Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission
Public Hearing

April 2003 Commission Meeting

Committee and Public Hearing Synopsis Reports


REGULATIONS COMMITTEE
April 2, 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 seeks adoption of the proposed 2003-2004 Statewide Hunting and Fishing Proclamation. The potential changes include:

ITEM 3: Candidate State Parks for Public Hunting and Establishment of an Open Season on Public Hunting Lands Presenter: Vickie Fite

ITEM 4: Scientific Breeder Proclamation Presenter: Clayton Wolf

This item amends the Scientific Breeder Proclamation to:

ITEM 5: Migratory Gamebird Proclamation – Early Season Presenter: Dave Morrison

This item apprises the committee of anticipated developments in the federal regulatory process and amends the Migratory Gamebird Proclamation to adjust season dates to account for calendar shift.

ITEM 6: The 6-County Antler Restrictions Update Presenter: Bob Carroll

The 2002-2003 hunting season was the first year of a three-year experiment testing mandatory antler restrictions for a six-county area between Austin and Houston. A hunter and landowner opinion survey was conducted prior to the implementation of the new regulation, with the majority of the respondents favoring the change. Harvest data was collected on 633 animals in the six-county area to determine the impact of the regulation in the first year of the experiment. These data indicate harvest pressure shifted to older bucks with the exception of bucks having at least one unbranched antler. A landowner harvest survey was conducted post-season to evaluate the impact of the regulation on overall harvest numbers and hunter participation.


FINANCE COMMITTEE
April 2, 2003

ITEM 1: Chairman’s Charges

ITEM 2: Legislative Update Presenter: Bob Cook

Staff will provide an update on issues relating to the legislative session to include legislation and appropriation.

ITEM 3: Financial Review and Update Presenter: Drew Thigpen

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 also be presented.

ITEM 4: Business Improvement Plan (BIP) Presenter: Drew Thigpen

Staff will update the Commission on the status of the Business Improvement Plan

ITEM 5: Boat Ramp Funding Presenter: Tim Hogsett

Funding for these construction projects in the amount of $669,739 is recommended.

ITEM 6. Fee Changes Presenter: Gene McCarty

Staff will brief the Commission on the results of analysis for potential changes in hunting and fishing license fees and boat registration fees.


CONSERVATION COMMITTEE
April 2, 2003

ITEM 1: Chairman’s Charges

ITEM 2: 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 and January 2003 meetings of the Commission. Six proposals have been provided for Commission consideration.

ITEM 3: Land Sale – Harris County Presenter: Jack Bauer

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approved the sale of the Seabrook Marine Lab to the City of Seabrook in August of 2002. Following due diligence investigations, the City has declined to proceed with the sale. Staff is recommending consideration of the sale of the property through an open bid process with the Texas General Land Office.

ITEM 4: Land Donation – Harris County Presenter: Ted Hollingsworth

Proposed and potential development on lands adjacent to San Jacinto Battleground State Historical Site threatens to compromise the ambience, interpretation, management and operation of the site. Staff has developed the following criteria for a “Desirable Facility Boundary”:

The San Jacinto Advisory Board has been active in assisting with the realization of the “Desirable Facility Boundary”, and through their efforts, several of the San Jacinto town site tracts have been offered for donation to TPWD for addition to the SHS.


AD HOC INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE
April 2, 2003

ITEM 1: Chairman’s Charges

ITEM 2: Capital Program Update Presenter: Steve Whiston

The briefing will include an update on the Facility Management System (FMS), Minor Repair Program, and budget status of bond issuances.


OUTREACH AND EDUCATION COMMITTEE
April 2, 2003

ITEM 1: Chairman’s Charges

ITEM 2: Outreach and Education Plan Update Presenter: Steve Hall

Briefing on the status of the Education, Interpretation and Outreach Strategic Plan prior to implementation beginning in FY04.


PUBLIC HEARING SYNOPSIS REPORTS
PUBLIC HEARING
April 3, 2003

ACCEPTANCE OF GIFTS

RETIREMENT CERTIFICATES AND SERVICE AWARDS

PRESENTATION - Ducks Unlimited

PRESENTATION - Environmental Crime Unit-Sheldon Environmental Center

ITEM 1: ACTION – Approval of Agenda

ITEM 2: ACTION – Boat Ramps Presenter: Tim Hogsett

ACTION: Commission consideration for adoption.

Funding for these construction projects in the amount of $669,739 is recommended.

ITEM 3: ACTION – Statewide Hunting and Fishing Proclamation 2003-2004 Presenter: Ken Kurzawski, Hal Osburn, Ron George

ACTION: Commission consideration for adoption.

This item seeks adoption of the proposed 2003-2004 Statewide Hunting and Fishing Proclamation. The potential changes include:

ITEM 4: ACTION – Candidate State Parks for Public Hunting and Establishment of an Open Season on Public Hunting Lands Presenter: Vickie Fite

ACTION: Commission consideration for adoption.

ITEM 5: ACTION – Scientific Breeder Proclamation Presenter: Clayton Wolf

ACTION: Commission consideration for adoption.

This item amends the Scientific Breeder Proclamation to:

ITEM 6: BRIEFING - Golden Alga Presenter: Larry McKinney, Phil Durocher

ACTION: Commission review and discussion.

Fish kills from the golden alga, Prymnesium parvum, have been documented in inland waters in Texas since 1985. While originally noted in the Pecos River the alga has progressively spread to, and caused fish kills in numerous other river basins since then. This algal species is found worldwide in estuarine waters (estuaries are mixing zones between freshwater from rivers and seawater) and in some freshwater bodies that have relatively high salt content. Texas Parks Wildlife Department (TPWD) biologists were the first to note the occurrence of this alga in freshwater bodies in the western hemisphere. Subsequently, other states have reported its occurrence or possible occurrence. Fish kills caused by the alga can be significant, resulting in both ecological and economic harm to the affected waterbodies.

ITEM 7: 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 and January 2003 meetings of the Commission. Six proposals have been provided for Commission consideration.

ITEM 8: ACTION - Land Sale - Harris County Presenter: Jack Bauer

ACTION: Commission consideration for adoption.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approved the sale of the Seabrook Marine Lab to the City of Seabrook in August of 2002. Following due diligence investigations, the City has declined to proceed with the sale. Staff is recommending consideration of the sale of the property through an open bid process with the Texas General Land Office.

ITEM 9: ACTION – Land Donation - Harris County Presenter: Ted Hollingsworth

ACTION: Commission consideration for adoption.

Proposed and potential development on lands adjacent to San Jacinto Battleground State Historical Site threatens to compromise the ambience, interpretation, management and operation of the site. Staff has developed the following criteria for a "Desirable Facility Boundary":

The San Jacinto Advisory Board has been active in assisting with the realization of the "Desirable Facility Boundary", and through their efforts, several of the San Jacinto town site tracts have been offered for donation to TPWD for addition to the SHS.


Top of Page