Commission Agenda Item No. 11
Presenter: Corky Kuhlmann

Action
Land Acquisition—Cochran County
Approximately 5 Acres at Yoakum Dunes Wildlife Management Area
November 5, 2015

I.       Executive Summary:  Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has negotiated with a private landowner for the acquisition of approximately 5 acres of land as an addition to Yoakum Dunes Wildlife Management Area (WMA).

II.     Discussion:  TPWD staff has identified approximately 5 acres of land belonging to private landowner/willing seller that TPWD staff has identified as suitable for building a headquarters complex to serve Yoakum Dunes WMA. This tract would be added to the WMA, which was created as a safe haven for lesser prairie chickens, whose habitat beyond the preserve faces pressure from energy development and fragmentation of the land, 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 5 acres of land as an addition to Yoakum Dunes Preserve.”

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Commission Agenda Item No. 11
Exhibit A

Cochran County

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Commission Agenda Item No. 11
Exhibit B

Vicinity Map
Yoakum Dunes Preserve

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Commission Agenda Item No. 11
Exhibit C

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