From Ellis Pickett - Surfrider

In case you missed it, State Rep. Wayne Christian of Center, Texas pulled some old-fashioned Texas midnight politics. Last week he changed the Texas Open Beaches Act (OBA) - the law that guarantees public access and use to our coast and prohibits construction of houses on the public beach.

The fact is, he HAD a front-row house in Crystal Beach that was destroyed by Hurricane Ike. I feel very badly for anyone who lost property in the storm, but everyone knows that a beach house is a risky investment.

Because the beach moves, the OBA was written to make sure there would always be a public beach, no matter where the sand ended up. It's a good law, good public policy, it means there will always be a public beach in Texas.

But Rep. Christian wants to rebuild his house on the public beach and he had the power and guile to pull it off. Texas Land Commissioner and every beach access organization oppose this law. House Bill 770 (HB770) is now on Governor Perry's desk for either his signature to approve or a veto.

Please help preserve Texas public beaches. Call Governor Perry and ask him to "Please veto HB770".They won't ask your name, it only takes a minute.

512-463-2000

Better yet, send him a fax 512-463-1849

For more info on the bill go to
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/6460265.html

Please do this,Ellis Pickett