Request for Utility Easement – Jefferson County - Approximately 2.4 Acres at the J.D. Murphree Wildlife Management Area

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Request for Utility Easement – Jefferson County - Approximately 2.4 Acres at the J.D. Murphree Wildlife Management 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 a request for a utility easement of approximately 2.4 acres at the J.D. Murphree Wildlife Management 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 Whitney Gann, Ph.D., Wildlife Division, 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. 16
Presenter: Whitney Gann, Ph.D.

Action
Request for Utility Easement – Jefferson County
Approximately 2.4 Acres at J.D. Murphree Wildlife Management Area
January 22, 2026

I.        Executive Summary: Staff seeks approval of an easement across the J.D. Murphree Wildlife Management Area (WMA) for the construction and installation of a 500 kV transmission line and a single H-frame structure.

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.

Entergy Texas, Inc. requests an easement for a 500 kV single-circuit overhead electric transmission line within a proposed varying 90-foot-wide to 225-foot-wide transmission line right-of-way. The easement would be approximately 520 feet (0.1 miles) in length and occupy approximately 2.4 acres. The proposed easement crosses adjacent to the WMA office and does not cross the recreational portion of the WMA.

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 grant an approximately 2.4-acre easement at the J. D. Murphree Wildlife Management Area.”

1. Exhibit A – Resolution
2. Exhibit B – Location Map
3. Exhibit C – Vicinity Map
4. Exhibit D – Area Map
5. Exhibit E – Location of Requested Easement

Commission Agenda Item No. 16
Exhibit A

A Resolution by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission
Regarding the Grant of an Easement Covering Approximately 2.4 Acres of Real Property
in Jefferson County for Construction of an Electric Utility Line

Resolution

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

     Whereas, Entergy Texas, Inc. is seeking an easement for a 500 kV single-circuit overhead utility line that will occupy approximately 2.4 acres (Easement); and,

     Whereas, the proposed Easement crosses adjacent to the WMA office and does not cross the recreational portion of the WMA; 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 the WMA in which such newspaper is published (The Beaumont Enterprise), 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 WMA is in accordance with PWC Section 11.301; and,

     WHEREAS, the Commission finds that the granting of this easement is consistent with the coastal management program goals and policies (PWC Chapter 26 and 31 Texas Admin. Code Section 26.29).

     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 Entergy Texas, Inc. 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. 16
Exhibit B

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

Commission Agenda Item No. 16
Exhibit C

Vicinity Map for the J.D. Murphree Wildlife Management Area
Approximately 20 Miles South of Beaumont

Commission Agenda Item No. 16
Exhibit D

Area Map of the J.D. Murphree Wildlife Management Area

Commission Agenda Item No. 16
Exhibit E

Location of Requested Easement
Big Hill Unit Outlined in Red
Requested Easement in Yellow