East Bay Restoration

[KylesKenner2]

Good Afternoon to All,
My first post here. Some might remember me from 2cool.
I might have already responded to a few of you here in regards to East Bay.
I have noticed on the Reel Report that the article has been posted by Joe Kent. I sent him a notice to ask if he could put something in the Sunday paper which he did.
Below is a more info on my efforts to get a jump start on the cleaning of East Bay. I hope I can count on a few of my fellow anglers to assist me in the "little" project. I actually have been getting a couple of phone calls from some people associated with the CCA who are anxious to help with getting started. As I get more info, I will relay it to all of you so that I can keep everyone interested in helping up to speed with this project.
Thanks and looking forward to hearing from as many as possible.
Kyle Cunningham

Project: East Bay Restoration
When: TBA
From: Kyle Cunningham, aka KylesKenner2
To: All interested



I am in the process of starting a clean up effort on East Bay. This is not something we will be able to do in a short period of time, but I feel after a few months of dedicated individuals like ourselves we can at least make a difference.
My goal is to dedicate one weekend a month and travel East Bay pick up or tow debris that poses a serious threat to all boaters alike. My line of thinking is if we can pick it out of the water and put it in the boat, then we can dispose of it. If it is an item that is too big to pick up and is floating, then we can tow it to a designated location.
Needless to say, if there is an item to big to tow, then we will mark it with PVC pipe, which has been generously donated, and / or we can enter its locations via GPS. Once a month, we will take those locations and post for all to see and enter for their own personal safety.
In the next few weeks, I will be trying to secure a “drop zone” for us to deliver debris to for proper disposal. I am trying to see if I can secure the area of Stingaree Marina as the drop zone. If so, I will be looking for volunteers to be staged there to assist boaters bringing in debris, off load their boats, & load up in trucks.
As far as large floating debris, I am going to check and see if we can secure one of the shorelines of the small islands just North of the ICW for a drop zone. If so, we will have volunteers there to assist boaters bringing in debris. My line of thinking is we deliver the bigger items that we can tow to the shoreline where we will drive stakes into the ground and tie off the debris so it’s not to float off on a high tide. At some point I will look be looking to have the debris removed by professionals and disposed of properly.
Some items I am looking for as donations are, rope to tie off debris, some metal stakes & garbage bags.
If you are interested donating items or volunteer in any aspect of this operation, please contact me @ kyllawaygolf@yahoo.com (kyllawaygolf@yahoo.com). I will be looking at possibly setting up some kind of meeting to discuss and answer any and all questions or concerns. The date will be decided in the near future. There will be BBQ sandwiches and chips donated at the end of Saturday. Again, this is not something that we are going to accomplish quickly. It will take sometime but I feel that over a period of time, we can collectively make a difference. We’re not trying to change the World, just East Bay.
I hope I can count on everyone to assist me with this.

Thank You All,
Kyle Cunningham

[007]

Welcome Kyle. Getting East bay clean will be a long and major undertaking. I read on another site where the state is setting aside $39 million for the mapping and removal of the major debris on the east end of the Galveston bay system. They're shooting for a June 1st completion date. Sounds like a major step towards the clean up effort. West bay on the other hand, will be just a little more difficult due to the fact of how shallow it really is. All we can do is hope and try to mark it as we go.

[WestEndAngler]

:welcome: You'll find a lot of guys on here willing to help.

[KylesKenner2]

I was told that by Coe Parker and I am depending on a strong turnout.
Again, I am doing this in an effort to try to restore the bays one at a time. My efforts are focused on East Bay for now due to the severity of the situation.
I have been setting this up for almost two weeks now and want to fire this thing up.
The CCA is very interested in helping out and I have been in contact with a couple of its members.
I am asking that anyone interested in helping shoot me an e-mail so I can keep everyone up to speed.

[WestEndAngler]

Kyle, this is Coe....

[007]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/...n/6253281.html

[KylesKenner2]

Sorry Coe. It was busy today at work and not much time to read and comprahend.

[WestEndAngler]

I'm down to help coe(at)fishwestend.com sign me up when we get a date throw it up on the Calendar here on the page. Remember, we have a healthy East Bay group here too so your in good company. I fish upper Trinity mainly and usually around Stingaree, its just a haul from Pirates a good 45 min boat ride.

