U.S. Department of the Interior
Office of the Secretary

Paul Beldsoe and Mary Helen Thompson (202)208-3171


For Release: February 6, 1996

Will meet with local supporters of Galveston, Corpus Christi Bays

Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt will visit the Texas Gulf Coast Wednesday to view local efforts to clean up and protect Galveston and Corpus Christi Bays and to urge Congressional Republicans to stop their attempts to rewrite and weaken federal laws most responsible for the clean up of waters across the nation.

"The people of the Houston, Galveston and Corpus Christi areas have been providing tremendous support for their unique natural waterways, and they deserve a great deal of credit," Babbitt said. "Unfortunately, just as people are volunteering their own time to clean up these bays, members of Congress from their region are voting to effectively repeal the laws which have helped rejuvenate these waters."

"There seems to be a fundamental disconnect between what the people clearly want and the way they are being represented by their members of Congress."

Babbitt will visit the Corpus Christi area Wednesday morning, to talk about water quality and go fishing. Babbitt will also discuss nearby Padre Island National Seashore, and Congressional attempts to set up a commission to close national parks.

Babbitt will depart from Boathole Marina, in the Slour Bluff area (at the end of Skippers Lane off Waldron Road) Wednesday morning at 7:45 a.m. to fish. A Press Availability will take place upon return to the dock at Boathole Marina at 9:15 a.m.

Wednesday afternoon, Secretary Babbitt will be in La Porte to meet with commercial fisherman, business leaders, volunteers and other local supporters of Galveston Bay. Babbitt will also lead a group of school students in water quality testing of the Bay. The events will take place at the pavilion at Sylvan Beach Park (at the end of Fairmont Parkway) in La Porte and begin at 1:30 p.m. All events are open to the press and public.

--DOI--