custom-AP-presentation3-8-11

							From Birding Texas by Roland H. Wauer
  and Mark A Elwonger.

About Rockport

“Although this was once one of North
America's best known birding hot spots,
much of the natural environment has been
degraded by developments and grazing
since the days of Connie Hagar, the birder
who discovered the area to be a birding
bonanza.”
               COMPETITION

Corpus Christi – “Caller Times” Construction to start on
  Oso Bay Nature Park and Trail ($2.4 million)

Nelda Martinez “ It’s not only a good fit for us but our
  ecotourism. This is going to be a huge contribution to
  our community and I think it’s going to be one of the best
  rates of return of our 2008 bond election.”

Barbara Austin “sees the park as an opportunity to connect
  residents to the natural world.”
    Rockport Parks Survey

According to Tom Staley, Parks Director, the results of a
park needs assessment survey conducted in 2010 with
857 county and city residents responding:

# 1 Additional hike and bike trails

# 3 Bird and nature trails

# 5 A birding center
                        Purpose

Pathways is a venue tax project. The tax was
approved last fall and is being collected now.
The Pathways project is intended to use some
of these funds to:
 • Encourage commercial growth and
   opportunity through an increase in eco-
   tourism. (More overnight stays)
 • Provide additional / improved recreational
   activities for visitors & residents.
                              Purpose
Improve the best of Aransas County’s resources
   – Birding Sites
   – Historic Places
   – Scenic hiking trails and paths
   – Recreational activities (kayaking, fishing etc. )

 Venue tax is paid by visitors
 to the County. No
 additional taxes are
 required to fund the
 Pathways Project.
             The Pathways Committee
De McLallen
Tom Callan – Aransas First, R-F C of C
Earl & Lonnie Matthew – Aransas First
J D Debler – Aransas First
Debra Corpora – Aransas Bird and Nature Club
Janie White – Aransas County Historical Society
Pam Stranahan – Aransas County Historical Commission
Ellen Reisinger – Aransas / San Patricio Master Gardeners
Tom Staley – Parks Director, City of Rockport
Charles Smith – County Commissioner
Jerry Brundrett – Griffith and Brundrett Surveying and Engineering
Ray Kirkwood – Mid-Coast Chapter, Texas Master Naturalists
Nancy Paulson – Rockport Web Sites and R-F C of C
Shawn Kendrick – Aransas County ISD
Krystal White – R-F C of C
Ernie Edmundson – Aransas San Patricio Master Gardeners
                           BIRDS

Improve 45 + Birding Sites
   – Parking space
   – Signage
   – Easements
   – Landowner buy-in
   – Best case – Conservation
     Easements
                            BIRDS

A birding site reference book
   – Site descriptions
   – Pictures
   – Directions
   – Species by season
   – Site precautions
                          HISTORY

38 Identified and accessible sites
   – Signage already available
   – Parking already available

17 New sites which may
  require:
   – Signage
   – Parking Space
                               Pathways
Potential for 65 miles of
   – Trails
       •   Unpaved footpaths
       •   Paved
       •   Crushed stone
       •   Mulch
   – Hike and Bike Trails

Trails use
   – City Sidewalks
   – Undeveloped easements
      and rights of way
   – Property which will be
      purchased for short
      connecting links
                      Pathways

• Pathways consist of 12 to 13 segments or loops
• Longest is 15 miles from Lamar to Salt Creek
• Each pathway trail head includes a kiosk with
  information about historic places and birding
  sites along the trail.
• Central structure planned at Tule Creek and Bus
  35 with footbridge to Shellcrete Park
                       Approval

• Commissioner’s Court Approved Concept
• Commissioner's Court declared most of County
  to be a “Tourist Development Area”
• Need City Council approval of concept and use
  of site at Tule Creek & Shell Crete Park
• Project has been submitted to State Comptroller
  for approval
• Project will be put to voters for approval in May
  or November
                         FUNDING
Initial cost estimate $ 2.5 million

• Revenue Bonds, paid off by 2% venue tax as
  currently funding the Aquarium.
• The Pathways Venue Tax will not increase the
  current Venue Tax and will be paid by visitors to
  our hotels. It does not represent a tax increase
  of any kind to visitors or residents.
• Venue tax can be used for operations &
  maintenance.

Tax deductable contributions may be made
  through Aransas First
                      PROPOSITION

Authorizing Aransas County to provide for the
acquisition, planning design, development,
renovation or construction of facilities including
buildings, historical sites, birding sites, kiosks,
wildlife viewing structures, trails, paths, roads,
walkways, bridges, parking lots, signage, real estate,
easements, and rights-of-way within the County’s
tourist development area along inland waterways in
the County; and to impose a hotel occupancy tax at
the rate of (2%) of the price paid for a room in a hotel
located in Aransas County, Texas for the purpose of
financing this Venue Project.
                Ballot Language
             PROPOSITION

Authorizing Aransas County to provide for
the      acquisition,  planning     design,
development, renovation or construction of
facilities within the County’s tourist
development area along inland waterways
in the County; and to impose a hotel
occupancy tax at the rate of (2%) of the
price paid for a room in a hotel located in
Aransas County, Texas for the purpose of
financing this Venue Project.
                         Work to Do


Comptroller approves
  bond issue

Commissioners call
  election

Voters approve project