Presenters: Ted Hollingsworth

Commission Agenda Item No. 4
Action
Land Acquisition - Presidio County
Big Bend Ranch State Park
July 17, 2008

I. Executive Summary: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has been offered the opportunity to acquire the 6,817-acre Norsworthy Ranch inside Big Bend Ranch State Park.

II. Discussion: At over 300,000 acres, Big Bend Ranch State Park is the largest state park in Texas, and offers the finest opportunities for wilderness hiking and camping experiences. When the park was acquired, there were numerous inholdings. Over the past 20 years, a number of these have been acquired, but several remain. The 6,817-acre Norsworthy Ranch is the most significant of these. It includes two riverfront sections and sections within the interior of the park, and it straddles Fresno Canyon. The Fresno Canyon road and trail is the only route into the park from the town of Lajitas, and public access to Fresno Canyon is critical to full implementation of the park's Public Use Plan.

The Norsworthy estate is being liquidated and the ranch is being sold. The trustee for the estate has agreed that TPWD may purchase the ranch at appraised value. The ranch was appraised in May 2008.

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 6,817+ acres in Presidio County for addition to Big Bend Ranch State Park."

Attachments - 2

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

Commission Agenda Item No. 2
Exhibit A

Location of Big Bend Ranch State Park

Location of Big Bend Ranch SP in relation to the state of Texas

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


Commission Agenda Item No. 2
Exhibit B

Location of Norsworthy Ranch Tracts within Southeast Portion of Big Bend Ranch State Park

Location of Norsworthy Ranch tracts in relation to the southeast portion of Big Bend Ranch SP

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