Two months ago there was a flurry of discussion about lanuching ramps on Perdido bay, when Hurst Hammock was closed.There are no viable ramps for upper Perdido Bay and the River system. The Country put out a letter requesting property for sale which would be satisfactory. A "selection Committee" (I have been trying to find out who is on it and what their expertise is) was formed. On Dec 24 the PNJ described the properties submitted, and I list them below, along with my comments to Robert Turpin:The paper ranked the locations as follows:</DIV>1. 3.5 acres on Interarity Point Road on Tarkiln Bay,near Curzat Way (is this on the bay near Bayou Garconor ICW?--notclear from the paper) Theonly chunk of land I am aware of there is where thecondos were going to be built on the ICW--thereare homes on the Bayou Garcon side of Curzat. The Galvez ramp has currents which make launching both difficult and hazardous--this is also at least 16 miles to the upper Perdido Bay area)</DIV></DIV>2. 2.9 acres on Bayou Chico near Mahogany Mill (This is near the under utalized country paid for ramps at Pensacola Marine Shipyard. It is 30 miles to upper Perdido Bay from Bayou Chico. There is the no wake zone of Bayou Chico.)</DIV></DIV>3. 1.7 acres on Riola Place (Heron Bayou) (All of these locations are very small, on shoal water in residential neighborhoods--not at all satisfactory)</DIV></DIV>4. 1 acre on Weller Pl on Bayou Grande (25 to 30 miles to upper Perdido Bay)</DIV></DIV>5. 1 acre on Weller and Aileen Ave. Bayou Grande (25 to 30 miles to upper Perdido Bay)</DIV></DIV>6. 0.5 acre Riola Place, (CC&R--may strike it from the list)</DIV></DIV>7. 5 acres on Interarity Pt.Rd along Tarkiln Bay (Not sure where this is--but if on Perdido Bay, it may be a good possibility)</DIV></DIV>8. 0.5 acre Riola Place, Perdido Bay (All of Heron Bayou, Perdido Bay is very shoal to the shore, plus subject to chop if on the bay)</DIV></DIV>9. 26 acres near Meadson Road and Tarkiln Way (mostly wetlands)</DIV></DIV>The canal on Riola is very narrow--barely enough room to turn my 18 footer around in it. The depth in the canal is OK, but the entrance to the bay is what is shoal.Any area directly on the bay is too shoal. Even including these residential lots seem like folly.0.5 acre is not enough to consider for a ramp and parkingeven without the other problems with the shoaling.The current ramp on Heron Bayou is dirt, only room for half a dozen rigs at the best, shoal and under the 98 bridge with limited clearance--not a good ramp)</DIV></DIV>Since Hurst Hammoc has closed, recreational fishing on upper Perdido Bay has almost stopped. I live on Bayou Marcus, andwe don't see any boats fishing this area at all. The potential of a ramp on upper BayouMarcus at the EUCA site, is also unrealistic, because of shoaling of the bayou, wetlands where parking would be located, and snags. The entrance to the bayis less tha 15" deep at times.</DIV></DIV>I would appreciate any input from other members on the potential sites (esp #2 & #7) and if they are viable for ramps. We also need to look ourselves for sites for ramps. I am taking my boat and exploring the various parts of the bay which might have potential, as well as driving the side rodes looking for "for sale" signs. </DIV></DIV>We all need to contact our county commissioners about this need. There is 55 miles of fishable river and Perdido Bay in Escabmia county's West side, which is totally neglected by the country's powers. They need to be aware of our problems. I will try and speak at the committee of the Whole meeting on Jan 17th (if allowed) where this subject is susposed to be presented.</DIV></DIV>I was on the Marine Resource Committee for 4 years and chair for 2 of those years, and we struggled with trying to find ramps then. The Bayou chico ramp was obtained during this term, as well as several others on the Escambia River. We need more ramps--the property will cost more next year than this year. The contry and city have not been friendly. Several of us had obtained a commitment for $2 million in Federal gas tax rebate, for transcient docks in down town--it was turned down by the City Council a few years ago--that money is what was used for Tampa's recent marina re-developement. A portion of our boat registration fees is susposed to be used for ramps in our county--lets be sure it is used wisely! </DIV></DIV>Bob Austin</DIV></DIV>