After the devastating storm of September 27, 2008, when Hurricane IKE bulldozed its way over the Bolivar Peninsula, flushing our beachside community of Gilchrist into East Galveston Bay, (and beyond), WE, the GCA, have been struggling to survive and rebuild our community. This includes Rollover Pass, the seed to our very existence. NOW, one year later, WE, the GCA, are STILL struggling to survive that devastating storm, but the state of Texas is blocking our efforts to rebuild our economy by shutting down the financial engine for our recovery, “Rollover Pass”…….. We need your help!
In a recent move to alleviate financial responsibilities, the state of Texas, under the Governorship of Rick Perry, has passed a resolution to close Rollover Pass. If this was allowed to happen it would have an extreme financial setback effect on “not only” the Bolivar Peninsula, Galveston Island and its surrounding communities, but the state of Texas as well. We would lose our community business’ that rely on the tourism dollars, and the state would lose the sales tax revenue from the loss of that tourism dollar. At one time the 2nd most important industry for the state of Texas was the tourism industry. Well, for us tourism is our 1 priority and represents the life blood and heartbeat of Gilchrist. Without Rollover Pass our quiet little beach community would become a ghost town.
Rollover Pass was developed in 1954 to assist the navigational aspects of the Intra-coastal waterway which supports the import and export commerce of Texas and its surrounding areas. Rollover Pass soon evolved into one of the most important fishing spots on the Texas Gulf Coast, drawing 10?s of thousands anglers, bird watchers, and scenic viewers from all over this great country of ours. Nowhere else can off-road visitors drive up to catch speckled trout, redfish, flounder, etc; as well as crabs. Entire families enjoy this fishing area as well as the physically impaired and wounded veterans who enjoy the convenience of bellying up to their favorite fishing spot. Rollover Pass had developed into a “Texas National Treasure “for ALL to enjoy until that terrible day in September when Hurricane Ike all but destroyed Rollover Pass and Gilchrist TX.-
Lawmakers propose closing favorite fishing spot on Bolivar
By Kevin Reece / Channel 11 News, Houston, TX. April 10, 2009
-BOLIVAR PENINSULA — Hurricane Ike may force yet another major change on the Bolivar Peninsula — one that locals fear could be the final nail in the coffin for their struggling community.
Lawmakers have proposed closing Rollover Pass, which was built for fishermen in the 1950s and continues to generate business for the community. Neil Turner had a pretty good day catching blue crabs at Rollover Pass. “Put ’em on the barbecue pit. Good eatin’,” Turner said. He’s been fishing his entire life at the man-made cut-through to the Bolivar Peninsula. Water from the Gulf rushes through to the Inter-coastal Waterway there and brings plenty of fish with it. But Hurricane Ike destroyed the fishing community, every bait shop and nearly every house. It ravaged the beaches around it and reopened a debate that could end Buddy Carroll’s fishing trips here for good. “I’d hate to see them do it. You know I don’t know what their reasons are,” Carroll said. The general land office says Rollover Pass is a pathway for erosion, carrying the sand that would otherwise be building up on Bolivar beaches.
The state has spent millions on dredging to keep Rollover Pass and the Inter-coastal Waterway open. Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson says it makes no sense to put sand back on the beach here if it’s just going to disappear again through Rollover Pass.
A bill that would return Bolivar to its natural state sailed through its first committee this week. “Sure. Sure. It would be a big loss to everybody down here,” Turner said. “I mean, there is Galveston and Rollover Pass. I mean that’s the places to come down here and fish.” “I’m sure they’ve got a lot of engineers around that could probably figure out a way to keep the sand from coming back in here and probably improve the fishing at the same time,” Carroll said. Community groups from High Island to Gilchrist are fighting the proposal, saying it will kill any chance of economic recovery. But a Senate Bill is also in the works and Galveston County commissioners voted to support the idea.
Media Comments by Chester Moore, Clinton Herald News; –Rollover is one of if not the most important bank fishing access area on the Upper Texas Coast and that has immeasurable value?.With tough 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 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.
Media Comments by Ed Snyder, Fishingworld.com; — This writer/angler spent a day with these hard working residents while they endeavored to provide their “Rocking on Rollover” fishing tournament and fundraiser on July 4th. I saw the smiles and tears in their weathered faces and heard the pulse and heartbeats of their experiences. I came away from that day with full knowledge that the “Gateway to Rollover Pass “was in good hands. If there ever was a Phoenix that rose above the tragic ashes of despair, it IS the GCA and its members.
