March 24-25, 2021, Commission Meeting Agenda

Work Session

Commission Agenda Items

January 20-21, 2021, Transcripts

 

Commission Agenda Item No. 4
Presenter: Ted Hollingsworth

Action
Acceptance of Donation of Land – Fort Bend County
Approximately 300 Acres at Brazos Bend State Park
March 25, 2021

I.      Executive Summary: A tract of approximately 300 acres with extremely high operational and resource values has been bequeathed and offered for donation to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) for addition to Brazos Bend State Park (SP).

II.     Discussion: Brazos Bend SP was acquired in 1976 with an initial purchase of 4,100 acres. Brazos Bend SP today includes 4,975 acres of bottomland forests, creeks, oxbow wetlands, marshes, and coastal prairie, with approximately three miles of frontage on the Brazos River. Although Brazos Bend SP is best known for its alligator and bird watching opportunities, it is also popular for its classic Southeast Texas forests, many miles of trails, picnicking, fishing, and space for family get-togethers. Brazos Bend SP attracted more than a quarter million visitors in 2017.

For many years, the park staff maintained a fairly close and friendly relationship with Joe Wessendorf, the owner of a ranch at the northwest end of Brazos Bend SP that includes a significant portion of 900-acre “Pilant Lake,” a shallow oxbow lake and a major attraction for the park, especially due to its populations of wading birds and waterfowl. In 2002, Mr. Wessendorf sold 78 acres of his 382-acre ranch to the TPWD.

Mr. Wessendorf’s land is held by the Henderson-Wessendorf Foundation (the Foundation). Mr. Wessendorf desired that the ranch adjacent to Brazos Bend SP be donated to TPWD for addition to the park after his passing. The Foundation requests that the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approve the transfer of the Wessendorf Ranch to TPWD for addition to Brazos Bend SP.

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 accept the donation of approximately 300 acres in Fort Bend County for addition to Brazos Bend State Park.”

Attachments – 3

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

Commission Agenda Item No. 4
Exhibit A

Location Map for Brazos Bend State Park in Fort Bend County

Commission Agenda Item No. 4
Exhibit B

Location Map for Brazos Bend State Park (SP), 25 Miles South of Houston

Commission Agenda Item No. 4
Exhibit C

Site Map for the 300-Acre Donation Tract
Brazos Bend State Park Outlined in Red
Subject Tract Outlined in Yellow