Commission Agenda Item No. 9
Presenter:
Ted Hollingsworth
Action
Acceptance of Land Donation – Aransas County
Approximately 25 Acres at Goose Island State Park
May 22, 2019
I. Executive Summary: The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has been offered a divided interest in a tract of land on Lamar Peninsula in Aransas County with extremely high conservation values.
II. Discussion: Goose Island State Park was acquired in 1931 for development as a Civilian Conservation Corps park. Over the next few years, a small tract a little over a mile away that includes an immense live oak known as “The Big Tree” was acquired, along with a 200-foot wide strip of land to serve as a scenic corridor between the two sites. Today the main park, including the Big Tree Unit, consists of 409 acres. In May 2017, TPWD added the 216-acre Newcomb Point Unit to preserve critical coastal habitat, which includes whooping crane habitat. The Newcomb Point Unit is managed under an agreement with the Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program.
Approximately 300 acres of undeveloped land remains south of the Newcomb Point Unit, between the unit and Copano Bay. This area also has a very high biological value, and also includes habitat for whooping cranes. TPWD staff and coastal conservation partners hope that more of this area can be conserved before it is developed. The owner of an 11/48th interest in 124.76 deeded acres within this area has offered to donate his interest to TPWD. The subject tract takes in Newcomb Point proper and has approximately a mile of frontage on Copano Bay. The staff believes that TPWD ownership of a partial interest in this tract would reduce the chance of development and could encourage others to donate their interests.
III. Recommendation: The staff recommends the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopt the following motion:
"The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission authorizes the Executive Director to take all necessary steps to accept the donation of ownership interests in undeveloped land adjacent to or near the Newcomb Point Unit of Goose Island State Park."
Commission Agenda Item No. 9
Exhibit A
Location Map for Goose Island State Park in Aransas County
Commission Agenda Item No. 9
Exhibit B
Vicinity Map for Goose Island State Park, Five Miles North of Fulton
Commission Agenda Item No. 9
Exhibit C
Site Map Showing Location of Subject Tract in Relation to Goose Island State Park
