Presenter: Ted Hollingsworth

Commission Agenda Item No. 13
Action
Acceptance of Land Donation and Land Exchange from Brazos River Authority - Palo Pinto County
Approximately 700 Acres for Approximately 200 acres of Submerged Lands at Possum Kingdom State Park
May 28, 2009

I. Executive Summary: Staff of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is working with staff of the Brazos River Authority (BRA) on a land transaction that would result in the transfer of approximately 700 acres of land to TPWD in two phases.

II. Discussion: The 1,529-acre Possum Kingdom State Park was acquired from the BRA in 1939 and opened to the public in 1950. In 1965 a portion of the park was returned to BRA for proposed development of lakeside cabins, but much of that land remains undeveloped, and TPWD staff believes the land would make a viable addition to the state park, for an expanded trail network and possibly remote camping area(s). BRA is in the process of making decisions about land use surrounding the lake, and is interested in returning open land to TPWD for low impact recreation consistent with the current development and use of the state park.

In exchange, BRA is requesting the transfer of approximately 200 acres of inundated lands lying under the surface of the lake from TPWD to BRA, and conversion of a 960-foot long BRA pipeline right-of-way term easement to a permanent no-fee easement. In addition, some or all of the transferred land would be subject to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) development restrictions, as is a portion of the current state park. The FERC restrictions would not preclude any of the current park activities or any of those contemplated for future development and public use of the property. Two phases of land transaction, of roughly 350 acres each, are contemplated, as illustrated in Exhibit C below.

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 700+- acres of land in Palo Pinto County for addition to Possum Kingdom State Park. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission finds ownership of approximately 200 acres of submerged land in Palo Pinto County to no longer be in the interest of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, that there is no reasonable and prudent alternative to the transfer of ownership of approximately 200 acres of submerged land, and that the transfer of approximately 200 acres includes all reasonable planning to minimize harm to the park, and the Commission authorizes the Executive Director to transfer said approximately 200 acres of land to the Brazos River Authority."

Attachments - 4

  1. Exhibit A - Location Map
  2. Exhibit B - Vicinity Map
  3. Exhibit C - Site Map
  4. Exhibit D - Submerged Lands Map

Commission Agenda Item No. 13
Exhibit A

Possum Kingdom State Park
Location Map
Palo Pinto County, Texas

Location of Possum Kingdom State Park in relation to the State of Texas

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


Commission Agenda Item No. 13
Exhibit B

Possum Kingdom State Park
Vicinity Map

Location of Possum Kingdom State Park in relation to Lake Mineral Wells State Park, Fort Richardson State Park/State Historic Site, and the city of Fort Worth, TX

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


Commission Agenda Item No. 13
Exhibit C

Possum Kingdom State Park
Phase One North – Phase Two South
Site Map

Location of Possum Kingdom State Park in relation to Possum Kingdom Reservoir and Phases One and Two

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


Commission Agenda Item No. 13
Exhibit D

Possum Kingdom State Park Site Map
Showing Submerged Land
Proposed for Transfer to Brazos River Authority

Location of Possum Kingdom State Park in relation to Possum Kingdom Reservoir and submerged land

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