2. Lake Texoma Association
The Lake Texoma Association (LTA is) celebrating over 60 years of
promoting and protecting Lake Texoma.
LTA is a nonprofit organization functioning much like an area-wide
chamber of commerce promoting the entire Lake Texoma area, both
Oklahoma and Texas.
The “Lake Texoma” brand is well known throughout the region and is
a product of millions of experiences created with outdoor recreation
enthusiasts, tourists, vendors, reporters, communities, and
customers—and the visual and rational images and emotional
feelings these groups developed as a result of their experiences.
Membership consists of over 300 Lake Texoma business owners and
corporations as well as small mom and pop businesses, individuals
and retirees who all share the common goal of keeping Lake Texoma
a safe and fun place to enjoy.
LTA functions with a Executive Director , Office Manager, and
volunteer Officers, Board of Directors and members.
Provides representatives to key federal, state and local committees
and organizations, continually monitors legislation, studies and
events that would have an effect on Lake Texoma and provides
recommendations or takes action consistent with its mission. 2
3. Lake Texoma - Recreation and
Tourism
Importance of the Economy and Jobs
Pew Research Center surveys, businesses and the public have clearly
indicated that the economy and jobs trump all other policy priorities.
Strengthening the nation’s economy and improving the job situation stand
at the top of the public’s list of domestic priorities for recovering from the
recession over the next 5 to 10 years.
Federal, state and local legislators , government officials and others are
increasing emphasis on the economy and jobs.
Lake Texoma’s Economic Engine is focused on Recreation and
Tourism and has a critical and significant impact on the regional
economy, jobs, and the quality of life of Southern Oklahoma and North
Texas.
The Lake Texoma recreation and tourism business is playing an
increasingly important role in the regional economy and jobs.
While manufacturing has generally declined in the regional
economy since 1980, Lake Texoma oriented travel, recreation and
tourism sectors showed sustained growth except during major floods
and droughts which greatly reduced lake access, use and revenue.
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4. Lake Texoma Economic Engine
The principal motivation for a business or region to serve
recreational enthusiasts and tourists are generally economic.
An individual business is interested primarily in its own marketing,
revenues and costs.
While a community or region is concerned with promoting and
marketing recreation and tourism’s overall contribution to the
economy, as well as its social, fiscal and environmental impacts.
A good understanding of recreation and tourism’s economic impacts
is therefore important for the recreation and tourism industry,
government officials, and the community as a whole.
One of the main objectives is that Customers are critical to the
success of the recreation and tourism economy.
The Lake Texoma Association plays a key role in promoting and
branding for the Lake Texoma community , region and economy in
cooperation with other organizations and businesses.
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5. Oklahoma Sportsmen
TOTAL SPENDING $1 BILLION PER
YEAR
Lake Texoma with 87,000 acres is one of the largest lakes in
Oklahoma and has great public fishing and hunting areas.
In Oklahoma, 602,000 anglers & hunters spend $2.8 million a
day.
Sportsmen support more jobs in Oklahoma than Baptist Medical Center, St.
Francis Health System and St. John Medical System combined (20,000 jobs vs.19,500).
Annual spending by Oklahoma sportsmen equals the combined revenues of Continental
Resources, Sand Ridge Energy and Diamondback Energy Services, three of the fastest
growing energy companies in the state ($1 billion).
Oklahoma sportsmen annually spend more than the combined cash receipts for hogs and
wheat, two of the state's top agricultural commodities ($1 billion vs. $950 million).
Oklahoma sportsmen outnumber the populations of Tulsa, Norman and Lawton
(602,000 vs. 574,000).
Note that this just represents anglers and hunters and does not include major
expenditures by other outdoor recreation enthusiasts and tourists.
Source: Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
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6. Oklahoma Sportsmen
Lots of Bang. Even more bucks.
Jobs 20,000
Salaries and wages $534 million
Federal taxes $115 million
State and local taxes $108 million
Ripple effect $ 1.7 billion
Fishing $554 million
Hunting $492 million
Sportsmen total $1 billion
Source: Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
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7. Texas Sportsmen
TOTAL SPENDING $6.6 BILLION PER YEAR
Lake Texoma is a one of the largest lakes in Texas and has large
public fishing and hunting areas.
