Commission Agenda Item No. 7
Presenter:
Ted Hollingsworth
Action
Acquisition of Land – Brazoria County
Approximately 1,200 Acres at the Justin Hurst Wildlife Management Area
January 23, 2020
I. Executive Summary: The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has been offered a tract of land for addition to Justin Hurst Wildlife Management Area (WMA) as compensation for an easement for a new 345-kV transmission line across the Justin Hurst WMA.
II. Discussion: The Justin Hurst WMA consists of 14,734 acres of coastal prairies, bottomland hardwoods, and marshes that serve as significant habitat for a number of resident and migratory species, including waterfowl and wading birds. It is located on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and the New Brazos River (Port of Freeport) near a unit of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and petrochemical industries associated with the cities of Freeport, Clute, and Lake Jackson. This location underscores its value in protecting at-risk coastal habitats, but has historically placed the WMA directly in the path of utilities and infrastructure to support industrial development. On November 7, 2019, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (Commission) authorized the Executive Director to “take all necessary steps to negotiate the terms and conditions under which an easement may be granted and to grant an easement to CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC…”
Consistent with guidance provided by the Commission, the TPWD staff has been negotiating with CenterPoint for compensation for the authorized easement in the form of land to be added to the Justin Hurst WMA. CenterPoint has identified a 1,200-acre tract of land with very high conservation values adjacent to the Justin Hurst WMA that is available from a willing seller. CenterPoint proposes to exchange the tract of land for the requested easement. The TPWD staff believes the proposed compensation would add significant conservation and recreation value to the Justin Hurst WMA and would offset impacts associated with CenterPoint’s use of the easement.
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 1,200 acres in Brazoria County for addition to the Justin Hurst Wildlife Management Area.”
Commission Agenda Item No. 7
Exhibit A
Location Map for Justin Hurst Wildlife Management Area in Brazoria County
Commission Agenda Item No. 7
Exhibit B
Vicinity Map for Justin Hurst Wildlife Management Area (WMA)
60 Miles South of Houston
Commission Agenda Item No. 7
Exhibit C
Site Map for Justin Hurst Wildlife Management Area (WMA)
WMA Outlined in White
Subject Approximately 1,200 Acres Outlined in Yellow
