Devils River SNA

[MudDuck]

First in a series

A proposal to trade the Devils River State Natural Area for a smaller property closer to Del Rio and Lake Amistad for the creation of a new state park was unveiled during a public meeting here Oct. 13.

The meeting was hosted by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department at the Del Rio Civic Center. At the start of that meeting, Scott Boruff, deputy executive director for TP&WD operations, discussed specifics of the proposed land trade and the planned park with about 70 persons who attended.

I wouldn't hang your hat on this.

Boruff told the group the agency recognizes the fact that “the river is too fragile to handle tons of people.”

“But it also belongs to the people of Texas, and while there are some opposing opinions, the opinion of the head attorney of the state of Texas (the attorney general) is that it’s public water and the public has a right to use it. Until that changes, Texas Parks and Wildlife’s perspective is that we want to help manage it, so that it protects the resource. We want to manage it so that we are reasonable neighbors. . . ,” he said.

http://www.delrionewsherald.com/story.l ... f52f7cf0a5

[Iamdamoder]

If you don't think this is a bad deal please remove the rose colored glasses.

Here is Texas Rivers Protection Association's take on it.



Fri, October 22, 2010 6:15:10 PM[Alamo City Rivermen] Fw: Devils River State Natural Area land swap


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Hi Group,
This is the letter from Tom Goynes at the TRPA. Apologies for any TRPA members who are now receiving this for the second time. Please note that the dates, addresses and times are included below of the 2 meetings I mentioned earlier. I plan to attend both meetings. The more concerned members who attend the better. I hope to see anyone who can attend at the meetings. Letters can also be sent in as noted.
Kathy Cusick

---------- Forwarded Message ----------
From: Tom Goynes <goynes@centurytel.net>
To: <kmcusick@juno.com>
Subject: Devils River State Natural Area land swap
Date: Fri, 22 Oct 2010 17:05:14 -0500

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
�public� 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 �riverfront� 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 �swap� 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@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@mac.com





Oct. 12, 2010
Media Contact: Tom Harvey, (512) 389-4453, tom.harvey@tpwd.state.tx.us
TPWD Proposes Land Acquisition for New State Park on Devils River
AUSTIN, Texas � The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission on Nov. 4 will
consider a proposal to acquire a 17,638-acre property for a new state park
on the Devils River in Val Verde County. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
leaders will hold public meetings about the proposal Oct. 20 in Del Rio and
Oct. 26 in San Antonio.
The proposal would result in the exchange of the existing Devils River State
Natural Area as partial payment for a privately owned ranch downriver, which
would become a new state park. The ranch has significantly more river
frontage and better public access as well as outstanding natural and
cultural features.
�By repositioning our existing assets along the Devils River, we can
increase public access to and awareness of this spectacular river, as well
as expand protection of this region�s uniquely important natural and
cultural resources,� said Carter Smith, TPWD executive director.
�A permanent conservation easement on the existing state natural area
property will prevent unsuitable development and ensure continued protection
there,� Smith said. �The new property, which is also protected by a
conservation easement, will become a premiere park to boost the regional
economy and provide enhanced recreation options to Texans for decades to
come.�
The ranch has 10 miles of frontage on the Devils River and Amistad Reservoir
with spectacular views from mesas and canyons, and a variety of wildlife
habitats.
If the commission approves this proposal, TPWD is committed to a
comprehensive master planning process, involving a broad spectrum of
stakeholders, including landowners, paddlers, traditional park users, and
local officials, resulting in a public use plan outlining how and when
people can enjoy the property.
�The agency�s goal is to balance landowner rights along the river with
public recreational access and effective stewardship of this region�s
incredible natural and cultural resources,� says Scott Boruff, Deputy
Executive Director of Operations.
The department is working to inform elected officials, Devils River
landowners, key stakeholder groups and the public about the proposal. The
agency will hold two formal public meetings where they will explain the
proposal and answer questions:
6 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 20 � Del Rio Civic Center, Mesquite Room, 1915
Veteran�s Blvd., Del Rio, TX (830-774-8641)
6 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 26 � Central Public Library, 600 Soledad, San Antonio,
TX (210) 207-2500
The public may comment on the proposal at the Nov. 4 Texas Parks and
Wildlife Commission meeting in Austin.
Questions or comments about the proposal can be sent by email to
ted.hollingsworth@tpwd.state.tx.us or by regular mail to Ted Hollingsworth,
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX
78744.
PHOTOS of the ranch property proposed for acquisition are available for news
media use as high resolution .jpg files that can be downloaded from the News
Images area of the TPWD website.
�
On the Net:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/newsmedia/n ... land_acqui" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
sition


