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."

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