Conservation Committee

Wednesday, 9:00 am, March 31, 2010

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Commission Hearing Room
4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744

Commissioner Mark E. Bivins, Committee Chair
Scott Boruff, Committee Liaison

Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes

  1. Update on TPWD Progress in Implementing the TPWD Land and Water Resources Conservation and Recreation Plan
    Update on Forums

    Staff: Carter Smith
  2. Proposed Land Sale - Cherokee County - 1.422 Acres Adjacent to the Texas State Railroad (Resolution) (Action Item No. 6)
    Staff: Ted Hollingsworth
  3. Utility Easement - Polk County - Lake Livingston State Park (Action Item No. 7)
    Staff: Ted Hollingsworth
  4. Land Acquisition - Grimes County - Approximately 6 Acres at Fanthorp Inn State Historic Site - Permission to Begin the Public Notice and Input Process
    Staff: Corky Kuhlmann
  5. WITHDRAWN Proposed Land Sale - Hall County - 1 Acre at Caprock Canyon State Park and Trailway - Permission to Begin the Public Notice and Input Process
    Staff: Corky Kuhlmann
  6. Acceptance of Land Donation - Houston County - .236 Acres at Mission Tejas State Park Donated by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation (Action Item No. 8)
    Staff: Corky Kuhlmann
  7. Land Acquisition - Brazoria County - 38.5 Acres at Nannie M. Stringfellow Wildlife Management Area (Action Item No. 9)
    Staff: Corky Kuhlmann

Committee Agenda Item No. 1
Presenter: Carter Smith

Conservation Committee
Update on TPWD Progress in Implementing the
TPWD Land and Water Resources Conservation and Recreation Plan
March 31, 2010

I. Executive Summary: Executive Director Carter Smith will briefly update the Commission on the status of the agency's efforts to implement the Land and Water Resources Conservation and Recreation Plan (the "Plan").

II. Discussion: In 2001, the 77th Texas Legislature directed that the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) develop a Land and Water Resources Conservation and Recreation Plan (Tex. Park & Wild. Code §11.104). In 2002, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (the Commission) adopted the first Plan. A revised Plan was adopted by the Commission in January 2005. In November 2009, the Commission approved a new Plan effective January 1, 2010. The 2010 Plan is available on the TPWD web site. Executive Director Carter Smith will update the Conservation Committee on TPWD's recent progress in achieving the Plan's goals, objectives and deliverables as they relate to the Conservation Committee.

The Plan consists of the following four goals:

  1. Practice, Encourage and Enable Science-based Stewardship of Natural and Cultural Resources
  2. Increase Access To and Participation In the Outdoors
  3. Educate, Inform and Engage Texas Citizens in Support of Conservation and Recreation
  4. Employ Efficient, Sustainable and Sound Business Practices

Committee Agenda Item No. 4
Presenter: Corky Kuhlmann

Conservation Committee
Land Acquisition - Grimes County
Fanthorp Inn State Historic Site
March 31, 2010

I. Executive Summary: Staff proposes acquisition of approximately 6 acres of open land adjacent to Fanthorp Inn State Historic Site in Anderson, Grimes County.

II. Discussion: Fanthorp Inn is a very important historic site representing the Republic and antebellum period of Texas' history. Initially constructed in the 1830's, the Inn was added onto in the 1840's and became a popular lodging spot for travelers in central east Texas. The visits of Sam Houston, General Zachary Taylor and other important figures are well documented.

The potential for interpretative and educational activities at the site is limited by its small size of 6 acres. The owner of the property which abuts the site on the south is now willing to sell 6 acres to TPWD which would double the size of the present site.

Staff would like to begin the process of providing public notice and obtaining public input regarding a proposed acquisition of an approximate 6-acre tract of land as an addition to Fanthorp Inn State Historic Site.

Attachments - 3

  1. Exhibit A - Location Map
  2. Exhibit B - Vicinity Map
  3. Exhibit C - Site Map

Committee Agenda Item No. 4
Exhibit A

Location Map Grimes County


Committee Agenda Item No. 4
Exhibit B

Vicinity Map
Fanthorp Inn State Historic Site


Committee Agenda Item No. 4
Exhibit C

Site Map
Fanthorp Inn State Historic Site