UPDATE ON TABC PROJECTS

TABC, as an organization, has worked for Texas anglers for over thirty five years. Much of this work has been done "behind the scenes", with the results becoming apparent at a later date. TABC's Board of Directors continually monitors events and proposed ideas that are of concern to the bass anglers of Texas.

Fishing Organizations, Nationwide, are now aware of the excellent catch rates at our South Texas Lakes - Amistad, Falcon & Choke Canyon.  In my opinion, TABC is partly “to blame” for these lakes becoming the envy of bass anglers across the nation.

I would like to personally thank all TABC Officers and the Board of Directors for the work they have done to improve fishing in Texas.

Sincerely,

Frank Goll

PARK FUNDS FROM PROPOSITION  4
 

Choke Canyon State Park (SP)

Falcon SP

TPWD FUNDING & FRESHWATER FISHING STAMP

MAJOR FUNDS:

Fund 9
dedicated hunting and fishing license and stamps funds.
Federal Aid funds under Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson 75% federal match from excise taxes on guns, ammunition and fishing equipment since the 1930s.

Parks Account 467 – Funds for State Parks
funds from “sporting goods tax”.  “This so called “Sporting Goods Tax”

is just an estimate by State Comptroller!    IMPORTANT: there is no· separate state tax on sporting goods. Park funding comes from a portion of Texas general sales tax revenue that is “attributed” to sporting goods. Revenue is based on an estimating formula used by the Texas comptroller.

Freshwater Fisheries Stamp Funds
Dedicated funds for hatchery construction, repair, maintenance and purchase of fish for stocking if necessary. 

Recent TPW Press Releases

(trying to figure this out is like a “shell game”)

Parks Account 64 & 467 (100% should have gone to TPW)

The sporting goods tax generates more than $100 million a year, but only about $20 Million a year has been given to TPW.   HB6 was to give $75 Million a year to TPW and  lift the $32 million cap on the sporting goods tax revenue that can go to parks. 

MAY 21, 2007 - AUSTIN — Texas lawmakers gave final approval to increasing spending for state and local parks but stopped short of using all of the sporting goods tax revenue supporters said is necessary for the long-term vitality of parks.   The bill would increase funding for state and local parks by $156 million over the next two years, and it includes a $44 million bond issue that requires voter approval in the November election.

AUGUST 24, 2007 - Part of the park funding still requires voter approval. Legislators provided $44  million in bond authority for major repairs at state parks during the biennium, including $17 million already approved by voters in 2001, plus $27 million that must still be approved by Texas voters in November as part of the Proposition 4 bond package. Another $25 million in bond authority for the Battleship TEXAS must also first be approved by voters in Proposition 4.

Proposition 4 on the Nov. 6 ballot will affect Texas State Parks! - Proposition 4 would authorize up to $1 billion in bond authority for nine state agencies, including legislative appropriations for 2008 and 2009 providing:

• $27 million for major repairs and improvements at Texas state parks
• $25 million for a dry berth to save the Battleship TEXAS from deterioration
• $48 million for repairs at historic sites and courthouses
• $200 million for new and expanded crime labs in cities across Texas
• $30 million to repair and improve state hospitals for the mentally ill.

Proposition 4 stems from Senate Joint Resolution 65 and is part of significant new funding for state parks and other facilities. Prop 4 dollars were appropriated by the 80th Texas Legislature but require voter approval.

SHELL GAME – Aug. 21, 2007 Press Release Figures -  $156 million over the next two years, and it includes a $44 million bond issue that requires voter approval in the November election.  

1)     $156 Million Less $44 Million in bonds (Prop 4) = $112 Million over next two (2) years from   Sporting Goods Tax?

2)     Why is $44 Million in Bonds needed?  Why not use money from Sporting Good Tax?

3)     The $17 Million approved by voters in 2001 -  will this be Bonds also?

4)     How much will these bonds cost taxpayers?

