We have an opportunity to give public input concerning the locked gate on
the storm levee off of FM 1495 on the way to Quintana. Hopefully we can get
it opened automatically during the daytime like some of the refuges.
The purpose of this email is to ask for comments to one of the partners who
is willing to listen. Port Freeport is aware of the impact on fishermen who
used to fish or obtain bait near the flood weirs, but not about birders.
One commissioner, Shane Pirtle is open to receiving emails concerning the
restricted access and our desire to re-open.
If you have birded on this levee or would like to when you visit the area
please send an email to spirtle@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:spirtle@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> . Be concise and polite. Port Freeport
is not the partner keeping the gate closed, so don't vent anger to Shane.
They know it as the Bryan Mound Storm Levee.
Mr. Pirtle is willing to bring this issue up at a forthcoming board meeting
in a statement (personal email) today. I don't know the date at this time.
His title:
Shane Pirtle, P.E.
Port Freeport Commissioner, Pct.1 (at large)
If you have visited Quintana or Bryan beach in the past you may have visited
the two large ponds accessible from the storm levee on your right (west).
Since April of 2015 access has been denied except for one day - the recent
Freeport Christmas Count in December. The gate was initially closed to
allow some construction work. Their proposal was to close the gate for 2
months only. This passed at a meeting of all of the stakeholders.
Construction delays prolonged the closure and one of the partners wanted the
gate to remain closed and has done so even though the construction was
completed.
A partner (Velasco Drainage District) says no one has complained, so that is
reason enough to keep it closed. They haven't sought comment because they
don't want to reopen the gate. The real reason is that a minority of
visitors shoot at anything including high pressure gas lines and others
drive on the levee. Cameras have been installed, but that is not enough to
open the gate so far. They knew how many cars and how long they stayed on
the Freeport Christmas Count day.
According to eBird there have been 167 species reported at this site. Some
great sightings have occurred such as Flamingo. Check out eBird - this site
is a "hotspot". It is misnamed - It is not a Dow levee. One person listed
their Dow Skimmer Day sightings in June at the Dow/Storm levee location.
Just a simple email asking for access from the birders who have visited the
site or would like to will go a long way.
Thank you,
Tom Morris
Lake Jackson
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