Commission Meeting Agenda Item No. 8
Presenter: Jason Estrella

Action
Exchange of Land – Reeves County
Approximately 5 Acres at Balmorhea State Park
May 26, 2022

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

II.     Discussion:  Balmorhea State Park (SP), in Reeves County just east of the Davis Mountains, was developed in the mid-1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps.  The central features of the park are a 1.75-acre pool fed by a natural artesian spring and restored cienega wetlands.

TPWD staff has identified a five-acre inholding within Balmorhea SP that is owned by the Reeves County Water Improvement District No. 1 (District).  Staff has begun negotiations with the District for an exchange of a similar five-acre tract adjacent to a larger tract owned by the District.

Staff has concluded that acquisition of the District tract would allow an improved design for future public use, protection of critical habitat, and added recreational opportunities for Balmorhea SP.

III.   Recommendation:  The staff recommends the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopt the following motion:

“The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopts the Resolution attached as Exhibit A.”

Attachments – 4

  1. Exhibit A – Resolution
  2. Exhibit B – Location Map
  3. Exhibit C – Vicinity Map
  4. Exhibit D – Site Map of Proposed Land Exchange

Commission Agenda Item No. 8
Exhibit A

A Resolution by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission Regarding the Exchange of Land of Approximately 5 Acres of Real Property in Reeves County 

Resolution 

            Whereas, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) owns and operates Balmorhea State Park (SP) for a variety of recreation and conservation values; and,

            Whereas, The Reeves County Water Improvement District No. 1 (District) owns an approximately 5-acre tract within and adjacent to Balmorhea State Park; and,

            Whereas, TPWD staff has had discussions of a possible exchange of land with the District; and,

            Whereas, TPWD proposes an exchange of a 5-acre tract adjacent to a larger parcel of land owned by the District (SP tract) for the 5-acre inholding; and,

            Whereas, TPWD staff has concluded that acquisition of the inholding tract would allow an improved design for future public use, protection of critical habitat, and added recreational opportunities for Balmorhea State Park; and,

            Whereas, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (Commission) finds that as required by Texas Parks and Wildlife Code (PWC) chapter 26, notices of today’s hearing of this matter were published at least once a week for three consecutive weeks in newspapers of general circulation which are published at least six days a week in the communities nearest to the SP in which such newspapers are published (the Pecos Enterprise), with the last day of publication being not less than one week or more than two weeks before the date of today’s hearing; and,

            Whereas, the Commission finds, in accordance with PWC chapter 26, that (1) there is no feasible and prudent alternative to the use or taking of such land (the SP tract); (2) the program or project that requires the use of the SP tract includes all reasonable planning to minimize harm to the land; and,

            Whereas, the Commission finds, in accordance with Section 13.009 of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, the exchange of the 5 acres of land is in the best interest of TPWD

            Now, therefore, the Commission authorizes the Executive Director to take all necessary steps to negotiate terms and conditions of an exchange of land for the purposes and subject to the conditions described herein and in the motion approved in this Resolution.

In official recognition of the adoption of this resolution in a lawfully called public meeting of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission, we hereby affix our signatures this 26th day of May, 2022. 

Adopted and approved this 26th day of May, 2022.

Arch “Beaver” Aplin, III, Chairman

Dick Scott, Vice-Chairman

James E. Abell, Member

Oliver J. Bell, Member

Paul L. Foster, Member

Anna B. Galo, Member

Jeffery D. Hildebrand, Member

Robert L. “Bobby” Patton, Jr., Member

Travis B. “Blake” Rowling, Member



Commission Agenda Item No. 8
Exhibit B

Location Map for Balmorhea State Park (SP) in Reeves County


Commission Agenda Item No. 8
Exhibit C

Vicinity Map for Balmorhea SP
30 Miles South of Pecos


Commission Agenda Item No. 8
Exhibit D

Site Map Showing Reeves County Water Improvement District No. 1 (District) in Relation to Balmorhea SP
District 5-Acre Property for Exchange in Blue Shade
TPWD 5-Acre Property for Exchange Shaded in Yellow
Balmorhea SP Original Boundary in Red
Balmorhea SP New Boundary in Yellow