Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission
Public Hearing

August 2001 Commission Meeting

Committee and Public Hearing Synopsis Reports


REGULATIONS COMMITTEE
August 29, 2001

ITEM 1: Chairman’s Charges

ITEM 2: Deer Management Permit Proclamation

Presenter: Jerry Cooke

This item amends the Deer Management Permit Proclamation to:

ITEM 3: Migratory Game Bird Proclamation – Late Season

Presenter: Vernon Bevill

2001-2002 Waterfowl Hunting
Season Dates
(Shooting Hours: ½ hour before sunrise to sunset)

(NOTE: Canvasback may only be taken from Dec. 27-Jan. 20 in all zones. The remainder of the season, taking of Canvasbacks is prohibited.)

Note: The provisions of the Migratory Game Bird Proclamation affecting early-season species of migratory birds were adopted at the May 2001 Commission meeting. Because this item seeks adoption of the provisions affecting late-season species of migratory game birds, the early-season provisions as adopted are not shown.

ITEM 4: “Closed Season” for Crab Traps in Texas Coastal Waters

Presenter: Hal Osburn

This item proposes changes to the Definitions section and the Crab and Ghost Shrimp section of the 2001-2002 Statewide Hunting and Fishing Proclamation and requests permission to publish the proposal in the Texas Register for public comment. Proposed changes include:

ITEM 5: Floating Cabins

Presenter: Dennis Johnston

This item proposes the Floating Cabin Proclamation and requests permission to publish the proposal in the Texas Register for public comment. Proposed proclamation will provide the following:

FINANCE COMMITTEE
August 29, 2001

ITEM 1: Chairman’s Charges

ITEM 2: FY02 Operating and Capital Budget and Texas Parks and Wildlife Investment Policy

Presenter: Suzy Whittenton

Staff will present the recommended FY2002 operating, capital and grant budget for consideration by the Committee.

ITEM 3: Fee Review

Presenter: Suzy Whittenton

Staff will brief the Committee on issues related to potential agency fee increases.

The presentation will include:

ITEM 4: Grants

Presenter: Tim Hogsett

Local Park Grants

Small Community Grants

National Recreational Trails Grants

Grants recommended for 35 eligible projects and program administration costs

Target Range Program

Funding recommendations for three grants for target ranges totaling $149,984 from federal funds Pittman-Robertson (P-R) Wildlife Restoration Act and the match provided through in-kind donations.

CONSERVATION COMMITTEE
August 29, 2001

ITEM 1: Chairman’s Charges

ITEM 2: Nomination for Oil and Gas Lease – Gus Engeling WMA

Presenter: Kathy Boydston

This is a tract nominated for an oil and gas lease, on the Gus Engeling WMA in Anderson County. TPW owns 50% of the minerals under the 111 acre tract, there is an old drill site within this tract that we will require they use to access their minerals.

ITEM 3: Less-than-Fee Conservation Alternatives for Private Landowners

Presenter: Bob Cook

Less-than-Fee conservation alternatives for private landowners provide permanent conservation benefits while allowing lands to remain in private hands. This briefing will highlight applications for this conservation tool and discuss the department’s role both as a facilitator and potential holder of easements and development rights.

ITEM 4: Land Sale – Richland Creek WMA

Presenter: Ronnie Ray

TxDOT has requested acquisition of 13.15 acres from TPW as additional right-of-way for road improvement to U.S. Highway 287 through a portion of the Richland Creek WMA.

This item will:

ITEM 5: Land Acquisition – Bastrop State Park

Presenter: Jeff Francell

The purpose of this item is to seek approval to acquire approximately 1,275 acres from a willing seller adjacent to Bastrop State Park.

This item will:

ITEM 6: Land Acquisition – Presidio County – Big Bend Ranch

Presenter: Karen Leslie

The purpose of this item is to seek approval to acquire two tracts (approximately 1,695 acres) from two landowners as additions to Big Bend Ranch State Park.

This item will:

ITEM 7: Land Acquisition – Hardin County

Presenter: Karen Leslie

The purpose of this item is to seek approval to acquire approximately 45.78 acres as an addition to Village Creek State Park.

