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:
- A definition of ‘deer population data that would be used in determining the issuance of Managed Lands Deer permits
- An increase in the number of personnel authorized to approve the issuance of Antlerless and Spike Buck Control permits.
- Implementation of a December 10 deadline for applications for Antlerless and Spike Buck Control permits
- An increased bag limit for white-tailed deer in Harris County
- Implementation of a muzzleloader season in Harris, San Jacinto, Trinity, and Walker counties
- Expansion of the Managed Lands Deer program to include mule deer
- Implementation of a marking requirement for desert bighorn sheep heads
- Closure of the pheasant season in Wharton, Fort Bend, Brazoria, and Matagorda counties
- Lengthening of the Panhandle pheasant season, accompanied by a reduction in the bag limit
- Closure of the lesser prairie chicken season statewide
- Inclusion of Mearn’s quail in the aggregate quail bag limit
- Implementation of a 14-inch minimum length limit for largemouth bass on Lake Waxahachie
- Implementation of a 10-inch minimum length limit and 25-fish daily bag on Lost Creek Reservoir and lakes Buchanan, Canyon, Conroe, Georgetown, Inks, Limestone, Livingston, Lyndon B. Johnson, Marble Falls, Palestine, Somerville, and Travis Reservoirs, and a section of the Trinity River
- Delineation of reservoir boundary for Toledo Bend reservoir
- Liberalization of gear requirements for crab traps
- Implementation of a 25-inch minimum length limit for spotted sea trout, allowing the retention of one oversize fish per person per day
- Implementation of statewide fishing guide party limits for all species
- Saltwater guide licensing requirements
- Nonsubstantive, housekeeping-type alterations
ITEM 3: Candidate State Parks for Public Hunting Presenter: Herb Kothmann
- This item proposes a procedural change that would discontinue the practice of presenting candidate state parks for public hunting at the January meeting, unless significant changes to the format or scope of activities necessitate a January briefing. State park hunt planning will be done in a similar manner as for wildlife management areas, and the commission will be advised each April of all hunting activities proposed for the state park system.
ITEM 4: Scientific Breeder Proclamation Presenter: Clayton Wolf
This item amends the Scientific Breeder Proclamation to:
- Allow the release of scientific breeder deer to the wild, provided the facility is in compliance with herd health monitoring requirements of the Texas Animal Health Commission
- Eliminate the annual fawn report
- Require additions to or expansions of a breeder facility to be reflected on a diagram that must be on file with the department prior to the introduction of deer to the addition or expansion
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
- Make grants from the Texas Recreation and Parks Account to Texas local governments for the acquisition and/or development of outdoor recreation sites
- As of July 31, 2002 TPWD received 44 applications requesting $18,045,157.00 in matching fund assistance
- Staff is recommending support of 14 projects in the amount of $6,550,817.00
Indoor Recreation Grants
- Make grants from the Texas Recreation and Parks Account to Texas local governments for the acquisition and/or development of local indoor recreation facilities
- As of July 31, 2002 TPWD received 25 indoor recreation applications requesting $15,832,419 in matching fund assistance
- Staff is recommending support of 6 projects in the amount of $3,411,868
Target Range Grants
Two new target range grant projects are proposed, both in Dallas and proximal to the large urban population.
- DFW Gun Club and Training Center, L.L.C., and indoor facility, requests funding to renovate interactive shooting facilities and backstops, at a total federal cost of $60,000.
- Elm Fork Shooting Park requests funding to improve roads and parking areas at its premiere shooting facility, at a total federal cost of $30,000. Each has the necessary in kind match to contribute to the project.
