Presenter: Ted Hollingsworth
Commission Agenda Item No. 22
Action
Land Acquisition – Bastrop County
August 2005
I. Executive Summary: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) staff has negotiated a contract for the purchase of approximately 126 acres of land adjacent to Bastrop State Park (BSP). The property has excellent recreational potential and habitat for the endangered Houston toad.
II. Discussion: Approximately 126 acres of land have been offered for sale at BSP. The property has frontage on Gotier Trace Road and more than a mile of boundary in common with BSP (see Exhibit A). The vegetation cover is primarily native pine-oak forest, with 40 acres of pasture and two stock tanks. Alum creek crosses the property, with roughly a half-mile of frontage included in the acquisition. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have designated the tract as known Houston toad habitat. The location and attributes of the tract make it manageable by existing park staff, and offer potential for expanding public outdoor recreation opportunities in the future, to the extent this does not adversely impact toad habitat.
III. Recommendation: The staff recommends the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopt the following motion:
"The Executive Director is authorized to take all necessary steps to acquire approximately 126 acres in Bastrop County as an addition to Bastrop State Park"
Attachements - 1
- Exhibit A - Locator Map
Commission Agenda Item No. 22
Exhibit A
Subject Property Outlined in Yellow Body
