Presenters: Ted Hollingsworth
Commission Agenda Item No. 2
Action
Land Acquisition - Randall and Armstrong Counties
Palo Duro Canyon State Park
July 17, 2008
I. Executive Summary: Staff has been working closely with the Trust for Public Land and a private landowner to negotiate the acquisition of the 2,898-acre Fortress Cliff Ranch adjacent to Palo Duro Canyon State Park.
II. Discussion: 26,275-acre Palo Duro Canyon State Park is truly one of the showpieces of the Texas State Park System. Straddling the second largest canyon in North America, after the Grand Canyon, it offers spectacular vistas of landforms and geologic formations. The quality of the visitor experience to the State Park is critically dependent upon the integrity of the viewshed. With some eight miles of canyon rim making up a significant portion of the north boundary of the park, the Fortress Cliff forms a significant component of the vista from within the park.
The Trust for Public Land (TPL) has offered to negotiate and broker an agreement with the landowner, and to hold the property until Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) can buy the ranch from TPL at cost plus direct and indirect costs and processing fees.
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 2,898+ acres in Randall and Armstrong Counties for addition to Palo Duro Canyon State Park."
Commission Agenda Item No. 2
Exhibit A
Texas Panhandle Showing Location of Palo Duro Canyon SP
For help in interpreting this map, please contact Ted Hollingsworth.
Commission Agenda Item No. 2
Exhibit B
Palo Duro Canyon SP and Vicinity
For help in interpreting this map, please contact Ted Hollingsworth.
Commission Agenda Item No. 2
Exhibit C
Palo Duro Canyon SP Showing Location of Subject Tract
For help in interpreting this map, please contact Ted Hollingsworth.