Media Comments by Jordan Godwin, Houston Chronicle; — “This is our economic engine and this whole community was devastated by a hurricane and this is the one last remaining piece of our community that’s still here and still tangible,” Reynolds said. “For 90 percent of us, our homes, our belongings and our lives were just wiped away. Rollover Pass is pretty much all we have left, so as a community, this is our heartbeat and our function?”Despite the hardships faced by the community, recent legislation is looking to shut down Rollover Pass. Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson cites high public costs of maintenance and dredging of the Intra-coastal Waterway and the accelerated erosion attributed to the artificial cut as reasons to permanently close the pass, which would cost an estimated $6 million… “It would be devastating if they closed it,” Downs said. “Half a million people a year come from all over to fish here and not just that, but if you close it, the water will become stagnant and the marine life will die out.”… “We understand that Galveston has the bigger tourist population, but honestly, Gilchrist has been forgotten about,” Downs said. “We don’t want Gilchrist to become a ghost town, but if you take away our heart, then that’s what’ll happen.”
Media Comments by TJ Aulds, Galveston County Daily News;— One of the more controversial projects on the list deals with Rollover Pass, the man-made channel cutting through the peninsula near Gilchrist. The state land office wants to fill in the pass to help slow beach erosion, while members of the Gilchrist association argue that closing the pass will kill that community’s economy.
Media Comments by Richard Black, The Daily News –Are we really going to wave the white flag on Bolivar Peninsula? A community was leveled and, in response, we close down their economic option out of ruins. Make no mistake about it, Gilchrist was the epicenter of Hurricane Ike’s wrath. So, now we shut down an opportunity for them to start over again? There’s more at stake here. It also involves tens of thousands of Texans who love to fish. Another public fishing spot (the best in Texas) will disappear.Is your fishing spot next? Texans with no access to a boat, the handicapped, senior citizens and those who financially have no other options must go where?
One of the mission purposes of the Gilchrist Community Association”Is to provide civic duties at Rollover Pass” but Rollover Pass is inDanger of being closed and we need your help. The Texas General Land OfficeHas applied for a permit from the Army Corps of Engineers to closeRollover Pass. There is currently a public comment time period occurring fromNow until April 12, 2010. After the public comment period has closed,The Corps will review all correspondence and make their decision whether or notTo award the permit to the General Land Office.
Here are some questions and concerns that we would like to make sureThe Corps of Engineers considers before considering the permit.
- Recreational Value: As it is now, Rollover Pass is
Accessible to all people. It has land-bound access for the handicap and elderly
or
Those who can’t afford boats. The current structure also allows easy access - For children to fish. There is no charge to any person visiting or
Fishing at Rollover Pass. A pier would necessitate a longer travel distance to The fishing area which could possibly deter prospective fisherman. - Historical Value: The Pass has been open for over fifty years. Many people have been visiting for generations and generations. Some families consider it a tradition to visit the Pass and fish every year. Also, Rollover Pass was used as a crossover point during prohibition
For smugglers who avoided the Galveston customs station by rolling barrels of import or export merchandise (i.e., whiskey and rum). - Economy/Property Value: Visitors travel from all over the state, country and world to fish at Rollover Pass. The loss of Rollover Pass Will decrease visitors not just to the Gilchrist area, but also the Bolivar Peninsula. Any businesses or former business will have less of a Customer base to generate revenue. Will it be possible for Gilchrist to survive and rebuild if Rollover Pass is closed?
- Flooding: The current structure of Rollover Pass helps Alleviate high water levels on the bay side. Stopping the flow of water will no Longer allow this to happen and properties on the bay side are in danger of Being flooded. What will be done to help relieve the water in the bay if the pass is allowed to be closed?
- Wildlife: Many different kinds of fish, shellfish and even Turtles travel through the pass. What will happen to the marine life that travels through the pass? What will happen to their migration route?
- Effects on Rollover and East Bay: There are many wild grasses, birds and marine life that live in the Bay. If the pass closes, how will this affect them? How will the bay system be affected?
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP BY APRIL 12th
Maybe you have other points of the detrimental effects of closingThe pass that we did not list or you agree with the ones listed above. Please Send a letter in your own words stating what you feel the negative effects Of the potential closing of Rollover Pass would be. You may also choose toShare your own personal stories about what the Pass means to you and your Family. We encourage you to expand off the topics listed above and share your Own personal story and thoughts about the Pass in written form to the Army Corps of Engineers. Also, please pass this information along to your Friends and supporters of Rollover Pass.
