Commission Agenda Item No. 10
Presenter: Ted Hollingsworth
Action
Acceptance of Land Donation – Presidio County
200 Acres as an Addition to Chinati Mountains State Natural Area
August 21, 2014
I. Executive Summary: Staff continues to secure tracts of land for the purpose of providing permanent public access to Chinati Mountains State Natural Area (SNA).
II. Discussion: In April 1996 Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) accepted the donation of 37,885 acres of land to form Chinati Mountains State Natural Area (SNA). The Chinati Mountain Range is the fourth largest mountain range in Texas, following the Guadalupe, Davis and Chisos Mountains. The SNA consists of craggy peaks, granite bluffs, dramatic green canyons and dry creosote deserts. The peaks range from 4,605 to 7,728 feet above sea level.
Access to this 37,885 acre tract is currently limited to TPWD staff and to the public when accompanied by TPWD staff. Staff has been working for some time to acquire all the tracts that make up one of the best access routes from County Road 170 to the existing system of ranch roads within the SNA. Accepting this donation will help link the SNA to County Road 170, which would result in an access route TPWD can develop for general public access.
III. Recommendation: The staff recommends the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopt the following motion:
“The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission authorizes the Executive Director to take all necessary steps to accept the donation of approximately 200 acres in Presidio County for addition to Chinati Mountains State Natural Area.”
Commission Agenda Item No. 10
Exhibit A
Location Map for the Chinati Mountains SNA in Presidio County
Commission Agenda Item No. 10
Exhibit B
Vicinity Map for Chinati Mountains SNA – 20 Miles North of Presidio
Commission Agenda Item No. 10
Exhibit C
Site Map for Subject 200-Acre Donation Tract
Adjacent to 37,885-Acre Chinati Mountains State Natural Area
