NB 'Can Ban' Overturned (San Antonio, New Braunfels: 2013, taxi, tax)

[SsnTktHldr]

Judge overturns New Braunfels river can ban - San Antonio Express-News

[dpantle]

There's definitely a behavior problem which needs to be addressed there, but the Can Ban was an underhanded way to accomplish it.

Kids (and a few "adults") have been misbehaving there since time began, but it seems as though in the last decade, the hoards of masses are making life more challenging for the local residents to say the least.

To me, the problem is more of crowd control than drinking. I'm not saying that drinking isn't a major contributor to the problem, but the sheer numbers of people crammed in those rivers on any given Saturday is enough for me to think "Thanks, but No Thanks".

[Slowpoke_TX]

Good!

Over the last few years, NB has become very paternalistic and very nanny state-ish (16 qt cooler size limit, cooler must have a latching device, no double tubes, 50' noise restriction, mandatory life jackets when flow > 750 cfs, etc. - all in addition to WORD policy, county ordinances, and state law.)

NB just needs to accept the fact that water tourists want to - and will - consume alcohol while tubing. Any attempt to squelch that will result in a loss of tax revenue to the city as tubers move to other waterways outside the city limits, and outside the city's taxing jurisdiction.

Comparison of laws affecting tubers in and outside of the NB city limits:
Guadalupe River Tubing Rules, Laws 2013, Float Rules, New Braunfels Can Ban & Regulations, Ordinances, Restrictions, Comal River, Canyon Lake, Texas

[Merovee]

Hope they find another way to get rid of the filth.

[Camper1]

If people would just pick up after themselves there wouldn't be a problem. Seems to me it's not the drinking, it's the trash.

[OzzyRules]

Unfortunate decision. I don't believe that the extra revenue is worth all the trash. People can certainly float on the river without consuming alcohol.

Regardless of the decision, I don't think the problem is over. There has been way too much of an uproar over the trash. There will be some kind of similar ban in the near future.

[Bo]

Originally Posted by Merovee

Hope they find another way to get rid of the filth.

The city plans to appeal the decision to a higher court. The ban may not be over.

[CyVaquero]

My understanding of Texas water law is that groundwater is owned by the state which means only they can regulate it - thus why NB has no jurisdiction to regulate cans ON the river. I suppose the city could make it difficult by banning cans on city easements on the shore (if there are any), thus denying access to the river via city owned property by those who have cans.

Not that I'm for or against the ban - i don't have a dog in the hunt.

Source: Texas water law

[SnappyBob]

I haven't been to the river in NB in decades. To me personally, it is just not relaxing to look over your shoulder and see, at least one cop, staring at you with binoculars. Kind of creepy. Like vacationing in a police state. I just get the impression that they would rather know one be one the river in NB so I stay away. There are a lot of places to go play in the river around SA.

[cwcavazos]

The can ban was fine with me. The river was so clean. I never saw any cops and was never hassled. Mind you, I only go during the week when I'm off in the summer and really enjoy it!