Exchange of Land – Bexar County - Approximately 3 Acres at Government Canyon State Natural Area

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Exchange of Land – Bexar County - Approximately 3 Acres at Government Canyon State Natural Area

Notice of Proposed Real Estate Transaction

In a meeting on January 22, 2026, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (the Commission) will consider approving an exchange of land of approximately 3 acres at Government Canyon State Natural Area. The public will have an opportunity to comment on the proposed transaction before the Commission takes action. The meeting will start at 9:00 a.m. at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Headquarters, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, Texas 78744.  Prior to the meeting, public comment may be submitted to Trey Vick, Executive Office, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, Texas 78744, or by email to real.estate.comment@tpwd.texas.gov, or via the department’s website at www.tpwd.texas.gov. Visit the TPWD website at tpwd.texas.gov for the latest information regarding the Commission.

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Commission Agenda Item No. 11
Presenter: Trey Vick

Action
Exchange of Land – Bexar County
Approximately 3 Acres at Government Canyon State Natural Area
January 22, 2026

I.      Executive Summary: Staff requests authorization to pursue an exchange of land of approximately 3 acres at Government Canyon State Natural Area (SNA) with the Bexar County Emergency Services District 7 (ESD 7). The district has requested the exchange to facilitate the construction of a new fire station.

II.     Discussion: Government Canyon SNA consists of approximately 12,000 acres situated along the edge of the Balcones Escarpment on the northwest side of San Antonio. The SNA is a karst preserve protecting the quality and supply of fresh water to the Edwards Aquifer, where topography and stratigraphy recharge the aquifer through a series of subterranean cracks and caves. The SNA protects thousands of acres of the aquifer’s recharge zone, as well as portions of the contributing and artesian zones. In addition, these crevices, fissures, and springs are home to several endangered invertebrates found nowhere else in the world.

The Bexar County ESD 7 has requested an exchange of land with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) of approximately 3 acres to construct a new fire station to serve the Kallison Ranch neighborhood and the surrounding community. TPWD and the Bexar County ESD 7 have worked in partnership to identify the two 3-acre parcels, one from each party, to complete the exchange of land.  The disposition tract is away from the main body of the park and will not affect public recreation or park operations. This transaction will provide additional fire coverage for the SNA and surrounding areas and is an overall benefit for the SNA and the public.

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 and authorizes the Executive Director to take all necessary steps to exchange one approximately 3-acre tract for another approximately 3-acre tract at Government Canyon State Natural Area.”

1. Exhibit A – Resolution
2. Exhibit B – Location Map
3. Exhibit C – Vicinity Map
4. Exhibit D – Area Map
5. Exhibit E – Proposed Exchange of Land Area One
6. Exhibit F – Proposed Exchange of Land Area Two

Commission Agenda Item No. 11
Exhibit A

A Resolution by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission
Regarding the Exchange of Land
Approximately 3 Acres of Real Property in Bexar County

Resolution

     Whereas, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) owns and operates Government Canyon State Natural Area (SNA) for a variety of recreation and conservation values; and,

     Whereas, Bexar County Emergency Services District 7 (ESD 7) desires to create a new fire station to increase redundancy and provide greater public safety; and,

     Whereas, Bexar County ESD 7 requested the transfer of 3 acres from Government Canyon SNA (the Exchange Tract) in exchange for 3 acres adjacent to Government Canyon SNA; and,

     Whereas, this exchange will provide increased public safety for the surrounding community and the SNA, will maintain the recreational opportunities such as hiking, camping, water recreation, and wildlife viewing, and will allow for greater conservation of sensitive habitats for wintering and migratory birds; 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 communities nearest to Government Canyon SNA in which such newspapers are published (San Antonio Express News), 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 of the land; and (2) the program or project that requires the land includes all reasonable planning to minimize harm to the land, including a deed restriction that the 3 acres to be disposed of by TPWD cannot be used for industrial purposes; and

     Whereas, the Commission finds, in accordance with PWC section 13.009, that ownership of the real property is no longer in the best interest of TPWD; and,

     Now, therefore, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission authorizes the TPWD Executive Director to take all necessary steps to exchange one 3-acre tract for another 3-acre tract for the purposes and subject to the conditions described herein and in the motion approving this Resolution.

Adopted and approved this 22^nd day of January, 2026.

Commission Agenda Item No. 11
Exhibit B

Location Map for Government Canyon State Natural Area
Bexar County

Commission Agenda Item No. 11
Exhibit C

Vicinity Map for Government Canyon State Natural Area
San Antonio, Texas

Commission Agenda Item No. 11
Exhibit D

Area Map
Government Canyon State Natural Area Outlined in Red
Focus Areas Outlined in Yellow

Commission Agenda Item No. 11
Exhibit E

Proposed Exchange of Land Area One
Government Canyon State Natural Area Outlined in Red
Proposed Land Swap from Bexar County ESD 7 to TPWD Outlined in Yellow

Commission Agenda Item No. 11
Exhibit F

Proposed Exchange of Land Area Two
Government Canyon State Natural Area Outlined in Red
Proposed Land Swap from TPWD to Bexar County ESD 7 Outlined in Yellow