Thanks to everyone who sent a message to the National Park Service during the public comment period asking for reduction of the speed limit at the Padre Island National Seashore to protect both visitors and Kemp's ridley sea turtles.

John Wessels, Director of the Intermountain Region, National Park Service, has released a finding that allows for an annual reduction of the speed limit to 15 mph from March 1 through Labor Day on the Gulf of Mexico beach at Padre Island National Seashore.

Lowering the beach speed limit from 25 mph to 15 mph, will increase safety and provide a more enjoyable beach experience for visitors during the busy spring and summer months. It will also improve protection for natural resources, including the increasing numbers of nesting Kemp's ridley sea turtles and decrease the risk of injury to those turtles.