November 6, 2008
The Honorable Peter M. Holt, Chairman
Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission
3302 South W.W. White Rd.
San Antonio, TX 78222
Subject: Deletion of TPWD's Website re 2000 Sunset Advisory Review
Dear Commissioner Mr. Holt:
It has been brought to my attention (please see attached) that the 2000 Sunset Advisory Commission specifically recommended that TPWD create artificial reefs in the Gulf of Mexico. The Legislature then approved these recommendations. Sen. Eddie Lucio was on the Sunset Commission in 2000 and he made the original recommendations. These findings and directives were available for public review on TPWD's website until they disappeared earlier this year - apparently about the time the Department learned that they would undergo another Sunset Review. Interestingly, TPWD was the official curator of the Commission's findings. The deletion of these records is contrary to the State's requirements that all agencies' transactions be open, accurate, complete, transparent, and legal. Fortunately, Senator Robert Nichols's staff was able to locate a hard copy of the 2000 Sunset Commission's findings and recommendations. I believe that Sen. Nichols retrieval of these 2000 procedures allowed him to obtain about $1 million in Sports Fish Restoration Act funds to begin to remove noxious weeds from Lake Conroe. This was a major accomplishment for many reasons. About 2 years ago, TPWD refused to remove the hydrilla even after the residents and users of Lake Conroe offered to pay removal costs.
During the TPWD Commissioner's meeting in Houston, I made the request that TPWD begin to comply with the intent and provisions of the Sports Fish Restoration Act. I would now like to make a second request to the Commission - have the Department restore the deleted website that documented the 2000 Sunset Agency Commission's findings and recommendations. Hopefully, Director Carter Smith will not ignore the GOM’s fisheries and habitats.
Yours truly,
Dana Larson
182 Lilac Ridge
The Woodlands, TX 77384
936 273-0984
rigs2reefs@aol.com
c. Jim Morrison, Chairman, Texas Artificial Reef Advisory Committee
George Clark, 2nd VP Texas Gulf Council of Dive Clubs
The Honorable Peter M. Holt, Chairman
Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission
3302 South W.W. White Rd.
San Antonio, TX 78222
Subject: Deletion of TPWD's Website re 2000 Sunset Advisory Review
Dear Commissioner Mr. Holt:
It has been brought to my attention (please see attached) that the 2000 Sunset Advisory Commission specifically recommended that TPWD create artificial reefs in the Gulf of Mexico. The Legislature then approved these recommendations. Sen. Eddie Lucio was on the Sunset Commission in 2000 and he made the original recommendations. These findings and directives were available for public review on TPWD's website until they disappeared earlier this year - apparently about the time the Department learned that they would undergo another Sunset Review. Interestingly, TPWD was the official curator of the Commission's findings. The deletion of these records is contrary to the State's requirements that all agencies' transactions be open, accurate, complete, transparent, and legal. Fortunately, Senator Robert Nichols's staff was able to locate a hard copy of the 2000 Sunset Commission's findings and recommendations. I believe that Sen. Nichols retrieval of these 2000 procedures allowed him to obtain about $1 million in Sports Fish Restoration Act funds to begin to remove noxious weeds from Lake Conroe. This was a major accomplishment for many reasons. About 2 years ago, TPWD refused to remove the hydrilla even after the residents and users of Lake Conroe offered to pay removal costs.
During the TPWD Commissioner's meeting in Houston, I made the request that TPWD begin to comply with the intent and provisions of the Sports Fish Restoration Act. I would now like to make a second request to the Commission - have the Department restore the deleted website that documented the 2000 Sunset Agency Commission's findings and recommendations. Hopefully, Director Carter Smith will not ignore the GOM’s fisheries and habitats.
Yours truly,
Dana Larson
182 Lilac Ridge
The Woodlands, TX 77384
936 273-0984
rigs2reefs@aol.com
c. Jim Morrison, Chairman, Texas Artificial Reef Advisory Committee
George Clark, 2nd VP Texas Gulf Council of Dive Clubs