Commission Meeting Agenda Item No. 13
Presenter: Jason Estrella

Action
Acquisition of Land – Bexar County
Approximately 126 Acres at Government Canyon State Natural Area
May 26, 2022

I.      Executive Summary: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) staff seeks to acquire approximately 126 acres adjacent to Government Canyon State Natural Area (SNA) from a willing seller.  This tract would add excellent habitat and recreational value to the Government Canyon SNA.

II.     Discussion:  Government Canyon SNA consists of approximately 12,000 acres situated along the edge of the Balcones Escarpment on the northwest side of San Antonio.  The SNA is a karst preserve protecting the quality and supply of fresh water to the Edwards Aquifer, where topography and stratigraphy recharge the aquifer through a series of subterranean cracks and caves.  The Government Canyon SNA protects thousands of acres of the aquifer’s recharge zone, as well as portions of the contributing and artesian zones.  In addition, these crevices, fissures, and springs are home to several endangered invertebrates found nowhere else in the world.

Acquisition of the subject tract would not only provide additional recreational opportunities to the park, but it would also allow greater protection over the environmentally sensitive Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone.  Furthermore, this would extend the buffer of conserved land between the Government Canyon SNA and the rapidly expanding development of the surrounding area.

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 126 acres of land for addition to Government Canyon State Natural Area in Bexar County.”

Commission Agenda Item No. 13
Exhibit A

Location Map for Government Canyon State Natural Area (SNA)
Bexar County

Commission Agenda Item No. 13
Exhibit B

Vicinity Map for Government Canyon State Natural Area
Northwest San Antonio

Commission Agenda Item No. 13
Exhibit C

Site Map of Proposed Acquisition
Government Canyon SNA Outlined in Red
Subject Tract Outlined in Yellow