http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/ike-to-storm-the-texas-legislature Luke Metzger of Environment Texas sent 2100 signed petitions to Lt. Gov David Dewhurst. "Fighting erosion on our beaches is an important and worthy goal, but we need to find other funding for that program. State parks rely on the very limited funding that comes from the sporting goods tax and Texans are counting on legislators to stop raiding that fund for other purposes." http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/ike-to-storm-the-texas-legislature Fri, 26 Sep 2008 09:20:22 -0500 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/s_a_-refiners-say-expanding-offshore-drilling The current presidential campaign has reignited the political debate over drilling for oil off the coast of the United States. For San Antonio, that debate is of crucial importance to two local companies that play leading roles in the nation's oil industry. San Antonio is home to two major petroleum refiners, Valero Energy Corp. and Tesoro Corp. Both companies have refineries located across the nation and both operate retail fueling stations as well. Bill Day, spokesman for Valero, says it is clear that the worldwide supplies of oil are not keeping up with the increased demand. "Any new supply would help bring that back into balance," he says. "Valero has the flexibility to purchase crude oil from wherever we can find the lowest costs, so we would be interested in new supplies coming available." Valero, Day says, does not have its own oil reserves and must purchase its crude from all around the globe. In 2007, about 45 percent of Valero's crude oil supply came from North America, about 20 percent from the Middle East, 15 percent from Africa and 9 percent each from Europe and South America. The remaining two percent, Day says, comes from other various locations around the world. Rayola Dougher, senior economic advisor with the American Petroleum Institute (API), says the API believes increasing exploration activities domestically could be critical to the United States' economic future. "It's going to matter dearly to us and to the rest of the world," she says. "I can't see a good reason not to go after it. It is absolutely necessary and it could make a big difference to all of us." API is a national trade association that represents all aspects of America's oil and natural gas industry. The organization has over 400 corporate members, ranging from major oil companies to small independently owned companies -- including producers, refiners, suppliers, pipeline operators and marine transporters, as well as service and supply companies that support all segments of the industry. Tesoro (NYSE: TSO) also is a major independent refiner and marketer of petroleum products. Through its subsidiaries, Tesoro operates seven refineries in the western United States with a combined capacity of approximately 660,000 barrels per day. Sarah Simpson, spokeswoman for Tesoro Corp., says her company would welcome additional crude oil production in the U.S. She adds that while the U.S. may have to continue to import crude, producing more in the U.S. would make good business sense. "It's important to understand that it is a global marketplace," she says. "However, having access to ratable domestic crude provides source stability and is good for the U.S. economy." The company runs crudes from the U.S., Canada, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, South America and Africa. Tesoro's retail-marketing system includes more than 900 branded retail stations, of which more than 445 are company owned under the Tesoro, Shell, Mirastar and USA Gasoline brands. Diversifying Valero (NYSE: VLO) owns and operates 17 refineries throughout the United States, Canada and the Caribbean with a combined throughput capacity of 3.1 million barrels of oil per day. The company also is one of the nation's largest gasoline operations, with 5,800 wholesale and retail outlets under the Valero, Diamond Shamrock, Shamrock, Ultramar and Beacon brands. Day says that Valero tries to diversify its supply by purchasing crude from different sources, including U.S. based companies, to help manage costs. As of press time, crude oil prices hovered at $140 per barrel. Valero is also refining more tar sand oil, or heavy sour crude, as a way to help manage costs, Day adds. While the tar sands oil is very thick and takes more effort to refine, Day says many of Valero's refineries have the capability to process the heavy crude. "Heavy sour crudes trade at significantly lower prices. ... The more flexibility refiners have to process different grade of crude, the more ability they have to seek out lower prices." Days says the oil that is expected to be removed from any new drilling locations off the coast of the United States will likely be the heavy sour varieties. Simpson says Tesoro also has the capability to refine heavier crude. "Both of Tesoro's California refineries were configured to run heavy crude," she says. "We also improved logistics at our refineries so that more varieties of crude can be processed." The future Day says there are mixed messages coming from Washington. "Elected officials say they'd like to make the country more energy-independent, yet they prohibit exploration and drilling in areas where the industry knows oil deposits are likely," Day says. As much as 85 percent of the outer continental shelf (OCS) is off limits to oil production. The continental shelf is the undersea plain between the continent and the deep ocean. America's OCS has been divided into four regions: the Gulf of Mexico ; Atlantic; Pacific; and Alaska OCS regions. Luke Metzger, director of Austin-based Environment Texas, says more offshore drilling is not the answer to energy independence for America. Environment Texas is a nonprofit citizens group that advocates at the state and federal level for clean air, clean water and open spaces. "If you compare Texas beaches to the pristine Florida beaches, there's your answer," Metzger says. "Drilling has had a serious impact on beach quality and water quality. Increasing drilling will only exacerbate that." Metzger says the key to helping the U.S. be more dependent on itself for energy is to look at alternatives such as Congress raising fuel mileage standards for vehicles, hybrid technologies for vehicles and alternative fuels like ethanol. "We are never going to drill our way to energy independence," he says. "If we are going to be serious about solving our energy problems, we need to invest in those alternatives." According to the API, though, America needs a balanced energy policy that promotes energy efficiency and conservation and greater supplies of all forms of energy, including domestic oil and natural gas. "As a nation, we can have more control over our energy destiny by supplying more of the oil and natural gas we'll be consuming from resources here at home," stated Red Cavaney, president and CEO of the API, in a letter to Congress dated June 26. "Government policy now stands in the way of that. Polls show that a rising majority of Americans want expansion of access to federal oil and gas resources now off limits to development to enhance our nation's energy security." Dougher says that with technology today, drilling off the U.S. coastline can be done safely. "We have (oil) here and its precious," she says. "It doesn't make sense any longer not to develop these areas." http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/s_a_-refiners-say-expanding-offshore-drilling Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:51:12 -0500 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/state-opens-christmas-mountains-to-public-for-first-time AUSTIN -- For the first time in the nearly two decades that the http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/state-opens-christmas-mountains-to-public-for-first-time Tue, 29 Apr 2008 08:59:46 -0500 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/west-texas-land-deal-takes-small-step-forward AUSTIN — Texas http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/west-texas-land-deal-takes-small-step-forward Fri, 04 Apr 2008 10:19:53 -0500 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/groups-ask-for-results-of-blanco-land-study http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/groups-ask-for-results-of-blanco-land-study Mon, 11 Feb 2008 17:12:58 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/state-land-board-rejects-private-bids-for-christmas-mountains Board's decision on Christmas Mountains opens door for agencies http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/state-land-board-rejects-private-bids-for-christmas-mountains Mon, 11 Feb 2008 17:16:48 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/land-board-chief-still-wants-hunting-on-christmas-land Other members holding out hope National Park Service can buy it http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/land-board-chief-still-wants-hunting-on-christmas-land Mon, 11 Feb 2008 17:22:34 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/two-bids-are-rejected-for-christmas-mountains The Christmas Mountains could instead be given to the National Park Service http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/two-bids-are-rejected-for-christmas-mountains Mon, 11 Feb 2008 17:31:39 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/board-rejects-bids-to-buy-christmas-mountains http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/board-rejects-bids-to-buy-christmas-mountains Mon, 11 Feb 2008 17:14:29 