[KylesKenner2]

Good Morning Guys,
Thanks for helping out. I hope to set a date by the end of this week. When I do, I'll get it posted asap and post a sign up sheet. That way I can get a good count on the people for the BBQ getting donated.
Aslo, I think I will getthe PVC cut ot 12'. That should be long enough right?

[FlatoutFishin]

Hopefully I will be able to help, but only having 2 weekends off a month it'll be a 50/50 chance. If it works out, count me in.
Appreciate your effort in this matter Kyle.

[KylesKenner2]

NO FlatoutFishin, I appreciate your efforts. I will let everyone know as soon as I lock down a date. Again, it's all going to depend on where I can secure a drop zone.
As I have mentioned, I am looking at Stingaree as the spot for picked up debris. If you know of or how I can get in touch with someone, please forward the info to me.
Thanks again Ladies & Gentlemen.

[aqua pimp]

I won't be able to commit until I see the date. If I'm free from trips the weekend that it is scheduled I will definatly be in on this.

AQUA PIMP

[KylesKenner2]

Thank you pimp

[majek_maniac]

Like most guys here, I would love to help but it is depending on the date and my work schedule (I work 14 days on/14 off, so I also have a 50/50 chance). If Im not working, I'd be happy to help out.

M.M.

[KylesKenner2]

Thanks to you as well maniac.
I posted the following on 2cool as well.
Just wanted to post it here also. Every little bit will make a huge difference.


Good Morning To All,
Along with the BBQ and the PVC that has already been donated, I am still looking for other donations in order to make the initial clean up a success.
The following are a few items needed:
Metal Stakes - for anchoring debris
1/4" - 3/8" rope - for tying up debris
Garbage bags - trash in general
Drinks - Water, cokes, coolers, & ice
Floresent Ribbon - to mark PVC pipe
If there is anything else that I have missed, which I am sure there is, please post it here.
Thanks again.
PS - I am going to try to get a hold of someone in Galv. in regards to the drop zone.
Wish me luck.
I am thinking about having Wes, aka rat race on 2cool who is donating as much PVC as we need, to have all the PVC cut to 12' lengths. Any opinions on the length is appreciated.

[Unclehandy]

We have done quite a bit of marking over the years. We have also learned that reflective tape or flourescent tape seems to work better than the ribbons. Ribbons just seem to dissappear sometimes! 12 foot lengths are definitly not too long. But we all want to have a clean bay, even if it is East Bay! JK.

[KylesKenner2]

Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am pleased to announce that I just got off the phone with Jim Vrantis, owner of Stingaree Marina. He has been ever so kind to approve the useage of his marina as our official drop zone. It will be directly across from the boat launch at where the trailer park once stood.
Needless to say, we will leave his place the way we found, or cleaner if you can.
Now, the news I've been waiting to announce. The official weekend for the inaugural start of East Bay Restoration Project will be MARCH 21st & 22nd. Saturday & Sunday.
Below is more information in regards to the services needed by our volunteers.
We will be looking for:
Boaters, of course,
Individuals staged at Stingaree to assist boaters with removeing debris from their boats and loading up into trucks and trailers,
Individuals with trucks and trailers, (if you know of someone that might own dump trucks or can donate one, let us know)
If there is anything you can think of, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Again, Thanks to everyone for participating in this project.

To: All interested in making a difference

From: Kyle Cunningham. Aka KylesKenner2

Topic: East Bay Restoration
When: March 21st & 22nd
Time: Sun up – 4PM. BBQ at the end of Sunday.
Goal: Debris Removal


