Conservation Committee
Wednesday, 8:00 am, August 22, 2007
Commission Hearing Room4200 Smith School Road
Austin, TX 78744
Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes
- Land and Water Plan Update
Staff: Robert Cook - Rules Regarding Eligibility of Real Property for Inclusion in State Parks System – Mandated by Legislation (HB 12) (Action Item No. 18)
Staff: Walt Dabney - Land Transfer – Calhoun County – Transfer of 4.7 Acres Adjacent to Swan Point Boat Ramp to Calhoun County – Permission to Begin the Public Notice and Input Process
Staff: Corky Kuhlmann - Land Donation – El Paso County – Acceptance of 62.759 Acres at Franklin Mountains State Park – Permission to Begin the Public Notice and Input Process
Staff: Corky Kuhlmann - Land Donation – Gonzales County – Acceptance of 1.35 Acres at Palmetto State Park (Action Item No. 19)
Staff: Corky Kuhlmann - Land Acquisition – Jefferson County – 62 Foot by 92 Foot Inholding at the J. D. Murphree Wildlife Management Area (Action Item No. 20)
Staff: Corky Kuhlmann - Land Acquisition – Grimes County – 4.6 Acres at the Fanthorp Inn State Historic Site – Permission to Begin the Public Notice and Input Process
Staff: Ted Hollingsworth - Land Sale – Donley County – 3.4 Acres at the Taylor Lakes Unit of the Playa Lakes Wildlife Management Area (Action Item No. 22)
Staff: Ted Hollingsworth - Land Sale – Travis County – 2.4 Acres at the Austin Game Warden Academy Property (Action Item No. 23)
Staff: Ted Hollingsworth - Land Acquisition – Brazoria County – 20 Acres at the Nannie M. Stringfellow Wildlife Management Area (Action Item No. 24)
Staff: Ted Hollingsworth - Pipeline Easement – Jefferson County – Sale of Easement to Golden Pass for Pipeline Across J. D. Murphree Wildlife Management Area (Executive Session and Action Item No. 21)
Staff: Ted Hollingsworth - Designation of the Texas State Railroad Right-of-Way as a Park Road (Withdrawn)
Staff: Steve Whiston - Land Donation – Bastrop County – Acceptance of 128 Acres at Bastrop State Park (Executive Session and Action Item No. 25)
Staff: Ted Hollingsworth - Acceptance of Land Donation – Palo Pinto County – Permission to Begin the Public Notice and Input Process (Executive Session)
Staff: Robert Cook
Committee Agenda Item No. 1
Presenter: Robert L. Cook
Conservation Committee
Land and Water Plan Update
August 22, 2007
I. Executive Summary: Executive Director Robert L. Cook will briefly update the Commission on the status of the agency's efforts to implement the Land and Water Resources Conservation and Recreation Plan (the Plan).
II. Discussion: In 2001, the 77th Texas Legislature directed that the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) develop a Land and Water Resources Conservation and Recreation Plan (Tex. Park & Wild. Code §11.104). In November 2002, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (the Commission) adopted the first Plan. A revised Plan was adopted by the Commission in January 2005. The Plan is available on the TPWD web site. Executive Director Robert L. Cook will update the Conservation Committee on TPWD's recent progress in achieving the Plan's Goals and Objectives as they relate to the Conservation Committee.
The Plan consists of 8 Goals and a total of 56 Objectives. The Goals stated in the Plan are as follows:
- Goal 1: Improve access to the outdoors.
- Goal 2: Preserve, conserve, manage, operate, and promote agency sites for recreational opportunities, biodiversity, and the cultural heritage of Texas.
- Goal 3: Assist landowners in managing their lands for sustainable wildlife habitat consistent with their goals.
- Goal 4: Increase participation in hunting, fishing, boating and outdoor recreation.
- Goal 5: Enhance the quality of hunting, fishing, boating and outdoor recreation.
- Goal 6: Improve science, data collection and information dissemination to make informed management decisions.
