Commission Agenda Item No. 10
Presenter: Corky Kuhlmann

Action
Land Acquisition Approximately 5500 Acres
Palo Pinto, County
March 26, 2015

I.       Executive Summary: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) staff has identified approximately 5,500-acre ranch in the cross timbers ecoregion of Texas that would fill a gap in the Wildlife Management Area system.

II.     Discussion: One of the goals of TPWD is to conserve and manage intact examples of each of the major ecosystems native to the state. The cross timbers ecoregion of north central Texas consists of habitats that result from the transition from forests to the east to Great Plains grasslands to the west. The dominant cross timbers habit representative of this region is not represented in TPWD’s Wildlife Management Area (WMA) system. Filling this gap has long been a priority.

For several years staff has been evaluating a 5,500-acre cross timbers site in Palo Pinto County and working with its owner to effect a potential acquisition as a new WMA. Staff and the owner have agreed on the terms for an Option contract, and the Wildlife Division has identified the means for a purchase.

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 5500 acres in Palo Pinto County to create a new Cross Timber Wildlife Management Area.”

Attachments – 2

  1. Exhibit A – Location Map
  2. Exhibit B – Vicinity Map

Commission Agenda Item No. 10
Exhibit A

Location Map - 5,500-Acre Site in Palo Pinto County

Location Map - 5,500-Acre Site in Palo Pinto County


Commission Agenda Item No. 10
Exhibit B

Vicinity Map

Vicinity Map