Hello Fellow Anglers & Boaters,
First of I want to Thank you dearly for assisting me with this “little” project. What we are about to embark upon will be a long and tedious task that will require allot of time to accomplish, if it can be accomplished at all. I know with the group of people dedicated to this project, we can at least make a difference. As I have mentioned before, I am not out to change the world, just East Bay for starters and with your help, we can make a difference.
OUR MISSION:
What we will be doing is idling around East Bay looking for debris. If you see debris floating and can be picked up, do so and put in your boat. Once you feel as though you have enough please take it to the drop zone where there will be volunteers waiting to remove those items from your boat.
If there is debris floating and can not be picked up, tie off to it and tow it to the drop zone. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES ARE YOU TO TOW ANYTHING ACROSS THE ICW. There will be a drop zone for such items where there will be volunteers there as well to take the debris from you and stake down so it will not float off on the high tides.
Once you come across an item that cannot be picked up or towed, mark the items with the PVC that has been donated by Wes, aka rat race.
If you have the capabilities, you can enter the co-ords. in the GPS and once a month we will update the co-ords for all to share for their own safety.
Below is the sign up sheet for your participation. It is not intended to hold your feet to the fire, but to merely to have a head count on how many and who has shown up so that at the end of the day we are 100% sure everybody has made it in safely. With going out the doing what we are about to do is not an easy task. It will require for us to risk doing damage to our boats or to injuring ourselves. But, by being careful and choosing items cautiously we can get through the many weekends ahead of us with zero incidents.
If you are willing to participate, please sign it below along with a cell number and return to me. Also, please indicate if you would like to work on a shoreline or picking up debris. At the end of Sunday BBQ for all involved. Trey Kirby will donate sandwiches and chips from Lone Star Smokehouse in Montgomery, TX. I will be bringing some drinks but if anyone is willing to donate ice, drinks, & coolers please feel free to do so.
Thank You for everyone’s time & consideration,
Kyle Cunningham


Name:
Cell #:
Emergency Contact #:
Service:
__________________
If you first don't succeed, throw a Corky

[aqua pimp]

I'm in on the Saturday only.

Name: Greg Francis
cell: 409-939-1684
service: Will be there with boat

AQUA PIMP

[aqua pimp]

I could use a deckhand!!!!!

AQUA PIMP

[KylesKenner2]

Thanks a bunch PIMP.
We'll find a deck hand for you.

[007]

I could use a deckhand!!!!!

AQUA PIMP

If I don't take mine, I'll go with you.

[FlatoutFishin]

I could use a deckhand!!!!!

AQUA PIMP

Man, I'd help you out because I forgot I took my boat down to Matagorda, but unfortunately I'm working nights that weekend. I miss all the good stuff! :mad:

[KylesKenner2]

So, am I hearing you're in 007?
If so, send me info
name, cell # , service?
Thanks guys

[majek_maniac]

Sorry guys, I really wish I could help but I will be at work that weekend. Let me know if there is a round 2.

M.M.

[JT]

I hurt my back the Friday before that on March 20th and cant attend; but, I'll send in $300 bucks to offset the cost of ice, beverages, cold beer etc..

And...I can tell you now that when Robalo sees this thread, he wont be able to donate some cash fast enough or at the very least, be Aqua Pimps deck hand or maybe even both. My bet it is both.

To whom and where do I send it?

jt

[KylesKenner2]

Maniac, there will be around two. Promise everyone that. Thanks for your support anyway.
JT, I sent you a PM.
My phone number included.
Guys, I really want to say thanks for everyones effort.
Jim Vratis, owner of Stingaree, is very excited about this as well.
Maybe we can come together to help him wth any of his needs. I will stay in contact with Jim from now on.

[KylesKenner2]

Also, I am planning on running the reds this weekend, depending on the wind. After that I am going to make a run over to East Bay and take a look around and maybe a few pics to see just what we're up against.
If anyone is interested, we can make a half day of fishing and a half day of recon in East Bay.
If interested, PM me and we'll make plans on a meeting place. I live in Katy but run out of Thompsons and Bayland.

[WestEndAngler]

Beach Bum Bailey, Myself, Unclehandy & possibly Blackbeard & Redfish Rob will be there.

[007]

Beach Bum Bailey, Myself, Unclehandy & possibly Blackbeard & Redfish Rob will be there.

I'll have room on my boat if one of ya'll want to jump on with me.

[coachlaw]

I'd offer a hand and a boat as well, but I've got quite the cleanup effort going myself. I think I'm going to have to be selfish until around next year this time at the earliest. Kudos to y'all for jumping in on this effort and to KylesKenner2 for being the ramrod. It's a noble cause for sure.

[KylesKenner2]

Good Morning Coachlaw,
Thanks for your support anyway. Good luck on your project. Maybe next month you can make it.

