Presenter: Ted Hollingsworth

Commission Agenda Item No. 12
Action
Granting of Easement – Nueces County
Mustang Island State Park
April 5, 2007

I. Executive Summary: American Electric Power Company (AEP) requests that TPWD authorize the Texas General Land Office (GLO) to renew or issue a Miscellaneous Easement for the replacement of a high-voltage overhead power line through Mustang Island State Park in Nueces County.

II. Discussion: When Mustang Island State Park was acquired in 1972, there was already an overhead 69 KV electric transmission line running the full length of the site, inside a 60-foot wide easement. AEP, the current owner of the power line and holder of the easement, plans to relocate and replace the power line and support structures per the relocation clause of the original easement pursuant to TPWD preference. Impacts to the sensitive barrier island ecosystem associated with the removal of old structures and installation of new ones are anticipated to be significant. Staff is in the process of negotiating mitigation measures to assure minimum adverse impact to island habitats. Such measure will become terms and conditions of the new easement. The easement will be issued by the Texas General Land Office (GLO).

III. Recommendation: The staff recommends the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopt the following motion:

"The Executive Director is authorized to take all necessary steps to negotiate terms and conditions appropriate to issuance of a utility easement across Mustang Island State Park to American Electric Power Company."

Attachments – 1
  1. Exhibit A – Site Map

Commission Agenda Item No. 12
Exhibit A

Site Map

Location of utility lines in relation to Mustang Island State Park

For help in interpreting this map, please contact Ted Hollingsworth.