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/ranch-land-along-blanco-river-on-verge-of-sale http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/ranch-land-along-blanco-river-on-verge-of-sale Mon, 11 Feb 2008 17:20:46 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/general-land-office-near-sale-of-tract-on-blanco-river Land is warbler habitat; some is in aquifer recharge zone. http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/general-land-office-near-sale-of-tract-on-blanco-river Mon, 11 Feb 2008 17:35:54 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/high-end-community-may-land-in-kyle A residential developer has put 2,200 acres under contract in Kyle http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/high-end-community-may-land-in-kyle Mon, 11 Feb 2008 17:18:26 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/agency-criticized-for-land-deal-talks By R.A. DYER Star-Telegram Staff Writer http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/agency-criticized-for-land-deal-talks Mon, 11 Feb 2008 17:37:27 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/big-bend-bidder-promises-public-access Houstonian's offer on hold until National Parks Service weighs in By GARY SCHARRER Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle Austin Bureau AUSTIN http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/big-bend-bidder-promises-public-access Tue, 29 Jan 2008 15:42:54 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/christmas-mountains-sale-gets-reprieve AUSTIN -- The School Land Board put the controversial sale of the http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/christmas-mountains-sale-gets-reprieve Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/deadline-set-in-west-texas-land-dispute National Parks Service has 90 days to match bid for parcel http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/deadline-set-in-west-texas-land-dispute Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/delay-sought-on-states-sale-of-mountains By R.A. DYERStar-Telegram Staff Writer http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/delay-sought-on-states-sale-of-mountains Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/texas-land-commissioner-offers-u_s_-chance-to-bid-on-christmas-mountains But federal plan must allow hunting, he says http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/texas-land-commissioner-offers-u_s_-chance-to-bid-on-christmas-mountains Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/hunting-provision-urged-for-sale-of-christmas-mountains AUSTIN -- The National Park Service could get the http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/hunting-provision-urged-for-sale-of-christmas-mountains Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/sides-battle-over-use-of-christmas-mountains It’s sort of like a child custody battle, but in this case the http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/sides-battle-over-use-of-christmas-mountains Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/opposition-to-mountains-sale-growing By R.A. DYERStar-Telegram Staff Writer http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/opposition-to-mountains-sale-growing Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/texas-greens-want-ag-gov_-to-stop-sale-of-mountains by Rob LukeAUSTIN -- An environmental pressure group is trying to push Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott to intervene in the contentious sale of a mountain range near Big Bend National Park. Environment Texas (ET) launched an on-line petition http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/texas-greens-want-ag-gov_-to-stop-sale-of-mountains Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/a-dubious-christmas-sale http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/a-dubious-christmas-sale Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/texas-official-bars-land-sale-over-gun-rights In Texas, the land commissioner has stirred a huge public outcry by refusing to sell a stretch of state-owned badlands to Big Bend National Park. The commissioner says the Christmas Mountains won't go to any entity that would ban firearms and hunting, as every national park now does. by John Burnett http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/texas-official-bars-land-sale-over-gun-rights Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/this-land-is-your-land Environment Texas, an advocacy group, has launched a campaign to stop state Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson from selling off almost 10,000 acres of the Christmas Mountains Ranch that were donated to the people of this state. To do so, the group is calling on two other well-placed state officials, Gov. Rick Perry and Attorney General Greg Abbott, and their appointees to the School Land Board. As soon as Nov. 6, the Land Board might name a winning bidder for the Christmas Mountains land. (A first round of bids was nullified because of an erroneous land office map.) Patterson is chairman; the other two members are Todd Barth of Houston, a Perry appointee, and David Herrmann of San Antonio, the Abbott appointee. Environment Texas wants the governor and attorney general to call on their appointees to cancel the sale and work to transfer the land to the National Park Service. It has launched an online petition at www.environmenttexas.org. Environment Texas is right: The School Land Board should reject any sale and give the National Park Service the time it needs to acquire the land, which lies just northwest of Big Bend National Park. There’s no deadline requiring the state to sell. Patterson objects to selling to the National Park Service because it doesn’t allow hunting and because of what he calls its “unconstitutional” ban on going armed in its parks. The public has no legal access to the land now, not even non-hunters and the unarmed. This land - 9,269 acres - was given to the people of Texas in 1991 by two highly respected national donors, the Conservation Fund and the Richard King Mellon Foundation. The donors oppose the planned sale, and a provision in the gift deed bars a sale “without the prior written consent” of the Conservation Fund. But Patterson has said the provision is unenforceable. The deed, however, does welcome a transfer of the land to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department or the National Park Service for use as “a nature park, wildlife refuge, recreational area or similarly designated use area.” The Texas parks agency, starved already for resources, passed on the offer, as did the federal park agency when the subject first came up about 15 years ago. But on Oct. 12, Superintendent William Wellman of Big Bend National Park asked Patterson to postpone the sale to give the National Park Service time to reconsider. Just last week, in Austin, Gov. Perry and first lady Laura Bush appeared at the National Park Foundation’s first Leadership Summit on Partnership and Philanthropy. The conference sought to bring together government, business and environmental leaders in support of America’s national parks. The governor and the attorney general are in a position to actually do something for the public and for national parks by pushing to stop the sale of the Christmas Mountains land and getting it added to Big Bend National Park. The Christmas Mountains Ranch land was given to the people of Texas. Don’t sell it. http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/this-land-is-your-land Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/group-opposes-sale-of-west-texas-mountain-range By R.A. DYERStar-Telegram Staff Writer http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/group-opposes-sale-of-west-texas-mountain-range Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/official-wont-sell-land-to-national-park-service By R.A. DYERStar-Telegram staff writer http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/official-wont-sell-land-to-national-park-service Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/sale-of-a-texas-wilderness-area-is-put-off By RALPH BLUMENTHAL http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/sale-of-a-texas-wilderness-area-is-put-off Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/west-texas-land-sale-halted-by-map-error Commissioner wants to try again in November http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/west-texas-land-sale-halted-by-map-error Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/sale-of-donated-land-is-delayed http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/sale-of-donated-land-is-delayed Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/new-bids-planned-for-christmas-mountains State board takes no action on Big Bend land sale because of boundary error on map. http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/new-bids-planned-for-christmas-mountains Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/some-not-happy-about-sale-of-christmas-mountain CBS 42) The rugged Big Bend wilderness of Christmas Mountain Ranch is slated for private ownership in less than 24 hours.The Texas Land Office is confident about the sale. But critics are in a frenzy. Sixteen years ago, part of the Christmas Mountain range near Big Bend was given as a gift to the state of Texas. But the nearly 10,000 acre donation came with a strict condition: no development. Because of that stipulation, the state says managing the mountains has been an uphill climb ever since. “We're not able to manage the property even though we'd like to, and frankly I don't like to have my name on something that's not well managed,” Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson said.Forbidden from improving the tract by the conservation fund, the state now wants to sell it instead. That isn't sitting well with some.