Agenda Item No. 2
Presenter: Justin Dreibelbis

 

Briefing

Update on status of projects approved for funding by the Council at the March 2, 2016 meeting.

April 25, 2016

At its March 2, 2016 meeting, the Texas Farm and Ranch Lands Conservation Council (TFRLCC) approved funding for the acquisition of conservation easements on five properties from west Texas grasslands to tidal wetlands. The projects ranged in size from 144 acres to 9,992 acres and the awards ranged from $75,925 to $500,000. Four of the five projects protect mixed cattle/wildlife operations that employ best management practices for fish and wildlife habitat. The fifth project protects native wildlife diversity, including federally listed songbirds, along with surface water quality and aquifer recharge.

Since the March meeting, all applicants have been advised of the action taken by the Council. Texas Farm and Ranch Lands Conservation Program (TFRLCP) staff have worked with Legal and Contract Program staff to draft a form of contract, and staff have begun discussing specific contract terms and conditions with some of the successful applicants.

In addition, TFRLCP staff have visited all five of the selected project sites, met with representatives of the applicants, and in some cases the owners. Staff is pleased to report that each property was found to be consistent with the representations made in the application, and for the most part to have exceeded staff expectations. It is the consensus of staff that each of the selected projects is consistent with the intent of the Program and the Council, and offers outstanding value and long term contributions to the working and conservation lands inventory of Texas.