Austin, Texas, 8/8/12 –The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) adopted rules today that fall short of protecting environmental flows in the Guadalupe, San Antonio, Mission and Aransas rivers and into the San Antonio Bay system. By placing limits on new water rights permits, these rules are intended to help ensure sufficient water flows in the rivers and into the bays. On a more positive note, TCEQ also adopted a more reasonable set of rules for the Colorado and Lavaca rivers and Matagorda and Lavaca bays today.

“The result for the Guadalupe and San Antonio rivers and the San Antonio Bay system is extremely frustrating because of the use of flawed modeling by TCEQ staff in developing the initial rule proposal. Following staff’s recommendation, TCEQ Commissioners reduced environmental protections far below the levels recommended by the region’s stakeholder committee in an apparent attempt to minimize effects on future water development. Without adequate justification, TCEQ failed to capitalize on the work of the stakeholders who had struck a careful balance between future water supply needs and environmental protection,” said National Wildlife Federation’s Jennifer Ellis, who served on the stakeholder committee.

For about two years, a group of diverse stakeholders worked with a team of scientist to develop environmental flow recommendations that provide adequate water for fish and wildlife – and the businesses that depend on them –while allowing for reasonable opportunities to develop future water supplies. These stakeholders included representatives of municipalities, river authorities, commercial fisheries, regional water planning, industries, and other groups. This process was established by Senate Bill 3 in 2007 to create flow rules for each of Texas’s major river basins and bays.

“The stakeholder process was a difficult and time-consuming effort designed to address all reasonable concerns of the various interests,” noted Tyson Broad, a Sierra Club representative, who also served on the stakeholder committee. “A vast majority of stakeholders (21 of the 24 members) recognized the value of finding a middle ground and endorsed a full set of recommendations. By rejecting so much of the stakeholders’ hard work, TCEQ missed an opportunity to adopt a balanced approach that could have helped minimize controversy over future surface water projects in the Guadalupe River basin,” he added.

Among other shortcomings, the adopted rules exclude protections for many of the high flow pulses that the scientists and stakeholders identified as critical to the health of the region’s river and bays. These surges of freshwater cue fish spawning, spread plant seeds, deliver nutrients and sediments to the bay and maintain bay salinity at levels needed to support healthy fish and wildlife, including oysters. “We appreciate the addition by the Commissioners of one level of high pulse flows in the Guadalupe River basin to the rules adopted today. This is definitely a step in the right direction but still not sufficient to protect the health of the rivers and bay system,” added Mr. Broad.

Senate Bill 3 directs TCEQ to adopt rules that ‘are adequate to support a sound ecological environment, to the maximum extent reasonable considering other public interests and other relevant factors.’ “Because the TCEQ rules aren’t adequate to protect a sound ecological environment, particularly for the San Antonio Bay system, TCEQ needs to provide adequate justification for short-changing our rivers and bays and the natural heritage of all Texans. The agency didn’t do that,” explained Myron Hess, an attorney with National Wildlife Federation.

Fortunately, in the case of the new rules adopted for the Colorado and Lavaca rivers and Matagorda and Lavaca bays, TCEQ adhered much more closely to unanimous stakeholder committee recommendations. However, even there, TCEQ did reduce protections for larger pulse flows recommended by the stakeholders.

-Jennifer Ellis, National Wildlife Federation

Life from the seat of a tractor..
An old farmer’s words of wisdom we could all live by…….

Your fences need to be horse-high, pig-tight and bull-strong.
Lettin’ the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin’ it back in.
Life is simpler when you plow around the stump.
A bumble bee is considerably faster than a John Deere tractor.
Words that soak into your ears are whispered…. not yelled.
Meanness don’t just happen overnight.
Forgive your enemies; it messes up their heads.
Do not corner something that you know is meaner than you.
It don’t take a very big person to carry a grudge.
You cannot unsay a cruel word.
Every path has a few puddles.
When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty.
The best sermons are lived, not preached.
Most of the stuff people worry about, ain’t never gonna happen anyway.
Don’t judge folks by their relatives.
Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
Live a good and honorable life, then when you get older and think back, you’ll enjoy it a second time.
Don’t interfere with somethin’ that ain’t bothering you none.
Timin’ has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.
If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin’.
Sometimes you get, and sometimes you get got.
Always drink upstream from the herd.
Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment.

