Seagrass Regulation Authority

Property of the State

Parks and Wildlife Code, Title 1, Subchapter B.

Section 1.011. Property of the State.
(a)-(b) DNA
(c) All the beds and bottoms and the products of the beds and bottoms of the public rivers, bayous, lagoons, creeks, lakes, bays, and inlets in this state and of that part of the Gulf of Mexico within the jurisdiction of this state are the property of this state. The state may permit the use of the waters and bottoms and the taking of the products of the bottoms and waters. (d) The Parks and Wildlife Department shall regulate the taking and conservation of fish, oysters, shrimp, crabs, turtles, terrapins, mussels, lobsters, and all other kinds and forms of marine life, or sand, gravel, marl, mud shell, and all other kinds of shell in accordance with the authority vested in it by this code.

Governing Parks and Other Recreational Areas

Parks and Wildlife Code, Chapter 13, Subchapter B. Regulations

Section 13.101. Authorization.
The commission may promulgate regulations governing the health, safety and protection of persons and property in state parks, historic areas, scientific areas, or forts under the control of the department, including public water with the state parks, historic sites, scientific areas, and forts.
Section 13.102. Regulation.
The regulations may govern:
(1) the conservation, preservation, and use of state property whether natural features or constructed facilities; (2) the abusive, disruptive, or destructive conduct of persons;
(3) the activities of park users including camping, swimming, boating, fishing or other recreational activities
(4) – (6) DNA

Scientific Areas

Parks and Wildlife Code, Chapter 81, Subchapter F. 

Section 81.501. Creation of Scientific Areas.

The department may promote and establish a state system of scientific areas for the purposes of education, scientific research, and preservation of flora and fauna of scientific or educational value.

Powers and Duties

Section 81.502.

To the extent necessary to carry out the purposes of this subchapter, the department may:

  1. determine the acceptance or rejection of state scientific areas proposed for incorporation into a state system of scientific areas;
  2. make and publish all rules and regulations necessary for the management and protection of scientific areas;
  3. cooperate and contract with any agencies, organizations, or
    individuals for the purposes of this subchapter;
  4. accept gifts, grants, devises, and bequests of money, securities, or
    property to be used in accordance with the tenor of such gift, grant,
    devise, or bequest;
  5. formulate policies for the selection, acquisition, management, and
    protection of state scientific areas;
  6. negotiate for and approve the dedication of state scientific areas as
    part of the system;
  7. advocate research, investigations, interpretive programs, and
    publication and dissemination of information pertaining to state
    scientific areas and related areas of scientific value;
  8. acquire interests in real property by purchase; and
  9. hold and manage lands within the system.