AUSTIN, Texas — Three coastal and two lake boating access projects will
share more than $1.5 million in federal boating access grants. The
Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approved the five construction and
renovation projects at its Thursday, Aug. 24 public meeting.
While the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department administers the
grants, funding for the projects comes from the Federal Aid in Sport
Fish Restoration program. The Sport Fish Restoration program is funded
by revenues collected from the manufacturers of fishing rods, reels,
creels, lures, flies and artificial baits, who pay an excise tax on
these items to the U.S. Treasury. A portion of gasoline tax (small
engine fuel tax) also is credited to this program.
The boating access program provides these 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. Construction for approved projects is
supported on a 75 percent (federal), 25 percent (local) basis.
Following are summaries of the projects receiving boating access grant matching funds:
Braunig Lake Boat Ramp Renovation — The San Antonio
River Authority received $347,625 for renovation of a two lane boat
ramp and the addition of a third lane. The popular boat ramp was
constructed in the late 1960s and is in need of repair. The grant will
also help pay for construction of an access road, parking area,
bulkhead, lighting, courtesy dock and signs.
Double Bayou Boat Ramp — Chambers County is getting
$487,500 for construction of a two lane boat ramp, courtesy dock,
restroom, fish cleaning station, pavilion, bulkheads, parking and
signs. This will provide much-needed boat access on the east side of
Galveston Bay on Double Bayou, which links to East Galveston Bay and
Trinity Bay.
Bayfront Peninsula Park Boat Ramp — A new three
lane boat ramp facility will provide relief for heavily used public
boat ramps in the area. The City of Port Lavaca is receiving $500,000
for construction of the ramp, courtesy dock, restroom, walkways,
lighting, bulkheads, parking and signs. The facility will provide
public boating access to Lavaca Bay.
Lake Granbury Boat Ramp — The Brazos River
Authority is getting $45,000 for renovation of a two lane boat ramp
that is currently closed to the public for safety concerns because it
is undercut and partially collapsed. The Brazos River Authority will
also be adding lighting, bulkheads, and signs.
Baffin Bay Kaufer Hubert Memorial Park — Kleberg
County is receiving $133,518 for renovation of a heavily used boat
ramp, lighting, walkway and signs and dredging of a second ramp. The
facility provides public boating access to Baffin Bay and the Gulf of
Mexico and is the only public boat ramp on the Gulf of Mexico between
Corpus Christi and Port Mansfield.
Texas Bass Fishing writes: 
