Help East Texas Fisherman

[beebobber]

We need a bit of help from the East Texas folks.

We, and I am sure, like yourselves absolutely detest litter in our lakes and on the road sides. I know this is a fishing website, but what sours a beautiful fishing day more than the sight of mounds of garbage.

We live very near the South side ramp of the Six Mile Bridge. The South side ramp on Highway 87 is a very attractive and frequently used fishing spot for drive-up bank fisherman. Also, the bridge itself is home to a group of, I suppose, homeless people living in make shift camp boats 24/7. The locals called them the “bridge people.”

The South side ramp of the bridge is absolutely covered with dozens of propane bottles, water bottles, beer cans, food containers, etc. It would take three pickup trucks to haul it off.

We have contacted everyone we could think of to remedy the situation. We reached out to a commissioner in Hemphill, the game warden, the State Department of Transportation, Don’tMessWithTexas.org, etc. The litter problem seems to be no ones responsibility.

Although the bank is very steep, we do plan to clean this mess ourselves. We thought a few litter signs or litter barrels might help somewhat in the future.

Anyone knowing of someone we could contact about this problem or to obtain signs or barrels would be a blessing. The lake is just too beautiful and too enjoyable to be injured in this way.

Thanks in advance.

[Tracker123]

That's a crying shame right there. Have you tried specific organizations for Toledo Bend such as the Toledo Bend Lake Association or Sabine River Authority?

[don3778]

We've done 2 clean ups in our area. The first time we picked up 116 bags of trash, this last time we picked up 88 while cleaning up 15 miles of our roadways. See our facebook page for pics at Friends of Lake Erling. Sometimes you've just gotta do it yourself.

[beebobber]

That's a crying shame right there. Have you tried specific organizations for Toledo Bend such as the Toledo Bend Lake Association or Sabine River Authority?

We have tried the Sabine River Authority. It seems there are blurred lines of authority. The trash is on the "foot" of the bridge. It would make you think of Texas Dept. of Transportation. It is also on the bank of Six Mile Creek leading into Toledo Bend. Sabine River Authority comes to mind. Everyone has been referring us to another authority. No one wants to tackle the problem. We are not aware of the Toledo Bend Lake Association. Any idea on how to contact them?

[beebobber]

Thanks Don. We are not afraid to roll our sleeve up. We could more than likely enlist some of our neighbors. The heat and the steep incline of the bank are our only enemy. We tried to get connected to "Adopt a Highway" and "Don't Mess With Texas.org" We didn't hear back from either.

I would think that the people that homestead under the bridge are the majority contributing factor. They run propane lanterns every night and likely have no way to handle trash or "pottie" issues. Maybe some litter barrels and no-litter signs would help?

We will view the "Friends of Lake Erling" Facebook page. But, as you said, "if you want it done, sometimes you have to do it yourself."

[Tracker123]

We have tried the Sabine River Authority. It seems there are blurred lines of authority. The trash is on the "foot" of the bridge. It would make you think of Texas Dept. of Transportation. It is also on the bank of Six Mile Creek leading into Toledo Bend. Sabine River Authority comes to mind. Everyone has been referring us to another authority. No one wants to tackle the problem. We are not aware of the Toledo Bend Lake Association. Any idea on how to contact them?

Here you go:

Home

Great bunch of people, I've been to a couple of their meetings.

[beebobber]

I checked it out. Great website. Looks like a bunch of first-class people. We are definitely going to become members.

[Tracker123]

Good, great folks. They used to have their meetings at SRA San Miguel where we have our annual crappie.com gathering. Now at the Sabine Council on Aging. We supported that group (SCOA) at our last gathering with a raffle. Big fun.

We'll do it again for sure. Join us at the next crappie.com gathering the last weekend of February. I'll post details sometime this Fall. Thanks for your help.

[skiptomylu]

Hu Rob I am trying to find out who should be able to take care of this problem! Maybe even the game wardens could do something? I may not find anyone, but will try!

I am not familure with the TBLA either, but will see what they do as well.

your neighbor kind of, LOL,

Skip

[beebobber]

Long time no text. The family is going up today and will stay through Tuesday. We are going Tuesday and will probably miss them. I hate that (yeah, right). The fishing at our place is scant at best. Just tooooooo hot. We will be bring down our boat in a few weeks. We got an Xtreme 19' Crappie version with a 150. It's wide enough so when the old geezer loses his balance he won't fall over the side. Got a tree guy coming over to handle the really big trees. We are going to have grass come hell or high water. You need to come over. I could sure use some expert opinions on the old boat launch we are planning to redo. Later ...