Facts About Cedar Bayou and CCA Texas
CCA Texas has long supported the efforts to open Cedar Bayou. Cedar Bayou is a natural pass that separates St. Jose and Matagorda Islands. This natural pass was originally closed in 1979 in an effort to prevent oil, from the1979 Ixtoc I oil spill near Campeche, Mexico, from entering into the Mesquite Bay system. This pass was closed along with most others along the Texas coast. Since that time the bayou has been dredged, opened by gulf storms and has closed multiple times. Currently, Cedar Bayou is closed.
Questions & Facts
- Has CCA Texas monetarily supported the efforts of Save Cedar Bayou, Inc. to open Cedar Bayou? CCA Texas has supported Save Cedar Bayou, Inc. (SCBI) efforts to open the pass on two different occasions. CCA Texas originally contributed $15,000 to SCBI in April of 1986. In 2004, CCA Texas contributed $10,000 when the SCBI began its latest efforts to open Cedar Bayou and to obtain the necessary permit to do so.
- Besides these monetary contributions, how else has CCA Texas supported the opening of Cedar Bayou? CCA Texas has written multiple letters of support to the Corp of Engineers during the permitting process. In addition, when contacted by the Governor’s office and Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, CCA Texas has stated their full support for the opening of Cedar Bayou to these offices.
- Why does CCA Texas never mention Vinsons Slough in their comments regarding the opening of Cedar Bayou? The opening of Vinson’s Slough goes hand in hand with the opening of Cedar Bayou and the current studies and engineering of SCB’s contract engineering firm shows that this is the desired situation for keeping Cedar Bayou open. Referencing this project as “The Opening of Cedar Bayou” is inclusive of re-opening Vinson’s Slough per engineering designs submitted to the Corp of Engineers for permitting.
- Has CCA Texas attended any local public meetings regarding the opening of Cedar Bayou? Yes, CCA Texas has had representatives attend the general public meeting called by Aransas County Judge Burt Mills on August 21, 2009 to listen and further understand areas of concern and CCA Texas Executive Director also attended the meeting called by Judge Mills on October 2, 2009.
- Is CCA Texas under the influence of local land owners by any monetary contributions? Absolutely not. CCA Texas always has and always will put the interest of Texas’s coastal resources first.
For more information regarding CCA Texas’s position and support of Cedar Bayou, please feel free to contact John Blaha at 713.626.4222
