By Craig Springer, USFWS

The renovation of the Corpus Christi Municipal Marina on the Texas Gulf Coast dates back to the year 2000, when federal excise taxes on fishing tackle, motorboat fuel and yacht import duties were first used to modernize the popular boating facility.

Two decades later, boaters and anglers from across the U.S. and around the world come to the Texas Gulf Coast and enjoy a top-notch marina for boats big and little. It’s an excellent launch point for near-shore anglers and recreational boaters on long sojourns.

“This marina is hugely important to both boaters and anglers on the Texas Gulf Coast, and exemplifies how the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration program works in partnership with others to improve boating access and infrastructures,” said Cliff Schleusner, the program’s regional manager in the Southwest Region. “Fishing tackle manufacturers paid for it in excise taxes on their products through the Sport Fish Restoration Act and now boaters and anglers—and the community at large—reap the benefits.”

Since 2000, the marina received $1,764,050 in excises taxes paid by industry through grants specifically targeted at an improved marina infrastructure, access for boaters and improved sanitary facilities to maintain clean water. The grant monies matched by the City of Corpus Christi and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department have built modern septic pump-outs, restrooms and showers, a laundry, meeting rooms, a four-lane boat ramp, and more than 80 slips for boats greater than 26 feet in length. The City of Corpus Christi dedicated 35 slips for boats 30 to 45 feet in length in a May 2016 ceremony.

The new infrastructures replaced outdated and decayed materials that should better withstand the forces of hurricanes that may hit the coast. The infrastructure upgrade includes internet systems needed for navigation.

“Boating and angling are to Corpus Christi and the Texas Gulf Coast what finance is to Wall Street: inseparable,” said Schleusner. “The upgrades made to the Corpus Christi Municipal Marina should be a boon to boating and to business.”