H

[Kelly Watson]

The last link with the pics is a dead end. The pics have been pulled..
I would not mind the swap,IF a ruling is made that specifically defines the navigability status of the Devils,AND a permit system could be set up with 2 legal and marked camp sites permanently established in between Bakers and the new state park. One permit per day, up to 4 boaters per permit.

[MudDuck]

The last link with the pics is a dead end. The pics have been pulled..
I would not mind the swap,IF a ruling is made that specifically defines the navigability status of the Devils,AND a permit system could be set up with 2 legal and marked camp sites permanently established in between Bakers and the new state park. One permit per day, up to 4 boaters per permit.

I know its not a ruling and it would be nice if we had an Official Attorney General Opinion, but its a start.

Boruff told the group the agency recognizes the fact that “the river is too fragile to handle tons of people.”

“But it also belongs to the people of Texas, and while there are some opposing opinions, the opinion of the head attorney of the state of Texas (the attorney general) is that it’s public water and the public has a right to use it. Until that changes, Texas Parks and Wildlife’s perspective is that we want to help manage it, so that it protects the resource. We want to manage it so that we are reasonable neighbors. . . ,” he said.

http://www.delrionewsherald.com/story.l ... f52f7cf0a5

[megavolt512]

Once the land goes back to private, you'll still presumably be able to hire one of several outfitters that can take you down the river. They have access to several private ranches at various points.

[castnblast]

You guys really need to engage the GLO as well.

[daveg99]

Not sure if this was posted here yet but I saw it on TFF and "Roadtrip" posted it there

Here's a copy of an e-mail I got from Marc McCord

Dear Friends,

Our “friends” at Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) are trying to sneak a deal in the back door on the Devils River that, if passed, will effectively end any river trips on one of the most pristine and remote, wilderness rivers in our state.

At issue is a plan to swap the Devils River State Natural Area (SNA) and $7.9 Million of our taxpayer money for a parcel of land adjacent to Lake Amistad on which to build a new state park. This plan will leave no legal place to camp along the Devils River for the first 37+ miles between SH 163 at Bakers crossing and Lake Amistad. As anybody who has ever paddled that river knows, the most thrills are on the upper reach of the river and the most head wind is on the lower reach.

This proposed plan will thrill Devils River adjacent landowners who already think it is their river. It turns out that there may be a conspiracy of conflicting interests at work here. The current head of TPWD is a former board member of The Nature Conservancy, which owns land adjacent to Dolan Falls and does not allow public use of that land. The realtor for the buyer of the Devils River SNA is a board member of The Nature Conservancy. I think that the landowner involved in the swap is also a current Nature Conservancy board member, but I cannot confirm that as of now.

The swap will net the landowner some $7.9 million taxpayer dollars, and we, the citizens of the state, will gain only about 2,000 acres in an area that is NOT suitable for purposes of canoeing or kayaking the Devils River.

On Thursday, November 4, TPWD is holding a public meeting at their headquarters in Austin at 9:00 AM to discuss and possibly finalize this land swap. It is imperative that we muster a large contingent of opposition voices to cry “foul” and thwart this attempt to terminate our access to the Devils River. I will get the exact address of the meeting and then send it in a subsequent e-mail.

Meanwhile, PLEASE notify every paddler you know, even if they have not paddled the Devils and are not likely to paddle that river, and ask them to voice their opposition. I will also get e-mail addresses and snail mail addresses, as well as telephone numbers to call to file opposition remarks about this planned heist.