- Goal 7: Maintain or improve water quality and quantity to support the needs of fish, wildlife and recreation.
- Goal 8: Continuously improve TPWD business management systems, business practices and work culture.
Committee Agenda Item No. 3
Presenter: Corky Kuhlmann
Conservation Committee
Land Transfer – Calhoun County
Swan Point Boat Ramp
August 22, 2007
I. Executive Summary: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has a request from Calhoun County to donate approximately 4.7 acres of land at the Swan Point Boat Ramp area south of Seadrift, Texas.
II. Discussion: Swan Point Boat Ramp area consists of approximately 9.7 acres of land, 5 of which was donated to Calhoun County by TPWD in March of 2004. Calhoun County had maintained this boat ramp area at their expense for many years before the 2004 transaction and continues to do so. Transferring the additional 4.7 acres to Calhoun County will allow the County to make more improvement to this area thus providing more recreational opportunities to the public.
Staff would like to begin the process of providing public notice and obtaining public input regarding a proposed transfer of approximately 4.7 acres of land at the Swan Point Boat Ramp area to Calhoun County.
Attachments – 1
Committee Agenda Item No. 3
Exhibit A
Location Map
For help in interpreting this map, please contact Corky Kuhlmann.
Committee Agenda Item No. 4
Presenter: Corky Kuhlmann
Conservation Committee
Land Donation – El Paso County
Franklin Mountains State Park
August 22, 2007
I. Executive Summary: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has been offered a donation of 62.759 acres of land representing an inholding at Franklin Mountains State Park.
II. Discussion: Franklin Mountains State Park (FMSP) in El Paso, Texas is the largest urban park in the nation, covering some 24,247 acres and lying entirely within the city limits of El Paso. FMSP was created by an Act of the Texas State Legislature in 1979 authorizing Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to acquire Franklin Mountains as a state park. The intent of the Legislature was to provide lasting protection to the outstanding scenic, ecological and historic features of the Franklin Mountains so that they could be enjoyed and appreciated by present and future generations. TPWD acquired the property in 1981; it was opened to the public in 1987 for limited use.
In keeping with TPWD's effort to expand the recreational opportunities available at FMSP, El Paso Electric has offered a donation of 62.759 acres of 150 foot wide utility right-of-way to be used to expand the park's trail system. This donation has the potential to add 18,000 feet of trail. El Paso Electric would keep a standard utility easement on the donation tract.
Staff would like to begin the process of providing public notice and obtaining public input regarding a proposed donation of 62.759 acres of land to TPWD from El Paso Electric.
Attachments – 1
Committee Agenda Item No. 4
Exhibit A
Location Map
For help in interpreting this map, please contact Corky Kuhlmann.
Committee Agenda Item No. 7
Presenter: Ted Hollingsworth
Conservation Committee
Land Acquisition – Grimes County
Fanthorp Inn State Historic Site
August 22, 2007
I. Executive Summary: Staff proposes acquisition by purchase of approximately 4.6 acres of open land adjacent to Fanthorp Inn State Historic Site in Anderson, in Grimes County.
II. Discussion: Fanthorp Inn is a very important historic site representing the Republic and antebellum period of Texas' history. Initially constructed in the 1830's, the Inn was added onto in the 1840's and became a popular lodging spot for travelers in central east Texas. The visits of Sam Houston, General Zachry Taylor and other important figures are well documented.
The potential for interpretative and educational activities at the site is limited by its small size of 1.4 acres. It has been the recommendation of staff for thirty years that adjacent open land be added to the site should it become available. The owners of the property which abuts the site on the north and east are now willing to sell 4.6 acres to TPWD, as shown in the attachment.
Upon concurrence from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission, staff will publish notice and solicit public input regarding the proposed acquisition, with the intention of returning to the Commission in November with a final recommendation and action item.
Attachments – 1
Committee Agenda Item No. 7
Exhibit A
Subject Tract Adjacent to Fanthorp Inn State Historic Site
For help in interpreting this map, please contact Ted Hollingsworth.