Commission Agenda Item No. 7
Presenter: Ted Hollingsworth

Action
Acquisition of Land – Presidio County
Approximately 60 Acres at Chinati Mountains State Natural Area
November 10, 2020

I.      Executive Summary: The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has an opportunity to acquire a strategic inholding in the heart of the Chinati Mountains State Natural Area (SNA).

II.     Discussion: The current 39,077-acre Chinati Mountains SNA was created in 1996 with the donation of the original 37,885 acres. The SNA straddles much of the Chinati Mountain Range in southern Presidio County, approximately 13 miles west-northwest of Big Bend Ranch State Park (SP). Elevation ranges from roughly 2,700 feet at the River Road (County Road 170) to more than 7,200 feet a half-mile west of 7,728-foot Chinati Peak.

The SNA is rugged and remote, featuring jagged peaks, vast vistas, ciénegas (springs), wilderness experiences, and very dark night skies. TPWD recently acquired a road leading from the River Road to the SNA’s interior road/trail system, significantly improving public access.

Two interior roads intersect near the center of the SNA at the site of the historic Burney Mine, which produced zinc, copper, and small amounts of silver and gold in the past. The intersection and the mine sit on an approximately 61-acre inholding that has been a priority for acquisition ever since the SNA’s inception. The owner of the inholding recently expressed an interest in selling the land to TPWD and has signed a contract of sale, contingent upon authorization by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission.

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 60 acres of land within the Chinati Mountains State Natural Area in Presidio County.”

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Commission Agenda Item No. 7
Exhibit A

Location Map for Chinati Mountains State Natural Area in Presidio County

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Commission Agenda Item No. 7
Exhibit B

Vicinity Map for Chinati Mountains State Natural Area (SNA), 40 Miles Southwest of Marfa

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Commission Agenda Item No. 7
Exhibit C

Site Map of Chinati Mountains State Natural Area Showing Location of Subject Tract
State Natural Area Outlined in Yellow
Subject Tract Outlined in Red