Commission Agenda Item No. 6
Presenter:
Ted Hollingsworth
Action
Land Acquisition – Matagorda County
Approximately 267 Acres on Matagorda Peninsula
March 26, 2015
I. Executive Summary: The Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation (TPWF) has acquired approximately 267 acres with high fish and wildlife values on Matagorda Peninsula for transfer to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD).
II. Discussion: East Matagorda Bay is separated from the rest of the Matagorda Bay system by the Colorado River delta. It is also one of the least disturbed bays on the Texas Coast. The bay is separated from the Gulf of Mexico by Matagorda peninsula, a narrow barrier peninsula that is remote and accessible only by water or by driving on the beach at low tide. There is a small community near the mouth of the river, but from there to the end of the peninsula at Brown Cedar Cut, 21 miles of beaches, dunes, lagoons, sloughs, flats and marshes provide important habitat for resident and migratory shorebirds, waterfowl, sea turtles, fin and shellfish and many other species.
The eastern half of the peninsula is primarily owned by the Texas General Land Office (GLO). Acquisition of this property for conservation has long been identified as a goal of TPWD and the coastal conservation community.
The TPWF has acquired two private inholdings totaling approximately 267 acres within the GLO tract in anticipation of eventual conservation of the entire area. TPWF proposes transfer of these two tracts to TPWD. Staff requests permission to begin the public notice and input process.
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 approximately 267 acres in Matagorda County for the conservation of fish and wildlife habitat.”
Commission Agenda Item No. 6
Exhibit A
Location Map for Subject Tracts in Matagorda County
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Exhibit B
Vicinity Map for Matagorda Peninsula
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Exhibit C
Site Map for Acquisition Project Area
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Exhibit D
Close-Up Map for Two (2) Subject Tracts Totaling Approximately 267 Acres
