While the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department administers the grants, funding for the projects comes from the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration program. The Sport Fish Restoration program is funded by revenues collected from the manufacturers of fishing rods, reels, creels, lures, flies and artificial baits, who pay an excise tax on these items to the U.S. Treasury. A portion of gasoline tax (small engine fuel tax) also is credited to this program.
The boating access program provides these funds for the purchase, construction, renovation and maintenance of boat ramps, access roads and other related facilities to improve public recreational boating access to public waters. Construction for approved projects is supported on a 75 percent (federal), 25 percent (local) basis.
Following are summaries of the projects receiving boating access grant matching funds:
Braunig Lake Boat Ramp Renovation — The San Antonio River Authority received $347,625 for renovation of a two lane boat ramp and the addition of a third lane. The popular boat ramp was constructed in the late 1960s and is in need of repair. The grant will also help pay for construction of an access road, parking area, bulkhead, lighting, courtesy dock and signs.
Double Bayou Boat Ramp — Chambers County is getting $487,500 for construction of a two lane boat ramp, courtesy dock, restroom, fish cleaning station, pavilion, bulkheads, parking and signs. This will provide much-needed boat access on the east side of Galveston Bay on Double Bayou, which links to East Galveston Bay and Trinity Bay.
Bayfront Peninsula Park Boat Ramp — A new three lane boat ramp facility will provide relief for heavily used public boat ramps in the area. The City of Port Lavaca is receiving $500,000 for construction of the ramp, courtesy dock, restroom, walkways, lighting, bulkheads, parking and signs. The facility will provide public boating access to Lavaca Bay.
Lake Granbury Boat Ramp — The Brazos River Authority is getting $45,000 for renovation of a two lane boat ramp that is currently closed to the public for safety concerns because it is undercut and partially collapsed. The Brazos River Authority will also be adding lighting, bulkheads, and signs.
Baffin Bay Kaufer Hubert Memorial Park — Kleberg County is receiving $133,518 for renovation of a heavily used boat ramp, lighting, walkway and signs and dredging of a second ramp. The facility provides public boating access to Baffin Bay and the Gulf of Mexico and is the only public boat ramp on the Gulf of Mexico between Corpus Christi and Port Mansfield.
