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:
- 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.
- 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 an alternative documentation for deer in cases where the head has been removed for CWD testing.
- Implementation of a 14-inch minimum length limit for largemouth bass on Lake Waxahachie and Lost Creek Reservoir.
- Implementation of a 10-inch minimum length limit and 25-fish daily bag on 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.
- Implementation of a 25-inch maximum 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 and Establishment of an Open Season on Public Hunting Lands Presenter: Vickie Fite
- This item seeks Commission approval for public hunting activities on state parks and presents a motion for Commission action to establish an open season on public hunting lands for 2003-2004.
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
- 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 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
- The State Boat Ramp Program provides funds for the purchase, construction and maintenance of boat ramps, access roads and related improvements. The program receives funding from two sources: (1) The Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act, also known as the Wallop-Breaux Program, and (2) The State Game, Fish and Water Safety Fund.
- The Department has recently received 2 applications for new ramp construction requesting $669,739 in matching fund assistance.
- Aransas County is requesting a 75% matching share grant in the amount of $263,465 for the construction of a 2-lane boat ramp with a 35-space parking lot to be located on Lamar Beach Road on St. Charles Bay.
- Jefferson County is requesting $406,284 in 75% matching funds to construct a 2-lane boat ramp, entry road and 60-space parking lot. The boat ramp will be located on the north side of the Keith Lake Cut adjacent to S.H.87.
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”:
- Inclusion of the extent of the battlefield and related landscape features
- Inclusion of the extent of the historic San Jacinto town site
- Preservation of surviving natural resource lands
- Protection of view sheds
- Provide historic resource buffer
- The Houston Ship Channel forms the western, northern and eastern boundary of the conservation area
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.
- The Facility Management System provides an automated method for maintaining, tracking, analyzing and reporting Infrastructure Needs.
- The Minor Repair Program is a capital funded program established to address small repair and maintenance needs as authorized by the TPW Commission on an annual basis. Minor repairs involve architectural and engineering, review, consultation, planning, design and construction administration support.
- Budget status of bond issuances includes the Revenue bonds and General Obligation bonds.
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. |
- The State Boat Ramp Program provides funds for the purchase, construction and maintenance of boat ramps, access roads and related improvements. The program receives funding from two sources: (1) The Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act, also known as the Wallop-Breaux Program, and (2) The State Game, Fish and Water Safety Fund.
- The Department has recently received 2 applications for new ramp construction requesting $669,739 in matching fund assistance.
- Aransas County is requesting a 75% matching share grant in the amount of $263,465 for the construction of a 2-lane boat ramp with a 35-space parking lot to be located on Lamar Beach Road on St. Charles Bay.
- Jefferson County is requesting $406,284 in 75% matching funds to construct a 2-lane boat ramp, entry road and 60-space parking lot. The boat ramp will be located on the north side of the Keith Lake Cut adjacent to S.H.87.
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:
- 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.
- 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 an alternative documentation for deer in cases where the head has been removed for CWD testing.
- Implementation of a 14-inch minimum length limit for largemouth bass on Lake Waxahachie and Lost Creek Reservoir.
- Implementation of a 10-inch minimum length limit and 25-fish daily bag on 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.
- Implementation of a 25-inch maximum 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 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. |
- This item seeks Commission approval for public hunting activities on state parks and presents a motion for Commission action to establish an open season on public hunting lands for 2003-2004.
ITEM 5: 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
- 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 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":
- Inclusion of the extent of the battlefield and related landscape features
- Inclusion of the extent of the historic San Jacinto town site
- Preservation of surviving natural resource lands
- Protection of view sheds
- Provide historic resource buffer
- The Houston Ship Channel forms the western, northern and eastern boundary of the conservation area
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.
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