Commission Agenda Item No. 9
Presenter:
Ted Hollingsworth
Action
Acquisition of Land - Blanco County
Approximately 200 Acres at Pedernales Falls State Park
May 25, 2017
I. Executive Summary: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) staff is negotiating a purchase of approximately 200 acres of land on the Pedernales River adjacent to and overlooking Pedernales Falls State Park from a willing seller.
II. Discussion: Pedernales Falls State Park was established in 1970 with an initial purchase of 4,860 acres. Boasting over 5 miles of frontage on the Pedernales River, the park today encompasses 5,212 acres, including diverse natural and recreational resources, many miles of hiking trails, beautiful Hill Country vistas, limestone bluffs, quiet pools and waterfalls, and habitat for the endangered Golden Cheeked Warbler. TPWD does not own both banks of the river in critical locations overlooking the park’s namesake falls, and staff is concerned about the potential for development that would compromise important viewsheds. Staff has met with a number of the park’s neighbors to discuss these concerns and explore opportunities for mitigating future risks to the viewshed and the visitor experience. One of these neighbors is willing to sell land in a strategic location for realizing the long-term goal of protecting the viewshed and aesthetic integrity of a critical reach of the river adjacent to the falls.
III. Recommendation: The staff recommends the Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPW) Commission adopt the following motion:
"The TPW Commission authorizes the Executive Director to take all necessary steps to acquire approximately 200 acres in Blanco County for addition to Pedernales Falls State Park"
Commission Agenda Item No. 9
Exhibit A
Location Map for Pedernales Falls State Park in Blanco County
Commission Agenda Item No. 9
Exhibit B
Vicinity Map for Pedernales Falls State Park 30 Miles West of Austin
Commission Agenda Item No. 9
Exhibit C
Site Map Showing Location of Subject Tract
