Commission Agenda Item No. 3
Presenter: Ted Hollingsworth

Action
Acceptance of 10,635 Acre Land Donation
Creation of 14,037-Acre Yoakum Dunes Wildlife Management Area
Cochran, Terry and Yoakum Counties
November 6, 2014

I. Executive Summary: Staff of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has worked with The Nature Conservancy of Texas (TNC) to acquire land in Cochran, Terry and Yoakum Counties for the establishment of a refuge for the Lesser Prairie Chicken (LPC) and other rolling plains wildlife.

II. Discussion: In 2007, using pass-through Pittman-Robertson grant funds, TNC began purchasing land that would become the Yoakum Dunes Preserve. The primary impetus for establishment of this preserve is conservation of the LPC. The historic shinnery oak/midgrass prairie habitat required by the LPC in Texas has been drastically fragmented by agriculture, oil and gas development, and other land uses throughout the range of the LPC. Habitat fragmentation, coupled with continued widespread drought since 2011 has negatively impacted LPC populations across much of the species’ range. As a result, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service placed the LPC on the Threatened Species list in May, 2014. In addition to the LPC, this habitat is important for a wide range of indigenous wildlife such as Texas horned lizards, quail and mule deer.

As of this date, TNC has acquired 10,635 acres of land in Cochran, Terry and Yoakum Counties. TPWD has acquired (2) tracts totaling 3,402 acres contiguous with the TNC holdings. TPWD also has an additional 1,620 acquisition pending, authorized by the TPW Commission in November, 2013. TNC is willing to transfer ownership of its holdings at Yoakum Dunes to TPWD for the purpose of establishing the Yoakum Dunes Wildlife Management Area.

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 10,635 acres and to create the 14,037-acre Yoakum Dunes Wildlife Management Area in Cochran, Terry and Yoakum Counties.”

Attachments – 3

  1. Exhibit A – Location Map
  2. Exhibit B – Vicinity Map
  3. Exhibit C – Site Map

Commission Agenda Item No. 3
Exhibit A

Location Map for the Yoakum Dunes Preserve in Cochran, Terry and Yoakum Counties

Location Map for the Yoakum Dunes Preserve in Cochran, Terry and Yoakum Counties


Commission Agenda Item No. 3
Exhibit B

Vicinity Map for Yoakum Dunes Preserve 40 Miles Southwest of Lubbock

Vicinity Map for Yoakum Dunes Preserve 40 Miles Southwest of Lubbock


Commission Agenda Item No. 3
Exhibit C

Site Map for the Proposed Yoakum Dunes Wildlife Management Area

Site Map for the Proposed Yoakum Dunes Wildlife Management Area