(...continued from main page)
Also on the agenda is action on several grant programs administered by TPWD. Small Community Grants, Indoor Recreation Grants, National Recreational Trail Grants, Boating Access Grants and Target Range Grants. These programs provide funding for various projects in local communities all over the state.
The Commission is also scheduled to take action on the 2006-2007 Migratory Game Bird Proclamation which sets the late season hunting regulations for migratory waterfowl. Proposed changes this year include the "hunters choice" option which has been approved by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. (More Info.)
During the course of the meeting, the Commission will also be briefed on various financial matters, including a financial update for the remainder of FY '06, the FY '07 Operating Budget and the FY '08-09 Legislative Appropriations Request.
Also on the agenda are several briefings of interest. Coastal Fisheries Division Director Larry McKinney will provide a spotted seatrout overview during the Wednesday regulations Committee meeting. TPWD scientists are concerned about fish population trends and will be discussing some options with the Commission. Wildlife Division Director Mike Berger will be updating the Commission on avian influenza. There are no reports of the flu in the United States and TPWD biologists will be involved in a national monitoring program.
Several land transactions will also be considered by the Commission, including a land donation in Brewster County and a conservation easement donation in Brewster County both at the Black Gap Wildlife Management Area. The land donation was funded by the Bighorn Sheep Society, which donated $100,000 toward the purchase of 1,380 acrea of land at Black Gap. The conservation easement involves 9,470 acres of land which will forever be protected for wildlife. The landowner donated the easement several months ago to the Parks and Wildlife Foundation before selling the land to CEMEX. The conservation easement will be in affect in perpetuity.
Along with other state agencies, TPWD has submitted its Legislative Appropriations Request for FY ’80-09. TPWD’s base budget totals $409.2 million for the two year biennium. That base budget reflects a ten percent cut, the starting point for all state agency budgets. However, we have also requested another $302.9 million in exceptional items.
Click on your region for
more specific issues.
Select an issue of interest or select a region of the map for issues specific to your region.
New hunting and fishing licenses for 2006-07 went on sale Tuesday, Aug. 15, and TPWD is reminding customers that all current annual hunting and fishing licenses expire on Aug. 31. Although there are no license changes this year, hunters are being asked to keep in mind a couple of key requirements - hunter education certification and game bird stamps. Along with a hunting license, this is the 2nd year that all wingshooters need to buy either a Migratory and/or Upland game bird stamp. The white-winged dove stamp and waterfowl stamp were combined last year into a single Migratory Game Bird Stamp ($7) and the turkey stamp was replaced by the Upland Game Bird Stamp ($7), required for all resident game birds. Super Combo buyers automatically get these needed stamps. Texas issues about 3.2 million hunting and fishing licenses annually through 28 TPWD field offices, most state parks and at many retailers across Texas. Hunters and anglers can also buy over the phone or the Internet.
Click here to add, change, or remove your subscription to this newsletter.
Content of this site © Texas Parks and Wildlife Department unless otherwise noted.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744