Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission
Public Hearing
May 2001 Commission Meeting
Committee and Public Hearing Synopsis Reports
REGULATIONS COMMITTEE
May 30, 2001
ITEM 1: BRIEFING – Chairman’s Charges
ITEM 2: ACTION – 2001-2002 Migratory Game Bird Proclamation
Presenter: Vernon Bevill
| ACTION: Committee
consideration for
presentation to full
Commission in Public
Hearing. This item
is also located in
the Public Hearing
Synopsis report.
CONSENT: This item could be eligible for consent agenda. |
This item seeks adoption of the provisions of the Migratory Game Bird Proclamation affecting early-season species of migratory game birds and apprises the committee of anticipated development in the federal regulatory process.
- Replace the 60-day/15-bird
season for mourning dove
with a 70-day/12-bird
season
· Adjust season dates to account for calendar shift
· Although this item seeks adoption of only the provisions affecting early-season species of migratory game birds, the entirety of the proposed 2000-2001 Migratory Game Bird Proclamation (i.e., late season as well as early season provisions) has been included as an exhibit, as published in the Texas Register
ITEM 3: ACTION – Deer Management
- Triple T
Proclamation
- Scientific
Breeder Proclamation
- Deer
Management Permits Proclamation
Presenter: Jerry Cooke
ACTION: Committee consideration for presentation to full Commission in Public Hearing. This item is also located in the Public Hearing Synopsis report. CONSENT: This item could be eligible for consent agenda.
This item amends the Scientific Breeder Proclamation, the Deer Management Proclamation, and the Triple T (Trap, Transport, and Transplant) Proclamation.
Changes to the Scientific Breeder Proclamation would:
- Offer permittees an
optional numbering convention
for the identification
of deer
· Allow permittees to defer the tattooing of deer until such time as they are to be removed from a facility
· Require tagging of deer to be completed by March 31 of each year
· Allow for purchase permits to be valid concurrently with scientific breeder permits and to be obtained in bulk
· Rescind the requirement for a permittee to be in possession of return fax from the department prior to transporting deer and institute in its place a logging and reporting procedure
· Allow the temporary transfer of deer for nursing or breeding purposes
· Provide for the marking of trailers and vehicles when used to transport deer
· Allow the amendment of purchase and transport permits
· Provide mechanisms for expedited addition or deletion of authorized agents by permittees
· Require permittees and persons temporarily accepting deer from permittees to maintain specified records for inspection by department personnel
Changes to the Deer Management Proclamation would:
- Allow deer from a scientific
breeder’s facility
to be temporarily relocated
into a Deer Management
Permit facility
· Establish a one-year period of validity for permits
Changes to the Triple T Proclamation would:
- Establish additional
criteria under which site
inspections by department
personnel would not be
required prior to release
· Specify that deer held under a Deer Management Permit cannot be trapped under a Triple T permit
· Create an appeals process for persons dissatisfied with the decisions of the department with respect to the particulars of permit activities
ITEM 4: BRIEFING – Quail
Presenter: Gary Graham
-
ACTION: Committee review and discussion
Staff will brief the Committee on the quail status in Texas.
The presentation will include:
- The quail decline
· Compare 2 quail survey techniques
· Quantify the quail decline in Texas
· Identify quail responsibilities for TPW with highlights of the TPW quail program
· Will discuss solutions for the quail decline and quail harvest management
ITEM 5: ACTION – Aquaculture MOU (Memorandum of Understanding Between the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and the Texas Department of Agriculture)
Presenter: Raenell Silcox
-
ACTION: Committee consideration for presentation to full Commission in Public Hearing. This item is also located in the Public Hearing Synopsis report. CONSENT: This item could be eligible for consent agenda.
Section 134.031 of the Agriculture Code which was passed by the 76th Legislature as SB 873 and became effective September 1, 1999, requires the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC) and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) regarding the regulation of aquaculture). Commission consideration for adoption of amendment to 31 TAC §57.135 is requested.
