Presenter: Jack Bauer

Commission Agenda Item No. 9
Action
Land Acquisition – Armstrong County
April 2005

I. Executive Summary: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has been offered approximately 7,837-acres of Palo Duro Canyonland adjacent to Palo Duro State Park (SP). The purchase of this property is presented for consideration by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (Commission).

II. Discussion: Palo Duro Canyon SP includes approximately 18,428-acres in Randall County. In 2004, approximately 282,000 visits were made to the facility. Expansion of the park is recommended in the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Land and Water Resources Conservation and Recreation Plan (Land and Water Plan). Historic ranchland exists east of the existing facility, downstream from the canyonland portion of the park. This adjacent ownership has been offered for sale to the Department (see Exhibit A). The purpose of this item is to define the conditions of a proposed purchase agreement for consideration by the Commission.

The property proposed for acquisition includes approximately 7,837-acres out of a contiguous single ownership of 17,000-acres in adjacent Armstrong County. Long-term, ownership of the entire 17,000 acres is desired by the seller and is under consideration by TPWD staff. The whole of the 17,000-acres includes the site of the General Ranald Mackenzie battle with Indians, many archeological sites along the Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River, and the original homestead site of Colonel Goodnight. The property has been under continuous cattle grazing since 1876 and has been under the ownership of a prominent ranching family since the early 1900’s. The 7,837-acre parcel includes a representative proportion of historic resources. Habitat conditions of the property are good.

III. Recommendation: The staff recommends the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopt the following motion:

"The Executive Director is authorized to take all steps necessary to acquire approximately 7,837-acres in Armstrong County as an addition to Palo Duro Canyon State Park."

Attachments - 1

  1. Exhibit A - Property Map

Commission Agenda Item No. 9
Exhibit A

Initial Home Camp Company Acquisition, 7837 acres