“Texans are up in arms about this,” Environment Texas director Luke Metzger said. “Please don't sell this property. There are just a lot of questions that still have yet to be answered.”But the land office has already accepted bids for the plot of property. State officials believe a private buyer can just do better. “In order to really do what we believe to be the objective of the conservation fund, and that is to restore the land and make it a good habitat for wildlife, you've got to do certain things,” Patterson said. “And when we sell it to the successful bidder, I think it will be pretty much what's in their mind.But critics warn that profiting off the preserve would hardly preserve trust in the state's ability to be a responsible steward of the land. The sale, they say, could be perceived as more of a sellout.“The original donors have said that if the sale goes forward, they'll no longer donate land to the state of Texas,” Metzger said. “And our fear is that other donors may follow suit realizing that there's no sanctity in their donation.”Patterson says the sale will go through unless new information surfaces. The deal's proceeds will benefit the school fund. http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/some-not-happy-about-sale-of-christmas-mountain Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/fate-of-christmas-mountains-could-be-decided-tuesday By Michele Angél Christmas MountainsAUSTIN, September 17 - On Tuesday, the School Land Board in the Texas General Land Office will hold a public meeting in Austin on the proposed sale of nearly 9,270 acres of land that includes the Christmas Mountains in West Texas. The Christmas Mountain Ranch, in Brewster County, lies immediately adjacent to the Big Bend National Park, on the northwest side. The land was gifted to the state by the Richard King Mellon Foundation through a conservation fund around Christmastime in 1991. There has been significant public outcry against the proposed sale of the land since it was recently reported that the Mellon Foundation was opposed to the sale and that the state should not look to the Foundation for any future help. According to the gift deed, the state needs written consent of the Mellon Foundation’s conservation fund prior to the transfer of the land to a private party. The state does not have that written consent. Luke Metzger, who represents Environment Texas, fears other conservation groups will follow suit and overlook Texas in conservation efforts. “It sets a bad precedent. It's a slap in the face to those who gave us that land,” Metzger said. Environment Texas has launched a public campaign against the sale. Metzger reported that at least 2,000 e-mails have been sent to Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson in opposition to the sale. Jim Suydam, a spokesman for the Land Office, said the e-mails don't weigh heavily, as they believe that people just read two paragraphs and click to send a letter. Suydam said that the objective of the sale is to preserve the land, no matter which name is on the deed. “The sale would accomplish the intent of the gift deed, which is to conserve, preserve and allow for public access,” he said. Patterson believes that private stewardship of the Christmas Mountains will result in both better protection for the land and allow unprecedented public access. Suydam said Patterson is concerned only with the best interest of the property. “It's not money that's driving this deal, it's invasive species like salt cedar,” he said. Suydam said Patterson is also concerned with lack of management on the property. Poaching, for example, is occurring on the land, which has a variety of game population, including mule deer and black bear, Suydam said. Metzger said his group had serious concerns about any sale to a private bidder. “It's unclear who will monitor and enforce the development restrictions and there are no guarantees of future public access, particularly if the property is flipped down the road,” Metzger said. Patterson has weighed in on the issue in print. “Over the years poachers, trespassers, and invasive plant species have infiltrated the Christmas Mountains, and that for the past 16 years, the goal to protect the land and ensure public access have not been met,” Patterson wrote. “In the case of the Christmas Mountains, government management is not necessarily the best solution. Transferring the Christmas Mountains to private interests could not only better achieve the conservation goals set forth by the Conservation Fund, but generate revenue for the benefit of Texas school children.” The money from the proposed sale would benefit the Permanent School Fund, which is funded by the GLO, mostly through oil and gas leases. Bill Addington, of the El Paso Sierra Club, disputes Patterson’s argument. “This is being done in the name of school children, I bet the school children wouldn't approve,” Addington said. The El Paso Sierra Club, which boasts 700 members, makes frequent visits to Christmas Mountains to take in its scenic beauty and recreational facilities. “We take inner city school kids to the Christmas Mountains and to Big Bend National Park on over-night field trips to experience the wilderness,” Addington said. He agreed that salt cedar has been invading hundreds of miles along the Rio Grande but said that was not a problem exclusive to the Christmas Mountain area. Other reasons for the public outcry against the proposed sale is the lack of public input on the sealed bid process and because many Texans are opposed to public lands being transferred to the private sector. According to a study by Texas Tech University, only about five percent of Texas land is publicly owned. U.S. Rep. Ciro Rodriguez, D-San Antonio, represents the district where the Christmas Mountains lie. When he heard from constituents angry about the proposed land sale he wrote a letter to Patterson. Rodriguez strongly urged Patterson to delay action on sale and to afford concerned Texans a comment period before proceeding. “The Big Bend area is known for its beautiful landscape and the public's appreciation for it is this region's economic livelihood,” Rodriguez said. He said that the proposed action by the GLO sets a poor precedent that potentially jeopardizes the conservation and economic well-being of the area in his district. Angela Barranco, a spokeswoman for Rodriguez, said the congressman wanted to slow down the process to make sure the community has a voice. “We just want to make sure,” Barranco said. She defined the area as “nice, beautiful, and pristine.” Barranco said Patterson could be right to turn to a conservation-minded private party to protect the land. Rodriguez is not in disagreement with Patterson, she said, “but there is no harm in taking time to make the right decision.” Environment Texas has also asked the GLO to postpone the controversial decision for public input. The group is working to get more funding to the state park system.  The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), as well as the National Park Service have both turned down a proposal by Patterson to acquire the land several times for lack of funds.  Addington proposed that the Land Office just donate Christmas Mountains to the state park system for protection. Several environmentalists have pointed out that one of the reasons for the public outcry is that the proposed sale of the Christmas Mountains is part of a pattern. “This is not an isolated incident of the state selling public land to private interests,” Metzger said. In 2005, TPWD proposed selling 46,000 acres of Big Bend Ranch State Park to a Houston developer. In 2006, the agency proposed selling the Eagle Mountain Lake State Park in Fort Worth to developers. Both proposals were shot down after a public outcry. “The GLO is also pursuing an irresponsible investment strategy by buying up ecologically important open spaces and selling them to developers,” Metzger added. He cited the Fort Worth prairie and Hays County land on the Blanco River. He also said that the GLO may be considering selling property on North Padre Island, which was purchased with federal money to be protected. He added that the protections have expired after ten years and the property is now hot. The School Land Board's members comprise Patterson, Todd Barth, and David Herrmann. Tuesday's meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. in Room 170 of the Stephen F. Austin Building at 1700 North Congress Avenue in Austin. Executive Secretary to the Board Stephanie Crenshaw can be reached at (512) 936-1927. Board meetings are Web cast live, as well as archived for future viewing. The Richard King Mellon Foundation and its conservation fund had not responded at press time. http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/fate-of-christmas-mountains-could-be-decided-tuesday Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/state-seeks-sale-of-donated-land Gary ScharrerAustin bureau http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/state-seeks-sale-of-donated-land Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/donated-land-near-big-bend-for-sale By R.A. DYER Star-Telegram staff writer AUSTIN --Over the objections of some conservationists, a pristine mountain range adjacent to the Big