Reflections of an Old-timer:

1.  I started out with nothing, and I still have most of it.
2.  My wild oats have turned into prunes and all-bran.
3.  I finally got my head together, and now my body is falling apart.
4.  Funny, I don’t remember being absent-minded.
5.  Funny, I don’t remember being absent-minded.
6.  If all is not lost, where is it?
7.  It is easier to get older than it is to get wiser.
8.  Some days you’re the dog; some days you’re the hydrant.
9.  I wish the buck stopped here; I sure could use a few.
10. It’s hard to make a comeback when you really haven’t been anywhere.
11.  The only time the world beats a path to your door is when you’re in the bathroom.
12.  If God wanted me to touch my toes, he’d have put them on my knees.
13.  When I’m finally holding all the cards, why does everyone want to play chess?
14.  It’s not hard to meet expenses…they’re everywhere.
15.  The only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth.
16.  These days, I spend a lot of time thinking about the hereafter…I go somewhere to get something, and then wonder what I’m here after.
17.  Funny, I don’t remember being absent-minded.

God, grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway, the good fortune to run into the ones I do…and the eyesight to tell the difference.

On August 1st, I was honored to have lunch with several Vietnam Veterans at a press conference called by the Board of Warrior’s Weekend. Unfortunately I came ill-prepared, having left my glasses and pen at home. So I am telling you from memory what it was all about.

“Vietnam Veterans are some of our most loyal supporters of Warrior’s Weekend,” said Ron Kocian, Warrior’s Weekend President. “They want to see that soldiers returning from The War on Terror receive the recognition they deserve.”

Several of the Veterans in attendance spoke to us about their Vietnam experience and the often hostile reception they received upon their return to the States. One of them, Manuel Rivera, brought to Ron’s attention the idea that, even though many years have passed, it’s not too late to show these veterans that their service is also appreciated.

The Board agreed and is now planning “The Parade That Never Was” to honor all Vietnam era veterans and those who lost loved ones in the Vietnam War. The parade is planned for October 13, 10:00 a.m., in downtown Victoria.

You will be hearing more about the parade in this publication and others in our area. (Reporters from Victoria, Calhoun, and Jackson counties attended the press conference and were all given information and registration forms for the event.)

If you are a Vietnam-era Veteran, you may contact the Dolphin for a registration form. (See our phone number, e-mail and mailing address on the Contact page.) Your participation in “The Parade That Never Was” is requested and highly desired. The Dolphin will be happy to mail or e-mail a registration form to you.

I cannot remember if Manuel Rivera, the inspiration for the parade, is from Port Lavaca or Victoria, but I do know Joe Pena from Port Lavaca, who also spoke at the luncheon. Joe was inducted into the military days after President John F. Kennedy was assassinated on November  22, 1963. Joe fought in the Battle of la Drang. November 14-18, 1965, the subject of the book “We Were Soldiers Once…And Young” written by Lt. Gen. Harold G. Moore (Ret.) and war journalist Joseph L. Galloway of Refugio, Texas. Mr. Galloway was awarded the Bronze Star for helping to rescue wounded American soldiers under fire during the battle. The book was later made into the movie “We Were Soldiers” starring Mel Gibson.

-Joyce Rhyne, Editor

The Culture and Cuisine Summer Musical Series will continue at Faye Sterling Park on Port Lavaca’s Main Street on Saturday, August 18. Robert Ojeda & Bronze with the Tejan Cantantes Music Series and invited guest artists will perform from 3:00 until 7:00 p.m. Come early; stroll through downtown and visit the shops and then come and relax and enjoy some great entertainment at the park. Bring your lawn chairs for a relaxing evening of fun and entertainment.

The last (July 21) Music Series event was awesome! Not only did the weather cooperate with us by clearing up after the many previous thunderstorms, there were no mosquitoes and the breeze off the bay circulated through downtown and Faye Sterling Park to the enjoyment of many.

