larger rigs elsewhere, he can accommodate more trailers at the ramp.

No doubt the Super sees the day coming when he'll have to move even more of the parking load over to Malaquite, not just because of the size limitations, but because there'll just be too many trailers to park. If he has the budget, maybe he can do the environmental studies and get permission to enlarge the lot at the ramp, but in the meantime the overflow has to go someplace where it won't chew up the grass on the road shoulders.

Now, as to commercial enterprises, the Super DOES have the authority to require special licencing and fees even for so-called non-profit activities. Keep bugging him about special privileges that cost money to grant, and I wouldn't blame him for charging extra so he can add commercial ramp spaces in which only guides and their clients may park. Be careful what you wish for.
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The Trash Heap Has Spoken!
NNYYAAAHH!!!

[Bayslammer]

Rational?? The proposed changes are going to force the majority of current users to launch elsewhere. That lot is rarely full. Who's complaining anyway? Those who launch boats there? I could not imagine why. People that have issues backing boats in tight quarters? That's ridiculous. If the lot is full, don't park in the grass...go somewhere else. If you have trouble backing a boat....practice!
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Grind

[Jay Gardner AKA snookered]

I visited with Mr. Escoto last week myself....I think the main problemo is parking of cars in truck/trailer parking spots, thereby "filling" the lot.....the new "rules" are simply an enforcement of that.....NOT limiting overnight parking....so if you have a vehicle WITHOUT a trailer, and are meeting someone down at the ramp, that's when you had better watch where you park......

as for the 40' rule, Mr. Escoto just told me that the only reason 40' is in there is because that's how long the parking spaces measure out to on the ground.....as long as a complete rig isn't blocking the roadway, its fine.....

and there is no more room at BIB to expand the parking lot (and they just did!) because of adjacent wetlands and other short-grass prairie areas that would be affected by enlarging the parking area......they would have to get a Corps permit to do so, something that National Parks just really don't do too often.....

[ccbobber]

jay, thanks for actually speaking to the new super and getting it straight from the horse's mouth. some people just want what they think is theirs and not caring about you & me or anyone else. we have no rights until they have theirs in full.
i commend the super with attacking problems that are real and at least coming up with a solution that is doable. if you plan on leaving a car, a trailer & car or whatever for an extended period, you should be the one inconvienced, not the day user who is paying just as much for his day, every day he is there.
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ccbobber

[landlocked beachbum]

Bayslammer, you are of course 100% correct but people OFTEN do the irrational, illogical and moronic thing when faced with something that's out of their zone of comprehension [they don't want to think of a logical alternative] or something that they just don't like. Sad but very true!
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Dave


"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has it's limits". Albert Einstein

[FLOATING CABIN]

STRIAGHT FROM THE HORSES MO--TH. HERE ARE THE GUIDELINES THAT THE PARK SUPER HAS TO FOLLOW TO IMPLEMENT CHANGES AT B.I.B.
National Park Service, Interior § 1.6 36 CFR Ch. I (7–1–01 Edition)
§ 1.5 Closures and public use limits.

(a) Consistent with applicable legislation

and Federal administrative policies,

and based upon a determination

that such action is necessary for the

maintenance of public health and safety,

protection of environmental or scenic

values, protection of natural or cultural

resources, aid to scientific research,

implementation of management

responsibilities, equitable allocation

and use of facilities, or the avoidance

of conflict among visitor use activities,

the superintendent may:

(1) Establish, for all or a portion of a

park area, a reasonable schedule of visiting

hours, impose public use limits,

or close all or a portion of a park area

to all public use or to a specific use or

activity.

(2) Designate areas for a specific use

or activity, or impose conditions or restrictions

on a use or activity.

(3) Terminate a restriction, limit,

closure, designation, condition, or visiting

hour restriction imposed under

paragraph (a)(1) or (2) of this section.

(b) Except in emergency situations, a

closure, designation, use or activity restriction

or condition, or the termination

or relaxation of such, which is

of a nature, magnitude and duration

that will result in a significant alteration

in the public use pattern of the

park area, adversely affect the park’s

natural, aesthetic, scenic or cultural

values, require a long-term or significant

modification in the resource management

objectives of the unit, or is of

a highly controversial nature, shall be

published as rulemaking in the FEDERAL

REGISTER.

(c) Except in emergency situations,

prior to implementing or terminating a

restriction, condition, public use limit

or closure, the superintendent shall

prepare a written determination justifying

the action. That determination

shall set forth the reason(s) the restriction,

condition, public use limit or closure

authorized by paragraph (a) has

been established, and an explanation of

why less restrictive measures will not

suffice, or in the case of a termination

of a restriction, condition, public use

limit or closure previously established

under paragraph (a), a determination

as to why the restriction is no longer

necessary and a finding that the termination

will not adversely impact park

resources. This determination shall be

available to the public upon request.

