Commission Meeting Agenda Item No. 11
Presenter: Jason Estrella

Action
Acceptance of Donation of Land – Bexar County
Approximately 6 Acres at Government Canyon State Natural Area
August 25, 2022

I.      Executive Summary: Staff seeks to accept a donation of approximately 6 acres adjacent to Government Canyon State Natural Area (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 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.

Acceptance of the subject tract would allow greater protection over the environmentally sensitive Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone and would extend the buffer of conserved land between the 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 accept the donation of approximately 6 acres of land for addition to Government Canyon State Natural Area in Bexar County.”

Attachments – 4

  1. Exhibit A – Location Map
  2. Exhibit B – Vicinity Map
  3. Exhibit C – Site Map of Proposed Acquisition
  4. Exhibit D – Property Map of Proposed Acquisition

Commission Agenda Item No. 11
Exhibit A

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


Commission Agenda Item No. 11
Exhibit B

Vicinity Map for Government Canyon State Natural Area
Northwest San Antonio


Commission Agenda Item No. 11
Exhibit C

Site Map of Proposed Acquisition
Subject Tract Location Marked with Yellow Star
Government Canyon SNA Outlined in Red


Commission Agenda Item No. 11
Exhibit D

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