Why I support Rollover Pass
I am amazed at how controversial state government plans to shut down Rollover Pass have gotten.
Actually, that part does not shock me. It is the number of fishermen and other outdoors lovers who have said they support a closure of this historic area that makes my head spin. And yes, I am well aware of erosion problems, saltwater intrusion, etc. but there are other ways to deal with those issues.
In fact, Richard Black wrote a brilliant piece for the Galveston Daily News and recommended the following:
#Build jetties on the Gulf side in a design to mitigate the movement of beach sand into the bay. Look at the north/south Galveston jetties to see the buildup of beach sand. This promotes beach development on the east and west sides of the jetties, which protects beach property. Create a walkway on each jetty. Fishing piers in the area washed away long ago.
#Continue dredging sand from Rollover Bay back onto the beach.
#Install concrete bulkheads on the bay side to replace the rusted steel bulkheads to improve the pass.
#Build fishing piers extending into the bay.
#Create fishing platforms on each side of the new bridge to fish from.
I think those are great ideas but they are not why I wrote this blog. The inspiration comes from my main reason for wanting to keep Rollover Pass open and that is access.
Rollover is one of if not the most important bank fishing access area on the Upper Texas Coast and that has immeasurable value. Fishing is quickly becoming like deer hunting in that it is extremely difficult for poor people to participate and with the loss of important access points like Rollover Pass we could lose generations of anglers. When traditions of families going to fish their favorite spots dies it often never shifts elsewhere.
With touch economic times upon us and I believe even worse ahead we must strive to keep access points for everyone to be able to participate in quality fishing. Sure there are all kinds of places someone can wet a line from the bank but in terms of quality fishing Rollover Pass is tops. It would be easy for someone like me who can fish wherever he wants to say "Shut it down, they can fish somewhere else" but the reality is there are not many places with that kind of quality fishing available.
I have not forgotten where I came from and remember when I was a youngster and we had no boat and had to fish from the bank. It was tough and I think it is deplorable that people are ready to shut down one of the few spots with quality fishing available without a boat.
We are always going to have erosion problems and other issues to contend and there are ways to counteract the problems caused by Rollover Pass. I fully understand the ecological concerns but right now my concern is the people who seem to be the last our government officials are considering in this process. Put up jetties or whatever needs to be done but leave Rollover Pass open. If this offends some ecological purists fine by me. I have no respect for those in sit in the middle so I have made my choice and I stand by it.
What about you? Where do you stand?
Actually, that part does not shock me. It is the number of fishermen and other outdoors lovers who have said they support a closure of this historic area that makes my head spin. And yes, I am well aware of erosion problems, saltwater intrusion, etc. but there are other ways to deal with those issues.
In fact, Richard Black wrote a brilliant piece for the Galveston Daily News and recommended the following:
#Build jetties on the Gulf side in a design to mitigate the movement of beach sand into the bay. Look at the north/south Galveston jetties to see the buildup of beach sand. This promotes beach development on the east and west sides of the jetties, which protects beach property. Create a walkway on each jetty. Fishing piers in the area washed away long ago.
#Continue dredging sand from Rollover Bay back onto the beach.
#Install concrete bulkheads on the bay side to replace the rusted steel bulkheads to improve the pass.
#Build fishing piers extending into the bay.
#Create fishing platforms on each side of the new bridge to fish from.
I think those are great ideas but they are not why I wrote this blog. The inspiration comes from my main reason for wanting to keep Rollover Pass open and that is access.
Rollover is one of if not the most important bank fishing access area on the Upper Texas Coast and that has immeasurable value. Fishing is quickly becoming like deer hunting in that it is extremely difficult for poor people to participate and with the loss of important access points like Rollover Pass we could lose generations of anglers. When traditions of families going to fish their favorite spots dies it often never shifts elsewhere.
With touch economic times upon us and I believe even worse ahead we must strive to keep access points for everyone to be able to participate in quality fishing. Sure there are all kinds of places someone can wet a line from the bank but in terms of quality fishing Rollover Pass is tops. It would be easy for someone like me who can fish wherever he wants to say "Shut it down, they can fish somewhere else" but the reality is there are not many places with that kind of quality fishing available.
I have not forgotten where I came from and remember when I was a youngster and we had no boat and had to fish from the bank. It was tough and I think it is deplorable that people are ready to shut down one of the few spots with quality fishing available without a boat.
We are always going to have erosion problems and other issues to contend and there are ways to counteract the problems caused by Rollover Pass. I fully understand the ecological concerns but right now my concern is the people who seem to be the last our government officials are considering in this process. Put up jetties or whatever needs to be done but leave Rollover Pass open. If this offends some ecological purists fine by me. I have no respect for those in sit in the middle so I have made my choice and I stand by it.
What about you? Where do you stand?
I agree with not closeing down, altough my arguments might not be that powerfull, the question I have is how many flounder are we putting at risk when the adult flounder can't travel into the gulf to spawn??
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I thoroughly agree with you. In these economically challenged times for MOST people, and the government bailing out large corporations and handing out stimulus money right and left, it seems truly amazing to me that that same government is willing to close a vacation spot that anyone could afford. Not only can you bank fish, you can park your vehicle and/or RV for at least five days free of charge! As far as the $1 million dollar cost of dredging the sand out of the bay every year, I have lived in Gilchrist for the past several years and I have only observed dredging in the bay ONCE! Wouldn't that money be better served by setting up jetties? Galveston Island has been preserved with a sea wall AND the north and south jetties for many years and the land has actually grown behind it. I know that erosion is a problem, but closing the Pass will NOT stop beach erosion. Engineers, hydrologists and people smarter than I am should be able to come up with a plan that will save Bolivar peninsula that we all dearly love and keep an historical landmark (Yes; Rollover Pass is registered with the Texas Historical Commission!) open for everyone to enjoy...
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I have not read anything about how Rollover Pass was authorized from the git-go. Doen't this help keep salt water coming into upper East Bay asd well as the fish? They can build a bridge that will withstand the hurricane wave action even if it is at ground level. Keep up the good work.
Arnld Ross
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chester, thanks for your help in saving roll-over pass. our organization gilchrist community assoc is fighting for all it's worth to find alternatives to preserve it so the fishing public can have it for future generations to come and enjoy. we lost our community due to hurricane ike and we now are in this struggle to retain our economic base. we need the support of anyone willing to help.we look forward to hearing from anyone that can give up ideas or assistance. mike gross gca www.rolloverpasstexas.com
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I live in Cleburne, TX, but I spent 6 weeks a year living in my travel trailer at Rollover. Spent lots of money in the community in the fall to fish for flounder. That was pre Ike.
Closing Rollover will greatly effect the salinity of East Bay. Which in turn will effect most of the sea life there.
As for the fish, this would be like closing I 45 south of Houston.
Thanks for all you do Chester.
Wayne Pedigo
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