Bend National Park has been put up for sale by the Texas General Land Office. The proposal follows other controversial proposed sales of state-owned wilderness areas to private interests, including last year's proposed General Land Office sale of 400 acres at Eagle Mountain Lake in Fort Worth, and the 2005 proposed Texas Parks and Wildlife Department sale of 46,300 acres at Big Bend Ranch State Park. Those properties ended up staying in government hands after public outcry: The Eagle Mountain Lake property went to the Tarrant Water District and the Big Bend tract remained in the state parks inventory. The latest transaction, however, continues on course. At issue is 9,269 acres containing the Christmas Mountains, which is next to the northwest corner of Big Bend National Park. The property was donated to the state in 1991 by the Virginia-based Conservation Fund and the Pennsylvania-based Richard King Mellon Foundation under the condition that it remain protected from commercial development. To benefit school fund It is not part of the parks system inventory, but rather is held for the Permanent School Fund, which finances public education, according to information from the General Land Office. The agency put the property up for auction last month and closed bids last week, Land Office spokesman Jim Suydam said. He said that the agency is not equipped to act as a steward for the land and that various encumbrances placed on it will prevent commercial development. "It's Commissioner [Jerry] Patterson's fiduciary duty to earn money on these lands -- it's an impeachable offense for him not to," said Suydam, explaining the decision to sell the land. But some conservationists are expressing dismay and say the Christmas Mountains should remain in public hands. They note that it was donated with the public in mind. "The entity donated this land for express purpose of providing public land," said Luke Metzger, director of Environment Texas. "When all the experts say we need more public lands, the state is moving in the direction of giving lands away to private interests." Suydam said the General Land Office offered the tract both to the National Parks Service and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department before putting it out to bid. But the cash-strapped National Parks Service and the state parks department both declined the property. The General Land Office later received six bids from the private sector, Suydam said. A special panel that includes Patterson will consider the bids in coming weeks, he said. Officials with the Conservation Fund and the Richard King Mellon Foundation, which donated the land to the state, have declined to comment. But in e-mail correspondence reported by the Austin American-Statesman, Richard King Mellon Foundation officer Mike Watson wrote that if the auction goes through "the state [should] not look to the R.K. Mellon Foundation for any future help." In another e-mail reported by the newspaper, Conservation Fund Executive Vice President Richard Erdman wrote that "it was the hope ... that this land would be made available to the general public for hunting and other recreational uses." Terry Ervin, a retiree who lives on 160 acres abutting the property, said that the Christmas Mountains reach about 6,000 feet in altitude and that the site includes some abandoned mines. He said the terrain is mostly desert, and with plenty of cactus -- but almost no water. "It's very beautiful to look at," Ervin said. "Basically, it's very rugged and dry. In the past it had some water wells with windmills to water livestock. ... And there is an artificial lake that is seasonal and sometimes it has water. ... It's got some unique Chihuahua desert vegetation." Use restrictions The encumbrances that will be permanently enforced on the land would restrict almost any sort of development, including the construction of roads, Suydam said. The office released documents showing that the encumbrances would allow construction only of a rudimentary building for a land manager and would prohibit use of any off-road vehicles. The encumbrances permit hunting, but with restrictions. As part of the bid process, the General Land Office also required potential buyers to submit land management plans Suydam said Patterson and the two other members of a panel known as the School Land Board could decide this month whether to accept one of the six bids or reject all of them. "The land does not need to be owned by the state to be considered managed -- the permanent encumbrances greatly limit [what you can do with] it," he said. R.A. Dyer reports from the Star-Telegram's Austin bureau. 512-476-4294 rdyer@star-telegram.com http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/donated-land-near-big-bend-for-sale Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/bill-triples-funding-for-parks By R.A. DYERStar-Telegram Staff Writer http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/bill-triples-funding-for-parks Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/struggling-parks-may-get-a-big-break By R.A. DYERrdyer@star-telegram.com http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/struggling-parks-may-get-a-big-break Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/parks-funding-increase-gets-approval-in-the-house A bill that would dramatically increase funding for state parks http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/parks-funding-increase-gets-approval-in-the-house Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/bills-seek-to-end-revenue-diversions By JAY ROOTSTAR-TELEGRAM AUSTIN BUREAU http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/bills-seek-to-end-revenue-diversions Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/the-state-parks-express-rolls-into-the-brazos-valley On Friday, Bryan was the destination of a statewide tour to drum up support for state parks. The group Environment Texas has crisscrossed the state trying to draw attention to what it calls inadequate funding for state and local parks. They say a Blue Ribbon panel called for an $85 million spending increase for parks, but full funding fell short. Environment Texas gathered at the office of State Senator Steve Ogden to ask for his support on the Senate Finance Committee. http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/the-state-parks-express-rolls-into-the-brazos-valley Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/texas-parks-experiencing-a-funding-crunch http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/texas-parks-experiencing-a-funding-crunch Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/land-sale-money-not-budgeted-for-new-park By R.A. DYERSTAR-TELEGRAM AUSTIN BUREAU http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/land-sale-money-not-budgeted-for-new-park Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/agency-lost-fees-inflated-visit-data By R.A. DYER STAR-TELEGRAM AUSTIN BUREAU AUSTIN - The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department overstated its visitation data and potentially lost $16 million in entrance fees over the last two years, according to a new report from the state auditor's office. The report -- which comes against the backdrop of a continued and heated debate in the Texas Legislature over parks funding -- also cites the department for "significant financial control weaknesses" and says the agency should improve the management of individual state parks. "These control weaknesses -- such as a lack of adequate supervisory reviews, audit trails and segregation of duties -- have made assets managed by the Department vulnerable to theft, fraud and abuse," the office noted in its 71-page report, which was released Monday. A top official with the parks department said the agency will begin addressing the concerns, but also disputed some findings. "People who visit our state parks know that our employees continue to do an exemplary job -- they are creative and committed to doing their best with the resources available," said Robert L. Cook, the agency's executive director. The 600,000-acre state parks system has contended with layoffs, deteriorating equipment and park closures, largely the result of budget shortfalls. Parks advocates note that agency funding has remained flat over the last several years, even as the population has increased greatly. Most of the revenue from the state tax on sporting goods, which the Texas Legislature allocated to parks in 1993, has been diverted by lawmakers to other purposes. But the report from the state auditor's office suggests that the Parks and Wildlife Department may have lost some potential entrance fee revenue because of inadequate financial controls. It said the agency should do a better job of calculating park visitation, improve park management and make its processes for estimating costs more consistent. "Auditors visited five state parks and one historic site and verified that repairs were needed, but we could not verify the accuracy of the department's cost estimates for those repairs," the report states. Cook took exception to the suggestion that the agency lost millions of dollars in entrance fees. He noted that visitation estimates dropped from more than 20 million in 2003 to less than 10 million in 2006, and at the same time receipts increased from $22.4 million to $33.1 million. "While there is a relationship between visitation estimates and revenue collected, there are many variables that come into play -- these variables include unpaid visits that take place after hours or in places we are