Re: [Paddlewise] Devil's River - Texas Parks and Wildlife Plans Part II

Here is the response by:

Tom Goynes, President, Texas Rivers Protection Association

On October 13, I received the news release that is attached below (dated
October 12).  It pertains to a plan that the Texas Parks and Wildlife
Department (TPWD) has to trade the Devils River State Natural Area (DRSNA)
plus 8 million dollars in cash for a smaller tract of land further down the
Devils River known as the Devils River Ranch (DRR).  The plan was first made
3public2 at a brown bag lunch that the executive director of TPWD holds
several times a year with a few representatives of various conservation
organizations (like the Sierra Club, the National Wildlife Federation and
the Audubon Society).  As far as we can tell, no representatives of paddling
groups were present at that meeting.

There are some major problems that we see with this land swap:

1) The state would be losing, rather than gaining natural area (from the
current 19,988 acres down to 17,600 acres).  And, while the state would be
getting more waterfront (approximately 5 miles of 3riverfront2 and 5 miles
of lakefront - compared with the 1.5 miles of riverfront in the DRSNA) most
of that waterfront would be flat water that is adversely affected by the
winds coming off Lake Amistad.  It should also be noted that the DRR is
adjacent to the Amistad National Recreation Area, which is 58,500 acres in
size, and contains numerous opportunities for camping, hiking, boating and
other outdoor activities.

2) The 8 million dollars of additional money that the state will have to pay
to conclude this 3swap2 will use up all of the land acquisition money
available to the TPWD and still leave a shortfall of 2 million dollars.  (We
have been told that TPWD has 4 million dollars of land acquisition money,
they will get an anonymous gift of 2 million dollars if they swap this land,
and they will need to find the remaining 2 million dollars somewhere).

3) Even if the state can come up with the 8 million dollars to acquire this
property, they will still need to find monies to complete a management plan
(approximately $650,000) and construction and maintenance funds for this new
park.  There are simply better ways for the state to spend its limited
resources.

4) The loss of the DRSNA will mean that fly-fishermen, canoeists and
kayakers wishing to run the Devils will lose the only public campsite that
currently exists between Hwy 163 and Lake Amistad.  At this time, paddlers
can launch early in the morning at Bakers Crossing and make it to the
primitive camping area at the DRSNA (about 15 miles by river) before dark.
Currently, paddlers can use the DRSNA as a put in (it could be used as a
take out as well, with a change in policy) to run the ten-mile section of
river from the DRSNA to the private take out in the Blue Sage Subdivision.

We would suggest, as an alternative to this planned swap, that the state use
its limited funds to:

1) Acquire (or develop) a put in near the Hwy 163 crossing.  (If the owners
of Bakers Crossing are willing to sell, that would make a great
acquisition).

2) Acquire (through purchase, lease or agreement) certain river accessible
sites that can be used by river users for lunch spots and/or campsites.
This would help eliminate many of the "trespass" issues related to running
the Devils.

3) Acquire a take out - either in the vicinity of the current Blue Sage take
out, or possibly a portion of the DRR.  (Paddlers don't need 17,000 acres of
property for campsites, put ins or take outs - they need much smaller tracts
of land).

We would also suggest that the state should modify its policy at the DRSNA:

Allow paddlers to have the combination to the gate to the river access area
and allow paddlers to drive there to launch or take out their craft.  Allow
paddlers to leave their vehicles in a safe area, out of the floodway, and
considerably closer to the river than the current parking area that is 1.5
miles from the river.  That way, paddlers could use the DRSNA as a put in or
a take out.

It would also be helpful if the state would either put in composting toilets
at the designated primitive campsites, or mandate that river users carry out
all solid human waste.  The state should encourage zero impact camping.

To help eliminate altercations between river users and landowners, it might
also be necessary for the state to instigate a river permit system for
running the Devils, which would require certain equipment (like fire pans
and portable toilets) in a manner similar to the system the National Park
System employs in Big Bend National Park.

If you agree with the above statements, it is very important that you convey
your thoughts to the TPWD.  You have three possibilities to do so:

1) Plan to attend the hearing at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, October 26 in San
Antonio Texas at the Central Public Library, 600 Soledad, San Antonio, TX
(210) 207-2500

2) Plan to attend the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission Meeting at 9
a.m. on November 4, in the Commission Hearing Room at TPWD headquarters,
4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744

3) Send a letter to Ted Hollingsworth, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department,
4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744.  Or e-mail him at:
ted.hollingsworth_at_tpwd.state.tx.us

Your opinion is important, and we need you to express it if we are to save
our access to the Devils River.  Thanks!

Tom Goynes
President
Texas Rivers Protection Association
444 Pecan Park Drive
San Marcos, TX
78666
512-392-6171
e-mail:tomgoynes_at_mac.com




-- 
We must not change the Word of God,
it must change us!


Peter Cragg, DVM
HopePointe Church, (Anglican Mission in the Americas)
Panther Creek Pet Clinic
Troop 889, Former Scoutmaster
Red Cross Instructor - Basic Flat Water Kayaking
Instructor - Basic Kayaking, Essentials of River Kayaking
Instructor - Rolling a Kayak, with Touring or White Water Kayaks
INTJ
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