Commission Meeting Agenda Item No. 6
Presenter: Jason Estrella

Action
Acquisition of Land – Freestone County
Approximately 5,000 Acres at Fairfield Lake State Park
May 25, 2023

I.      Executive Summary: Since 1971, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has leased Fairfield Lake State Park from Big Brown Power Company LLC and its successor owners. In 2018, Vistra, the current property owner, closed the power plant and notified TPWD of its intention to sell its 5,000-acre property, including the state park property. TPWD’s lease to the state park property is being terminated. TPWD staff now seeks to acquire approximately 5,000 acres in Freestone County, including Fairfield Lake State Park.

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II.     Discussion: Fairfield Lake State Park is a leased park consisting of 1,821.35 acres. The lease began in 1971, and the park officially opened to the public in 1976. The park sits on the 2,400-acre Fairfield Lake and provides a variety of invaluable recreational opportunities to the public, including swimming, fishing, boating/kayaking, camping, and 10 miles of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails to explore. TPWD has made investments in park infrastructure that are valued at approximately $80,000,000, including buildings, barns, residences, roads, utilities, and a boat ramp.

Acquisition of the 5,000 acres would allow TPWD to continue operating Fairfield Lake State Park as fee owner and would add additional acreage to the park. TPWD would also become the fee owner of Fairfield Lake, ensuring public access to the lake in perpetuity.

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 5,000 acres of land in Freestone County, including and as an addition to Fairfield Lake State Park.”

Commission Agenda Item No. 6
Exhibit A

Location Map for Fairfield Lake State Park in Freestone County

Commission Agenda Item No. 6
Exhibit B

Vicinity Map for Fairfield Lake State Park
25 Miles West of Palestine

Commission Agenda Item No. 6
Exhibit C

Site Map, Fairfield Lake State Park
State Park Outlined in Red

Commission Agenda Item No. 6
Exhibit D

Site Map, Proposed Acquisition
5,000 Acres Outlined in Yellow