Commission Meeting Agenda Item No. 10
Presenter: Jason Estrella

Action
Land Acquisition Strategy – Liberty County
Approximately 50 Acres at Davis Hill State Park
March 24, 2022

I.      Executive Summary:  Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) staff seeks to acquire inholdings and adjacent properties from willing sellers. This remains a priority for TPWD to minimize operational and management conflicts and ensure the conservation of TPWD public lands.

II.     Discussion:  Davis Hill SP was acquired in 1983 and consists of approximately 1,700-acres of diverse wilderness, about 40 miles northeast of downtown Houston. The park stretches from the highest hill on the Texas coastal plain down to a pristine white-sand beach on the Trinity River. The Liberty County site is named for General James Davis, a veteran of the War of 1812 and the Army of the Republic of Texas who had a plantation home atop the hill.

TPWD staff has an interest in investigating and negotiating the acquisition of several tracts of land from willing sellers totaling approximately 50 acres, contingent upon authorization from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission.  These acquisitions are all located within and/or adjacent to the Davis Hill SP.  Acquisition of any or all of these tracts would provide protection of critical habitat, public use and recreational opportunities within an hour’s drive of one of the largest urban centers in Texas.

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 strategic state park inholdings and adjacent tracts at Davis Hill State Park.”

Commission Agenda Item No. 10
Exhibit A

Location Map for Davis Hill State Park (SP) in Liberty County

Commission Agenda Item No. 10
Exhibit B

Vicinity Map for Davis Hill SP
40 Miles Northeast of Houston