Commission Agenda Item No. 19
Presenter:  Corky Kuhlmann

Action
Land Acquisition – Yoakum County
Yoakum Dunes Preserve
August 25, 2011

I.       Executive Summary:  Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is in negotiations with private landowners in Yoakum County to purchase property to be used as Lesser Prairie Chicken Habitat.

II.            Discussion:  TPWD staff is currently in negotiations with private landowners for the acquisition of up to 320-acres of land adjacent to The Nature Conservancy’s 7,290-acre Yoakum Dunes Preserve.  This Preserve that is located on the Texas high plains west of Lubbock, is dedicated to provide research and conservation-demonstration for grassland and wildlife-habitat enhancement centering on the Lesser Prairie Chicken.

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 acquire 320-acres of land adjacent to the Yoakum Dunes Preserve.”