This item will:
- Inclusion of TDA, which
reflects TDA’s statutory
responsibility for licensing
and regulating aquaculture
facilities
· Establishment of an application review committee (ARC), composed of representatives of all three agencies to ensure that proposed discharges from aquaculture facilities will not adversely affect bays, estuaries or other water in the state
· Establishment of procedures for coordinating review of individual permit applications, registration applications, requests for exemption, and notices of intent to be covered under a general permit
· TPWD’s commitment to develop guidelines identifying sensitive aquatic habitat within the coastal zone
· TPWD’s commitment to develop guidelines listing the type of information it needs applicants to provide so that TPWD may determine whether a proposed discharge will adversely affect a bay, an estuary or other water in the state
FINANCE COMMITTEE
May 30, 2001
ITEM 1: BRIEFING – Chairman’s Charges
ITEM 2: BRIEFING – Financial Review Update
Presenter: Suzy Whittenton
-
ACTION: Committee review and discussion
In this briefing item, staff will:
- Present a financial
review for the year to
date FY2001, including
an update on Account 9,
Game, Fish and Water Safety
and account 64, State
Parks
· Focus on the sale of hunting and fishing licenses, boat registration and titling fees, and state park fees · Provide updated budget and expenditure information
ITEM 3: BRIEFING – License Point of Sale Update
Presenter: Suzy Whittenton
-
ACTION: Committee review and discussion
Staff will give an update on the new automated licensing system being developed under contract by WorldCom.
ITEM 4: BRIEFING – Legislative Update
Presenter: Joey Park
-
ACTION: Committee review and discussion
Staff will provide an update on Legislative issues that impact the Department. Briefing will provide a status report on Sunset and Appropriations.
ITEM 5: ACTION – Stamp Fee for Disabled Veterans
Presenter: Frances Stiles
-
ACTION: Committee consideration for presentation to full Commission in Public Hearing. This item is also located in the Public Hearing Synopsis report. CONSENT: This item could be eligible for consent agenda.
This item requests approval from the Commission to add certain stamps to the Disabled Veteran Hunting and Fishing License and waives associated stamp fees. Both hunting and fishing licenses are available free of charge, to qualifying veterans; however, they are currently charged a fee for stamps.
These stamps include:
- Texas Waterfowl Stamp
· Turkey Stamp
· White-winged Stamp
· Archery Stamp
· Muzzleloader Stamp
· Saltwater Fishing Stamp
· Freshwater Trout Stamp
ITEM 6: ACTION – Fleet Policy
Presenter: Robert Cook
-
ACTION: Committee consideration for presentation to full Commission in Public Hearing. This item is also located in the Public Hearing Synopsis report. CONSENT: This item could be eligible for consent agenda.
This new rule is required for compliance with House Bill 3125 from the 76th Legislature, which created the Statewide Fleet Management Plan. HB 3125 placed a statewide moratorium on the purchase of new vehicles. The Council on Competitive Government (CCG) established a provision within the Statewide Fleet Management Plan that the moratorium would not be lifted for an agency until it adopted the Statewide Fleet Management Plan. In order for an agency to adopt the statewide plan it must have the General Services Commission’s (GSC’s) Office of Vehicle Fleet Management (OVFM) approve the agency’s fleet management plan and the agency must adopt specified rules.
This item will:
- Each agency vehicle,
with the exception of
a vehicle assigned to
a field employee, shall
be assigned to the agency
motor pool and be available
for checkout
· The agency may assign a vehicle to an individual administrative or executive employee on a regular basis only if the agency makes a written documented finding that the assignment is critical to the needs and mission of the agency
ITEM 7: ACTION – Local Park Funding
Presenter: Tim Hogsett
-
ACTION: Committee consideration for presentation to full Commission in Public Hearing. This item is also located in the Public Hearing Synopsis report. CONSENT: This item could be eligible for consent agenda.
Up to $432,540 in matching
funds requested for
Urban Park and Recreation
Recovery projects should
any Texas projects be
approved by the national
Park Service later this
year.
CONSERVATION COMMITTEE
May 30, 2001
ITEM 1: BRIEFING – Chairman’s Charges
ITEM 2: BRIEFING – Amendment to Redfish Bay “Prop Up” Zones
Presenter: Bill Harvey
-
ACTION: Committee review and discussion.
Staff will present a recommendation to amend the voluntary “prop up” zone in the Terminal Flat area of Redfish Bay.
This item will:
- Provide a short overview
of the voluntary “prop
up” zones in Redfish
Bay
· Describe a proposed additional running lane in the voluntary “prop up” zone in the Terminal Flat area of Redfish Bay and provide rationale for this additional lane
· Seek Conservation Committee approval to add this running lane
ITEM 3: BRIEFING – Giant Salvinia
Presenter: Rhandy Helton
-
ACTION: Committee review and discussion.
Staff will brief the Committee on the Status of Giant Salvinia in Texas. The status will begin with a brief description of the exotic plant and will en with a report of the current distribution of the plant in Texas. Staff will describe past attempts to stop the spread of this plant in the state and will discuss future plans for containment.