We have to act quickly and forcefully to prevent losing access to the Devils River for the remainder of our lives. Please get involved NOW!

Warmest regards,

Marc W. McCord, Webmaster
Dallas Downriver Club

[MudDuck]

Sanders, who has been trying to sell his property, now has proposed that he give the state his property and the state give him its tract plus $8 million.

So what does it mean for the state, Sanders and the Devils River?

For his part, Sanders refers questions to his real estate agent James King.

King says Sanders, who is a member of the Board of Trustees of The Nature Conservancy in Texas, bought Devils River Ranch in 2000.

"The ranch was previously planned for subdivision," says King, "and he (Sanders) bought it and donated the conservation easements (that prohibit further development) as part of the sale."

King said Sanders doesn't have to sell the property but that it would improve his financial position if he could. And for tax purposes, he's trying to close the sale before Dec. 31, which would be one reason why parks department staff is pushing for commission approval now. The November meeting is the commission's last of the year.

http://www.statesman.com/sports/outdoor ... 01673.html

So TPWD is hurrying to improve Sanders Financial position?

[Ericsson]

Sierra Club Announces Opposition to Devils River Land Proposal

Says Devils River State Natural Area Should Remain in State Ownership

(Austin) – The Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club today released a new letter to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department formally opposing the proposed transfer of the existing Devils River State Natural Area and a $7.9 million cash payment in order to acquire the smaller Devils River Ranch. In the letter the Sierra Club expresses appreciation to Parks and Wildlife for providing additional information to the group over the past couple of weeks while a review of the proposal was underway, and Sierra Club spokesperson Ken Kramer characterized the Devils River matter as one of “a disagreement among friends.” Kramer says in the letter, however, that: “The Sierra Club has an obligation to its heritage and to its members to speak up for the preservation of wild lands, including state natural areas, and that is the crux of our opposition to the proposed land transfer.”

In today’s letter to Parks and Wildlife, five major reasons for the opposition are cited:
• The Devils River State Natural Area has important natural and cultural resources, including endangered species habitat and springs that provide water to the Devils River, and continued state ownership is the best way to protect those resources.
• The value of a state natural area is not the number of visitors to the area, and the state should not trade away such an area because it receives relatively few visitors.
• A complete scientific, natural resource, and cultural resource comparison of the two properties proposed for the exchange has not been made, and thus the public cannot compare the merits of the two properties.
• The loss of the Devils River State Natural Area would make it difficult, if not impossible, for the public to canoe or kayak the upper stretches of the Devils River. Moreover, the loss of the public land represented by the State Natural Area would likely complicate rather than facilitate efforts to reach resolution on the issues of public access to and use of the River.
• The expenditure of $8 million in extremely limited state parkland acquisition funds would result in a reduction of 2000+ acres in the state parks inventory and potentially impact other elements of the state park system at a time of serious constraints on state agency budgets.
The Sierra Club is urging Texans to voice their opposition to the proposed land transaction to Parks and Wildlife via email to ted.hollingsworth@tpwd.state.tx.us or by attending the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission meeting in Austin on November 4, which will include a public hearing on the proposed land transaction and a possible decision on the proposal by the Commission.

The full text of the Sierra Club letter to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department may be found at http://www.texas.sierraclub.org/press/n ... rSmith.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

[JakeB]

I'll share the letter I wrote. I enjoy kayaking, but have not yet made the trip on the Devil's River (and now am concerned it might never happen). Anyway, I love camping in the park, and I wrote from that perspective:

Dear Mr. Hollingsworth,

I am concerned about the proposed trade of the existing Devil's River State Natural Area for a new park downriver.

There is nothing else like the DRSNA in Texas, as no other park covers the same transitional zone of three diverse ecological regions It is a remote wilderness, but it is also much more easily accessible from Central and East Texas than the parks in the Trans-Pecos region, and yet its relative remoteness is one of its major attractions for those who enjoy the park. With the exception of the Guadalupe Mountains in the far west of the state, there seems to be comparatively little land preserved as wilderness in Texas, especially compared to many western states. I have slept through massive surprise thunderstorms as well as mid-March frosts in the DRSNA, and still I have not yet found a better place for primitive camping in Texas than the DRSNA.