SHELL GAME TO CONTINUE - Senate appoints Legislative Task Force To:

(1)  review the items that are included in the definition of "sporting goods" under Section 151.801(e), Tax Code, and determine if there is a correlation between each individual item included and activities related to state parks, including the use of those parks; and

(2)  determine the amount of revenue that must be generated to fund the policy decisions made by the 80th Legislature regarding state parks.

(e)  Not later than January 15, 2009, the task force shall prepare and present to the 81st Legislature a report that describes the findings of the task force and includes recommendations regarding the specific items that should be included in the definition of "sporting goods" under Section 151.801(e), Tax Code.

Freshwater Fisheries Stamp Funds

This stamp was created in 2003 by the 78th Texas Legislature through the passage of House Bill 1989 by State Rep. Dan Ellis, D-Livingston.Texas Parks and Wildlife’s sales pitch for the new stamp was it would generate about $5 million extra in annual revenue, then go away after 10 years.  Terms of the legislation were that all income earned through stamp sales over the next decade would be used exclusively on freshwater fishing projects. The lead project would be the construction of a new, state-of-the-art fish hatchery to replace an obsolete one in Jasper. Funds also would be used to perform renovations on existing hatcheries, or to buy fish for stocking in public lakes.

Projected cost of the hatchery was $15 million.  The bill specifically stated that construction of the hatchery would be paid for in “cash-in, cash-out” fashion using funds generated by Freshwater Fishing Stamp sales. A final payment would be due on the projected completion date, sometime in 2008.

With seven years still remaining under the stamp’s sunset clause, TPWD would be able to raise an additional $35 million or more for use in freshwater project funding. In 10 years, all of the state’s hatcheries would be up to snuff. It was to be a win-win deal, bought and paid for by Texas fishermen.

The 79th Legislature decided to stink up the house by going back on the deal its predecessors made. Just so you know, the Texas Legislature appropriates every dime TPWD is allowed spend. 

Rather than allowing the department to pay cash for the hatchery using fishing stamp money as originally agreed, politicians now want to freeze the freshwater fishing stamp account to help balance the state’s $130 billion budget.  The new hatcheries would have to be financed with Bonds.  In other words, the department would have to operate on borrowed money. Not on cash it already has in hand — Texas angler dollars.  We all know borrowed money comes at a price.  Interest payments on the $15 million would be substantial, possibly as high as $9.1 million over the term of the loan. Interest would be paid out of the fishing stamp kitty.

 I did some checking and came up with a ballpark figure of $5.5 million in annual revenue attributed to the freshwater stamp.  Phil is traveling this afternoon, and I did hear from him.  He said he’d be happy to come and brief TABC on the how the monies from the freshwater stamp are being handled and the plans for the new hatchery in East Texas.

TPW started sales of this “Freshwater Fishing Stamp” with the 2004 Fishing License Sales.

Revenues:

2004 – 2005 yr.  Est. 5.5 Million

2005 – 2006 yr.  Est. 5.5 Million

2006 – 2007 yr.  Est. 5.5 Million

2007 – 2008 yr.  Est. 5.5 Million (I added to total since most sales made in 2007)

 ESTIMATED:        22 Million Collected during the 4 collection years!!

SHELL GAME – where is the money???? 

Approximately 22 Million collected – Legislature approved 12.3 Million for TPW expenditures – where did the other 9.7 million go??

The above is the best I have been able to figure out on the money (shell game) that the Texas Legislature plays with our Tax Dollars.

Sincerely,

AMISTAD LAKE REGULATION PROPOSAL

E-MAIL FROM MR. ALAN COX DATED    Wed, 19 Dec 2007 11:22:39 -0500

Dear Mr. Goll, 

I have outlined below the current status of the changes to our Fishing Tournament Policy that were proposed during our public meetings. The status is in an italic font. A few of the listed changes were mandated and were not actually a part of the changes that we proposed. We included them to ensure that the public was aware of these new mandated changes. Please note that we are only enforcing those requirements that were in the existing Fishing Tournament Policy and issuance procedures for Special Use Permits. The proposed changes are not yet being enforced as the park has to go through a more thorough civic and congressional notification process prior to approval and implementation. Also, some of the proposed changes may be altered to better accommodate our visitors and our tournament clientele based upon the responses from the public and advocates like yourself. We are attempting to make the best changes to allow for a better experience for the bass clubs and visitors and what is best for the natural resources of the recreation area. We certainly appreciate the feedback and inquires to help us make the best tournament policy for all involved. The proposed changes may be implemented in calendar year 2009.

