August 21-22, 2024, Commission Meeting Agenda

Work Session

Commission Agenda Items

May 22-23, 2024, Transcripts

 

Commission Agenda Item 6
August 22, 2024

Acceptance of Donation and Expansion of Coastal Management Area (CMA) Boundary – Brazoria County – Approximately 33.616 Acres at Follets Island CMA

I. Executive Summary:

Staff recommends that the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (Commission) accept a donation of a 33.616-acre tract for addition to the Follets Island Coastal Management Area (CMA), which would expand the CMA to the northeast. Staff also requests authorization to expand the CMA to the northeast and southeast through strategic acquisitions from willing landowners.

II. Discussion:

The Follets Island Conservation Initiative was established in 2014 with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) acquisition of approximately 441 acres on Follets Island, stretching from the Gulf of Mexico to Christmas and Drum Bays. In 2016, the Trust for Public Land acquired and donated an additional 230 acres to TPWD. In March 2017, the Commission accepted a donation of another 154 acres and authorized future acceptance of conservation tracts within a roughly 1,300-acre “Follets Island Conservation Initiative Area.” In January 2018, the Commission authorized expansion of the project area to approximately 3,000 acres. The 3,000-acre boundary and the tracts subsequently acquired by TPWD directly or through donation now make up the Follets Island CMA.

TPWD has the opportunity to accept a 33.616-acre donation and pursue acquisition of at least two other tracts just northeast of the current project area with frontage on Cold Pass. Acquiring these tracts would allow permanent protection of coastal habitat and maintain, enhance, and restore their ecological functions and value.

III. Recommendation:

Staff recommends that the Commission adopt the following motions:

1. “The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission accepts the donation of approximately 33.616 acres in Brazoria County for addition to the Follets Island Coastal Management Area.”

2. “The Executive Director is authorized to take all necessary steps to expand the Follets Island Coastal Management Area through strategic acquisitions from landowners.”

Attachments – 4

  1. Exhibit A – Location Map
  2. Exhibit B – Vicinity Map
  3. Exhibit C – Site Map
  4. Exhibit D – Subject Tract Map

Exhibit A – Commission Agenda Item No. 6

Location Map for Follets Island Coastal Management Area
Brazoria County

Exhibit B – Commission Agenda Item No. 6

Vicinity Map for Follets Island Coastal Management Area
70 Miles South of Houston

Exhibit C – Commission Agenda Item No. 6

Site Map for Follets Island Coastal Management Area
Proposed Expansion of Project Area
Phase III

Exhibit D – Commission Agenda Item No. 6

Subject Tract Map
33.616-Acre Donation Tract Outlined in Blue