I am concerned that the proposed new park would not retain the same character as the existing state natural area, and I have some questions about the proposal and the new park.

-- I have heard that the river access of the new park may not include any springs? The springs along the current SNA's river access are the most unique aspect of the SNA, in my opinion, and I would consider this a deeply regrettable loss if the new park did not preserve this same unique ecological feature.

--will the landscape of the current park be preserved in the new park, or will the new property more closely resemble the landscape around Del Rio, with much less varied terrain and less representation of the edwards plateau and trans-pecos ecological regions?

--What is the primary motivation for the proposal? Increasing access has been mentioned, but it seems that the current SNA is one of the few parks in the Texas system dedicated to the quality of wilderness, where access is not the primary value. If financial motivations are at play, how is this reconciled with the additional eight million dollar price tag of the new property?

I know that many others are concerned about recreational access to the upper reaches of the river, as the SNA provides a crucial camping spot for float trips, and I share these concerns as well. I would also echo the concerns of the Sierra Club that the seeming haste of this deal has precluded any detailed and publicly-accessible comparison of the natural and cultural resources of each property, and most of all I would reiterate their view that the value of a state natural area cannot be quantified by numbers of visitors or any other figure.

Thank you for informing me of this proposal by mail, and for inviting public response.

[castnblast]

I have contacted the GLO - I may need some help from you guys - I asked Jerry's office to address the public access aspect of this issue on the river itself. Not trying to Butt in- I will defer his office to anyone who would like to be a point of contact on this issue.

[fisher of people]

Thanks, castnblast. Might as well involve as many agencies as possible. Not adding much to what has been said, but below is the text of my letter. I am sending it to Ted Hollingworth, but also ccing carter.smith@tpwd.state.tx.us and scott.boruff@tpwd.state.tx.us.

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed land swap involving the Devil’s River State Natural Area. My opposition is based on a number of factors. First, access to this public waterway is already quite limited, especially in the upper part of the river. Kayakers and canoers, who already considerable difficulties in utilizing this river, would likely be presented with further obstacles, not only with regard to access, but also the public camping area which currently exists. Loss of this campsite would increase the potential for conflict between recreational paddlers and landowners, which is already quite considerable. Though the Devil’s River Ranch has considerably more river access, much of this is on Lake Amistad, and it is all of a less pristine and wild quality, according to descriptions I have heard and read. State control of the vital springs on the existing SNA would be lost.

It is not clear to me that the effect this will have on endangered species has been seriously addressed, specifically Black-capped Vireos and Texas Snowbells, as well as others, I am sure, with which I am not familiar. Whom have you consulted on this? One of the most knowledgeable botanists on this region, with considerable field experience on both tracts in question, is Jackie Poole, a TPWD biologist. What is her scientific opinion of this proposed swap?

I spend a large amount of time in the various state parks and natural areas of Texas, so I am well aware of the increasing usage these parks are all receiving. This is a good thing, but it must be addressed by the acquisition of additional public lands. It is, in my opinion, unconscionable that you would consider expending this much money in a swap which would result in a net loss of over 2000 acres of land. TPWD needs to be looking into acquiring public land, not losing it. The fact that much of the monetary value of the Devil’s River Ranch is tied up in an 8000 square foot lodge, a 5 bedroom home, a horse barn and a landing strip underscores what a bad deal this is from a public usage and a biological standpoint.

The currently existing SNA is one of the largest and wildest tracts in the possession of the state. That more land for state parks needs to be acquired there can be little doubt. It should not have to cost us one of our most precious public lands. Thank you for your consideration.

David S. Sugeno.

[Ericsson]

From Ken Kramer of Sierra Club:

“I just got a call from Carter Smith, Executive Director of Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. The decision on the proposed Devils River State Natural Area land transaction is being deferred. The Commission will NOT be discussing the topic nor taking public testimony on the topic Thursday. The Commission will discuss the matter first in executive session in one of their committee meetings on Wednesday, and then get a briefing and discuss the matter in open session at that committee meeting. (I'll be there for the committee meeting Wednesday.) But the Commission will not be taking action on Thursday. More details will follow shortly. Parks & Wildlife will be issuing a press release on this soon, and I'll distribute that when it is received.”

