Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission
Public Hearing

January 2003 Commission Meeting

Committee and Public Hearing Synopsis Reports


REGULATIONS COMMITTEE

January 22, 2003

ITEM 1: Chairman’s Charges

ITEM 2: Proposed Changes to the Statewide Hunting and Fishing Proclamation 2003-2004 Presenters: Ron George, Hal Osburn, Ken Kurzawski

This item briefs the Regulations Committee on proposed changes to the 2003-2004 Statewide Hunting and Fishing Proclamation. The changes include:

ITEM 3: Candidate State Parks for Public Hunting Presenter: Herb Kothmann

ITEM 4: Scientific Breeder Proclamation Presenter: Clayton Wolf

This item amends the Scientific Breeder Proclamation to:


FINANCE COMMITTEE

January 22, 2003

ITEM 1: Chairman’s Charges

ITEM 2: Financial Review and Update Presenter: Suzy Whittenton

Staff will present a financial review for the year to date FY2003, including an update on Account 9, Game, Fish and Water Safety and Account 64, State Parks. This presentation will focus on the sale of hunting and fishing licenses, boat registration and titling fees, and state park fees. Updated budget and expenditure information will be also be presented.

ITEM 3: Wildlife Grant Budget Adjustment Presenter: Suzy Whittenton/John Herron

Staff will present a request for to adjust the Wildlife Division’s grant budget.

ITEM 4: Grants - - Local Park Funding - Indoor Recreation Grants - Target Range Grants Presenter: Tim Hogsett

Local Park Funding

Indoor Recreation Grants

Target Range Grants

Two new target range grant projects are proposed, both in Dallas and proximal to the large urban population.

ITEM 5: Kerrville-Schreiner State Park Transfer Presenter: Walt Dabney

This item proposes to:


CONSERVATION COMMITTEE

January 22, 2003

ITEM 1: Chairman’s Charges

ITEM 2. CCC 70th Anniversary Celebration in 2003 Resolution Presenter: Walt Dabney

March 31, 2003 marks the 70th anniversary of the creation of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), the cornerstone federal agency that constructed what has become the core of the current Texas state park system. During the 1930s the young men of the CCC built over thirty parks, numerous buildings, and countless landscape features; and they left their distinctive imprint all across this country in many large-scale conservation projects. The boys of the CCC became the men of World War III—and their generation is dwindling. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) in association with the National Association of Civilian Conservation Corps Alumni (NACCA) wish to recognize the tremendous accomplishments of the CCC in Texas. Since TPWD maintains and operates the lion’s share of these historic resources in Texas, it is fitting for the Commission to adopt this resolution.

ITEM 3. Regional Habitat Conservation Plan Presenter: Larry McKinney

ITEM 4: Status of Cooperative Agreement on Instream Flow Studies with TCEQ and TWDB Presenter: Dr. Larry McKinney/Kevin Mayes

The briefing will review the status of the Cooperative Agreement (MOA) on instream flow studies with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB). The instream flow studies are based on legislation that directed the three agencies to develop similar information for the freshwater inflows necessary to maintain the health and productivity of Texas estuaries.

ITEM 5: Land Sale – Tarrant County Presenter: Jack Bauer

Eagle Mountain Lake SP, purchased in 1982 but never developed or opened to the public, was recommended for sale by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission at the August 2002 meeting with specific directions to staff. Action to approve a sale to the Trust for Public Lands (TPL) was considered but tabled at the August 2002 meeting of the Commission. Three new proposals have been provided for Commission consideration.

ITEM 6: Land Donation and Transfer Presenter: Jack Bauer

(A) Val Verde County In Val Verde County, TPWD and TNC respectively manage the 19,988.63-acre Devils River State Natural Area (DRSNA) and the 4,788-acre Centex Homes Dolan Falls Preserve (DFP). These independent operations have overall management goals that are similar. Because these property owners share a common reach of the Devils River, and because access to the Preserve is through the State Natural Area, cooperation in management of the sites has proven beneficial to both parties.

Land conservation, resource conservation and public-use benefit could be realized by integrating the operation of the DFP into the DRSNA operation. The purpose of this item is provide to the Conservation Committee of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission the following recommendations for consideration:

By use of Texas Parks and Wildlife Code § 13.008. Solicitation, Receipt, and Transfer of Land, TPWD proposes to transfer a conservation easement to TNC limiting development and land-use at the DRSNA.

(B) Brewster County Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and The Nature Conservancy of Texas respectively manage Black Gap Wildlife Management Area (BGWMA) and Brushy Canyon Preserve (BCP) in Brewster County. These sites are located adjacent to each other and managed independently yet under similar management guidelines. Land conservation, resource conservation and public-use benefit could be realized by incorporating the operation of the BCP into the BGWMA operation. The purpose of this item is to consider accepting the donation of approximately 9,825 acres making up the BCP as a habitat addition to the BGWMA.

ITEM 7: Land Acquisition – Hardin County Presenter: Ronnie Ray

The Department has been offered 40 acres in Hardin County adjacent to Village Creek State Park.

This action will:

ITEM 8: Land Acquisition – Gonzales County Presenter: Ronnie Ray

The Department has been offered 12.27 acres in Gonzales County adjacent to Palmetto State Park.

This action will:


OUTREACH AND EDUCATION COMMITTEE

January 22, 203

ITEM 1: Chairman’s Charges

ITEM 2: Outreach and Education Plan Update Presenter: Scott Boruff

Staff will brief the Commission on status and development of the Department's outreach and education plan including update of activity roster and plan charter.