QUESTIONS ABOUT CHANGES FROM TABC & METRO MEMBERS – (shown in red)  Mr. Cox’s reply  (shown in blue)

AMISTAD NRA PROPOSES CHANGES TO TOURNAMENT FISHING POLICY

• All commercial filming of a fishing tournament will require a Special Use Permit, which is a separate Special Use Permit from the Fishing Tournament Permit. (Public Law 106-206). 

This has been an existing policy; it was just not implemented until 2007.

What is the definition of tournaments?  TABC & METRO (both nonprofit) tournaments are certainly different than 200, 300 or 600 boat commercial tournaments.  Perhaps a dividing line should be established i.e., the new rules will apply to tournaments with 150 or more boats. 

• All applications for Special Use Permits must be received by the park at least 72 hours before and no earlier than 18 months in advance of the tournament start date.  (Previously was no earlier than 12 months in advance.)

This is a proposed change and is not yet in effect. As mentioned above, the civic engagement process has to be done in order to change the policy. The earliest implementation date would be calendar year 2009.

• A non-refundable application processing fee of $25.00 for the Special Use Permit(s) shall be required for each tournament date; therefore every tournament date will require a separate application along with the non-refundable processing fee of $25.00. (Previously was $25.00 per application, even with multiple dates.)

This is also a proposed change and is not in effect. The earliest implementation date would be calendar year 2009.

The $25 for each application (tournament) - NPS has had problems with bass clubs submitting one application for numerous dates during year ($25) including many dates that the club does not show up to fish this would be a financial burden on most of our small bass clubs which may have only 5-10 boats per tournament.  Perhaps a dividing line should be established i.e., the new rules will apply to tournaments with 25 or more boats. 

• The Fee Schedule per boat, per tournament will be as follows: 1-49 boats $0.00 per day, 50-99 boats $75.00 per day, 100-199 boats $150.00 per day, 200-300 boats $300.00 per day.  (Previously was 1-100 boats $0.00 per day, 101-200 boats $90.00 per day, 201-300 boats $260.00 per day, 301-600 boats $495.00 per day)

This is also a proposed change and is not in effect. The earliest implementation date would be calendar year 2009.  The previously mentioned fee schedule was in the existing policy, however, we did not implement it until 2007.

Fee Schedule per boat seems excessive –Would new fees of 0-99 - $0, 100-199 - $75, 200-299 - $150 and 300 – Up -$300 be acceptable?

• The maximum number of tournament boats on any one day, as determined by public safety, vehicle parking resource damage, and available parking for non-tournament park visitors, is 300 boats. (Previously was 600 boats)

This is also a proposed change and is not in effect. The earliest implementation date would be calendar year 2009.  However, we certainly are trying and discouraging 600 boat tournaments, as it would create a chaotic situation for all involved.

Allowing only 300 tournament boats on the lake--this sound pretty extreme.  What scientific method was used to determine this need at this level? This could make Lake Amistad “off-limits” to most of our small bass club tournaments when a commercial tournament is being held. Why not just close Dialbo East when a large commercial tournament is scheduled and let our bass club tournaments launch at different sites?

• Southwinds Marina was added as an additional launch ramp with 42 available parking spaces. (New)

This is also a proposed change, however the Southwinds Marina is managed by the U.S. Air Force and they are allowing and encouraging bass tournaments to utilize their facilities.

