Commission Agenda Item 7
January 23, 2025

• Item Type: Action
• Presenter: Trey Vick

Grant of Utility Easement – Mitchell County – Approximately 15 Acres at Lake Colorado City State Park

I. Executive Summary:

Oncor Electric Delivery Company, LLC (Oncor) is requesting an amendment to an existing easement across Lake Colorado City State Park (SP) for the upgrade and maintenance of an aboveground electric transmission line.

II. Discussion:

Lake Colorado City SP consists of approximately 500 acres near Colorado City, Texas, and sits along the banks of Lake Colorado City, a 1,618-acre impoundment of Morgan Creek.  Lake Colorado City was developed in 1949 to cool generators of an adjacent power station.  In 1971, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) entered into a lease with the power company for the use of the adjacent property and use of the reservoir. Today, the park offers swimming, fishing, boating, paddling, nature viewing, hiking, and camping for the public. Between 2017-2019, the park averaged 27,817 visitors a year. In 2024, TPWD purchased the park to protect it for generations to come.

Oncor approached TPWD to discuss future upgrades to an existing 345kV electric transmission line that crosses Lake Colorado City SP and several neighboring properties, located within an existing easement that predates the park. Upgrades will include Oncor replacing old wooden structures with monopole type structures while upgrading capacity of the lines. Staff is requesting permission to work with Oncor to possibly amend the existing easement.

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. 7

A Resolution by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission Regarding the Granting of an Easement Covering Approximately 15 Acres of Real Property in Mitchell County for the Upgrade and Maintenance of an Aboveground Electric Power Line Easement

Resolution

Whereas, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) owns and operates Lake Colorado City State Park (SP) for a variety of recreation, historic, and conservation values; and,

Whereas, Oncor Electric Delivery Company, LLC (Oncor) is seeking to upgrade an existing aboveground 345kV electric transmission line; and,

Whereas, Oncor currently holds an easement (Easement) across Lake Colorado City SP that predates the park; and,

Whereas, Oncor has approached TPWD staff about upgrading their existing overhead electrical transmission line; and,

Whereas, the current easement held by Oncor totals approximately 15 acres, and the upgrade project may entail minor shifts in the current easement or temporary workspace, which may require an amended Easement; 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 which is published at least six days a week in the communities nearest to the SP in which such newspaper is published (Tarrant 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 use or taking of such land; and (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 SP 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 Oncor for the purposes and subject to the conditions described herein and in the motion approving this Resolution.

Adopted and approved this 23rd day of January, 2025.

Exhibit B – Commission Agenda Item No. 7

Location Map for Lake Colorado City State Park (SP)
Mitchell County

Exhibit C – Commission Agenda Item No. 7

Vicinity Map for Lake Colorado City SP
Colorado City, Texas

Exhibit D – Commission Agenda Item No. 7

Location of Requested Easement
Original Easement in Green
Requested Easement in Red
Lake Colorado City SP Outlined in Yellow