Regional Highlights
Click on your region for
more specific issues.
Texas Off Highway vehicle Decals enforced starting Jan 1 (All regions)
On Jan 1, 2007, TPWD game wardens and other authorities will begin enforcing the requirements for all qualifying trail vehicles to have a current Texas Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) decal properly mounted on their trail vehicles when used at OHV venues on public land in Texas.
Golden Alga back in Texas (Regions N & W)
Fish kills caused by naturally-occurring toxic golden alga are occurring at several lakes and rivers systems in North and West Texas. High golden alga concentrations are believed to result from a strong cold front that came down around the first of December allowing golden alga to multiply rapidly while other algal species' growth slowed considerably.
East Texas Fish Hatchery on Schedule (Region E)
Progress on the new East Texas Fish Hatchery in Jasper continues. Jasper County donated the 200 acres of land for the hatchery to TPWD through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation. The project is on schedule and design for the first phase of construction will be completed in March. Phase 1 will consist of the water intake structure in Lake Sam Rayburn, the hatchery pond complex, and the water discharge system. Plans include approximately 70 acres of ponds with the ability to produce 5 to 6 million fish a year. The current Jasper facility, which is about the same size, currently produces 1-1.5 million fish a year.
Hurricane Rita repairs (Regions E & U)
Repairs are now underway at ten of eleven sites damaged in September 2005 by Hurricane Rita. The Texas Board of Insurance recently granted TPWD a waiver from insurance requirements on structures to be repaired or replaced. The waiver is currently under review by FEMA and approval is expected in the near future. Hurricane Rita damaged facilities at eleven TPWD sites including seven state parks, one fish hatchery and three wildlife management areas.
Battleship Texas Request for Federal Funding Denied (Region U)
Late last year, Texas Parks and Wildlife learned that the 2006 Federal Surface Transportation Enhancement Program (STEP) had been rescinded and that our application for funding the development of a permanent dry berth and repairs to the Battleship TEXAS had been denied. The federal program is administered by the Texas Department of Transportation. The 79th Legislature had previously appropriated by rider $16.1 million from this federal program for the Battleship TEXAS. TPWD will be requesting the Legislature to consider this loss of appropriated revenue for the Battleship TEXAS in their deliberations over the department's appropriation request for 2008-2009.
World Birding Center Update (Region V)
Construction of the Visitor's Center and maintenance area at Resaca de la Palma State Park are complete. Located in Brownsville, the park is TPWD's third site affiliated with the World Birding Center and will host flocks of birders from all over the world, affording them easy observation of a variety of species that are attracted to the wetlands. A wetland restoration project for the Resaca and development of birding trails will continue until late 2007.
Caprock Canyon Visitor Center Construction Underway (Region P)
Groundbreaking was held in November for the $1.7 million Caprock Canyons Visitor Center. When completed, the Center will include a reception area, offices, restrooms, gift shop and exhibit space. Original work by artist Jack Sorenson will be donated and displayed in the main lobby. Completion of the project is scheduled for late spring 2007.
Big Bend Ranch Advisory Committee Update (Region W)
A meeting of the Big Bend Ranch Advisory Committee was held at the park on Monday and Tuesday, January 8 & 9. Topics of discussion included the public use plan for the park, development of work plans for subcommittees and agenda development for the next committee meeting. The group toured the ranch to examine sites of possible development and gain a better understanding of park resources.
Big Bend Ranch Public Use Plan Presented In Public Meeting (Region W)
A scoping session for the Big Bend Ranch Public Use Plan was held in Marfa on Wednesday, January 10. Over 50 people attended the meeting led by TPWD State Parks Division Regional Director Mike Hill. Citizens in attendance stated their support for limited development of the site and managing the park to maintain a wilderness experience.
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