May 21-22, 2025, Commission Meeting Agenda

Work Session

Commission Agenda Items

March 26-27, 2025, Transcripts

 

Work Session
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
9:00 a.m.

Jeffery D. Hildebrand, Commission Chair
David Yoskowitz, Ph.D., Executive Director

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Commission Hearing Room
4200 Smith School Road
Austin, TX 78744

Agenda

Approval of the Previous Minutes from the Commission Work Session held March 26, 2025

    Land and Water Plan

  1. Update on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Progress in Implementing the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Land and Water Resources Conservation and Recreation Plan – David Yoskowitz, Ph.D.
    • Internal Affairs Update
    • Staff Recognition
    • Richland Creek Wildlife Management Area – Wetland Project Dedication
  2. Legislative Update – Request Permission to Publish Proposed Rules to Implement Legislation Passed During the 89th Texas Legislature – David Yoskowitz, Ph.D., James Murphy
  3. Commission Policy (CP) – 022: New Park Development – Recommended Adoption of Proposed Policy – Rodney Franklin, James Murphy (Action Item No. 1)

    4. Financial

  4. Financial Overview – Reggie Pegues
  5. Internal Audit Update – Brandy Meeks

    6. Natural Resources

  6. Cultivated Oyster Mariculture Program Fee Revisions and Triploid Parentage Allowance - Recommended Adoption of Proposed Rules – Lindsay Glass Campbell, Ph.D. (Action Item No. 2)
  7. Public Hunting Program – Establishment of an Open Season on Public Hunting Lands and Approval of Public Hunting Activities on State Parks – Kevin Mote (Action Item No. 3)
  8. Designation of Nonprofit Organization for the Help Feed Hungry Texans Program – Blaise Korzekwa (Action Item No. 4)

    9. Land Conservation

  9. Disposition of Land – Williamson County – Approximately 56 Acres at Twin Lakes Park – Stan David (Action Item No. 6)
  10. Lease of Land – Anderson County – Approximately 543 Acres at the Gus Engeling Wildlife Management Area – Whitney Gann, Ph.D. (Work Session and Executive Session) (Action Item No. 7)
  11. Disposition of Land – Parker County – Approximately 3.8 Acres Near Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway – Zach Spector (Work Session and Executive Session) (Action Item No. 8)
  12. Land Acquisition – Walker County – Approximately 1 Acre at Huntsville State Park – Trey Vick (Work Session and Executive Session) (Action Item No. 9)

    13. Executive Session

  13. Request for Utility Easement – Jefferson County – Approximately 2.4 Acres at J.D. Murphree Wildlife Management Area – Whitney Gann, Ph.D. (Executive Session Only)
  14. Request for Pipeline Easement – Jefferson County – Approximately 27.7 Acres at J.D. Murphree Wildlife Management Area – Whitney Gann, Ph.D. (Executive Session Only)
  15. Land Acquisition Strategy – Caldwell County – Approximately 200 Acres at Lockhart State Park – Trey Vick (Executive Session Only)
  16. Land Acquisition – Bandera County – Approximately 37 Acres at Albert and Bessie Kronkosky State Natural Area – Trey Vick (Executive Session Only)
  17. Disposition of Land – Cameron County – Approximately 1.9 Acres at Boca Chica State Park – Zach Spector (Executive Session Only)
  18. Centennial Parks Conservation Fund Projects – Zach Spector (Executive Session Only)
  19. Litigation Update – James Murphy (Executive Session Only)

Agenda Items

Work Session Agenda Item 1

Presenter: David Yoskowitz, Ph.D.

Update on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Progress in Implementing the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Land and Water Resources Conservation and Recreation Plan

I. Executive Summary:

Executive Director David Yoskowitz, Ph.D., will briefly update the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (Commission) on the status of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) efforts to implement the Land and Water Resources Conservation and Recreation Plan (plan).

II. Discussion:

In 2001, the 77th Texas Legislature directed that TPWD develop a Land and Water Resources Conservation and Recreation Plan (Texas Parks and Wildlife Code section 11.104). In 2002, the Commission adopted the first plan. A revised plan was adopted by the Commission in January 2005. In November 2009, the Commission approved a new plan, effective January 1, 2010, that included broad input from stakeholders and the general public. Minor revisions continue to be made to the plan. Every five years, TPWD is statutorily required to evaluate its progress toward achieving the plan’s goal and objectives. In November 2023, the Commission approved the 2024 Land and Water Resources Conservation and Recreation Plan goals, objectives, strategies, and actions, which are available on TPWD’s website. Dr. Yoskowitz will update the Commission on TPWD’s recent progress in achieving the plan’s goals, objectives, and deliverables.

The plan consists of the following four goals:

  1. Practice, Encourage, and Enable Science-Based Stewardship of Natural and Cultural Resources;
  2. Increase Access to and Participation in the Outdoors;
  3. Educate, Inform, and Engage Texas Citizens in Support of Conservation and Recreation; and
  4. Employ Efficient, Sustainable, and Sound Business Practices.

Work Session Agenda Item 2

Presenter: David Yoskowitz, Ph.D., James Murphy

Legislative Update – Request Permission to Publish Proposed Rules to Implement Legislation Passed During the 89th Texas Legislature

I. Executive Summary:

Executive Director David Yoskowitz, Ph.D., and General Counsel James Murphy will present an update regarding the 89th Texas Legislature.

II. Discussion:

Dr. Yoskowitz will update the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission on the deliberations of the Conference Committee on Appropriations and other major legislative issues and initiatives impacting the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. In addition, permission will be requested to publish proposed rules in the Texas Register that may be required to implement legislation enacted by the 89th Texas Legislature.

Work Session Agenda Item 4

Presenter: Reggie Pegues

Financial Overview

I. Executive Summary:

Staff will present a financial overview of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD).

II. Discussion:

Staff will update the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission on state park, boat registration and titling, and license fee revenues collected by TPWD for year-to-date Fiscal Year (FY) 2025. Staff will also summarize recent budget adjustments for FY 2025.

Work Session Agenda Item 5

Presenter: Brandy Meeks

Internal Audit Update

I. Executive Summary:

Staff will update the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (Commission) on Internal Audit activities and projects that have taken place since the last Commission Meeting.

II. Discussion:

Staff will present an update on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Fiscal Year 2025 Internal Audit Plan. Staff will also provide an update on recent external audits and assessments.

Work Session Agenda Item 18

Presenter: Zach Spector

Centennial Parks Conservation Fund Projects

Executive Summary:

Staff will update the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission on the acquisition of real property from willing sellers for Texas state parks using the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund and other funding sources.

Work Session Agenda Item 19

Presenter: James Murphy

Litigation Update

Executive Summary:

 Attorneys for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will update and advise the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission regarding pending or anticipated litigation.