(d) To implement a public use limit,

the superintendent may establish a

permit, registration, or reservation

system. Permits shall be issued in accordance

with the criteria and procedures

of § 1.6 of this chapter.

(e) Except in emergency situations,

the public will be informed of closures,

designations, and use or activity restrictions

or conditions, visiting hours,

public use limits, public use limit procedures,

and the termination or relaxation

of such, in accordance with § 1.7

of this chapter.

(f) Violating a closure, designation,

use or activity restriction or condition,

schedule of visiting hours, or public use

limit is prohibited.

[48 FR 30275, June 30, 1983, as amended at 51

FR 29470, Aug. 18, 1986]

§ 1.6 Permits.

(a) When authorized by regulations

set forth in this chapter, the superintendent

may issue a permit to authorize

an otherwise prohibited or restricted

activity or impose a public use

limit. The activity authorized by a permit

shall be consistent with applicable

legislation, Federal regulations and administrative

policies, and based upon a

determination that public health and

safety, environmental or scenic values,

natural or cultural resources, scientific

research, implementation of management

responsibilities, proper allocation

and use of facilities, or the avoidance

of conflict among visitor use activities

will not be adversely impacted.

(b) Except as otherwise provided, application

for a permit shall be submitted

to the superintendent during

normal business hours.

(c) The public will be informed of the

existence of a permit requirement in

accordance with § 1.7 of this chapter.

(d) Unless otherwise provided for by

the regulations in this chapter, the superintendent

shall deny a permit that

has been properly applied for only upon

a determination that the designated

capacity for an area or facility would

be exceeded; or that one or more of the

factors set forth in paragraph (a) of

this section would be adversely impacted.

The basis for denial shall be

provided to the applicant upon request.

(e) The superintendent shall include

in a permit the terms and conditions

that the superintendent deems necessary

to protect park resources or

public safety and may also include

terms or conditions established pursuant

to the authority of any other section

of this chapter.

(f) A compilation of those activities

requiring a permit shall be maintained

by the superintendent and available to

the public upon request.

(g) The following are prohibited:

(1) Engaging in an activity subject to

a permit requirement imposed pursuant

to this section without obtaining a

permit; or

(2) Violating a term or condition of a

permit issued pursuant to this section.

(h) Violating a term or condition of a

permit issued pursuant to this section

may also result in the suspension or

revocation of the permit by the superintendent.

[48 FR 30275, June 30, 1983, as amended at 51

FR 29470, Aug. 18, 1986]

§ 1.7 Public notice.

(a) Whenever the authority of § 1.5(a)

is invoked to restrict or control a public

use or activity, to relax or revoke

an existing restriction or control, to

designate all or a portion of a park

area as open or closed, or to require a

permit to implement a public use

limit, the public shall be notified by

one or more of the following methods:

(1) Signs posted at conspicuous locations,

such as normal points of entry

and reasonable intervals along the

boundary of the affected park locale.

(2) Maps available in the office of the

superintendent and other places convenient

to the public.

(3) Publication in a newspaper of general

circulation in the affected area.

(4) Other appropriate methods, such

as the removal of closure signs, use of

electronic media, park brochures, maps

and handouts.

(b) In addition to the above-described

notification procedures, the superintendent

shall compile in writing all

the designations, closures, permit requirements

and other restrictions imposed

under discretionary authority.

VerDate 11<MAY>2000 17:49 Jul 17, 2001 Jkt 194130 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 8010 Sfmt 8010 Y:\SGML\194130T.
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I'VE NEVER HAD A BAD FISHING OR HUNTING TRIP, JUST ONES WITH DIFFERENT OUTCOMES.

[FLOATING CABIN]

HERE ARE THE CONTACT NUMBERS FOR THE US SENATORS AND CONGRESSMEN SO WE CAN CONTACT THEM CONCERNING THE SITUATION AT PADRE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE / BIRD ISLAND BASIN;
US SENATORS:

Cornyn, John- (R - TX) Class II
517 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2934
Web Form: cornyn.senate.gov/contact/index.html

Hutchison, Kay Bailey- (R - TX) Class I
284 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5922
Web Form: hutchison.senate.gov/contact.html

US CONGRESS:
Congressman Solomon P Ortiz
(361) 883-5868
3649 Leopard St, Corpus Christi, TX
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I'VE NEVER HAD A BAD FISHING OR HUNTING TRIP, JUST ONES WITH DIFFERENT OUTCOMES.