HELP SAVE Hueco Tanks STATE PARK
FROM BEING SHUT DOWN!
Hueco Tanks is a world-class destination for rock climbing and bouldering. Currently, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has formulized a management plan that will shut out climbers and other user groups from the park. This letter aims to bring the climbing community up-to-date with the latest on the TPWD's "Public Use Concept" which will be fully implemented on and also what you can do to combat its harsh restrictions.
The new management policy is as follows: North Mt. will remain open. The majority of the park that includes the best climbing will be restricted access and characterized as follows:
Category 3: Absolute Closure (45 Degree wall).
Category 2: Closed to climbing, but open to other activities (bird watching, other observation)
Category 1: Access only under "guided tours".
The "guided tour" requirements will make it nearly impossible to climb at the Tanks. The include:
1) Attending a 3 day course offered requiremants by the TPWD twice a year.
2) Guide must apply for park use, and if accepted, must pay $250 in annual fees.
3) Guide must have $300,000 in liability insurance. Guided groups will be limited to 10 people. Simply put, climbing at Hueco Tanks (West Mt. East Mt. and East Spur) will not be feasible for almost any climber.
As stated above, North Mt. will remain open, however, the following restrictions and requirements will apply:
1) 50 person limit
2) Reservations only
3) $5/person entry fee
4) Group camping only (no one allowed if group is less than 8)
These restrictions will make it virtually impossible for the majority of rock climbers to ever boulder or climb at Hueco Tanks again. Much has been done on the part of the climbing community to avoid these restrictions and to cooperate with the TPWD on formulating a management plan that is beneficial to all user groups. Yet these severe restrictions have been implemented.
It is important to realize that the freedom of all user groups will suffer with the closure of the Tanks. Hikers, birders, picnickers and climbers must work together to secure our freedom and right to use and enjoy Hueco Tanks State Park.
Honorable Lee Marshall Bass, Chairman
Parks and Wildlife Commission
201 Main Street
Fort Worth, TX 76102
FAX: (817) 390-8408
Honorable Richard W. (Dick) Heath,
Vice-Chairman
Parks and Wildlife Commission
2121 Midway Road
Carrollton, TX 75006
FAX: (972) 341-3098
Honorable Ernest Angelo, Jr., Member
Parks and Wildlife Commission
410 North Main
Midland, TX 79701
FAX: (915) 684-7691
Honorable John Avila, Jr., Member
Parks and Wildlife Commission
900 Summit Avenue
Fort Worth, TX 76102
FAX: (817) 877-5507
Honorable Mickey Burleson, Member
Parks and Wildlife Commission
5101 Berger Road, Temple, TX 76501-6715
FAX: (254) 774-7254
Honorable Ray Clymer, Member
Parks and Wildlife Commission
2019 Berkeley Drive
Wichita Falls, TX 76308
FAX: (817) 692-8242
Honorable Carol E. Dinkins, Member
Parks and Wildlife Commission
1001 Fannin, Suite 2416
Houston, TX 77002-6760
FAX: (713) 615-5311
Honorable Susan Howard-Chrane, Member
Parks and Wildlife Commission
P. O. Box 1456, Boerne, TX 78006
FAX: (830) 755-2242
Honorable Nolan Ryan, Member
Parks and Wildlife Commission
P. O. Box 670, Alvin, TX 77512
FAX - (281) 585-2238
Perry R. Bass, Chairman-Emeritus
Parks and Wildlife Commission
201 Main Street
Fort Worth, TX 76102
FAX: (817) 338-2699
Texas Parks and Wildlife
Department Executive Director
Andrew Sansom
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
4200 Smith School Road
Austin, TX 78744
Telephone No.: 512/389-4802, Fax: 512/389-4814
State of Texas Governor
The Honorable George W. Bush
Republican
State Capitol, P.O. Box 12428
Austin, TX 78711
(512) 463-2000
(800) 252-9600
E-mail a Letter to paul@toprope.com and we will see that it gets forwarded on! Thanks for your Help!
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