Commission Meeting Agenda Item No. 5
Presenter: Trey Vick

Action
Exchange of Land – Parker County
Approximately 12 Acres at Lake Mineral Wells State Park and Trailway
January 27, 2022

I.      Executive Summary:  The City of Mineral Wells (City) has approached Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) regarding a proposal to exchange land at Lake Mineral Wells State Park (SP) and Trailway to cure encroachments and improve access to the City’s infrastructure below the Lake Mineral Wells’ dam and spillway.

II.     Discussion:  Lake Mineral Wells SP and Trailway consists of 3,280 acres located on Rock Creek, a large tributary of the Brazos River. The Trailway travels 20 miles from the town of Weatherford to the downtown district of Mineral Wells, crossing both Parker and Palo Pinto Counties. In 1922, the City built Lake Mineral Wells to increase the growing City’s water supply.  In 1963, the City found a better water supply and stopped using Lake Mineral Wells as its main source of water. In 1975, after the closing of Fort Wolters, the City and Fort Wolters donated the lake and surrounding acreage to TPWD, with the City retaining responsibility for upkeep of the dam and spillway. The 3,280-acre park opened on July 1, 1981.

After a recent survey completed by the City, it was discovered that several state park structures, including picnic canopies, cabins, and a swimming/beach area, were located on City property.  The City proposes an approximately 12-acre land exchange to cure these encroachments.  In exchange for conveying to TPWD the City land containing the state park improvements, the City is asking for land necessary to gain access to the area below the Lake Mineral Wells dam and spillway to allow for routine maintenance. The final acreage configuration is still in progress, but the City is asking for an equal or less amount of land than it proposes to transfer to TPWD.

III.   Recommendation:  The staff recommends the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopt the following motion:

“The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopts the Resolution attached as
  Exhibit A.”

Commission Agenda Item No. 5
Exhibit A

A Resolution by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission Regarding the Exchange of Land of Approximately 12 Acres in Parker County 

Resolution

        Whereas, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) owns and operates Lake Mineral Wells State Park (SP) and Trailway for an array of conservation and recreation values providing fishing, hiking, camping, and a variety of day use opportunities for the public; and,

        Whereas, after a recent survey completed by the city of Mineral Wells (City), it was discovered that several state park structures, including picnic canopies, cabins, and a swimming/beach area, are located on City property; and,

        Whereas, the City has requested that TPWD and the City exchange lands at Lake Mineral Wells SP and Trailway to cure encroachments and to improve access to the City’s infrastructure below the Lake Mineral Wells’ dam and spillway; and,

        Whereas, the City proposes an approximately 12-acre land exchange to cure the referenced encroachments; and,

        Whereas, in exchange for conveying to TPWD the City land containing the state park improvements, the City is asking for land necessary to gain access to the area below the Lake Mineral Wells dam and spillway to allow for routine maintenance.; and,

        Whereas, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (Commission) finds that as required by Texas Parks and Wildlife Code (PWC) chapter 26, notices of today’s hearing of this matter were published at least once a week for three consecutive weeks in newspapers of general circulation which are published at least six days a week in the communities nearest to Lake Mineral Wells SP and Trailway in which such newspapers are published (the Fort Worth Star-Telegram in Fort Worth and Tarrant County), with the last day of publication being not less than one week or more than two weeks before the date of today’s hearing; and,

        Whereas, the Commission finds, in accordance with PWC chapter 26, that (1) there is no feasible and prudent alternative to the use or taking of such land (Easement); (2) the program or project that requires the use of an Easement includes all reasonable planning to minimize harm to the land; and,

        Whereas, the Commission finds that the exchange of land is subject to conditions that will minimize harm of Lake Mineral Wells SP and Trailway is in accordance with PWC section 13.009; and,

        Now, therefore, the Commission authorizes the Executive Director to take all necessary steps to negotiate terms and conditions of an exchange of land for the purposes and subject to the conditions described herein and in the motion approved in this Resolution.

In official recognition of the adoption of this resolution in a lawfully called public meeting of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission, we hereby affix our signatures this 27th day of January, 2022.

Commission Agenda Item No. 5
Exhibit B

Location Map for Lake Mineral Wells State Park and Trailway in Parker County

Commission Agenda Item No. 5
Exhibit C

Vicinity Map for Lake Mineral Wells State Park (SP) and Trailway,
2 Miles East of Mineral Well

Commission Agenda Item No. 5
Exhibit D

Site Map of Proposed Land Exchange
City of Mineral Wells Tracts to TPWD in Green
TPWD Tracts to the City of Mineral Wells in Yellow
City of Mineral Wells Property Outlined in White
State Park Boundary in Red