Bad news in west bay!!!!!!

[WestEndAngler]

I'm headed out there later today. If anyone wants to take a ride on the Gator-Tail and assist me in taking some photos or just wants an excuse to be on the water etc. I'm planning on being on the water around 1-1:30 PM CST and can meet anyone in the area at HaborWalk.

[Robalo]

Get em Coe!!! Don't forget to yell "Say Cheese" when snapping away!!

[WestEndAngler]

Boat is full. Report to come later this evening.

[aqua pimp]

Capt. Trimble was headed out with a couple of folks as I was coming back in to Fat Boys. The lady he was with had a camera with a zoom lense about 5' long LOL.

AQUA PIMP

[JimG]

Update: I just talked to Alicia Rae from the COE. What a nice lady, and as a bonus, a native of West Bay. This is her backyard, too! She explained:

She has been performing this job in the southern reaches of the ICW for years, and has found it to be beneficial to the grasses if done properly. The silts they are pumping are very fine, and raise the grade up to several inches. This expands the
the “sweet spot” for the grasses to grow. (Those of you who’ve been to the grass flats know that the depth that the grass grows is a narrow range). She actually expects the dredging to expand the grass, from prior experience.

Ms. Rae expressed her gratitude to us, the concerned outdoorsmen, and wanted me to pass along the message that the communication lines will remain open and she’s happy to hear from us. She wants us to keep up the vigilance, as we are the eyes and ears “on the ground” as she stated it.

Congrats to all of you who called/wrote about this. You are the heroes of Galveston Bay, and now everyone know we will defend the area if we feel like it is being threatened.

[JimG]

Just got this:

Dredging Operation Status Update in West Bay
GALVESTON, Texas (Dec. 21, 2011) - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District is working with federal, state
and local partners to minimize any potential impact that the placement of dredge material from the Gulf Intracoastal
Waterway Causeway to Bastrop dredging project may cause to seagrass beds located in Placement Area 62 and 63.
“We appreciate the local community’s commitment to raising concerns about this project and for following up with us
regarding the protection of our ecosystem,” said District Commander Col. Christopher Sallese. “Seagrass provides many
essential functions that keeps our bays healthy and reduces erosion, which is why we are working with our partners and
environmental experts to mitigate any permanent damage to this essential habitat.”
The placement plan is in accordance with federal guidance that authorizes the use of PA62 and PA63 in order to prevent
further land erosion of these placement areas.
“If this narrow strip of land is not periodically nourished it will disappear, the area will become deeper and conditions that
allow seagrass to exist will also disappear,” said Rob Hauch, a physical scientist in the Galveston District. “The GIWW will
lose the protection of the land, making vessels using the channel vulnerable to wave action and exposing the opposite
bank resulting in erosion of the marshes along the mainland.”
Hauch points to an area further west in the vicinity of Halls Lake as an example of the type of erosion that could be
expected if the bank is not replenished with dredged material and notes that staff is examining all aspects of this project to
balance dredging needs with environmental concerns.
“We are working with our partners to manage resources and dredging activities in a sustainable manner, one in which
leaves behind the smallest footprint,” said Alicia Rea, project operations manager with USACE Galveston District. “The
seagrass is currently in a dormant phase and we expect this placement to minimally disrupt the habitat.”
The pumping of dredged material on PA63 will continue for approximately one week, then will be relocated to PA62.
“We will continue to seek ways in which we can reduce, mitigate or eliminate negative impacts with each project we
undertake while being good stewards of the taxpayers’ dollars,” said Rea. “I will remain in close contact with partners and
community members throughout this process to make certain we provide the most current information regarding the
progression of this dredging operation.”
For more information about this project, call the Public Affairs Office at 409-766-3005 or visit www.swg.usace.army.mil.
Find us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/GalvestonDistrict or follow us on Twitter, www.twitter.com/USACEgalveston.

[Robalo]

What about the oyster reefs? Won't the silt basically kill them (like Ike did to many areas)? I guess that is part of the "balancing dredging needs with environmental concerns" cited above. Issue likely over and out.

[Gilbert]

Coe just sent me this to post.

ATT42985.pdf

[WestEndAngler]

Capt. Trimble was headed out with a couple of folks as I was coming back in to Fat Boys. The lady he was with had a camera with a zoom lense about 5' long LOL.

AQUA PIMP

I plan on making a landing! Yarrrrrr!!!

[lurefisher]

They need to pump it on the duck leese behind them ,all they do is gripe anyway lol

[Robalo]

Capt. Greg: Did ya catch any fish? Coe: Did ya jump the dredge pipe? Lurefisher: Did ya drink some Taaka?

[lurefisher]

YEEEEPPPPPERS!,I am coming to see ya JERRY I be leaving tomorrow !!!!

[WestEndAngler]

The entire area was conquered by the Gator-Tail. 6-8" of soft soupy mud. The area has silted a few hundred yards out into the bay and is probably 400-600 yards wide. Saw oyster reefs covered in 6" of mud. No grass in sight. Working further west or east the grass returns water color improves. The new disposal site is already set. It's East of Carranchua Cut in a low lying area on a wide spoil bank. Water clarity and run off will certainly effect this area soon! Pictures and video to come!

[jhshallow]

The dredging situation is getting alot of attention. Does anyone know if there will be any actions taken in the near future. If they don't act fast the entire area will be gone. On a lighter note has anyone been fishing the area any? We made a few drifts that way, and picked up a few. Nothing to write home about, but they are still there.(for now) that area has always produced good fish for us in the past.

[Ms Addicted]

Well as a follow up to my email to TPWD game wardens, the email was forwarded from Austin to our local office. I just got off the phone with the supervising Captain at the office next to Serious Tackle in the strip mall. He called me to update me and speak with me personally, I had included my name, address and phone in the email that I sent. He was very concerned and will be sending the game warden out there to take a look. Of course he said he cant promise anything but he clarified with me that they are dumping not along the ICW but yes, actually in west bay, that seemed to make a big impact with him. Interestingly, what with all the action taken so far, I found it curious that it seemed the local TPWD office hadn't yet been informed of where the dredge material was going.

We shall see. I am very pleased to see all the action on this when speed is of the essence!