This from the CC Caller-Times

CORPUS CHRISTI — Aransas County commissioners voted unanimously Friday to earmark $500,000 to help reopen Cedar Bayou.
Opening Cedar Bayou, which will cost about $5 million, is considered critical to improving the health of the county's waterways. County commissioners set aside federal Coastal Impact Assistance Program funding to attract an additional $4.5 million in state funding.
An open natural pass between San Jose and Matagorda islands would allow easier inflow and exchange of water from the Gulf of Mexico. It also would provide access to the bays for aquatic life and would provide mating grounds for fish, shrimp and crabs among others.
Cedar Bayou was blocked in 1978 to prevent an oil spill from entering the bays and was never properly cleared out. It was dredged several times, including in 1995 when the spoils were deposited at the mouth of neighboring Vinson Slough, which further deteriorated flow.
County Judge Burt Mills said he has had recent assurances that the necessary federal and state permits will be granted.
He believes the reopening project will begin in April after endangered whooping cranes leave the area.
Commissioner Bubba Casterline said getting the long awaited project completed will be good for the tourism based economy.
"Cedar Bayou was always a really popular fishing spot and a big draw for people coming here," he said.