Request for Utility Easement – Galveston County - Approximately 6 Acres at Galveston Island State Park

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Commission Agenda Item No. 8
Presenter: Ted Hollingsworth

Action
Request for Utility Easement – Galveston County
Approximately 6 Acres at Galveston Island State Park
November 5, 2026

I.      Executive Summary: Staff requests authorization to grant a utility easement to CenterPoint Energy (CenterPoint) for approximately 1.9 miles of existing transmission line along the Galveston Island State Park boundary adjacent to 13-Mile Road and FM 3005 (San Louis Pass Road). CenterPoint plans to upgrade the line and needs an easement for the portion of the infrastructure that is located on or over state park land.

II.     Discussion: The 2,050-acre Galveston Island State Park was acquired in 1969 to protect a significant swath of the barrier island ecosystem and ensure that present and future generations have safe, family-friendly access to the Texas Gulf beaches and Galveston Bay for nature watching, fishing, paddling and other recreation. The park was extensively rebuilt following Hurricane Ike and offers a full suite of day-use and overnight amenities.

The Public Utility Commission requires CenterPoint to acquire the necessary utility easement prior to undertaking necessary upgrades to the system. These upgrades will include replacing wooden poles with steel or concrete poles and replacing older poles with poles that can accommodate an increased number of conductors. These poles are located just inside the FM 3005 right-of-way. Two tower foundations and one tower will be located inside the park boundary. CenterPoint has provided Texas Parks and Wildlife Department staff with a work plan that minimizes impacts to natural and cultural resources by limiting excavation and utilizing mats whenever equipment will be temporarily located on the park. The upgraded line will not interfere with park access or management activities such as controlled burns.

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 6-acre easement at Galveston Island State Park.”

1. Exhibit A – Resolution
2. Exhibit B – Location Map
3. Exhibit C – Vicinity Map
4. Exhibit D – Site Map of Proposed Easement

Commission Agenda Item No 8
Exhibit A

A Resolution by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission
Regarding the Grant of an Easement Covering Approximately 6 Acres of Real Property
in Galveston County for the Upgrade of an Existing Transmission Line

Resolution

      Whereas, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) owns and operates Galveston Island State Park for a variety of recreation, research, and conservation values; and,

      Whereas, CenterPoint Energy is seeking an easement to cover the installation and maintenance of two power pole foundations and one power pole, and an aerial easement for infrastructure hanging over the park from the adjacent right-of-way, all of which will occupy approximately 6 acres (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 that is published at least six days a week in the communities nearest to the state park in which such newspaper is published (Houston — Daily Court Review), 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 the Easement subject to conditions that will minimize harm of the Easement to the state park is in accordance with PWC Section 11.301; and,

      WHEREAS, the Commission finds that the granting of the Easement is consistent with 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 the Easement to CenterPoint Energy for the purposes and subject to the conditions described herein and in the motion approving this Resolution.

Adopted and approved this 5^th day of November, 2026.

Commission Agenda Item No. 8
Exhibit B

Location Map for Galveston Island State Park
Galveston County

Commission Agenda Item No. 8
Exhibit C

Vicinity Map for Galveston Island State Park
Approximately 10 Miles Southwest of Galveston

Commission Agenda Item No. 8
Exhibit D

Site Map of Requested Easement
Galveston Island State Park Outlined in Red
Requested Easement Represented in Yellow