The Gilchrist Community Association is also seeking professionals with a background that would help in the permit process. Any marine Biologists, hydrologists, engineers or any fields that could offer expert opinions on the negative effects of closing the Pass should contact Amanda Reynolds at [email protected] or (979) 574-0289. We are seeking insight on Ideas how to modify the pass, either from individuals or professionals.
Also, if there are any organizations that support leaving the pass open, we Would like to hear from them. Any of these potential contacts mentioned *you can forward* to Amanda Reynolds at [email protected] or (979) 574-0289 and we will follow up with them.
One of the mission purposes of the Gilchrist Community Association “is to provide civic duties at Rollover Pass” but Rollover Pass is in danger of being closed and we need your help. The Texas General Land Office has applied for a permit from the Army Corps of Engineers to close Rollover Pass. There is currently a public comment time period occurring from now until April 12, 2010. After the public comment period has closed, the Corps will review all correspondence and make their decision whether or not to award the permit to the General Land Office.
Here are some questions and concerns that we would like to make sure the Corps of Engineers considers before considering the permit.
- Recreational Value: As it is now, Rollover Pass is accessible to all people. It has land-bound access for the handicap and elderly or those who can’t afford boats. The current structure also allows easy access for children to fish. There is no charge to any person visiting or fishing at Rollover Pass. A pier would necessitate a longer travel distance to the fishing area which could possibly deter prospective fisherman.
- Historical Value: The Pass has been open for over fifty years. Many people have been visiting for generations and generations. Some families consider it a tradition to visit the Pass and fish every year. Also, Rollover Pass was used as a crossover point during prohibition for smugglers who avoided the Galveston customs station by rolling barrels of import or export merchandise (i.e., whiskey and rum).
- Economy/Property Value: Visitors travel from all over the state, country and world to fish at Rollover Pass. The loss of Rollover Pass will decrease visitors not just to the Gilchrist area, but also the Bolivar Peninsula. Any businesses or former business will have less of a customer base to generate revenue. Will it be possible for Gilchrist to survive and rebuild if Rollover Pass is closed?
- Flooding: The current structure of Rollover Pass helps alleviate high water levels on the bay side. Stopping the flow of water will no longer allow this to happen and properties on the bay side are in danger of being flooded. What will be done to help relieve the water in the bay if the pass is allowed to be closed?
- Wildlife: Many different kinds of fish, shellfish and even turtles travel through the pass. What will happen to the marine life that travels through the pass? What will happen to their migration route?
- Effects on Rollover and East Bay: There are many wild grasses, birds and marine life that live in the Bay. If the pass closes, how will this affect them?
How will the bay system be affected?
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP BY APRIL 12th
Maybe you have other points of the detrimental effects of closing the pass that we did not list or you agree with the ones listed above. Please send a letter in your own words stating what you feel the negative effects of the potential closing of Rollover Pass would be. You may also choose to share your own personal stories about what the Pass means to you and your family. We encourage you to expand off the topics listed above and share your own personal story and thoughts about the Pass in written form to the Army Corps of Engineers. Also, please pass this information along to your friends and supporters of Rollover Pass. The Gilchrist Community Association is also seeking professionals with a background that would help in the permit process. Any marine biologists, hydrologists, engineers or any fields that could offer expert opinions on the negative effects of closing the Pass should contact Amanda Reynolds at [email protected] or (979) 574-0289. We are seeking insight on ideas how to modify the pass, either from individuals or professionals. Also, if there are any organizations that support leaving the pass open, we would like to hear from them. Any of these potential contacts mentioned you can forward to Amanda Reynolds at [email protected] or (979) 574-0289 and we will follow up with them. The more information the Army Corps of Engineers receives, the greater the possibility an alternative to closing the pass will be reached. Please make sure all correspondence includes reference to “Permit SWG-2009-00833” and send to:
Steven Walls
Regulatory Branch, CESWG-PE-CE
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
PO Box-1229
Galveston, TX. 77553-1229
Thank You
Gilchrist Community Association
C/O Secretary: Connie Tomerlin
P.O. Box 186, High Island, TX 77623
[email protected]: Ed Snyder / Ed Snyder Outdoors