not currently staffed to collect fees," he said in a prepared response to the report. "We believe that improving documentation of state park visitation will demonstrate that we did not 'lose' $16 million in potential entrance fees." Luke Metzger, director of Environment Texas, said the findings should not deter lawmakers from providing full funding for parks. His group and other parks advocates have called for reallocating all money from the sporting goods tax to Texas parks. That would lead to about a $90 million annual increase. But he noted House budget writers have included only about a quarter of that amount in the current version of spending legislation. Although the process is still in an early phase, he said the inclusion of only about $23 million in new money could portend a bad legislative session for Texas parks. "The report should be taken seriously, but it should not stand in the way of full funding for the agency and for our parks," he said. State Rep. Harvey Hilderbran, a Kerrville Republican pushing much of that legislation, said he has long supported more management controls for the agency. He said his House Bill 12, which is pending in committee, addresses many of the concerns raised in the audit report. He also said some problems cited by auditors are caused by a consistent lack of funding for the agency. "They have cut back operations hours, they have been suffering," he said. IN THE KNOW More park woes In a report issued Monday, the State Auditor's Office cites several findings about the operations of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department: The department lacks adequate controls to ensure that park visitation data and revenue reporting for individual state parks are accurate There are significant deficiencies in the department's budgeting process that hinder its ability to ensure that resources are allocated in a reasonable manner Financial control weaknesses have led the department to underestimate its revenue and to produce inaccurate financial reports The department "does not have an effective marketing strategy and tools to promote visitation." R.A. Dyer, 512-476-4294 rdyer@star-telegram.com http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/agency-lost-fees-inflated-visit-data Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/agency-lost-fees-inflated-visit-data2 By R.A. DYER STAR-TELEGRAM AUSTIN BUREAU AUSTIN - The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department overstated its visitation data and potentially lost $16 million in entrance fees over the last two years, according to a new report from the state auditor's office. The report -- which comes against the backdrop of a continued and heated debate in the Texas Legislature over parks funding -- also cites the department for "significant financial control weaknesses" and says the agency should improve the management of individual state parks. "These control weaknesses -- such as a lack of adequate supervisory reviews, audit trails and segregation of duties -- have made assets managed by the Department vulnerable to theft, fraud and abuse," the office noted in its 71-page report, which was released Monday. A top official with the parks department said the agency will begin addressing the concerns, but also disputed some findings. "People who visit our state parks know that our employees continue to do an exemplary job -- they are creative and committed to doing their best with the resources available," said Robert L. Cook, the agency's executive director. The 600,000-acre state parks system has contended with layoffs, deteriorating equipment and park closures, largely the result of budget shortfalls. Parks advocates note that agency funding has remained flat over the last several years, even as the population has increased greatly. Most of the revenue from the state tax on sporting goods, which the Texas Legislature allocated to parks in 1993, has been diverted by lawmakers to other purposes. But the report from the state auditor's office suggests that the Parks and Wildlife Department may have lost some potential entrance fee revenue because of inadequate financial controls. It said the agency should do a better job of calculating park visitation, improve park management and make its processes for estimating costs more consistent. "Auditors visited five state parks and one historic site and verified that repairs were needed, but we could not verify the accuracy of the department's cost estimates for those repairs," the report states. Cook took exception to the suggestion that the agency lost millions of dollars in entrance fees. He noted that visitation estimates dropped from more than 20 million in 2003 to less than 10 million in 2006, and at the same time receipts increased from $22.4 million to $33.1 million. "While there is a relationship between visitation estimates and revenue collected, there are many variables that come into play -- these variables include unpaid visits that take place after hours or in places we are not currently staffed to collect fees," he said in a prepared response to the report. "We believe that improving documentation of state park visitation will demonstrate that we did not 'lose' $16 million in potential entrance fees." Luke Metzger, director of Environment Texas, said the findings should not deter lawmakers from providing full funding for parks. His group and other parks advocates have called for reallocating all money from the sporting goods tax to Texas parks. That would lead to about a $90 million annual increase. But he noted House budget writers have included only about a quarter of that amount in the current version of spending legislation. Although the process is still in an early phase, he said the inclusion of only about $23 million in new money could portend a bad legislative session for Texas parks. "The report should be taken seriously, but it should not stand in the way of full funding for the agency and for our parks," he said. State Rep. Harvey Hilderbran, a Kerrville Republican pushing much of that legislation, said he has long supported more management controls for the agency. He said his House Bill 12, which is pending in committee, addresses many of the concerns raised in the audit report. He also said some problems cited by auditors are caused by a consistent lack of funding for the agency. "They have cut back operations hours, they have been suffering," he said. IN THE KNOW More park woes In a report issued Monday, the State Auditor's Office cites several findings about the operations of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department: The department lacks adequate controls to ensure that park visitation data and revenue reporting for individual state parks are accurate There are significant deficiencies in the department's budgeting process that hinder its ability to ensure that resources are allocated in a reasonable manner Financial control weaknesses have led the department to underestimate its revenue and to produce inaccurate financial reports The department "does not have an effective marketing strategy and tools to promote visitation." R.A. Dyer, 512-476-4294 rdyer@star-telegram.com http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/agency-lost-fees-inflated-visit-data2 Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/speaker-backs-restoration-of-funds By R.A. DYER http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/speaker-backs-restoration-of-funds Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/land-purchased-for-conservation City is spending taxpayer funds to shield tracts from being developed http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/land-purchased-for-conservation Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/despite-not-winning-governors-mansions-environmentalists-pleased-with-results In Dallas and Houston, air quality an issue. By Asher Price Although their gubernatorial candidate, Democrat Chris Bell, failed to pull out a win Tuesday, Texas environmental groups had a lot to cheer about after the election. In races across the state, air quality and parks issues appeared to grab voters' attention, establishing some political momentum before the Legislature returns to business. Proposals to build 17 coal-fired power plants, which threaten to worsen air quality in the state, and the state's unwillingness to legislate against tailpipe emissions appeared to play into some elections. In a Dallas-area race, Allen Vaught defeated incumbent Republican Rep. Bill Keffer, who had supported accelerating the review of the proposed power plants. Bell managed to carry Dallas County, where voters seemed to respond to a television advertisement run late in the campaign targeting the coal plant proposals. In the race to represent part of Houston in the Texas House, Democrat Ellen Cohen defeated incumbent Republican Martha Wong, who was deemed one of the Toxic Twenty by a local newspaper for voting against legislative attempts to address Houston's air quality problems: In one recent 10-day stretch, the city had eight high ozone days for bad air quality. "We talked about the environment; it's one of the district's concerns," Cohen said. "One of the biggest issues here is about emissions, especially from cars and trucks, and what's being put in the air by the (petrochemical) plants." The League of Conservation Voters also counted wins in Corpus Christi, where Democrat Juan Garcia unseated Republican Rep. Gene Seaman in a race that touched on coastal conservation, and in Travis County, where Democrat