Commission Agenda Item No. 8
Presenter: Ted Hollingsworth

Action
Acquisition of Land – Matagorda County
Approximately 1,100 Acres at the Matagorda Peninsula Coastal Management Area
January 23, 2020

I.      Executive Summary: The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) staff is negotiating the acquisition of approximately 1,100 acres of land from willing sellers for addition to the Matagorda Peninsula Coastal Management Area (CMA).

II.   Discussion: In 2017, TPWD established the Matagorda Peninsula CMA with the acquisition of 5,402 acres of land on Matagorda Peninsula from the Texas General Land Office. The CMA currently preserves approximately 12 miles of peninsula from the Caney Creek Cut westward and from the Gulf of Mexico to East Matagorda Bay. This is a remote and undeveloped barrier system that preserves habitat for a remarkable diversity of coastal wildlife from nesting sea turtles to resident and migratory shore and wading birds, several of which are listed as species of greatest conservation need. Habitat present at the CMA consists of Gulf beaches, sand dunes, lagoons, strand prairies, bayous, tidal flats, and emergent salt marshes that are critical for the production of crustaceans, shellfish, and finfish. The East Matagorda Bay system has been identified as a conservation focal area by TPWD and its conservation partners. Goals to protect the East Matagorda Bay system include the conservation of as much of the peninsula and surrounding bay shoreline as opportunities and funding allow.

TPWD and the Galveston Bay Foundation have received grants from criminal and civil settlements of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill to acquire two tracts of land on Matagorda Peninsula totaling approximately 1,100 acres from willing sellers. If authorized by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission, the acquisitions are anticipated to close in midyear 2020.

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 1,100 acres in Matagorda County for addition to the Matagorda Peninsula Coastal Management Area.”

Attachments – 3

  1. Exhibit A – Location Map
  2. Exhibit B – Vicinity Map
  3. Exhibit C – Site Map

Commission Agenda Item No. 8
Exhibit A

Location Map for Matagorda Peninsula Coastal Management Area in Matagorda County

Location Map for Matagorda Peninsula Coastal Management Area in Matagorda County


Commission Agenda Item No. 8
Exhibit B

Vicinity Map for Matagorda Peninsula Coastal Management Area (CMA)
45 Miles East of Port Lavaca

Vicinity Map for Matagorda Peninsula Coastal Management Area


Commission Agenda Item No. 8
Exhibit C

Site Map Showing Location of Matagorda Peninsula Coastal Management Area (CMA)
CMA Outlined in White
Subject 1,100 Acres Outlined in Yellow

Site Map Showing Location of Matagorda Peninsula Coastal Management Area