Request for Surface Easement – Orange County - Approximately 0.1 Acre at the Lower Neches Wildlife Management Area

Please limit submissions to one per person. (Por favor limite sus comentarios a uno por persona)

• English
• Español

Commission Agenda Item No. 2
Presenter: Whitney Gann, Ph.D.

Action
Request for Surface Easement – Orange County
Approximately 0.1 Acre at the Lower Neches Wildlife Management Area
November 5, 2026

I.        Executive Summary: Staff seeks approval to grant a surface easement to Orange County at the Lower Neches Wildlife Management Area (WMA) to reconstruct the Lake Street pedestrian fishing pier. This will help to provide access for public recreation at the WMA.

II.      Discussion: The Lower Neches WMA comprises approximately 8,000 acres near Bridge City and consists primarily of marsh land. The land was donated to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) by Mrs. Nelda Childers Stark, the wife of a well-known philanthropist, and the area is known for its historic sites and birding opportunities. The WMA is divided into three units: the Old River Unit, the Adams Bayou Unit, and the Nelda Stark Unit.

Orange County is requesting an approximately 0.1-acre easement to reconstruct the Lake Street pedestrian fishing pier that was previously destroyed by Hurricane Ike. This fishing pier would include a 16-foot-wide by 200-foot-long wooden construction pier supported by Class B timber piles, as well as 31.6 cubic yards of 12-to-18-inch stone riprap for shore protection. This will provide greater fishing and recreation opportunities for 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 0.1-acre easement at the Lower Neches Wildlife Management Area.”

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

Commission Agenda Item No 2
Exhibit A

A Resolution by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission
Regarding the Grant of an Easement Covering Approximately 0.1 Acre of Real Property
in Orange County for the Reconstruction of a Fishing Pier

Resolution

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

      Whereas, Orange County is seeking an easement to reconstruct the Lake Street pedestrian fishing pier that will occupy approximately 0.1 acre (Easement); and,

      Whereas, the proposed Easement will include a 16-foot-wide by 200-foot-long wooden construction pier supported by Class B timber piles, as well as 31.6 cubic yards of 12- to-18-inch stone riprap for shore protection; 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 Orange County 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. 2
Exhibit B

Location Map for the Lower Neches Wildlife Management Area
Orange County

Commission Agenda Item No. 2
Exhibit C

Vicinity Map for the Lower Neches Wildlife Management Area
Orange, Texas

Commission Agenda Item No. 2
Exhibit D

Area Map of the Lower Neches Wildlife Management Area
Lower Neches Wildlife Management Area - Old River Unit Outlined in Red

Commission Agenda Item No. 2
Exhibit E

Location of Requested Easement
Lower Neches Wildlife Management Area Outlined in Red
Requested Easement in Yellow