Preserving Texas In the News

From the desert wilderness of Big Bend Ranch to the urban forest and lake of Cedar Hill State Park, our parks system helps make Texas special. Our parks help protect drinking water supplies and wildlife habitat; they provide countless recreational opportunities and are home to some of the most breathtaking views in America. They're also a major economic engine for the state, generating more than $1 billion in economic activity for local communities.

Sadly, this great resource has suffered serious neglect in recent years. Shamefully ranked 49th in the nation in per-capita spending on state parks, the Legislature has let Texas parks go without even the minimal support needed to maintain them. According to the Star-Telegram, "while state government increased spending for services generally by 68 percent between 1990 and 2003 -- it decreased spending on parks by 34 percent."

Years of budget cuts have forced the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to lay off dozens of park rangers, close campgrounds, cut back hours of operation and even consider selling part of Big Bend Ranch State Park and Eagle Mountain Lake to private developers to raise additional funds. In July, the TPWD announced that proposed budget cuts would mean that the agency would have no choice but to close 18 state parks.

The public outcry about the state of our parks has created considerable momentum for increased funding in the next legislative session, which convenes in January. However, our parks need more than stopgap measures to prevent further closures.

In 2001, Texas Tech University researchers found that with only 52 acres of parks per 1,000 Texans, and far fewer near the state's major cities (Fort Worth has but 13.6 acres per 1,000), "the current acreage available for outdoor recreation does not meet demand" -- a situation that would only worsen as our population continues its dramatic growth. The researchers also warned that "efforts to conserve and restore biologically sustainable habitats in each of the ecoregions of Texas remain inadequate."

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department agreed and issued its own needs assessment, laying out a 10-year plan to "provide optimal wildlife habitat and quality outdoor experiences" by creating new 5,000-acre parks within 90 minutes of each of the state's major cities (Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Houston) and the lower Rio Grande Valley. The department further recommended expanding 14 existing state parks, including Dinosaur Valley State Park southwest of the Metroplex. By the time that the Legislature convenes next year, the department will be halfway into its 10-year plan.

Yet none of the new parks have been created, nor have any parks been expanded. As the Legislature considers parks funding issues in the 2007 session, it should make sure not to simply patch the holes in the system. Legislators need to fund an ambitious park acquisition program that keeps up with the needs of our growing population and properly protects the many natural areas threatened with development. With land prices continuing to rise, it is myopic to put off these investments any longer.

There is widespread public support for creating these new parks. Of Texans polled in a Texas Tech study, 77 percent supported "more Texas Parks and Wildlife funding to buy additional land for conservation of natural resources and outdoor recreation."

With an average of 20 acres of working farms, forests and open space lost every hour in Texas because of development, many of our most unique and vulnerable natural areas are at risk. Endangered regions such as the blackland prairies (near Austin), gulf coast prairies (near Houston), South Texas plains (in the lower Rio Grande Valley), the Edwards plateau (near San Antonio) and Trans-Pecos (near El Paso) are all incredibly valuable natural areas that require immediate protection.

Texans want a state where there's abundant parkland, our rivers and streams are protected, and wildlife has a place to survive and thrive. We and future generations are counting on the Legislature to make a substantial investment to give Texas the world-class parks system we deserve.

Luke Metzger is an advocate with Environment Texas, a citizens' advocacy organization based in Austin. www.EnvironmentTexas.org