Presenter: Ted Hollingsworth

Commission Agenda Item No. 12
Action
Land Donation - Bexar County
Approximately 3,000 Acres at Government Canyon State Natural Area
May 28, 2009

I. Executive Summary: Staff of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has been working with the City of San Antonio on an agreement to transfer approximately 3,000 acres of undeveloped land from the City to TPWD for management and operation as part of the Government Canyon State Natural Area (SNA).

II. Discussion: The City of San Antonio (COSA) owns approximately eight tracts of undeveloped land contiguous with Government Canyon SNA totaling approximately 3,000 acres. The land is similar in topography, habitat and recreation potential to the SNA. COSA and TPWD staff has been discussing the possibility of transferring this land to the TPWD for operation as part of Government Canyon consistent with the development and public use philosophy of the SNA.

The occurrence of the endangered Golden Cheeked Warbler on Camp Bullis in areas needed for training exercises has precipitated the need to identify offsite conservation "credit." Since Golden Cheeked Warblers occur on parts of the 3,000 acres, some credit might be realized in the transfer of this property to TPWD for conservation and management in perpetuity. Any restrictions on development and operations resulting from this designation would be comparable to those already in place on the SNA. The subject tracts represent the majority of undeveloped lands adjacent to Government Canyon, and may be the last opportunity to enlarge the SNA.

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 accept the donation of approximately 3000 acres of land in Bexar County for addition to Government Canyon State Natural Area."

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