UGRA Gives Approval of Guadalupe Bass Restoration Initiative.

Kerrville, TX, March 23, 2005 –

The Upper Guadalupe River Authority today gave the go ahead for staff to proceed with the Guadalupe Bass Restoration Initiative. The initiative will help assure a future for the “State Fish of Texas” in Kerr County streams. Acting general manager, Scott Loveland, stated, “ Pure strain guadalupe bass are being threatened by interbreeding with the non-native smallmouth bass.” The smallmouth were stocked in Texas waters starting in 1974. Since, the species has spread and interbreed throughout the guadalupe bass’s range.

The plan will be a cooperative effort between the Upper Guadalupe River Authority, Texas Parks & Wildlife Depart, Hill Country Fly Fishers, Kerrville Convention & Visitors Bureau, Southern Council of Fly Fishers, Texas Association of Bass Clubs, and the Federation of Fly Fishers. The five-year plan will include the stocking of up to 250,000 fingerlings a year. There will also be an education aspect to the initiative designed to educate the public about their state fish.

In other business:

Phase two of the Cypress Tree Initiative has been completed. Over 300 native cypress trees have been planted in area parks along the Guadalupe. The goal is to re-vegetate the banks of Kerr County streams with the beautiful and majestic Bald Cypress.

The ad to accept construction bids for Phase 2 and 3 of the Kerrville South Wastewater Project are scheduled to be run in early April. Once complete, these phases will provide central sewer for up to 150 additional customers who were previously on septic systems.

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UGRA aspires to be respected for its efficient, responsive and forthright stewardship of the Upper Guadalupe River and its tributaries.

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