PUBLIC HEARING SYNOPSIS REPORTS

PUBLIC HEARING

January 23, 2003

ACCEPTANCE OF GIFTS

RETIREMENT CERTIFICATES AND SERVICE AWARDS

ITEM 1: ACTION – Approval of Agenda

ITEM 2: ACTION – Local Park Funding

Presenter: Tim Hogsett

ACTION: Commission consideration for adoption.

ITEM 3: ACTION – Indoor Recreation Grants

Presenter: Tim Hogsett

ACTION: Commission consideration for adoption.

ITEM 4: ACTION – Target Range Grants

Presenter: Tim Hogsett

ACTION: Commission consideration for adoption.

Two new target range grant projects are proposed, both in Dallas and proximal to the large urban population.

ITEM 5: ACTION – Kerrville-Schreiner State Park Transfer

Presenter: Walt Dabney

ACTION: Commission consideration for adoption.

This item proposes to:

ITEM 6: ACTION – Wildlife Grant Budget Adjustment

Presenter: Suzy Whittenton/John Herron

ACTION: Commission consideration for adoption.

Staff will present a request for to adjust the Wildlife Division’s grant budget.

ITEM 7: ACTION – CCC 70th Anniversary Celebration in 2003 Resolution

Presenter: Walt Dabney

ACTION: Commission consideration for adoption.

March 31, 2003 marks the 70th anniversary of the creation of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), the cornerstone federal agency that constructed what has become the core of the current Texas state park system. During the 1930s the young men of the CCC built over thirty parks, numerous buildings, and countless landscape features; and they left their distinctive imprint all across this country in many large-scale conservation projects. The boys of the CCC became the men of World War III—and their generation is dwindling. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) in association with the National Association of Civilian Conservation Corps Alumni (NACCA) wish to recognize the tremendous accomplishments of the CCC in Texas. Since TPWD maintains and operates the lion’s share of these historic resources in Texas, it is fitting for the Commission to adopt this resolution.

ITEM 8: BRIEFING – Bass Tournaments

Presenter: Phil Durocher

ACTION: Commission review and discussion.

Staff will present the history, magnitude and relevance of largemouth bass tournament activity as it relates to the agency’s management of largemouth bass.

The item covers:

ITEM 9: ACTION – Scientific Breeder Proclamation

Presenter: Clayton Wolf

ACTION: Commission consideration for adoption.

This item amends the Scientific Breeder Proclamation to:

ITEM 10: BRIEFING – Seagrass Task Force Update

Presenter: Bill Harvey

ACTION: Commission review and discussion.

This briefing will provide an overview of the TPWD implementation of the seagrass conservation plan. It will begin with a statutory background for TPWD seagrass efforts, including current law and insight into development of the Seagrass Plan for Texas. It will detail a brief history of the process through which the Redfish Bay State Scientific Area was established, including the formation and activities of the Seagrass Task Force. The briefing will include a status report and recent scientific results. It will conclude with information about different management strategies for the future.

ITEM 11: ACTION - Land Sale – Tarrant County

Presenter: Jack Bauer

ACTION: Commission consideration for adoption.

Eagle Mountain Lake SP, purchased in 1982 but never developed or opened to the public, was recommended for sale by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission at the August 2002 meeting with specific directions to staff. Action to approve a sale to the Trust for Public Lands (TPL) was considered but tabled at the August 2002 meeting of the Commission. Three new proposals have been provided for Commission consideration.

ITEM 12: ACTION - Land Donation and Transfer - Val Verde County - Brewster County

Presenter: Jack Bauer

ACTION: Commission consideration for adoption.

(A) Val Verde County In Val Verde County, TPWD and TNC respectively manage the 19,988.63-acre Devils River State Natural Area (DRSNA) and the 4,788-acre Centex Homes Dolan Falls Preserve (DFP). These independent operations have overall management goals that are similar. Because these property owners share a common reach of the Devils River, and because access to the Preserve is through the State Natural Area, cooperation in management of the sites has proven beneficial to both parties.

Land conservation, resource conservation and public-use benefit could be realized by integrating the operation of the DFP into the DRSNA operation. The purpose of this item is provide to the Conservation Committee of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission the following recommendations for consideration:

By use of Texas Parks and Wildlife Code § 13.008. Solicitation, Receipt, and Transfer of Land, TPWD proposes to transfer a conservation easement to TNC limiting development and land-use at the DRSNA.

(B) Brewster County Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and The Nature Conservancy of Texas respectively manage Black Gap Wildlife Management Area (BGWMA) and Brushy Canyon Preserve (BCP) in Brewster County. These sites are located adjacent to each other and managed independently yet under similar management guidelines. Land conservation, resource conservation and public-use benefit could be realized by incorporating the operation of the BCP into the BGWMA operation. The purpose of this item is to consider accepting the donation of approximately 9,825 acres making up the BCP as a habitat addition to the BGWMA.

ITEM 13: ACTION – Land Acquisitions - Hardin County - Gonzales County Presenter: Ronnie Ray

ACTION: Commission consideration for adoption.

(A) Hardin County The Department has been offered 40 acres in Hardin County adjacent to Village Creek State Park.

This action will:

(B) Gonzales County The Department has been offered 12.27 acres in Gonzales County adjacent to Palmetto State Park. This action will:


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