Commission Meeting Agenda Item No. 9
Presenter: Stan David

Action
Acquisition of Land – Matagorda County
Approximately 1300 Acres Adjacent to the Mad Island Wildlife Management Area
November 2, 2023

I.      Executive Summary: Acquiring properties adjacent to current state parks and wildlife management areas from willing sellers remains a priority for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), with a goal to expand public lands for recreational opportunities for the citizens of Texas and visitors from across the world. TPWD staff has identified approximately 1,300 acres of land in two tracts located adjacent to Mad Island Wildlife Management Area (WMA) available for acquisition from a willing seller.

II.     Discussion: In 1987, TPWD established the Mad Island WMA with the acquisition of approximately 7,200 acres of land consisting of fresh, intermediate, brackish, and saline marsh land with sparse brush and flat coastal prairie. Mad Island WMA is part of the Central Coast Wetlands Ecosystem Project (CCWEP). The CCWEP’s mission is to provide for sound biological conservation of all wildlife resources within the central coast of Texas for the public’s common benefit.

A portion of the acquired land will be managed within the Wildlife Division as part of the WMA, while the remainder will be managed by the Coastal Fisheries Division and will be freely accessible to the public.

The subject tracts would add valuable land to expand TPWD’s research and management activities for indigenous and migratory wildlife species with a special emphasis on waterfowl, as well as adding additional recreational opportunities for the public. Local staff regard these tracts as a high-priority strategic acquisition for the Mad Island WMA and the Coastal Fisheries Division. No additional staff or infrastructure would be needed to manage these tracts if acquired.

III.   Recommendation: Staff recommends that 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 acquire approximately 1,300 acres of land in Matagorda County, a portion of which will be for addition to the Mad Island Wildlife Management Area, and the remainder of which will be managed by the Coastal Fisheries Division for public recreation.”

Commission Agenda Item No. 9
Exhibit A

Location Map for Mad Island Wildlife Management Area (WMA)
Matagorda County

Commission Agenda Item No. 9
Exhibit B

Vicinity Map for Mad Island WMA
20 Miles South of Bay City

Commission Agenda Item No. 9
Exhibit C

Site Map of Proposed Acquisition
Subject Tracts Outlined in Yellow
Mad Island WMA Outlined in Red