Res 2010-173 - Laserfiche WebLink

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native vegetation; protected fauna, their value, habitats, penalties for harming, etc. The messages can be delivered by interpretive staff, non - profit partners, and local schools through programming. Endangered species protection is not the only topic; others could include riparian area values, erosion, inappropriate behavior, littering, river water quality, impacts of human waste, and even off -site behaviors like pollution and trash in the watersheds. • Install kiosks and interpretive signing at key put -in points and where viewable from the river. Laminate information on rental tubes and trash bags. • Develop curriculum & programming through the San Marcos CISD. • Develop public programs (on -site tours, various media campaigns). Increasing Enforcement of Existing Rules Rangers address the issues of public intoxication, underage drinking, destruction of property, intentional destruction of Texas Wild Rice, curfew enforcement, public safety and security, prohibitions of glass in parks, and the like. Behavior that is illegal would be cause for ticketing, fining, or arresting. Behavior that is "inappropriate" could be cautioned. Some river impact problems could be solved or improved with a greater presence of rangers, especially when coupled with a public information campaign regarding illegal activities, endangered species, and the threat of fines and charges. • Increase number of rangers and train them to enforce river impacting behaviors with zero tolerance. Developing New Regulations of User Behavior* New regulations are probably the most controversial and some would be legally difficult to implement. For example, the City has no jurisdiction over navigable state waters nor the state -owned river bed and banks, however, the City does have full control over river access from and behavior on parkland adjacent to the river. The Legislature could transfer jurisdiction of river bottom from the State to the City (such as Waco and Austin have). The City could explore earmarking fines for enforcement for river management activities. • Modify the leash law to limit leash length to 6 feet (for better dog control). • Regulate cooler size, require coolers to have locking devices, and ban the types of containers that contribute to litter (volume drinking devices, containers under 5 fl. oz.). • Modify existing litter ordinance to dedicate fines in vicinity of river for river management. • Research impacts of recreation use during low flows and determine if there's an appropriate mechanism to designate "no swim zones" and /or restricting swimmers during low flows to protect endangered species. *Many of these recommendations have come from the City of New Braunfels as they have tried to control their recreation impacts. Collecting Fees Fees collected should be used for management, clean -ups, restoration, and education. Parking fees could also be a source of revenue for management as well as way to price impacts from impervious cover. Pricing strategies could involve higher fees during peak times and lower fees (or no fees) in off - peak times to discourage congestion and disperse visitors over time. Fees that impact visitors more than locals are more politically acceptable. • Collect river management fees from rental businesses by adding to rental cost of tubes and boats. • Collect parking fees from lots near the river (May -Sept on weekends).