June 17, 2015

Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Trustees Extend Public Comment Period on the Draft Phase IV Early Restoration Plan to July 6

The Deepwater Horizon oil spill Natural Resource Damage Assessment Trustees have extended the public comment period for the Draft Phase IV Early Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessments. The draft proposes an additional 10 early restoration projects with an estimated cost of $134 million across the Gulf states. The draft is now available for public review and comment through July 6 rather than the original deadline of June 19.

June 9, 2015

TPWD Reopens Alligator Gar Fishing in Trinity River Downstream of Dallas

AUSTIN — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is reopening fishing for alligator gar in portions of the river between the Highway 31 Bridge near Trinidad and the Highway 7 Bridge near Crockett effective Thursday, June 11.

June 4, 2015

Land/Habitat Experts to Host Restoration Workshops for Blanco River Landowners June 10, 11, 12

AUSTIN — The Nature Conservancy, Texas Parks and Wildlife, City of Wimberley, Texas A&M Forest Service and other Central Texas conservation agencies and non-profit organizations are offering natural resource restoration workshops June 10, 11 and 12 for landowners and residents whose properties were affected by flooding on the Blanco River.

TPWD Kicks Off Third Year of Youth Arts Contest

AUSTIN— For the third year, Texas state parks are partnering with the “Get to Know” organization for its annual Youth Arts Contest.

Bass Habitat at Lake Austin to be Enhanced with Fish-Attracting Brush

Austin—Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is partnering with Texas Tournament Zone (TTZ) and the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department and Watershed Protection to install fish habitat structures assembled out of brush into Lake Austin on June 7, 2015. Activities will be based out of Emma Long Park starting at 8:30 am.

June 3, 2015

Displaced Wildlife Show Up as Flood Waters Recede

AUSTIN – Things that live on the ground typically aren’t adept at treading water for long. In the aftermath of flood events that have hammered much of the state recently, biologists with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department say encounters with various wildlife will not be uncommon.

May 28, 2015

New Bass license plate aims to increase funding for fisheries

AUSTIN— The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is re-introducing its largemouth bass conservation license plate with a new graphic design. Artwork on the new plate depicting a jumping bass chasing a lure was created by well-known wildlife artist Clemente Guzman.

May 27, 2015

State Parks Recovering from Recent Storms

AUSTIN— Torrential storms that have continued to hammer much of the state for more than a week now are leaving their mark on Texas’ State Park system. As of Wednesday, more than 50 state parks report some damage as a result of significant rainfall; about half those sites are currently either closed or partially closed to the public due to flooding.

Ehrler and TPWD Outdoor Programs Big Winners at Toyota Texas Bass Classic

ATHENS—Brent Ehrler of Redlands, California, won the Toyota Texas Bass Classic on Lake Fork over the Memorial Day weekend, taking home a check for $100,000, a fully rigged bass boat and a 2015 Toyota Tundra.

May 26, 2015

Game Warden Field Notes, May 26, 2015

The following items are compiled from recent Texas Parks and Wildlife Department law enforcement reports.