ITEM 4: ACTION – Nomination for Oil and Gas Lease – Fayette County
Presenter: Kathy Boydston
-
ACTION: Committee consideration for presentation to full Commission in Public Hearing. This item is also located in the Public Hearing Synopsis report. CONSENT: This item could be eligible for consent agenda.
Nomination for oil and gas lease on Monument Hill/Kreische Brewery State Park; no surface occupancy stipulation.
ITEM 5: ACTION – Land Acquisition – San Patricio County - Lake Corpus Christi State Park
Presenter: Karen Leslie
-
ACTION: Committee consideration for presentation to full Commission in Public Hearing. This item is also located in the Public Hearing Synopsis report. CONSENT: This item is not eligible for consent agenda.
Acquire approximately 50 acres adjacent to Lake Corpus Christi State Park.
- The property is valued at $2,000 per acre
- A fence for the property is estimated to cost $30,000
- This would provide a land base for a wastewater treatment plant
- No additional operating funds will be needed.
ITEM 6: ACTION – Land Acquisition – El Paso County - Franklin Mountains State Park
Presenter: Karen Leslie
| ACTION: Committee
consideration
for presentation
to full Commission
in Public Hearing.
This item is also
located in the
Public Hearing
Synopsis report.
CONSENT: This item is not eligible for consent agenda. |
Purchase 46.10 acres adjacent to Franklin Mountains State Park.
- Property is appraised
at $65,000
· This would protect the viewshed of the tram and the park from undesirable uses (Housing/Mining)
· No additional operating funds will be needed since the property can be managed with existing staff
ITEM 7: ACTION – Land Exchange – Houston County – Weches Cemetery Assn.-TPW
Presenter: Jack Bauer
-
ACTION: Committee consideration for presentation to full Commission in Public Hearing. This item is also located in the Public Hearing Synopsis report. CONSENT: This item is not eligible for consent agenda.
In cooperation with State Representative Jim McReynolds, this would exchange property between Weches Cemetery Association and Mission Tejas State Historical Park as a remedy for facility improvement following a 1993 legislative-directed land sale.
- TPW Trade-gain (0.084
acres): Mission Tejas
SHP will regain property
bearing a historic trail
· TPW Trade-loss (1.238 acres): Weches Cemetery Association will enlarge the cemetery and gain public road access
· The two parties share all associated costs
· This transaction is in compliance with HCR 105 directing TPW and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission to execute a land exchange transaction with Weches Cemetery Association
ITEM 8: ACTION – Land Disposition – Travis and Williamson Counties
Presenter: Ronnie Ray
-
ACTION: Committee consideration for presentation to full Commission in Public Hearing. This item is also located in the Public Hearing Synopsis report. CONSENT: This item is not eligible for consent agenda.
Transfer approximately 26 acres known as the Testudo Tube Cave Preserve to the City of Austin, Texas and transfer approximately 106 acres known as the Godwin Ranch Cave Preserve to the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Lake Georgetown facility.
- The properties do not
fit the TPW large tract
management orientation
· Protection of the resources is logistically better suited for the prospect grantees
· Transfer of the properties would also transfer "Plan Operator" responsibilities identified in mitigation requirements for the Lakeline Mall development site to the prospect grantees
AD HOC INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE
May 30, 2001
ITEM 1: BRIEFING – Chairman’s Charges
ITEM 2: BRIEFING – ProjectsUpdate
Presenter: Scott Boruff
-
ACTION: Committee review and discussion.
Staff will brief the Committee on the projects. The presentation will provide visual highlights on several current projects.
ITEM 3: BRIEFING – Lone Star Legacy Projects Update
Presenter: Scott Boruff
-
ACTION: Commission review and discussion.
Staff will brief the
Committee on the status
of the Lone Star Legacy
projects. The briefing
will cover updated information
on the World Birding
Center, Government Canyon,
Texas Rivers Center,
Austin Woods, and the
Bison Center.
AD HOC OUTREACH COMMITTEE
May 30, 2001
ITEM 1: BRIEFING – Chairman’s Charges
ITEM 2: BRIEFING – Statewide and Regional Outreach
Presenter: Bob Murphy
-
ACTION: Committee review and discussion.
This briefing will update the Committee on three aspects of the Department-wide Outreach Initiative.
- Progress on the Regional
Outreach Initiatives in
Houston, Dallas and San
Antonio
· The Education and Outreach Team’s process for updating the TPW Outreach Plan in response to the Sunset Commission recommendations
· Community Outdoor Outreach Program grants and programs
ITEM 3: BRIEFING – Sheldon Lake Master Plan
Presenter: Laura David
-
ACTION: Commission review and discussion.
