Presenter: Ted Hollingsworth

Commission Agenda Item No. 17
Action
Land Exchange and Conservation Easement - Bandera and Medina Counties
Hill Country State Natural Area
August 21, 2008

I. Executive Summary: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) staff has a request from an adjacent landowner for road access through a portion of Hill Country State Natural Area (HCSNA).

II. Discussion: TPWD staff has been approached by an adjacent landowner who desires to have additional access to his property through a portion of HCSNA. Staff is currently in negotiations with the landowner to facilitate a deal that would involve the landowner getting approximately 100 acres of parkland, this 100 acres having park road frontage and is also adjacent to the landowner's property providing for additional road access.

TPWD would acquire approximately 200 acres of the adjacent property with TPWD paying the difference of appraised value between the approximate 100 and 200-acre tract as determined by a current appraisal and survey. In addition, TPWD will be granted a conservation easement on the approximate 100 acres of traded parkland and approximately 700 acres of the adjacent landowner's property.

Public opinion has been solicited and a local hearing has been conducted.

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

"The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission authorizes the Executive Director to take all necessary steps to trade approximately 100 acres of parkland for 200 acres of adjacent property with TPWD paying fair market value for the difference and accepting a conservation easement on approximately 700 acres of adjacent land in Bandera and Medina counties. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission finds that ownership of the 100 acres being traded is no longer in the best interest of TPWD, that this action is the most feasible and prudent alternative and that all reasonable planning has been taken to minimize harm to the park."

Attachments - 2

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

Commission Agenda Item No. 17
Exhibit A

Location Map

Location of Hill Country SNA in relation to San Antonio,TX

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


Commission Agenda Item No. 17
Exhibit B

Site Map

Location of Hill Country SNA in relation to trade gain and trade loss areas

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