[Ericsson]

TPWD Postpones Devils River Land Acquisition

AUSTIN – Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission consideration of a proposal to buy land for a new state park or natural area on the Devils River has been postponed, pending the outcome of a public briefing to the commission’s Conservation Committee tomorrow.
“This is unquestionably the right and responsible course of action,” said Carter Smith , TPWD executive director. “We have heard loudly and clearly from trusted partners, stakeholders, and many interested citizens, many of whom have requested more time to consider this project. Quite simply, we have an obligation to our constituents, who maintain appropriately high expectations about the level of public engagement needed before a decision of this magnitude is reached. We will not compromise that public trust and have advised our commission of the importance of deferring formal action on this proposal.”
The proposal was originally on the commission agenda for both Nov. 3 and 4. But the topic has now been pulled from the Nov. 4 full commission agenda. It will be discussed in executive session and during a public briefing tomorrow to the commission’s Conservation Committee, which will meet along with other committees starting at 9 a.m. Such committee work sessions are not set up to take to take public comments, but TPWD is continuing to accept comments pending full commission action.
Depending on the outcome of tomorrow’s commission briefing, the department is ready to set more public meetings about the project in coming weeks. These would be similar to previous meetings about the proposal held Oct. 20 in Del Rio and Oct. 26 in San Antonio .
The proposal would result in the exchange of the existing Devils River State Natural Area as partial payment for a privately owned ranch downriver, which would become a new state park or natural area. The department has compiled maps, photos, questions and answers, conservation easement documents and other resources to explain the complex project in a Devils River Land Acquisition News Roundup on its website (http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/newsmedia/r ... quisition/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;).
Questions or comments about the proposal can be sent by email to ted.hollingsworth@tpwd.state.tx.us or by regular mail to Ted Hollingsworth , Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 4200 Smith School Road , Austin , TX 78744 .

[fisher of people]

Excellent. I feel much better now that I don't have the sense that the whole thing is just being ramrodded through. Good, work, and thanks to all the many people and groups who have contributed to this effort. Let's keep it up!

[Kelly Watson]

I've seen alot of opposition to this but I am not as skeptical. The current SNA is a major pain in the bum to use and the rules for that location make it difficult. At teh SNA you can only stay on their very small rock shoreline and only if you paddled in the 12 miles. I say good riddance to that, if we will be able to use all 10 miles of the proposed area. As it stands now, you have to risk irate land owners and a nasty long difficult paddle, not to mention over priced,unreliable and grumpy shuttle services. If the new area is bought, then you could put in at the top of the park and pull out at a lower section of the park.Quadruple the fines for littering and provide real enforcement. The upper section needs to be defined as a "navigable" river and 3 designated camp sites need to be permanently assigned in between Bakers and the new park. I would fully favor a permit system that would only allow one group per day to run the upper section, assuming we get clarification on the status. If they do not want to make this trade, then take the 2 million dollars that was donated, and fix the roads into the SNA and improve the river front area as well as doing away with that stupid locked gate that requires a third party to open. I am glad that there is going to be extended discussion, but the whole river situation is bad and needs to be fixed somehow. The status quo is not cutting the mustard.

[castnblast]

I have addressed the Navagability issue as well as the defined bank issue with the Texas General Land Office. Commissioner Paterson is involved and will be taking action on that issue to clarify the boundries and notify landowners/law enforcement so the intimidation will cease. He will be issuing a statement and erricson has agreed to be the point of contact for them.

[MudDuck]

I have addressed the Navagability issue as well as the defined bank issue with the Texas General Land Office. Commissioner Paterson is involved and will be taking action on that issue to clarify the boundries and notify landowners/law enforcement so the intimidation will cease. He will be issuing a statement and erricson has agreed to be the point of contact for them.

Whoever or whatever entity started the process of considerations of swapping out the DRSNA should be needing a change of underwear about now. They have drawn a huge amount of attention to the issues of this river and there is no retreat for them at this point.

castnblast,

Good Job!

