Request for Pipeline Easement – Anderson County - Approximately 0.6 Acres at Trinity River Wildlife Management Area

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Commission Agenda Item No. 10
Presenter: Whitney Gann, Ph.D.

Action
Request for Pipeline Easement – Anderson County
Approximately 0.6 Acres at Trinity River Wildlife Management Area
May 28, 2026

I.        Executive Summary: Staff seeks approval of an easement at the Trinity River Wildlife Management Area (WMA) for the operation and maintenance of an 8-inch diameter natural gas pipeline.

II.      Discussion: The Trinity River WMA consists of approximately 6,900 acres of bottomland hardwoods and approximately 11.3 miles of Trinity River frontage. The WMA is also the newest addition to the Middle Trinity River Ecosystem Project, which includes Gus Engeling, Richland Creek, Big Lake Bottom, and Keechi Creek WMAs. Together, these properties protect more than 38,000 acres in East Texas.

Encrescent Richland Pipeline LLC requests an easement of 40 feet in width, crossing 710 feet into the WMA. The total easement area is approximately 0.6 acres. This easement will replace an existing one and reduce the overall surface impact and footprint of this pipeline.

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 0.6-acre easement at the Trinity River 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. 10
Exhibit A

A Resolution by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission Regarding the Grant of an Easement Covering Approximately 0.6 Acres of Real Property in Anderson County for Operation and Maintenance of a Natural Gas Pipeline

Resolution

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

     Whereas, Encrescent Richland Pipeline LLC is seeking an easement for the operation, and maintenance of an 8-inch diameter natural gas pipeline that will occupy approximately 0.6 acres or 40 feet in width crossing 710 feet into the WMA (Easement); and

     Whereas, the proposed pipeline will be constructed immediately adjacent to an existing flex-base road; 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 (Dallas Morning 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 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,

     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 Encrescent Richland Pipeline LLC for the purposes and subject to the conditions described herein and in the motion approving this Resolution.

Adopted and approved this 28^th day of May, 2026.

Commission Agenda Item No. 10
Exhibit B

Location Map for the Trinity River Wildlife Management Area (WMA)
Anderson County

Commission Agenda Item No. 10
Exhibit C

Vicinity Map for the Trinity River WMA
Approximately 20 Miles South of Athens

Commission Agenda Item No. 10
Exhibit D

Area Map of the Trinity River WMA
Trinity River WMA Outlined in Red
Gus Engeling WMA Outlined in Orange
Richland Creek WMA Outlined in Green

Commission Agenda Item No. 10
Exhibit E

Location of Requested Easement
Trinity River WMA Outlined in Red
Richland Creek WMA Outlined in Green
Requested Easement in Yellow