Valinda Bolton defeated Republican Bill Welch in a district where land development and water quality issues are at play. "I'm very pleased," said Colin Leyden, executive director of the Texas League of Conservation Voters. Voters in Austin, Houston, Dallas, Irving, Williamson County, Rosenberg, Bee Cave and West University Place approved more than $623 million in bonds to preserve open space, buy park land and overhaul recreational facilities. "Parks and recreation won big on the ballot," Environment Texas Director Luke Metzger said. "At a time when many parks are suffering and natural areas are quickly being eaten up by sprawl, millions of Texans put their money where their mouth is and made a big investment in green spaces, water quality, playgrounds, bike trails and in our overall quality of life." asherprice@statesman.com; 445-3643 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/despite-not-winning-governors-mansions-environmentalists-pleased-with-results Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/central-texas-supports-texas-parks Bonds in support of Texas Parks rake in the votes on election day. Voters in the Austin and surrounding areas played a big part in helping approve millions of dollars to improve and build area parks, recreation and green space. Luke Metzger, Director of Environment in Texas, says the propositions passed in Austin, Bee Caves and Williamson County are a start to help conserve area parks. http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/central-texas-supports-texas-parks Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/surplus-likely-to-be-4_3-billion By JOHN MORITZ http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/surplus-likely-to-be-4_3-billion Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/details-of-eagle-mountain-lake-park-deal-uncertain By MAX B. BAKER and R.A. DYER Driving around the borders of the proposed Eagle Mountain Lake park, Dave Hooper sees a small group of white-tailed deer feeding in the high grass. On other tours, usually at daybreak or dusk, he has seen foxes, coyotes and wild turkeys. "There even have been reports of eagles out here," said Hooper, who grew up playing on the shores of Eagle Mountain Lake. "It's a nice place to start and end the day, even as you drive past the sign that says, 'Keep Out.'" If all goes as was promised last week, that sign may be coming down, and Hooper may be able to walk across the 400-acre site. Gov. Rick Perry last week announced an agreement by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to sell the land for use as a local park. A lot of questions still swirl around the complicated land transaction, however. Details have not been released on exactly how much will be paid for the property and who is donating the money, when the park could be opened and what amenities it might contain, and how many natural gas wells are likely to be drilled on the site. There is a pervasive fear as well, particularly with the political winds swirling around Perry's announcement, that the deal will fall apart. "It's hard to express concerns about a real estate transaction we don't know anything about at this point," said Hooper, who is president of Save Eagle Mountain Lake, a nonprofit group that has been lobbying for the park for years. White knight? Perry announced late last week that the undeveloped state parkland would be sold to local authorities and developed as a park. The governor said proceeds from the sale would be used to buy land for a bigger regional state park, presumably an unidentified 5,000-acre property in Palo Pinto County. The state bought the Eagle Mountain land in 1980 for $3.8 million. The deal is being pulled together by the Trust for Public Land, a San Francisco-based nonprofit group that specializes in developing parkland through public-private partnerships. In addition to about $3 million contributed by the water district and Tarrant County to buy the land, the group reportedly is expected to get donations from TXU, AT&T and others. Sources familiar with the sale say the price is about $10 million. Previously the water district offered $10.5 million for the land with its mineral rights. Later it offered $2 million for just the surface rights. A real estate appraiser knowledgeable of land sales in the area surrounding Eagle Mountain Lake said the $10 million price tag seemed reasonable. But the letter of intent from the Trust for Public Land outlining the deal remains private. The selling price remains private. The possible contributions of corporate donors remain undisclosed. A spokesman for the group said the letter includes private details, such as a discussion of time limits for coming up with the money. James Sharp, a spokesman for the trust, said that the group's mission is to conserve green space -- but that it's ultimately up to the government agencies to work in good faith to help make it happen. "Eagle Mountain Lake is a perfect example of how we work with communities," Sharp said. "As an independent nonprofit, one of the ways we work in the marketplace is we can work with some confidentiality. ... We prefer to work with confidentiality before the terms are finalized, and [so far] the terms are not definite." The Texas General Land Office has also declined to release the letter and has indicated that it will seek an attorney general's opinion on whether it should release the letter as requested by the Star-Telegram under the Texas open records law. "We've got negotiations to do, and there is a dollar amount in [the letter]," said Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, explaining the decision by his office to withhold the information. Patterson said it could take up to six months to complete the transaction. He and others familiar with the negotiations said one of the options has always been to get a public trust -- a white knight -- to buy the property for a park. The other option was to sell portions for development and retain some of it as green space. Joseph Fitzsimons, chairman of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission, is confident that the deal will get done. Fitzsimons said he asked the Trust for Public Land to take the lead because he believed that the group's entrepreneurial spirit was a perfect match for such a complicated purchase. "These guys are pros. They would not submit a letter of intent if they weren't confident they could close the transaction," he said. Wells and wild turkeys While there are not yet any formal plans, officials envision the land at Eagle Mountain Lake as a day park with hiking trails, bathroom facilities, picnic areas and open spaces for visitors to view wildlife. The $1 million pledged by the county four years ago was for acquisition and development, and the county may consider increasing it, Tarrant County Administrator G.K. Maenius said. The water district may also boost the $2 million it has committed to the project. Jim Lane, a water board member, said the first thing the district may have to do is hold public hearings throughout Tarrant County to allow taxpayers to comment about how the land should be used. Some people wonder whether the wildlife, and the visitors who go there, can peacefully co-exist with the natural gas wells that are also planned for the site. State park officials said that there are already two wells on the land -- one is completed, the other just got under way -- and that another four to five pad sites could be added. Apparently as much as 10 acres could be set aside for natural gas exploration. Depending on what is needed after the drilling rig is gone, the well sites could be designed so that they are not intrusive, said Ted Hollingsworth, senior project manager in the state parks department's land conservation program. "The vast majority of existing rigs on our properties -- after the drilling is completed -- end up with a simple Christmas tree to a set of valves and small tank battery," Hollingsworth said. "There are ways to minimize the impacts." Vic Henderson, president of the Tarrant Regional Water District board and a petroleum engineer, said they can strike a balance. "I feel they can co-exist, especially with the type of park that is being anticipated," Henderson said. While he would rather not have wells on the parkland, Hooper said it's better than having no park at all. He is also somewhat concerned that the deal could come undone if the criteria hinge on the amount of money to be paid. "Is the biggest amount of money always the best for the taxpayer?" Hooper asked. Luke Metzger, an activist with Environment Texas, has been critical of the state's dealings with regards to Eagle Mountain Lake. But he said that in this instance he understands the need for confidentiality. He noted that the Trust for Public Land has an excellent track record of working with government agencies and the private sector to preserve land for conservation use. "I would give them the benefit of the doubt -- a lot of these negotiations need to be kept confidential," Metzger said. "And this is state business [so eventually] we should be able to see the deal ... and any questionable environmental impacts, and those kinds of details, need to come out." http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/details-of-eagle-mountain-lake-park-deal-uncertain Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/perry-pushed-for-tarrant-county-parks-land-auction By R.A. DYER STAR-TELEGRAM AUSTIN BUREAU AUSTIN -- Gov. Rick Perry's office worked aggressively behind the scenes to facilitate the auction of 400 acres of