In a separate Facebook post last week, Precinct 2 Commissioner Mike Estlinbaum noted that he and County Judge Bobby Seiferman “met with the USACE last week and they are not doing anything with the road.
“They made it clear once again that they don’t care about the road or anyone that needs it.
“They care about one thing only and that is keeping the ICWW open for commercial traffic,” Estlinbaum said.
“Judging by the fact that the erosion is now to the road and the revetment wall is being overtopped regularly, the ICWW will be part of the Gulf of Mexico soon,” he added.
“This is due to decades of inaction. But I’m not an engineer, just someone that has been watching it erode 30’ per year for the last 40 years.”
Estlinbaum said his office has already taken steps to be ready with funding if the breakwater and replenishment projects ever happen to protect a rebuilt road.
“I got an estimate today that it will take ~$1.5 million to rebuild the mile of road.
“I already had an estimate for ~$200K to rebuild the pavilions and picnic table covers and the Port of Bay City set aside $1 million to rebuild the boat ramp and fish cleaning table.
“I will also be abandoning the existing bathrooms that have been inoperable for years and build a new bathroom facility near the boat ramp and fish cleaning table.
“The road will be funded through a DRRP grant (if awarded).
“The county will be applying for a CRP grant in the spring for the pavilions, bathroom, boat ramp and fish cleaning table.
“Hopefully, the USACE can get it together and have the breakwater project done by the time these grants are funded.
“These grant applications are already in motion,” Estlinbaum said.
“So although the county can’t do anything with the USACE timeline, we can start working on funding for the amenities when and if they do what they say they are going to do.
“You all can help,” Estlinbaum said in his post.
“They hear enough from me. Please write and call your federal officials...often.
“They are the only ones that can put pressure on the USACE.
Their contacts are:
Rep Troy Nehls office
Robert Schroeder
robert.schroeder@mail.house.gov
Sen Ted Cruz
Kelly Waterman
kelly_waterman@cruz.senate.gov
“They need to hear from you so we can get the west side of the island back.”
