Commission Agenda Item No. 8
Exhibit A

A Resolution by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission Regarding the
Exchange of Approximately 1-Acre Tracts of Land at
Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site in Washington County

Resolution 

Whereas, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) owns and operates the 293-acre Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site (WOBSHS) for a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities and conservation values, including protection and interpretation of the site where 59 delegates met to make a formal declaration of independence from Mexico in March, 1836; and,

Whereas, it has long been a goal of TPWD to acquire additional land at the park entrance in order to protect the aesthetics of the arrival experience and potentially upgrade the existing entry portal; and,

Whereas, on January 26, 2017, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (Commission) approved a 4-acre acquisition at the entrance of the park for future expansion; and,

Whereas, in order for this 4-acre tract be contiguous to park property, a 1-acre tract adjacent to the park entrance must be acquired from a willing neighbor who will exchange his 1-acre tract for a 1-acre tract out of the 4-acre tract; and,

Whereas, if approved, this exchange will be executed simultaneously with the closing of the 4-acre acquisition; and,

Whereas, the Commission finds that as required by Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, Chapter 26, notices of today’s hearing of this matter were published at least once a week for three consecutive weeks in newspapers of general circulation which are published at least six days a week in the communities nearest to WOBSHS in which such newspapers are published (The Brenham Banner-Press in Washington County), with the last day of publication being not less than one week or more than two weeks before the date of today’s hearing; and,

Whereas, the Commission finds, in accordance with Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, Chapter 26, that: (1) there is no feasible and prudent alternative to the use or taking of such land (Exchange); and (2) the program or project that requires the use or taking of land (Exchange) includes all reasonable planning to minimize harm to the land; and,

Whereas, the Commission finds, in accordance with Section 13.009 of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, that conveyance of an approximately 1-acre tract of land under the terms and conditions described herein is in the best interest of TPWD;

Now, therefore, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission authorizes the Executive Director to take all necessary steps to exchange approximately 1-acre tracts of land with an adjacent private landowner for the purposes and subject to the conditions described herein and in the motion approved in this Resolution. 

Adopted and approved this 23rd day of August, 2018.

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Ralph H. Duggins, Chairman

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T. Dan Friedkin, Member

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S. Reed Morian, Vice-Chairman

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James H. Lee, Member

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Anna B. Galo, Member

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Dick Scott, Member

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Bill Jones, Member

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Kelcy L. Warren, Member

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Jeanne W. Latimer, Member

Commission Agenda Item No. 8
Exhibit B

Location Map for the Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site in Washington County

Commission Agenda Item No. 8
Exhibit C

Vicinity Map for the Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site, 6 Miles South of Navasota, Texas

Commission Agenda Item No. 8
Exhibit D

Site Map for the Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site and Subject Tract
State Historic Site Outlined in Red
4-Acre Tract Outlined in Yellow

Commission Agenda Item No. 8
Exhibit E

Site Map for the Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site and Subject Tract
State Historic Site Outlined in Red
1-Acre Exchange Tracts