Bay City Tribune

Funding for the Southwest Cut at East Matagorda Bay was the only topic of discussion during the public hearing on the Coastal Impact Assistance Program projects Thursday afternoon.

A conference room in the Bay City Service Center was packed with about 30 people who came to weigh-in on the projects that will be funded by 2007 and 2008 grant money.

Nine men voiced their opinion on the Southwest cut project with eight favoring the project and only one opposing.

Edward Stavinoha was the lone voice of opposition to the project that will cut a stream of fresh water into East Matagorda Bay.

Stavinoha introduced himself as a board member of the East Matagorda Bay Foundation.

"We presently have 215 members in our organization," he said.

"We also have an attorney - Blackburn and Carter."

He said the foundation and all of its members were opposed to the project but would not explain their reasons why.

"I'm not going to go into any details about why we are opposed to it," he said.

"Our members and our attorney will do the best we possibly can to see that this cut doesn't happen."

Those who support the Southwest cut each made a list of the benefits they felt it could provide.

Ralph Rollins said it would help to ensure an overall healthier ecosystem.

"We haven't had a big freeze or a big fish kill in a few years but we know we're long overdue on that now," he said.

"The southwest cut will present a stream where the fish can find that and escape and not have that kill."

He also said the fresh water will increase productivity.

"By doing this it will get some of that fresh water down here and will help the oyster reefs," he said.

James Gann and Jerry Wright agreed on the need for more bank fishing outlets and that the Southwest cut would add more options for bank fishermen.

Wright, the owner of Stanley's Food Market in Matagorda, said he here's nothing but support for the Southwest cut project by the fishermen and tourist that shop in his store.

"Seems like everyone's in favor of this Southwest cut," he said.

"We need places for bank fisherman."

"Everybody in the world can't afford a boat," he said.

Wright said the project would increase tourism and boost the economy.

CIAP was created to share the income from offshore oil and gas production.

Matagorda County's allocation is $1,274,996, the projects proposed are:

$53,940 for Sargent Beach restoration;

$41,878 for student understanding and appreciation of coastal issues;

$36,334 for a coastal issue conference;

$32,193 for economy/ecology student project;

$371,933 for Tres-Palacios study for beneficial use of dredge material;

$355, 067 for diversion dam by-pass cut;

$155,004 for the Southwest cut at East Matagorda Bay;

$139,609 for Palacios multi-use nature site;

$89,038 in administration costs.