[KylesKenner2]

GoodMorning to All,
We are less than two weeks away from the clean up effort. Please fill out the sheet below and return to me. It is vital that I track who's will be there as well as a contact number for on the water. If you have guest on your boat, please include them as well. I only need one contact number per boat.
I am looking forward to meeting everyone.
I do have some of you down already, but pleasr fill this official form out so I can keep track of all involved. I want to make sure everyone is back safe.

East Bay Registration Sheet
When: March 21st & 22nd
Time: 7am – 4pm
Where: Stingaree Marina


Mission:
We will be meeting at Stingaree promptly at 7am. Volunteers located there will pass out supplies such as garbage bags, PVC pipe, & drinks.
For those of you wanting to launch from somewhere other than Stingaree, you may start your day out picking up debris on your way to Stingaree. Once there, you may drop off the debris collected and pick up supplies.
BBQ sandwiches will be distributed on Sunday around lunch when you come to drop off debris or pick up more supplies.
I have been in contact with a couple of guides running East Bay recently. Their report to me indicates that there is very little debris floating. So, this actually may be a “debris marking effort”. Some reports indicate that poles and pylons floating consist of the bigger portion of debris out there. I want to reiterate that under no circumstances are we to tow anything across the ICW. IT IS NOT WORTH THE RISK!!!!!!!!!!
Below is the sign up sheet for you to fill out and send back to me. Please indicate if you want to volunteer on the water or at the drop off zone.
By Volunteering to assist with the clean up, I acknowledge that I am participating at my own risk and will not hold any member or other volunteer responsible for any injuries or damages that may occur. I fully understand that I am responsible for my own actions.

Please fill out the information listed below and fax to: 713-466-4171.


Capt. _____________________________

Cell #: ____________________________
Guest: ____________________________
Guest: ____________________________
Guest: ____________________________
Water: __________
Drop off: ________

Any comments, questions, or concerns please feel free to contact one of the following:
Kyle Cunningham – 832.407.5551 or kcunningham@pacesettergroup.net (kcunningham@pacesettergroup.net)
Louis Romano – 281.960.0971 or louis@romanocontractors.com (louis@romanocontractors.com)
Capt. John Bynum – 832.578.1037 or john@lmcboats.com (john@lmcboats.com)

[imhammer]

I am in San Antonio that weekend, but will try to make the next one. Good luck guys and thanks for the effort in advance!

[WestEndAngler]

Gosh darnit!! Sister's engagement party in Atlanta that weekend. I will not be able to attend. Like Chip said, I'll catch you all on the next one.

If yall need anything supplies, tools, etc yall let me know.

We've been dragging debris out from our duck camp over there for months!

[Zork]

I kinda like all the new structure to fish :)

[KylesKenner2]

To all interested,
This coming weekend is the weekend to start cleaning up East Bay. I am needing a final head count from those of you still interested in helping out.
The gentleman donating the BBQ for Sunday is requesting a somehwta accurate head count. Thanks for you support.

[aqua pimp]

I'm out! Lost my lower unit Saturday in Trinity due to debris:mad:. Boat won't be ready yet. Will definatly make the next one.

AQUA PIMP

[Unclehandy]

do you know what you hit aqua? What exactly did it do?

[JT]

I'll answer that.

It tore the dog snot out of his prop and twisted the bird dog f*** out of the shaft.....And believe it or not, beer was not a factor.

That was Aqua Pimps words, not mine.

jt

[aqua pimp]

You forgot something............ It ripped the f@$K out of the skeg!!!!!! :D

AQUA PIMP

[KylesKenner2]

Sorry to here that Aqua Pimp.
maybe next month. That's realli Ironic. Here we are the weekend that we do are clean up and you're out because you hit some. I know it was Trinity, but still.
I'll keeo you posted and things sir.
Thanks for your interest
Anybody else here still going, please let me know.

[Unclehandy]

You forgot something............ It ripped the f@$K out of the skeg!!!!!! :D

AQUA PIMP

Damn, that sucks. How did you get back in?

[KylesKenner2]

Where was Aqua Pimp when he hit the debris? I want to pass this along to my other group. Some volunteers will be cutting across Trinity and I want them to know about where Aqua Pimp got raped.
I know it's probably not there now, but every bit of info will help save a lower unit or a boat.