This item will:


PUBLIC HEARING SYNOPSIS REPORTS
August 30, 2001

ACCEPTANCE OF GIFTS

RETIREMENT CERTIFICATES AND SERVICE AWARDS

RECOGNITION – 100 Club of Houston Donation

RECOGNITION – National Association of Interpreters “Best Project” in Region 6 Award Through combined efforts with folks from Wildlife, Education, and State Parks, Chris developed a project involving inner city youth to create a nature trail for interpretation that would also serve as an outdoor classroom. Chris secured funding (in part from an Outreach Grant). The inner city youth are currently working to construct this area while restoring a previously disturbed section of the native prairie. This will be a great addition to Cedar Hill State Park that will provide an excellent setting of inner city youth to study local flora and fauna.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA - Chairman Idsal

ITEM 1: ACTION – Election of Vice-Chairman

Presenter: Chairman Isdal

ITEM 2: BRIEFING – Tenth Anniversary Texas Wildlife Expo

Presenter: Ernie Gammage

Four minute video to include:

ITEM 3: ACTION – Local Park Grants

Presenter: Tim Hogsett

ITEM 4: ACTION – Small Community Grants

Presenter: Tim Hogsett

ITEM 5: ACTION – National Recreational Trails Grants

Presenter: Andy Goldbloom

Grants recommended for 35 eligible projects and program administration costs

ITEM 6: ACTION – Target Range Program

Presenter: Steve Hall

Funding recommendations for three grants for target ranges totaling $149,984 from federal funds Pittman-Robertson (P-R) Wildlife Restoration Act and the match provided through in-kind donations.

ITEM 7: BRIEFING – Texas Tech Study

Presenter: Dr. David Schmidly

Dr. David Schmidly will present the findings from the study Texas Parks and Wildlife for the 21st Century, which is being completed by Texas Tech University.

ITEM 8: ACTION – FY02 Operating and Capital Budget and Texas Parks and Wildlife Investment Policy

Presenter: Suzy Whittenton

Staff will present the recommended FY2002 operating, capital and grant budget for consideration by the Committee.

ITEM 9: BRIEFING – Nueces Riverbed Use

Presenter: Dr. Larry McKinney

Staff will brief the Commission about the ongoing user conflicts in the bed of the upper Nueces River, especially in Uvalde and Zavala Counties in context of the broader issues across the state. The briefing will address:

ITEM 10: ACTION – Deer Management Permit Proclamation

Presenter: Jerry Cooke

This item amends the Deer Management Permit Proclamation to:

ITEM 11: ACTION – Migratory Game Bird Proclamation – Late Season

Presenter: Vernon Bevill

This item apprises the committee of anticipated development in the federal regulatory process and amends the Migratory Game Bird Proclamation to:

Note: The provisions of the Migratory Game Bird Proclamation affecting early-season species of migratory birds were adopted at the May 2001 Commission meeting. Because this item seeks adoption of the provisions affecting late-season species of migratory game birds, the early-season provisions as adopted are not shown.

ITEM 12: ACTION – Nomination for Oil and Gas Lease – Gus Engeling WMA

Presenter: Kathy Boydston

This is a tract nominated for an oil and gas lease, on the Gus Engeling WMA in Anderson County. TPW owns 50% of the minerals under the 111 acre tract, there is an old drill site within this tract that we will require they use to access their minerals.

ITEM 13: ACTION – Land Sale – Richland Creek WMA

Presenter: Ronnie Ray

TxDOT has requested acquisition of 13.15 acres from TPW as additional right-of-way for road improvement to U.S. Highway 287 through a portion of the Richland Creek WMA.

This item will:

ITEM 14: ACTION – Land Acquisition – Bastrop State Park

Presenter: Jeff Francell

The purpose of this item is to seek approval to acquire approximately 1,275 acres from a willing seller adjacent to Bastrop State Park.

This item will:

ITEM 15: ACTION – Land Acquisition – Presidio County – Big Bend Ranch

Presenter: Karen Leslie

The purpose of this item is to seek approval to acquire two tracts (approximately 1,695 acres) from two landowners as additions to Big Bend Ranch State Park.

This item will:

ITEM 16: ACTION – Land Acquisition – Hardin County

Presenter: Karen Leslie

The purpose of this item is to seek approval to acquire approximately 45.78 acres as an addition to Village Creek State Park.

This item will:


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