Commission Agenda Item 5
August 22, 2024

• Item Type: Action
• Presenter: Stan David

Grant of Pipeline Easement – Jefferson County – Approximately 3 Acres at the J.D. Murphree Wildlife Management Area

I. Executive Summary:

Chevron Phillips Chemical (Chevron) requests an easement across the J.D. Murphree Wildlife Management Area (WMA) for the construction and installation of a 12-inch highly volatile liquids (HVL) pipeline.

II. Discussion:

The J.D. Murphree WMA consists of approximately 25,500 acres of coastal marsh and open water within the Texas Chenier Plain and is adjacent to the Sabine Neches Waterway. The WMA is divided into three units: Hillebrandt, Big Hill, and Salt Bayou.

Chevron requests an easement crossing the north side of the Hillebrandt Unit for a 12-inch HVL pipeline that would be installed through horizontal directional drilling. The easement would be approximately 2,672 feet in length and approximately 50 feet wide.

III. Recommendation:

Staff recommends that the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopt the following motion:

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

---

Exhibit A – Commission Agenda Item No. 5

A Resolution by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission Regarding the Granting of a Pipeline Easement Covering Approximately 3 Acres of Real Property in Jefferson County

 

Resolution

 

Whereas, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) owns and operates the J.D. Murphree Wildlife Management Area (JDMWMA) for a variety of recreation and conservation values; and,

Whereas, Chevron Phillips Chemical (Chevron) is seeking a pipeline easement (Easement) across JDMWMA to construct a highly volatile liquids pipeline that will cross a portion of the Hillebrandt Unit; and,

Whereas, Chevron estimates the easement required for the project will be approximately 3 acres in total area (approximately 2,672 ft. long by 50 ft. wide); 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 a newspaper of general circulation that is published at least six days a week in the community nearest to the JDMWMA in which such newspapers are published (Port Arthur News in Jefferson County), 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 Easement’s use or taking of such land; (2) the program or project that requires the Easement includes all reasonable planning to minimize harm to the land; and,

Whereas, the Commission finds that the grant of an Easement subject to conditions that will minimize harm of the Easement to the JDMWMA is in accordance with PWC section 11.301; and,

Now, therefore, the Commission authorizes the Executive Director to take all necessary steps to negotiate terms and conditions under which an Easement may be granted, and to grant an Easement to Chevron for the purposes and subject to the conditions described herein and in the motion approving this Resolution.

Adopted and approved this 22nd day of August 2024.

---

Exhibit B – Commission Agenda Item No. 5

Location Map for the J.D. Murphree Wildlife Management Area (WMA)
Jefferson County

---

Exhibit C – Commission Agenda Item No. 5

Vicinity Map for the J.D. Murphree WMA
Approximately 20 Miles South of Beaumont

---

Exhibit D – Commission Agenda Item No. 5

Area Map of the J.D. Murphree WMA
Hillebrandt Unit Outlined in Red
Big Hill Unit Outlined in Green

---

Exhibit E – Commission Agenda Item No. 5

Location of Requested Easement
Requested Easement in Orange
Hillebrandt Unit Outlined in Red