In Texas, 2.6 million fishermen and hunters spend $ 18 million
per day.
Sportsmen support twice the jobs in Texas as Dell Computer Corporation, Lockheed
Martin, Electronic Data Systems, and Dow Chemical Company combined (106,000 jobs
vs. 49,000).
Annual spending by Texas sportsmen is more than the revenues of Dallas-based
Blockbuster, a Fortune 500 company ($6.6 billion vs. $5.6 billion).
Annual spending by Texas sportsmen is greater than the combined cash receipts from the
state’s cotton, greenhouse/nursery, broilers, dairy and corn production ($6.6 billion vs.
$6.1 billion).
Texas sportsmen annually spend $441 million on outboard boats and engines to get out
on the water and around the marshes for fishing and hunting.
Texas sportsmen outnumber the populations of San Antonio and Dallas (2.7 million vs.
2.5 million).
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8. Texas Sportsmen
• Lots of Bang. Even more bucks.
• Jobs 106,000
• Salaries and wages $3.5 billion
• Federal taxes $793 million
• State and local taxes $654 million
• Ripple effect $ 11.6 billion
• Fishing $554 million
• Hunting $492 million
• Sportsmen total $6.6 billion
Source: Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service
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9. Lake Texoma – An Economic
Engine
Development around Lake Texoma has been greatly encouraged and
grown since the 1940’s creating a highly dependent recreation and
tourism economy on the health and condition of the federal lake.
Over six million people travel locally and from all over the nation to
enjoy the beauty and outdoor recreation provided by Lake Texoma and
dedicated federal, state and local areas.
Lake Texoma ranks among the top Corps of Engineers lake projects
nationwide, with visitors spending over 90 million hours at the lake.
Their recreational activities contribute greatly to the economy of the
entire region and to the benefit of local and regional businesses, cities
and individuals.
Lake Texoma is truly a major economic engine and can be significantly
improved with proactive support of the Texas and Oklahoma
Congressional Delegations, Federal officials, State Legislators/officials,
area businesses , officials and organizations.
Lake Texoma has billions of dollars of infrastructure, wildlife and
fisheries already in place, hundreds of millions of economic benefit
dollars from annual recreational activities and several million of dollars
of proposed and planned developments.
Over $30 million is spent annually for angling alone at Lake Texoma. 9
10. Lake Texoma – An Economic
Engine
According to Oklahoma and Texas State Tourism and Travel reports, the
total Lake Texoma economic engine spending for surrounding
Oklahoma (Marshall, Love, Johnston and Bryan) and Texas (Grayson,
Cooke) Counties in 2010 resulted in;
2,940 Travel Related Jobs
$8 million for Travel Related State Tax Receipts
$18 million for Travel Related Local Tax Receipts
$560 thousand for 2012 Federal Payment in Lieu of Taxes to border
counties for 227,545 acres of federal land.
Several millions federal and state taxes and fees are paid for auto and
boat fuel and numerous other outdoor recreation products and services.
Several millions/yr. for Lake Texoma federal concessions, access, land
leases, hydropower, water supply, etc. paid to U.S. Treasury and agencies.
Several millions/yr. property tax paid by Lake Texoma businesses and
residences for billions of dollars of investment and assets that depend
on Lake Texoma federal/state/local authorities for asset protection.
The total estimated annual revenue produced by Lake Texoma has been
estimated at over $600 million.
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12. Tourism and Recreation Economic
Engine
The Corps of Engineers reports 6 million average Lake Texoma
visitors per year.
We estimate 1 million additional visitors per year to private lake
area facilities or a total of 7 million visitors per year.
If each visitor averages spending only $100 dollars per trip that
would total over $600 million per year from Lake Texoma related
revenue generated for the region. We know that most visitors
spend considerably more.
The Lake Texoma boating industry and assets are valued at over
$500 million.