Staff will brief the Committee on the completion of the master plan for Sheldon Lake State Park.
The item will include:
Current dollars spent
· Information on the
public meeting
· Communicate the next
proposed action
PUBLIC HEARING SYNOPSIS REPORTS
May 31, 2001
ACCEPTANCE OF GIFTS
RETIREMENT CERTIFICATES AND SERVICE AWARDS
PRESENTATION – BIG BEND RANCH/LA MOTA RANCH PROPERTIES
Staff: Karen Leslie
PRESENTATION – Southern States Boating Law Administrators Association Marine Officer of the Year
RECOGNITION – Dow ArgoSciences – Native Pasture Research
APPROVAL OF AGENDA - Chairman Bass
ITEM 1: ACTION - Consent Agenda Items
ITEM 2: ACTION – 2001-2001 Migratory Game Bird Proclamation
Presenter: Vernon Bevill
ACTION: Commission consideration for adoption.
This item seeks adoption of the provisions of the Migratory Game Bird Proclamation affecting early-season species of migratory game birds and apprises the committee of anticipated development in the federal regulatory process.
- Replace the 60-day/15-bird
season for mourning dove
with a 70-day/12-bird
season
· Adjust season dates to account for calendar shift
· Although this item seeks adoption of only the provisions affecting early-season species of migratory game birds, the entirety of the proposed 2000-2001 Migratory Game Bird Proclamation (i.e., late season as well as early season provisions) has been included as an exhibit, as published in the Texas Register
ITEM 3: ACTION – Deer Management
Presenter: Jerry Cooke
-
ACTION: Commission consideration for adoption.
This item amends the Scientific Breeder Proclamation, the Deer Management Proclamation, and the Triple T (Trap, Transport, and Transplant) Proclamation.
Changes to the Scientific Breeder Proclamation would:
- Offer permittees an
optional numbering convention
for the identification
of deer
· Allow permittees to defer the tattooing of deer until such time as they are to be removed from a facility
· Require tagging of deer to be completed by March 31 of each year
· Allow for purchase permits to be valid concurrently with scientific breeder permits and to be obtained in bulk
· Rescind the requirement for a permittee to be in possession of return fax from the department prior to transporting deer and institute in its place a logging and reporting procedure
· Allow the temporary transfer of deer for nursing or breeding purposes
· Provide for the marking of trailers and vehicles when used to transport deer
· Allow the amendment of purchase and transport permits
· Provide mechanisms for expedited addition or deletion of authorized agents by permittees
· Require permittees and persons temporarily accepting deer from permittees to maintain specified records for inspection by department personnel
Changes to the Deer Management Proclamation would:
- Allow deer from a scientific
breeder’s facility
to be temporarily relocated
into a Deer Management
Permit facility
· Establish a one-year period of validity for permits
Changes to the Triple T Proclamation would:
- Establish additional
criteria under which site
inspections by department
personnel would not be
required prior to release
· Specify that deer held under a Deer Management Permit cannot be trapped under a Triple T permit
· Create an appeals process for persons dissatisfied with the decisions of the department with respect to the particulars of permit activities
ITEM 4: ACTION – Aquaculture MOU
Presenter: Raenell Silcox
-
ACTION: Commission consideration for adoption.
Section 134.031 of the Agriculture Code which was passed by the 76th Legislature as SB 873 and became effective September 1, 1999, requires the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC) and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) regarding the regulation of aquaculture). Commission consideration for adoption of amendment to 31 TAC §57.135 is requested.
This item will:
- Inclusion of TDA, which
reflects TDA’s statutory
responsibility for licensing
and regulating aquaculture
facilities
· Establishment of an application review committee (ARC), composed of representatives of all three agencies to ensure that proposed discharges from aquaculture facilities will not adversely affect bays, estuaries or other water in the state
· Establishment of procedures for coordinating review of individual permit applications, registration applications, requests for exemption, and notices of intent to be covered under a general permit
· TPWD’s commitment to develop guidelines identifying sensitive aquatic habitat within the coastal zone
· TPWD’s commitment to develop guidelines listing the type of information it needs applicants to provide so that TPWD may determine whether a proposed discharge will adversely affect a bay, an estuary or other water in the state
ITEM 5: BRIEFING – Covert
and Environmental Operations
Presenter: Mark Simmons
-
ACTION: Commission review and discussion.