[Bigrock]

I have addressed the Navagability issue as well as the defined bank issue with the Texas General Land Office. Commissioner Paterson is involved and will be taking action on that issue to clarify the boundries and notify landowners/law enforcement so the intimidation will cease. He will be issuing a statement and erricson has agreed to be the point of contact for them.

Whoever or whatever entity started the process of considerations of swapping out the DRSNA should be needing a change of underwear about now. They have drawn a huge amount of attention to the issues of this river and there is no retreat for them at this point.

castnblast,

Good Job!

This could bring ramifications beyond the Devils River. It might stir the pot around the state, or it may clarify things in a positive manner. Thanks to all of you that have written, spoken up and stepped forward.

[MudDuck]

I have addressed the Navagability issue as well as the defined bank issue with the Texas General Land Office. Commissioner Paterson is involved and will be taking action on that issue to clarify the boundries and notify landowners/law enforcement so the intimidation will cease. He will be issuing a statement and erricson has agreed to be the point of contact for them.

Whoever or whatever entity started the process of considerations of swapping out the DRSNA should be needing a change of underwear about now. They have drawn a huge amount of attention to the issues of this river and there is no retreat for them at this point.

castnblast,

Good Job!

This could bring ramifications beyond the Devils River. It might stir the pot around the state, or it may clarify things in a positive manner. Thanks to all of you that have written, spoken up and stepped forward.

Commissioners already had withdrawn the proposed land deal from consideration at today's public meeting, citing public concerns about the loss of access on the Devils River for paddlers and anglers who have used the 20,000-acre state natural area as an overnight camping and resting area.

The commission "believes the acquisition of the Devils River Ranch is a priority, but there are other options for the department," Smith said.

Smith noted that recent public hearings in Del Rio and San Antonio, as well as public comments sent to the department, demanded that the department slow down the process of acquiring Sanders' property. "Although it's been messy, this process has worked," he said. "It's brought out all of the issues we should be working on."

http://www.statesman.com/sports/outdoor ... 19577.html

[castnblast]

Good deal. I think the clarifications of the riverbed will be much to our favor. Irregardless - we all want to operate within the confines of the law, and knowing what is and is not legal can help all of us stay out of trouble. The bank to my understanding is the mean flood stage, which means if I am correct, there may be more property available to be used. I'm not the expert, so let's hold off for the rulling from the GLO. Mudduck - I'll be in Del Rio w/ some fellow TKF'ers - we're going to camp at 277 north nov. 10-14. some fishin' and some huntin'. drop by and see us. Hopefully I'll get some surf and turf in the icechest!

[MudDuck]

Good deal. I think the clarifications of the riverbed will be much to our favor. Irregardless - we all want to operate within the confines of the law, and knowing what is and is not legal can help all of us stay out of trouble. The bank to my understanding is the mean flood stage, which means if I am correct, there may be more property available to be used. I'm not the expert, so let's hold off for the rulling from the GLO. Mudduck - I'll be in Del Rio w/ some fellow TKF'ers - we're going to camp at 277 north nov. 10-14. some fishin' and some huntin'. drop by and see us. Hopefully I'll get some surf and turf in the icechest!

I'll make it a point to try and drop by to see you castnblast.

[Kelly Watson]

If anybody gets to speak with the GLO commissioner, please ask them to clarify the Blanco and James rivers or issue a statement that covers these rivers also.

[MudDuck]

Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission Conservation Committee Part 2 — MP3 Audio File

Listen from 22:07 until the end as it pertains to discussion about the Devils River SNA

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publication ... part_2.mp3

[bossbowman]

Really glad to see this land transfer has been tabled for now, we drew the exotic hunt there set for january 2011 this after several years of applying. This is a once in a lifetime hunt, maybe twice if your really lucky due to the # of applicants every year. I was dreading the letter in the mail notifying us our hunt would be cancelled due the changing hands into private ownership. Looking forward to seeing this piece of heaven on earth and the devils river for the first time, and hopefully they can work things out for the future.