There are 22 Lake Texoma marinas/resorts that provide facilities
for tourists, weekend and local residents.
The 22 marinas/resorts provide 6,364 wet boat slips with over
1,100 available for immediate rental.
The private wet boat slips have grown more rapidly to over 1,500
which represent 27% of the total wet slips available on Lake
Texoma.
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13. Lake Texoma Economic Engine -
Social Benefits - 2010
Lake Facilities
91 recreation areas
142 picnic sites
2,176 camping sites
19 playgrounds
14 swimming areas
124 trail miles
8 fishing docks
65 boat ramps
22 marinas /resorts
6,364 marina slips (over 1,100
vacant), 1,500 + private wet boat
slips (27% of total and
increasing)
Source: Corps of Engineers
Annual Visits (person
trips)
6,000,000 plus private facilities
total
2,325,241 fishermen
1,723,884 sightseers
1,037,869 boaters
835,179 swimmers
584,661 picnickers
287,883 water skiers
92,897 campers
77,088 hunters
589,325 others
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14. Boating Customers
Boater Incomes
According to recent National Marine Manufacturers Association
reports there are 12 million registered boats and 75 million boaters
nationwide with Florida, California, Minnesota, Michigan, and Texas
(in order) ranking as the top boating states in the country.
The national median household income for boat owners falls between
$50K and $75K.
75% of all boat owners have a household income of less than $100,000.
1,037,869 boaters and 2,325,241 fishermen visit Lake Texoma each year.
That is a substantial part of the of the 6 million plus Lake Texoma
visitors, tourism and recreation demand as well as revenue generated
for regional businesses, jobs and federal, state and local governments.
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15. Lake Texoma Economic Engine
Social Benefits in Perspective
By providing opportunities for active recreation, Lake Texoma helps
combat one of the most significant of the nation's health problems:
lack of physical activity.
Recreational programs and activities on and near the lake also help
strengthen family ties and friendships; provide opportunities for
children to develop personal skills, social values, and self-esteem;
and increase water safety.
Adults and children need a balanced exposure of nature and
technology to achieve a sense of well being.
We have a good remedy for Nature Deficit Disorder (NDD), good old
Vitamin “O” Outdoor recreation.
It’s not sold in a bottle or plastic package. It’s just plain old natural
outdoor fun!
The area quality of life is also highly attractive to new companies and
retirees. 15
16. Lake Texoma Economic Engine – Area
Facilities and Attractions
Lake Area Facilities Lake Area Attractions
2 – Outstanding Casino/ Resorts
as well as regional airports
4 - Large resort and residential
developments
Oklahoma and Texas State Parks
Tishomingo and Hagerman
National Wildlife Refuges
Fort Washita
Over 40 area golf courses
Lodging at resorts, hotels,
penthouse suites, motels , 20 bed
and breakfasts, and RV camping
Historical Native American and
regional museums and sites
Many attractions, events ,
entertainment venues, and
activities for family and friends
Convention and Entertainment
Centers with national and
regional entertainers
Cities, towns and villages with
antiques, arts and crafts
Shopping centers and boutiques
Elegant and informal dining
Festivals and parades
Amusement and fun parks
Rodeos, riding stables and trails
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17. Lake Texoma Economic Engine –
Economic Benefits
6,000,000 + visits/yr. resulted in: Benefits in Perspective
$600 + million in visitor spending
supported 2,940 jobs in the local
areas surrounding the lake.
The Lake Texoma economic
engine compares favorably with
other very large industries in the
North Texas and Southern
Oklahoma areas in terms of
revenue and employment levels.
Most federal, state and local
governments, businesses and
individuals would compete
aggressively to obtain and retain
this level of economic
development and annual
benefits.
The money spent by visitors to
Lake Texoma on recreation and
tourism expenses adds to the
local and regional economies by
supporting jobs and generating
income.
Visitor spending represents a
sizable component of the
economy in many communities
around Lake Texoma.