ITEM 5: Kerrville-Schreiner State Park Transfer Presenter: Walt Dabney
This item proposes to:
- Negotiations are currently underway between Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the City of Kerrville to consider the transfer of Kerrville-Schreiner State Park to the City of Kerrville
- Authority is requested to authorize the Executive Director to take all steps necessary to negotiate site transfers and enter into project agreements for the Kerrville-Schreiner State Park site. Authority is requested to allow the Executive Director to execute a grant agreement in an amount not to exceed $1,808,763 from the Texas Recreation and Parks Account to effect the orderly transfer of this site
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
- The Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA) has released a preliminary draft of a plan to protect eight endangered species at Comal and San Marcos Springs while managing groundwater pumping from the Edwards Aquifer. The EAA may submit the plan to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to apply for a permit that allows incidental take of the endangered species
- Chapter 83 of the Parks and Wildlife Code assigns to TPWD and the Commission certain participation and oversight duties in the development of this plan
- TPWD staff will deliver a briefing about the preliminary draft, explain TPWD’s statutory roles in the process, answer questions, and receive guidance
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:
- Protect mature forested bottomland hardwood Habitat
- Expand Village Creek State Park as recommended in the land and Water Resources Conservation and Recreation Plan
- Sale price is below appraised fair-market-value ($77,000.00)
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:
- Protect and restore unique botanical habitat, springs, and riparian area
- Access to the park will be improved and access to the San Marcos River will be provided
- Sale price is at appraised fair-market-value ($65,000.00)
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. |
- Make grants from the Texas Recreation and Parks Account to Texas local governments for the acquisition and/or development of outdoor recreation sites
- As of July 31, 2002 TPWD received 44 applications requesting $18,045,157.00 in matching fund assistance
- Staff is recommending support of 14 projects in the amount of $6,550,817.00
ITEM 3: ACTION – Indoor Recreation Grants
Presenter: Tim Hogsett
| ACTION: Commission consideration for adoption. |
- Make grants from the Texas Recreation and Parks Account to Texas local governments for the acquisition and/or development of local indoor recreation facilities
- As of July 31, 2002 TPWD received 25 indoor recreation applications requesting $15,832,419 in matching fund assistance
- Staff is recommending support of 6 projects in the amount of $3,411,868
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.
- DFW Gun Club and Training Center, L.L.C., and indoor facility, requests funding to renovate interactive shooting facilities and backstops, at a total federal cost of $60,000.
- Elm Fork Shooting Park requests funding to improve roads and parking areas at its premiere shooting facility, at a total federal cost of $30,000. Each has the necessary in kind match to contribute to the project.
ITEM 5: ACTION – Kerrville-Schreiner State Park Transfer
Presenter: Walt Dabney
| ACTION: Commission consideration for adoption. |
This item proposes to:
- Negotiations are currently underway between Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the City of Kerrville to consider the transfer of Kerrville-Schreiner State Park to the City of Kerrville
- Authority is requested to authorize the Executive Director to take all steps necessary to negotiate site transfers and enter into project agreements for the Kerrville-Schreiner State Park site. Authority is requested to allow the Executive Director to execute a grant agreement in an amount not to exceed $1,808,763 from the Texas Recreation and Parks Account to effect the orderly transfer of this site
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:
- Background national perspective
- Statewide perspective
- Issues
- Socio-economic importance
ITEM 9: ACTION – Scientific Breeder Proclamation
Presenter: Clayton Wolf
| ACTION: Commission consideration for adoption. |
This item amends the Scientific Breeder Proclamation to:
- Allow the release of scientific breeder deer to the wild, provided the facility is in compliance with herd health monitoring requirements of the Texas Animal Health Commission
- Eliminate the annual fawn report
- Require additions to or expansions of a breeder facility to be reflected on a diagram that must be on file with the department prior to the introduction of deer to the addition or expansion
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:
- Protect mature forested bottomland hardwood Habitat
- Expand Village Creek State Park as recommended in the land and Water Resources Conservation and Recreation Plan
- Sale price is below appraised fair-market-value ($77,000.00)
(B) Gonzales County The Department has been offered 12.27 acres in Gonzales County adjacent to Palmetto State Park. This action will:
- Protect and restore unique botanical habitat, springs, and riparian area
- Access to the park will be improved and access to the San Marcos River will be provided
- Sale price is at appraised fair-market-value ($65,000.00)
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