We had people that stepped up to help us make the event happen.  The City of Port Lavaca was able to cut the grass thanks to Joe Sam Sylva and Antonio Medellin of Sylva Construction Co, helping drain the large water puddles and swept the alleyway behind Faye Sterling Park.  Thanks to Commissioners Neil Fritsch and Roger Galvan for helping spray for mosquitoes prior to the event.

The foot, motorcycle, and vehicular traffic in down town Port Lavaca was very active for this unique and laid back town with its diversified cultures.

We had approximately 50 motorcycles line the street side by side starting at the corner in front of Texas Traditions Restaurant continuing that entire block.  The Victoria motorcycle group was on a poker run and stopped to enjoy Port Lavaca’s hospitality.   However, we were the ones that were able to enjoy such magnificent machines.  Then across the street we had the Classic and Antique cars displayed.  It was unique: On one side of the street we had the latest in cycles and across, the great display of automobiles.   Some of the cars displayed were:  Jodie Brett, of Port Lavaca – 1931 Model A – 4 door Sedan; Gary East, Victoria, TX, 1964 Pontiac Catalina; Mr., & Mrs. A. E. Kirby, Blessing, TX;  1950 Studebaker; Mr. & Mrs. Richard Ross, Victoria, TX; 1979 Corvette; Mr. & Mrs. Joe Palladino,  Victoria,  TX ; Mr. & Mrs. Ed Arnold, Jr. and Sr. Port Lavaca, 1956 T Bird; Lupe Martinez, Victoria TX., 1958 Impala; Eusebio Cruz “Wolfman” Victoria TX., 1957 Belair, members of the Wild Bunch Hot Rod Club founded in 1982.; and Hodie Garcia, Victoria, TX, 1954 Ford P U.

Also displayed were bicycles, from vintage era to current models.  There was one red tricycle with fender skirts.   Boy, did that bring back memories of my first tricycle.  These “bicycles” were displayed by Julian Perez, Jr., along with his entire family.  These Calhoun County residents take great pride as a family for the bikes that have been reconstructed, painted, and maintained, as shown by the many trophies won and displayed by Mr. Perez and his children.

We had approximately about 225 people in the park and sitting on lawn chairs along the side walks of downtown Port Lavaca, then about another 50 or so walking the streets looking at the displays, shopping in the various stores and enjoying the food from the restaurants downtown.  Looking around into the crowd we saw people from different ethnic groups; ages varied from very young, teenagers, adults to the Senior-Senior Citizens, all sharing and expressing relaxed enjoyment.

The 2nd Series of Tejano Music not only included Tejano music, but some of the “oldies and goodies” by Ernest Tubb, Johnny Cash and other various artists performed by Robert Ojeda, Ms. Carla Jones and Freddy Serna vocalists and a couple of spectators that stepped up to the mike.  Joining in the musical performance were Alfredo Serna on accordion; Robert Ojeda on guitar; Walter Spiller, bass guitar; Jesse Orta, key board and Frankie Gonzalez on percussion.  The crowds did not disperse until the last musical rendition was played.   Even then, people continued to sit and enjoy the atmosphere with their families or neighbors.

Cold drinks, watermelon cups, hot dogs were available for purchase.  The events have been non- alcoholic.

Did you know? Calhoun County has no less than 15 cultures, and 15 different languages. For information about our Culture and Cuisine Committee, call Rose Pena at 361-652-0410 or Kathy Perez at 361-549-7044.

Classic Cars at the July 21 Music Series

Will Smith’s first offshore fishing trip on August 1st started out with rough seas. Capt. Dave Pope almost decided to turn back at the mouth of the Big Jetties, but in spite of the 3 to 5 foot waves, they made it out to the shrimp boats. In addition to the mahi-mahi shown above, Will caught king mackerel, bonito, vermillion and red snapper.

Fred Chaney of Port O’Connor with his 46” king mackerel caught behind a shrimp boat on Aug. 1. It put up quite a fight with several “smoking” runs. Fred delights in cleaning all he catches and gladly shares his fish with family and friends. - Dave Pope

Chris L. with a 30” Red Bay Flats Lodge Guide Nathan Beabout, July 30, 2012

Enjoy your fishing trip?
Send us a photo at: dolphin1@tisd.net