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18. Lake Texoma Economic Engine –
Environmental Benefits
Environmental Benefits Benefits in Perspective
191,459 land acres
88,000 water acres
580 shoreline miles
Fish, wildlife and a multitude of
water and land based natural
resources.
9,000 environmental educational
contacts
Recreation experiences increase
motivation to learn more about
the environment; understanding
and awareness of environmental
issues; and sensitivity to the
environment.
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19. Flood AND Drought Control is
Required for Lake Texoma Project
Purposes
Decades old federal laws and existing Drought Level actions in Public Law (PL)
100-71 are very limited with advisories, notifications, daily/monthly generation
limits and voluntary controls by hydropower and water supply users affecting
lake capacity reserves and elevations.
PL 100-71, enacted in 1987, does not provide adequate water conservation
measures to support millions of dollars of existing, planned and future
economic development and tourism / recreation revenues on Lake Texoma.
Flood and effective natural/manmade Drought Controls are essential for
modern river watersheds and reservoirs and both should be project purposes.
Many water reservoirs utilize drought management plans and water
conservation restrictions to conserve the available water supply in times of
drought and emergency.
Lake Texoma REQUIRES an effective Drought Management and
Response Plan that includes strict language on water usage, to include
specific percentages of conservation pool capacity, lake surface
elevations as well as water restriction stages.
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20. Lake Texoma Association Action
Proposals to Provide Economic
Safeguards
Amend PUBLIC LAW 100-71, JULY 11, 1987 or enact other federal
legislation to add Drought Control as a key Lake Texoma Project
Purpose.
Support the LTA Petition on Change.org to change Public Law 100-71
The federal legislation should include effective drought management plans
, water/hydropower conservation restrictions , and supply / demand
pricing language to conserve scarce reservoir water reserves in times of
drought and emergency.
LTA is proposing SWPA obtain hydropower from the main SWPA OK/AR/MO
electrical network for their Texas electric co-ops using an existing unused
SWPA 138 KV transmission line from the Denison Dam to grid network nodes
in Oklahoma.
Power could be used during drought conditions when the several other
SWPA hydropower lakes have adequate capacity, and the Lake Texoma
watershed is in serious drought conditions and very low Lake Texoma
surface elevations exist.
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21. Lake Texoma Economic Engine and
Ecosystem Priorities
• Complete a comprehensive and in depth Master Plan(1978),
Environmental Impact Statement (not updated since 1976), and
Shoreline Mgmt Plan (1996) for the total lake and federal lands.
• The federal, state and commercial tourism and recreational
facilities around Lake Texoma need to be maintained and
improved to:
– Provide easy and affordable shoreline and water access, tourism and
outdoor recreational facilities for public enjoyment.
– Maintain and improve the economic engine for business and
federal, state and local tax revenue.
• Increased emphasis must be placed to significantly reduce the
negative effects of major floods, droughts, siltation and Harmful
Alga Blooms on Lake Texoma, the Red River and its tributaries.
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22. Lake Texoma Economic Engine and
Ecosystem Priorities
• The Lake Texoma fish, wildlife, other essential natural resources
and economic engine must be maintained and protected.
– Ample stream flows must be maintained in all Red River Basin
feeder streams, the Red and Washita Rivers and water levels in Lake
Texoma.
– Harmful Alga Blooms and excessive nutrients must be reduced
from point and non-point sources and improved testing and
advisories implemented.
– Excessive water and chloride removal must be prevented from
occurring on the Red River Basin and Lake Texoma that will damage
the economy and ecosystem including the lake’s $30 million dollar a
year fishery.
– Adequate funds must be provided to maintain and improve natural
resources.
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23. Lake Texoma
Enables the public to enjoy the beautiful lake, natural
shoreline resources and its many outstanding tourist and
outdoor recreational facilities!
Lake Texoma’s Economic Engine is focused on
Recreation and Tourism and has a critical and significant
impact on the regional economy, jobs, and the quality of
life of Southern Oklahoma and North Texas.
We need to work together to continually improve
these very important benefits and return on
investments.
Go to www.laketexomaonline.com the Lake Texoma
Association web site for more information.
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