Presenters: Ted Hollingsworth

Commission Agenda Item No. 3
Action
Land Taking - Cameron County
Anacua Unit, Las Palomas Wildlife Management Area
July 17, 2008

I. Executive Summary: Staff has negotiated a recommended settlement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as compensation for the taking of 2.5 acres of land from the Anacua Unit of the Las Palomas Wildlife Management Area (WMA).

II. Discussion: The federal government, through the Department of Homeland Security, is constructing "tactical infrastructure" parallel to the Rio Grande through several South Texas counties. The acquisition of land for this infrastructure, including security wall and fence structures (the "border fence"), service roads, and related construction, is being undertaken by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) through negotiated settlements and condemnations.

The border fence passes through the Anacua Unit of the Las Palomas WMA, and will directly take 2.5 acres of land. Staff recommends that compensation be based on impacts to biological values for which the unit was acquired, and proposes that the federal government reimburse the Valley Land Fund for the acquisition of 25.3 acres of land adjacent to the Arroyo Colorado Unit of the WMA, which would be donated to TPWD for addition to that unit.

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

"The Executive Director is authorized to take all necessary measures to negotiate compensation for the taking of land in Cameron County by the federal government, including the acceptance of donated land in Cameron County."

Attachments - 2

  1. Exhibit A - Location Map
  2. Exhibit B - Site Map

Commission Agenda Item No. 2
Exhibit A

Location of Anacua Unit - Lower Rio Grande Valley

Location of Anacua Unit in relation to Brownsville, TX

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


Commission Agenda Item No. 2
Exhibit B

Map of Anacua Unit Showing Route of Border Fence

Location of Anacua Unit border fence in relation to total 139-acre area.

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