The Texas Open Beaches Act: Your Beach Access Rights in Texas

Nearly 50 years ago, the Texas Open Beaches Act (TOBA) was passed into law to protect all Texans' right to enjoy Texas beaches. Home, condos and hotel owners and their political pals have continuously attacked and tried (often with success) to get around TOBA. Now, miles of beaches in Galveston and South Padre Island are as good as closed to the public. Vehicle bans and no trespassing and no parking signs are everywhere. Unless you, Texans, fight to protect your beach access rights, this will happen everywhere in Texas and right here in Corpus Christi.

What can you do?

Know the facts!

• By law you have the right to access and enjoy all beaches along the Gulf of Mexico in Texas
• The office responsible for enforcing the TOBA is the General Land Office (GLO). http://www.glo.state.tx.us/coastal.html
• You can find more information on TOBA at http://www.texasopenbeaches.org/
• Don't fall for cheap slogans such as "it's about jobs" or "taxes", or "economic development" from folks trying to restrict your rights to access your beaches.
• Stay inform. Check often with your local Surfrider Foundation Chapter for what is going with the TOBA and beach access in general.

Vote for folks who will protect your rights and the Texas Open Beaches Act

On election day, vote for the right people for these positions:

• the General Land Office Commissioner
• the Corpus Christi Mayor and City Council Members
• the County Judge and Commissioner
• Texas Legislature: House and Senate representatives
• Texas Governor