Commission Agenda Item No. 10
Presenter: Corky Kuhlmann

Action
Land Acquisition - Cochran County
Yoakum Dunes Preserve
May 21, 2015

I.       Executive Summary:  Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has negotiated with the General Land Office (GLO) for the acquisition of approximately 357.5 acres of land as an addition to Yoakum Dunes Preserve (YDP).

II. Discussion:  TPWD staff has identified approximately 357.5 acres of land belonging to the GLO that has been identified by TPWD biologists as containing priority lesser prairie chicken habitat. This tract would be added to the YDP, which was created as a safe haven for lesser prairie chickens, whose habitat beyond the preserve faces pressure from energy development, fragmentation of the land, and increased conversion of native grassland to cropland and livestock grazing.

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 357.5 acres of land as an addition to Yoakum Dunes Preserve.”

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Commission Agenda Item No. 10
Exhibit A

Cochran County

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Commission Agenda Item No. 10
Exhibit B

Vicinity Map
Yoakum Dunes Preserve

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Commission Agenda Item No. 10
Exhibit C

Site Map
GLO Tract outline in red.