Campfire Conversations 80: Private Landowner Blocks Public Access to State Owned Waterway – Save the Cut Off!

What this episode covers

Dustin Baker is a welder by trade. But after a private landowner fenced off all access to his favorite public fishing hole and duck hunting spot, he began to dive into the legality of the landowner’s actions. The entire sporting community from the area has put on united front opposing the landowner’s actions and a Texas law dating back to the 1930s proves that the landowner is in violation of state law HB 27 which grants the citizenry access the 730-acre oxbow lake affectionately known by locals as “The Cut Off”. Dustin talks about the history of the Cut Off and how the state of Texas actually formed this unique waterway as a result of re-routing the Trinity River back in the 1920s. Today, he and his peers have to load their boats over the below pictured metal piping fence in order to access the water body. So, if the law is on their side, why hasn’t TPWD or TexDot or a local politician come to their aide in restoring public access? Why is the fence still up? As with any similar situation, if you follow the money, you usually find your answer. The Save The Cut Off group is fighting this in court and has already racked up over $700,000 in legal fees. Check out their Facebook page for more information: Save the Cut Off