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~ News ~
F.O.R. Board of Directors Nominees
Posted on Sep 1, 2010
These are the four nominations for Directors of the Friends of the River San Bernard Board. The F.O.R. annual public meeting will be held September 11, 5:00 p.m., Dido's Restaurant on the river. You're invited to attend, meet your river neighbors and find out what F.O.R. has accomplished this past year (and meet the new Directors.)
Valroy Maudlin
 
Valroy is a retired Dow Engineer and has owned a weekend house on the river since 1986. He is seeking re-election for a second consecutive term as an existing Board Member. He is a Stream Team Certified Monitor and has been a Board member of Chapelwood United Methodist Church and the Brazosport Museum of Natural Science.
 
Valroy’s quote: “…I have learned that there are many people other than myself that are really concerned with preserving the quality of river and life on the river. The best thing that FOR has done in my opinion is to provide a means for river neighbors to know one another and be able to present an organized effort in issues that do preserve the river. My chief goal is to help the organization to continue to exist for a long future.”
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dale Davis
 
Dale has lived on the San Bernard since January of 2001, his in-laws have lived on the river since 1979. He and his wife have raised their three kids on the river and now their grandchildren. They enjoy water sports and fishing on the river.
 
Dale’s quote: “I have thirty years working with city, county and state officials. Law enforcement has allowed me to make great contacts. Through the years I have been involved in criminal, civil, and environmental issues. I also have worked with planning, emergency management, and budgeting. I believe my background in these areas will help and assist F.O.R.”
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
John Wallace
 
John is a landscape architect who has visited, played and explored the San Bernard River since 1982. John moved to the river in 1998 and hopes to eventually retire on the river. He has served on a church management board for eight years and was also a member of the original F.O.R. Organizing Committee. He is a Stakeholder and attends the bi-monthly meetings for the SBR water Management Plan being conducted by HGAC.
 
John’s quote: “I would like to see the board continue to explore additional opportunities to acquire conservation easements, work with upriver property owners, county officials, HGAC for the continued protection and enhancement of water quality in the San Bernard Watershed.”
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Jay Burridge
 
Jay is a property owner and lives on the San Bernard River with his wife Brandei and children Morgan and Tyler. Jay and his wife own and operate Burridge Insurance Agency Inc. with offices in Angleton and Bay City. He has served on and held Officer’s positions on several boards such as, ACTIONS, Helping Hands and Hearts Hospice, Angleton Police Officers Association and Jones Creek City Council.
 
Jay’s quote: "...Growing up on the gulf coast I know how vital and fragile our waters are and how we should take steps to preserve them for future generations to enjoy. I feel that F.O.R. is a great organization that has become an advocate in promoting and preserving the river. I would like to become a board member of F.O.R. to help the organization move forward with current projects and new endeavors in the future.”
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
From a fallen tree all make kindling
Posted on Aug 31, 2010
This is the story of a fallen tree's journey down the San Bernard during the July 4th, 2010 flood. Tom Boyd and Dale Branch started the journey when they pushed off an old cypress tree that was lodged on their dock.
View video here. (Two parts to the video.)
 
And now for the rest of the story
...the tree continued down river where it next lodged itself on a dock located on the Sweeny side of the river next to Al and Coleen Roco’s house (photo A). The tree was at least 60 feet long, more than 5 feet in diameter at the base and was extremely water logged. Most of the tree was submerged. At one point, the tree was sticking out away from the bank at least 60 feet into the river channel. Al and Colleen allowed the tree to be secured to their pier. However, it was temporary measure and it was itself a hazard to their dock.
A F.O.R. member notified the Brazoria County Parks Dept., the Corps of Engineers, the Coast Guard and the river barge company, but they had no immediate means of removing the tree. A ”task force” of river residents was then assembled to move the tree to the Churchill Bridge boat ramp, where the County would take over. Al Roco, in his boat, got a line tied to the tree, Pete and Sue Smirch did the “heavy lifting” and towed the tree to the bridge (photo B), and Bob Bailey, with Brownie his chocolate lab, and Mike Goodson guided the tree into the boat ramp at the bridge (photo C). Al then tried to pull the tree out with his truck, but it was far too heavy so it was left tied to the ramp (photo D). A couple of days later, the Brazoria County Parks Dept. pulled the tree out with a backhoe (photo E) and a few days later it was cut into “fire wood” size pieces (photo F). Mission accomplished!
 
Photos Courtesy: Bob Bailey and
Al Roco
 
It is all of our responsibilities - USCG or USACE or local authorities or individuals - to recognize and remove boater and navigational hazards!
 
 
 
 
Workover Rig on the River
Posted on Aug 27, 2010
 
Work is being done on an old oilwell located at the J&S Marine Service Co. site located a couple of miles south of the Churchill Bridge. The property is leased by Camoil Co. The well is being cleaned out to restore or increase production. A rig crew member stands midway up the rig attaching well stem.
 
In November 2009 this was the site of a past oil spill. The property was leased to Terra Petroleum at the time. They were  fined $26,000 because of the spill.
 
 
Aerial photography of the San Bernard
Posted on Aug 24, 2010
This morning, Jim Olive, photographer from Houston and Wade Weems, pilot from West Columbia, flew low over the San Bernard in Wade’s Cessna 172. Jim was shooting aerials of the river for the upcoming documentary of the river that will be ready sometime early next year. Stay tuned!
 
 
 
Ya Gotta Regatta
Posted on Aug 1, 2010
Save the date and attend F.O.R.'s
"Ya Gotta Regatta" and the
Halloween Fundraiser
–it's a river or road event!
 
 

 
F.O.R. has one fundraiser annually that supports all programs of this 501(c)3 organization. Programs and projects include environmental projects, F.O.R. Ranger school and summer programs, F.O.R. Community Center, website and outreach materials. F.O.R. is a volunteer organization - 100% and we need your support to continue to preserve, protect and promote the San Bernard River for current and future generations.
 
 
 

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San Bernard River Flood Information: NOAA Hydrological Prediction Service
 


 
   
     

 

 
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