Presenter: Ted Hollingsworth

Commission Agenda Item No. 16
Action
Land Acquisition - Brewster County
Big Bend Ranch State Park
May 2008

I. Executive Summary: Twenty acres of land is available for purchase from a willing seller in the heart of Big Bend Ranch State Park.

II. Discussion: Big Bend Ranch State Park (SP), at more than 300,000 acres, is the largest park in the state park system. Assembled over time from a number of state-owned and privately owned tracts, there are still a number of privately owned inholdings within the SP. These inholdings complicate park operations and management. The subject tract lies within the Solitario, a spectacular geological feature located in the eastern region of the park. Four sections of land are privately owned within the Solitario, and one of those sections was subdivided into smaller tracts and sold in the 1930's. The 20-acre subject tract is one of those. Staff has negotiated the sale of this tract from a willing seller at a fair market price and recommends acquisition.

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 20-acres for $2500 net to seller in Brewster County for addition to Big Bend Ranch State Park."

Attachments - 2

  1. Exhibit A - Location Map
  2. Exhibit B - Location of Subject Tract

Commission Agenda Item No. 16
Exhibit A

Big Bend Ranch State Park Location Map

Location of Big Bend Ranch State Park in relation to the state of Texas

For help in interpreting this map, please contact Ted Hollingsworth.


Commission Agenda Item No. 16
Exhibit B

Location of Subject Tract within Big Bend Ranch State Park

Location of 20-acre inholding in relation to Big Bend Ranch State Park

For help in interpreting this map, please contact Ted Hollingsworth.