Commission Agenda Item No. 8
Presenter: Jason Estrella
Action
Acquisition of Land – Anderson County
Approximately 430 Acres at the Big Lake Bottom Wildlife Management Area
March 25, 2021
I. Executive Summary: The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) staff is seeking the purchase of approximately 430 acres of land within Big Lake Bottom Wildlife Management Area (WMA).
II. Discussion: Big Lake Bottom WMA comprises approximately 3,894 acres in Anderson County southeast of Dallas, near the city of Palestine. The WMA lies adjacent to the Trinity River and was acquired to preserve a relict tract of quality bottomland hardwood habitat within the Post Oak Savannah ecoregion beginning in 1990. The WMA is currently utilized for hunting, fishing, and non-consumptive recreational activities, as well as to facilitate research investigations and demonstrations in a manner compatible with protection and management of WMA resources.
A 430-acre privately-owned tract sits along the Trinity River within the boundary of the WMA. This property has been a high-priority acquisition for TPWD for many years. The staff has reason to believe this property will be placed on the open market soon, and TPWD has requested the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation secure the property under contract to preserve the opportunity for TPWD’s acquisition, contingent upon the authorization from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission. Acquisition of this property would clean up the boundary of the central area of the WMA, creating one contiguous tract, and would provide an additional two miles of Trinity River boundary, along with additional recreational opportunities.
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 430 acres in Anderson County for addition to Big Lake Bottom Wildlife Management Area.”
Attachments – 3
Commission Agenda Item No. 8
Exhibit A
Location Map for Big Lake Bottom Wildlife Management Area
in Anderson County
Commission Agenda Item No. 8
Exhibit B
Vicinity Map for Big Lake Bottom Wildlife Management Area (WMA),
12 Miles Southwest of Palestine
Commission Agenda Item No. 8
Exhibit C
Site Map for Big Lake Bottom Wildlife Management Area (WMA) Showing Location of Subject Tract
Subject Tract in Yellow
WMA in Red
