Commission Meeting Agenda Item No. 4
Presenter: Jason Estrella

Action
Acquisition of Land – Navarro County
Approximately 126 Acres at Richland Creek Wildlife Management Area
March 23, 2023

I.      Executive Summary: Staff seeks to acquire tracts of land totaling approximately 126 acres adjacent to the Richland Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA) that are available for purchase. The tracts would add excellent habitat and operational utility to the WMA.

II.     Discussion:  Richland Creek WMA was created to compensate for habitat losses associated with the construction of the Richland-Chambers Reservoir. The mission of the WMA is to develop and manage populations of resident and migratory wildlife species and their habitats and to provide quality public recreation in a manner that sustains and conserves native habitats.

The subject tracts would add valuable native bottomland forest with some upland acreage. These tracts have been owned by the same families and undisturbed for several decades. Their acquisition would add strategic operational value to the WMA without requiring additional staff or resources for management.

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 in Navarro County for addition to the Richland Creek WMA.”

Commission Agenda Item No. 4
Exhibit A

Location Map for Richland Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA)
Freestone and Navarro Counties

Commission Agenda Item No. 4
Exhibit B

Vicinity Map for Richland Creek WMA
25 Miles East of Corsicana

Commission Agenda Item No. 4
Exhibit C

Site Map of Proposed Acquisition
Subject Tracts Outlined in Yellow
Richland Creek WMA Outlined in Red