After seven months of work and over 17,000 loads of dirt, Rollover Pass is no more. Within days, the final clean up will be complete. The landscape has been permanently changed from a 200′ wide fish pass lined with anglers young and old, to a flat expanse of dirt that will eventually be transformed into a proposed park and fishing pier. The broken Historical Marker, damaged during Hurricane Ike, is all that
Rollover Pass Closure
Only a memory
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Save Rollover Pass
Fishing enthusiasts were lined up on both sides of Rollover Pass all weekend, reeling in some nice catches, as supporters were out protesting the closure of Rollover Pass. Since the Texas legislature authorized the closure of Rollover Pass in 2009, the Gilchrist Community Association has been fighting this decision in court. The legal battles are not over. A case is still pending in Galveston
Rollover Pass Update
By Ted Vega [June 1, 2017]
On May 23, 2017 a meeting was held in Houston, Texas. The purpose was a court required mediation session between the Galveston County, the owner of the property “Gulf Coast Rod and Gun Club”, and the Gilchrist Community Association “the care takers of Rollover Pass/lessee”, and adjourned after 6:30 pm, the owners lawyers advised them that this
Letter to Army Corp of Engineers regarding closure of Rollover Pass
March 16, 2017
Mr. Steven Walls, USACE Galveston Texas
I am requesting that Permit SWG-2009-0083 to Close Rollover Pass not be extended for some of the following reasons.
By Ted Vega, President
Gilchrist Community Association
GCA Files complaint with County DA
Gilchrist Community Association President Ted Vega filed a complaint with the Galveston County District Attorney’s office requesting an investigation of the Galveston County Commissioners Court under the Texas Government Code Chapter 551 “Open Meetings” act for a possible violation that occurred on January 5, 2016 where the County Governmental Body “Galveston County Commissioners Court” had
GCA Declares War Against GLO and Galveston County to Save Rollover Pass
By Ted Vega, President, Gilchrist Community Association
The Gilchrist Community Association, the legal owners of the property on which Rollover Pass was built in 1955 has declared war on efforts by the Texas General Land Office and Galveston County to use eminent domain to seize their private property. This treasured coastal resource, known for amazing fishing and recreation, is in immediate danger of being permanently closed by
Federal Court denies Rollover Pass motion
In 2008, the Texas Legislature approved $5.85 million to close Rollover Pass, citing the pass as a cause of coastal erosion. The State argued that closure would “reduce coastal erosion by eliminating the sediment transport into Rollover Pass” and “return Rollover Bay and East Bay to their historical salinity regimes.”
In 2012, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approved the State General Land Office request for a Clean Water Act (CWA) permit to close Rollover Pass.
In 2013, the Gulf Coast Rod, Reel & Gun Club (owners of the land) and the Gilchrist Community Association (operators) filed a motion in US District Court challenging the Corps of Engineers decision to permit the closure of Rollover Pass. They contend that “the Corps’ decision was arbitrary and capricious in violation of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the CWA by failing to fully consider ecological and socioeconomic impacts or to sufficiently weigh alternatives.”
On December 4, the Court issued its findings, denying the Plaintiff’s motion and ruling in favor of the Corps of Engineers. Read the full COURT ORDER.
Study Refutes GLO Claims Regarding Dredging Costs Associated with Rollover Pass
Report shows false data utilized to support claims of financial savings
The Gilchrist Community Association (GCA) and the Gulf Coast Rod, Reel and Gun Club (the Club) today released a study that refutes claims by the Texas General Land Office (GLO) that Rollover Pass remaining open causes $1 million per year in additional dredging costs. That figure is based on an analysis by Jacksonville, Florida-based Taylor Engineering that was accepted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in findings associated with the issuance of a
“Do everything we can to keep it open…”
David Watts, candidate for Texas Land Commissioner, was in Crystal Beach the other day to visit with concerned residents about the closure of Rollover Pass. About 35 people were in attendance. Watts admitted he knew nothing about Rollover Pass just a few weeks ago, but has since done research into the issue and feels the closure is a “bad deal”. He stated, “I’m opposed to the closure. Currently, Commissioner
Watts Opposes Closure of Rollover Pass
David Watts, candidate for Texas Land Commissioner, stopped by Rollover Pass last week to visit with some of the anglers that use the Pass and learn more about the battle the GCA is waging with the State regarding Rollover Pass closure. Watts said he agrees with Jerry Patterson (current Land Commissioner) on many issues, but not this one. He is in favor of keeping the pass open and pursuing
Proposed Closure of Rollover Pass to Harm East Bay
Documentation submitted to Corps by GLO altered state-approved computer model – misrepresented impact to the Bay
The Gilchrist Community Association (GCI) and the Gulf Coast Rod, Reel and Gun Club (the Club) today released a study of the impacts of the closure of Rollover Pass upon East Bay that demonstrates that significant harm will result to East Bay if Rollover Pass is closed as proposed by the General Land Office (GLO) of the State of Texas.
County signs MOU for Rollover closure
The Galveston County Commissioners have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the State General Land Office to coordinate the closure of Rollover Pass. The MOU requires the GLO to bear all the expense associated with Rollover Pass closure and to build a park and a pier at the Rollover Pass site at the State’s expense. The County must agree to the specific details of the park plan
Rollover Pass Litigation
For Immediate Release
April 19, 2013
The Gulf Coast Rod, Reel and Gun Club and the Gilchrist Community Association filed suit in federal court in Galveston today against Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson and the Corps of Engineers over various actions related to attempts to close Rollover Pass, a popular recreational fishing venue on the Bolivar Peninsula of Galveston County. Among the allegations