Law Enforcement Division staff will provide:
- A brief history and
status of the Special
Investigations Section
(Environmental and Covert
Investigative Units)
· Recent investigations
ITEM 6: ACTION – Stamp Fee for Disabled Veterans
Presenter: Frances Stiles
-
ACTION: Commission consideration for adoption.
This item requests approval from the Commission to add certain stamps to the Disabled Veteran Hunting and Fishing License and waives associated stamp fees. Both hunting and fishing licenses are available free of charge, to qualifying veterans; however, they are currently charged a fee for stamps.
These stamps include:
- Texas Waterfowl Stamp
· Turkey Stamp
· White-winged Stamp
· Archery Stamp
· Muzzleloader Stamp
· Saltwater Fishing Stamp
· Freshwater Trout Stamp
ITEM 7: ACTION – Fleet Policy
Presenter: Robert Cook
-
ACTION: Commission consideration for adoption.
This new rule is required for compliance with House Bill 3125 from the 76th Legislature, which created the Statewide Fleet Management Plan. HB 3125 placed a statewide moratorium on the purchase of new vehicles. The Council on Competitive Government (CCG) established a provision within the Statewide Fleet Management Plan that the moratorium would not be lifted for an agency until it adopted the Statewide Fleet Management Plan. In order for an agency to adopt the statewide plan it must have the General Services Commission’s (GSC’s) Office of Vehicle Fleet Management (OVFM) approve the agency’s fleet management plan and the agency must adopt specified rules.
This item will:
- Each agency vehicle,
with the exception of
a vehicle assigned to
a field employee, shall
be assigned to the agency
motor pool and be available
for checkout
· The agency may assign a vehicle to an individual administrative or executive employee on a regular basis only if the agency makes a written documented finding that the assignment is critical to the needs and mission of the agency
ITEM 8: ACTION – Nomination for Oil and Gas Lease – Fayette County
Presenter: Kathy Boydston
-
ACTION: Commission consideration for adoption.
Nomination for oil and gas lease on Monument Hill/Kreische Brewery State Park; no surface occupancy stipulation.
ITEM 9: ACTION – Local Park Funding
Presenter: Tim Hogsett
-
ACTION: Commission consideration for adoption.
Up to $432,540 in matching funds requested for Urban Park and Recreation Recovery projects should any Texas projects be approved by the national Park Service later this year.
ITEM 10: ACTION – Land Acquisition – San Patricio County - Lake Corpus Christi State Park
Presenter: Karen Leslie
-
ACTION: Commission consideration for adoption.
Acquire approximately 50 acres adjacent to Lake Corpus Christi State Park.
- The property is valued
at $2,000 per acre
· A fence for the property is estimated to cost $30,000
· This would provide a land base for a wastewater treatment plant
· No additional operating funds will be needed
ITEM 11: ACTION – Land Acquisition – El Paso County - Franklin Mountains State Park
Presenter: Karen Leslie
-
ACTION: Commission consideration for adoption.
Purchase 46.10 acres adjacent to Franklin Mountains State Park.
- Property is appraised
at $65,000
· This would protect the viewshed of the tram and the park from undesirable uses (Housing/Mining)
· No additional operating funds will be needed since the property can be managed with existing staff
ITEM 12: ACTION – Land Exchange – Houston County – Weches Cemetery Assn.-TPW
Presenter: Jack Bauer
-
ACTION: Commission consideration for adoption.
In cooperation with State Representative Jim McReynolds, this would exchange property between Weches Cemetery Association and Mission Tejas State Historical Park as a remedy for facility improvement following a 1993 legislative-directed land sale.
- TPW Trade-gain (0.084
acres): Mission Tejas
SHP will regain property
bearing a historic trail
· TPW Trade-loss (1.238 acres): Weches Cemetery Association will enlarge the cemetery and gain public road access
· The two parties share all associated costs
· This transaction is in compliance with HCR 105 directing TPW and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission to execute a land exchange transaction with Weches Cemetery Association
ITEM 13: ACTION – Land Disposition – Travis and Williamson Counties
Presenter: Ronnie Ray
-
ACTION: Commission consideration for adoption.
Transfer approximately 26 acres known as the Testudo Tube Cave Preserve to the City of Austin, Texas and transfer approximately 106 acres known as the Godwin Ranch Cave Preserve to the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Lake Georgetown facility.
- The properties do not
fit the TPW large tract
management orientation
· Protection of the resources is logistically better suited for the prospect grantees
· Transfer of the properties would also transfer "Plan Operator" responsibilities identified in mitigation requirements for the Lakeline Mall development site to the prospect grantees
Top of Page