CCA Texas Continues Commitment to Habitat Restoration in Dickinson Bayou Restoration Project

With a string of marsh restoration and artificial reefing projects already underway, the CCA Texas Habitat Today for Fish Tomorrow program has announced that its next project will help restore ten acres of marsh in Dickinson Bayou within the Galveston Bay system. The CCA Texas Executive Board recently approved $25,000 funding for the project, which will be done in partnership with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD).

CCA Texas has a unique ability to work with other organizations and state agencies on these types of habitat projects, and that is completely due to our strong volunteer base, said Jay Gardner, chairman of the CCA Texas HTFT committee. Anglers have to be the driving force in the restoration of this critical habitat up and down the entire Texas Coast, and our guys are not afraid to step up to the challenge. This is just another step in the efforts of many to restore this important part of our marine ecosystems.

In addition to the ten acres of marsh that will be restored from materials dredged from the bayou, the project will also provide protection for forty additional acres of marsh that currently exists along adjacent shoreline and within two tidal tributaries. These ecosystem components will provide improved fish and wildlife habitat, and increased productivity of nursery fish and benthic species, as well as improved water quality and storm water filtration. The project will also provide increased natural resource education opportunities and boating access to Dickinson Bayou.

Habitat is critical to healthy marine systems, and unfortunately we have lost a staggering amount of productive habitat all up and down the Texas coast. CCA Texas is committed to the restoration of these habitats, said Robby Byers, executive director of CCA Texas. We have a strong working partnership with TPWD and we look forward to working with them and other organizations in the effort to conserve and restore the great marine resources of Texas.

Habitat Today for Fish Tomorrow is the habitat restoration and creation program of CCA Texas. HTFT was launched in November of 2008 and to date the program has funded more than $420,000 in habitat restoration along the Texas coast. For more information about HTFT, please contact John Blaha at (800) 626-4222.

Fort Bend Chapter takes first place in annual Inter Chapter Challenge

CCA Texas hosted its annual (ICC) Inter Chapter Challenge June 10 and 11, 2011 in Aransas Pass. This year's event drew twenty-eight volunteer chapter teams and guests, bringing the total attendance to over 250 people. ICC is an annual event hosted by CCA Texas for the organizations local chapter boards and brings them together for a one-day fun fishing tournament, meals for Friday and Saturday night, and chances to walk away with some great door prizes.

This year's tournament was won by the Fort Bend Chapter with a weight of 24 lbs 1 oz for three trout and one redfish. The North East Houston Chapter finished in second place with 21 lbs 12 oz and Guadalupe Valley rounded out the top three with 21 lbs even. Top individual award winners included Matt Meyer from the Fort Bend Chapter with an 8 lb 11 oz trout and Fearn Mastin from the Fort Worth Chapter with a 7 lb 12 oz redfish.