• Tournaments of 150 boats or more, utilizing the Diablo East facilities, will be required to provide sufficient parking attendants to assist with traffic control. The park will provide a map depicting the most efficient parking layout. 150-199 boat tournaments will provide 5 adult attendants and 200-300 boats will provide 7 adult attendants. (New)

This is also a proposed change, however, with the larger tournaments we are requesting them to provide parking attendants. This helps the congestion situation for their participants as well as other visitors.

• All tournaments with 50 or more boats are required to have their directors/organizers meet with park staff to coordinate the logistics and other issues related to the tournament. The meeting should be prior to the tournament registration. The park may, at the request of the tournament directors/organizers, provide a park employee to sell lake use permits at the events registration meeting. (New)

This is a proposed change, however, we are presently requesting that tournaments with 150 boats or more meet with the park staff to discuss the tournament’s logistical details. We are also selling the lake use permits at the tournament registrations, if requested and the park staff is available.

• The following launch ramps are closed to the use by fishing tournament participants in order to provide adequate launch ramp parking to other park visitors: Spur 454, Spur 406, 277 South, and 277 North. (New)

This is a proposed change and is not in effect. The earliest implementation date would be calendar year 2009.

We are concerned with the 454, 406, 277 off-limits to bass club tournament anglers.  On occasion because of the desired fishing area, a few of our members launch at other places including box canyon and the pecos (little to no impact on non-tournament launching).  Why not apply this to groups of 50 or more.

• Texas State law requires an angler giving or leaving fish with another (i.e. the tournament director) to complete a Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) Wildlife Resource Document for the receiver (tournament director) unless the receiver does not have more fish in his/her possession than the legal bag limit. This form will be provided in the Special Use Permit package. (New)

This is an existing state regulation of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and is certainly being enforced. We do provide a form at the request of the tournament director or give guidance on where to find or replicate the required form. We felt an obligation to include this in our policy to ensure tournament participants were aware of this state requirement.

• Fish mortalities will be harvested by tournament officials for their meat to avoid violation of the Texas waste of game law. Dead fish or harvested fish may be gifted to another with and accompanying a TPWD Wildlife Resource Document. (New)

This again is an existing state regulation of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and is certainly being enforced.

• Tournament directors/organizers will provide the park with a copy of the registration list, which should indicate an accurate count of boats/participants. The list will be provided after the registration but before the start of the tournament. The tournament fee(s) will be based on this number of boats/participants. (New)

This is only being enforced on the tournaments that fall under the current policy fee schedule based on the number of participants. This is not yet applicable under the proposed fee schedule due to the above mentioned civic engagement process that has to be completed prior to any new changes.

With the rule to report number of boats at the tournament before launch, you are creating a large administrative burden on small clubs.  Small club tournaments usually schedule a tournament, then announce it to the club.  There is no registration before hand.  Since no tournament entry fees are charged and our anglers are allowed to launch at various sites we wait until weigh-in to determine who fished. If this list becomes a requirement, we recommend you establish a one time list for small clubs less than 50 to satisfy this requirement based on the average number of boats that participate.

HELP – HELP –HELP  (SEE BELOW FROM MR. COX) YOUR INPUT IS NEEDED.

Thank you again for your interest in our fishing tournament policy and if you or the clubs you represent have any specific comments on either the existing or proposed changes, please ensure that we receive them. We will consider these comments in finalizing the policy during the coming year.

FALCON WATER LEVEL ISSUE

TABC has worked with TPWD & IBWC in an effort to get MEXICO to discontinue their drawdown of Amistad & Falcon during the annual spawn.  Not only did we get some much needed rain but Mexico has not tried to empty Falcon for the past few years.  The improved fishing indicates that our efforts are well worthwhile.

SOME OTHER ITEMS

Worked with National Park service to get improvements at Dialbo East & Box Canyon, Lake Amistad.

Got BassMaster Magazine to publish articles concerning water problems at Lake Amistad & Falcon.

Worked with TPWD to get Northern Laregmouth Bass stocked in large public lakes in Texas.

JOIN TABC

GET ACTIVE – HELP US IMPROVE FISHING