state parkland in Tarrant County to the highest bidder -- despite growing outcry over the loss of Texas parks -- according to documents obtained by the Star-Telegram. While publicly distancing itself from the dealings, the governor's office appears to have privately pushed for an auction that would guarantee that only one-fourth of the property remained green space, according to e-mails and documents obtained through the state's open-records law. The governor's proposal would also set aside several gas well drilling sites on the 400 acres, according to the documents. The property is at Eagle Mountain Lake, just northwest of Fort Worth, and has become the subject of intense interest by several residential developers. "This is a terrible deal for Texas parks," said Luke Metzger, an advocate with the Austin-based Environment Texas. "Clearly, the governor's office is talking out of both sides of the mouth -- on the one hand, Governor Perry says he wants to create a world-class parks system, but then behind closed doors he's pushing to develop and drill this natural treasure." A spokeswoman for Perry has said that the governor wants the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the General Land Office to come up with a plan for the property that best suits the state's needs. She denied that the governor's office pushed any plan or made any recommendations for the site. "We're monitoring the situation," spokeswoman Kathy Walt said. Park problems Perry and Texas lawmakers have come under fire for shortchanging the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, which in recent years has reduced park operations, ordered staff layoffs, and contended with inoperable or deteriorating equipment. Under Perry's tenure, state spending on parks has gone down while state spending overall has gone up. Perry has also signed off on budgets that redirected tens of millions of dollars away from the parks department to other state agencies. At the same time, the land at Eagle Mountain Lake has remained undeveloped, the result of pervasive budget shortfalls, agency officials say. The parks department bought the 400 acres at Eagle Mountain Lake in 1980. But in late December, after the state land office declared it an unused state resource, Perry's office authorized its sale. As a condition, Perry's office stipulated that the parks department retain proceeds from the sale and the mineral rights. Beyond that, whether to go forward with any deal was up to Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, said representatives for both the governor's and Patterson's offices. "He [Patterson] makes those decisions," Walt said. She made similar assertions in an Aug. 22 article in the Star-Telegram. But in a June 9 e-mail to a political supporter, Patterson said "the final decision on the property will be made by the governor." In the same e-mail, Patterson wrote, "I hope to have the governor's decision by summer's end, and we could paper the deal very quickly after that." In another e-mail, a staffer in Patterson's office writes: "Expect a call from ... an attorney in the governor's office, who is trying to put together the terms and conditions under which this property could be offered at a bid sale." In a June 5 e-mail, land office Asset Manager Hal Croft describes a phone call he received from an attorney in the governor's office. "She called to discuss some plans 'they' have for the disposition of Eagle Mt. Lake. They being the Governor Office, however it is clear that they have been talking with [the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department]," Croft wrote. The "plans" he described in that e-mail would set aside 100 acres for a conservation easement and reserve several sites for natural gas drilling. At least one well already operates on the park property. "She [the attorney from the governor's office] said they would like a sealed bid sale on the tract," Croft wrote. He concluded with a plea for assistance. "Help, I need some direction!" On June 12, another land office staffer reports "almost daily calls" from the governor's office. Walt, the Perry representative, said the governor's office wanted to clarify how a bid sale on the property would proceed. She said the transaction described in several e-mails did not reflect official proposals from Perry or his staffers, but rather an attempt to monitor ongoing proceedings at the land office. "It was not an idea being pushed by the governor's office. I don't know where it originated. I don't know if the proposal had been made by an outside party," Walt said. Croft also discouraged reading too much into the e-mails. He likened the involvement of the governor's office to that of any other interested party. "We received many phone calls from people who have given us their opinion," he said. A spokesman for Patterson -- who was out of the country Tuesday -- said the land office operates independently from the governor's office. Land unused The land office spokesman also noted that selling the Eagle Mountain Lake acreage made sense because it had remained unused for more than 25 years and that the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department could use the proceeds to buy more parkland elsewhere. But Metzger, of Environment Texas, calls that argument disingenuous. He said there would have been plenty of money to develop the land if lawmakers had not diverted tax dollars originally dedicated to Texas parks. "We've seen the tremendous public support for parks over the last few months. Texans want more, not less, parkland," Metzger said. "The money is available to protect existing parks and create new ones. We don't need to make this kind of shady deal." The correspondence also illustrates aggressive behind-the-scenes interest from several developers. At one point, land office staffers appeared to have become flummoxed by an apparently unexpected $250,000 earnest money check sent to the agency by Fort Worth's Mira Vista Development Corp. In a May 24 letter, Mira Vista Vice President Thomas Nezworski urged land office staffers to "proceed with an actual sale in a timely manner in 2006 so as to preserve the maximum value of this asset." The company also sent a $10 million purchase contract, according to the e-mail. The check was returned to the developer. Nezworski could not be reached for comment. Lobbyist Jay Stewart also said he contacted the parks department, the land office and state lawmakers about the Eagle Mountain Lake site on behalf of Southlake developer Terry Wilkerson. Stewart works for the lobby firm of former U.S. Rep. Kent Hance, who is also registered as a lobbyist for Wilkerson's development firm. "We hope there is an open process and that this property is put up for the good of parks and wildlife and the state and it's put up for honest bid," Stewart said. Walt, the Perry spokeswoman, said she did not know whether the governor's office had been contacted by lobbyists or developers interested in the property. Further complicating matters is a July 13 letter from parks commission Director Joseph Fitzsimons in which he asks Patterson to delay any transaction for 120 days. Fitzsimons, a Perry appointee, said he wants to use the time to pursue a deal that could lead to the preservation of the property as a park. However, the 120-day moratorium, which Patterson approved, will delay any deal until the week after the Nov. 7 gubernatorial election. Both Fitzsimons and Perry's office said the timing is coincidental. "One hundred and twenty days is a normal study period, but it may take less time than that," Walt said. TIMELINE 1980: The state buys 400.7 acres on the west side of Farm Road 1220, just northwest of Fort Worth, for $3.9 million. But citing a lack of funding, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department never develops the land. September 2005: Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson declares the property as an unused state resource and recommends its sale. "With 2.5 miles of waterfront, there has been much interest in this property for many years," the General Land Office states in a report. Dec. 19, 2005: Gov Rick Perry's office authorizes the sale of the property, but stipulates that proceeds be deposited with the parks department and that the state retain the mineral rights. June 5, 2006: An attorney for the governor's office outlines a proposal under which the property would be sold to the highest bidder, according to internal e-mail correspondence at the land office. June 9, 2006: Patterson writes in an e-mail that "the final decision on the property will be made by the governor." June 12, 2006: A staffer at the land office reports getting "almost daily calls" from the governor's office "to start putting together the conditions of the sale." July 13, 2006: State Rep. Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth, holds a town-hall meeting in which he expresses support for preserving all 400 acres as parkland. Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission Chairman Joseph Fitzsimons, requests a 120-day delay on any sale of the property. Aug. 28, 2006: The governor's office distances Perry from any proposed deal on the Eagle Mountain Lake site, saying Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson has the final word. "The General Land Office is the agency that's responsible," Perry spokeswoman Kathy Walt says. SOURCES: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas General Land Office and Star-Telegram archives. R.A. Dyer, 512-476-4294 rdyer@star-telegram.com http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/perry-pushed-for-tarrant-county-parks-land-auction Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/lets-create-a-world-class-parks-network AUSTIN - From the desert wilderness of Big Bend Ranch to the red cliffs of Palo Duro Canyon, our parks system is a big part of what makes Texas special. Our parks help protect drinking water supplies and wildlife habitat, 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 under serious neglect in recent years. Shamefully ranked 49th in the nation in per-capita spending on state parks, the Legislature has let Texas state parks go without even the minimal support needed to maintain them. Budget cuts have forced the agency 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 to a private developer in order to raise additional funds. In July, the TPWD announced that new proposed budget cuts would mean the agency would have no choice but to close 18 state parks. The public outcry over the state of our parks has created considerable momentum for increased funding in the next Legislative session, which convenes in January 2007. However, our parks need more than stop-gap measures to prevent further closures. In 2001 Texas Tech University researchers found that with only 52 acres of state parks per 1,000 Texans, and far fewer near the state's major cities, "the current acreage available for outdoor recreation does not meet demand," a situation which only would worsen as our population continues its dramatic growth. They 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 and the lower Rio Grande Valley. The department further recommended expanding 14 existing state parks. By the time the Legislature convenes next year, the department will be halfway into its 10-year plan, yet none of the new parks have been created or expanded. As the Legislature considers parks funding issues in the 2007 Legislative session, they should make sure not to just patch the holes in the system but also 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 support for creating these parks. Seventy-seven percent of Texans polled in a Texas Tech study 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 due to development, many of our most unique and vulnerable natural areas are at risk. Endangered ecoregions 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 all 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 statewide citizens' advocacy organization based in Austin. http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/lets-create-a-world-class-parks-network Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/a-parks-system-worthy-of-texas 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 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/a-parks-system-worthy-of-texas Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/texas-deserves-a-world-class-parks-system From the desert wilderness of Big Bend Ranch to McKinney Falls State Park in Austin, our parks system is a big part of what makes Texas special. Our parks help protect drinking water supplies and wildlife habitat, 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 a billion dollars in economic activity for local communities. Sadly, this great resource has suffered from serious neglect in recent years. Texas is ranked 49th in the nation in per-capita spending on state parks. The Legislature has let the parks go without even the minimal support needed to maintain them. Years of budget cuts forced the agency 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 to a developer to raise money. In July, the parks department announced that new proposed budget cuts would mean the agency would have no choice but to close 18 parks. The public outcry about the state of our parks has created considerable momentum for increased funding in the next Legislative session in January. However, our parks need more than stop-gap measures to prevent further closures. In 2001, Texas Tech University researchers found that with only 52 acres of state parks per 1,000 Texans, and far fewer near the state's major cities — Austin has 17.5 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. They also warned that "efforts to conserve and restore biologically sustainable habitats in each of the eco-regions 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 5,000-acre parks within 90 minutes of each of the state's major cities and the lower Rio Grande Valley. The department further recommended expanding 14 state parks, including Bastrop, Enchanted Rock and Pedernales Falls state parks. By the time the Legislature convenes next year, the department will be halfway into its 10-year plan, yet none of the new parks has been created, nor has any park been expanded. As the Legislature considers parks funding in the 2007 session, it should make sure not to just patch the holes in the system, but also fund an ambitious park acquisition program that keeps up with the needs of our growing population and protects the many natural areas threatened by 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 parks: 77 percent of Texans polled in a Texas Tech study 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 to development every hour in Texas, many of our unique and most vulnerable natural areas are at risk. Endangered eco-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 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. Metzger is with Environment Texas in Austin at www.EnvironmentTexas.org. http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/texas-deserves-a-world-class-parks-system Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/years-of-budget-cuts-have-badly-damaged-texas-parks AUSTIN - From the desert wilderness of Big Bend Ranch to the beaches of Mustang Island State Park, our parks system is a big part of what makes Texas special. Our parks help protect water supplies and wildlife habitat, 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 roughly $1 billion or more in economic activity for local communities. Sadly, this great resource has suffered under serious neglect in recent years. Shamefully ranked 49th in the nation in per-capita spending on state parks, the Legislature has let Texas state parks go without even the minimal support needed to maintain them. Years of budget cuts have forced the agency to lay off dozens of park rangers, close campgrounds, cut hours of operation and even consider selling part of Big Bend Ranch State Park to a private developer to raise funds. In July, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) announced that new proposed budget cuts would mean the agency would have no choice but to close 18 state parks. The public outcry has created momentum for increased funding in the next legislative session in January. However, our parks need more than stop-gap measures to prevent further closures. In 2001, Texas Tech University researchers found that with only 52 acres of state parks per 1,000 Texans, and far fewer near the state's major cities, "the current acreage available for outdoor recreation does not meet demand," a situation which would only worsen as our population continues to grow. TPWD 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 and the lower Rio Grande Valley. The Department also recommended expanding 14 existing parks. By the time 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 legislators consider state park funding issues, they should make sure not to just patch the holes in the system, but also fund an ambitious park acquisition program that keeps up with the needs of our growing population and properly protects the many Texas natural areas threatened with development. With land prices continuing to rise, it is myopic to put off these investments any longer. There's widespread support for creating these new parks. Some 77 percent of Texans polled in a Texas Tech study 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 due to development, many of our most unique and vulnerable natural areas are at risk. Endangered eco-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 all 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 statewide citizens' advocacy organization based in Austin. http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/years-of-budget-cuts-have-badly-damaged-texas-parks Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/fish-and-wildlife-service-announces-wildlife-refuge-in-ne-texas Associated Press http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/fish-and-wildlife-service-announces-wildlife-refuge-in-ne-texas Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/editorial-river-refuge Officials should act quickly to protect stretch of Neches from submersion under proposed reservoir As the Neches River winds through 38 miles of East Texas bottomland and forest in Anderson and Cherokee Counties, it nurtures a ecological wonderland. It's an irreplaceable habitat for plants and animals, and provides recreational assets for hunting, fishing and camping within easy driving distance of Houston. Unfortunately, a plan to shield the natural treasures of the Neches with a 25,000-acre federal wildlife refuge has collided head-on with the aims of regional planners to build a similar size impoundment, Fastrill Reservoir, as part of a series of projects to guarantee future water supplies for Dallas and North Texas. If the lake is built, the waters would submerge most of the proposed refuge, impairing the flow of the Neches south through the Big Thicket. The federal plan would preserve important wintering habitat for mallard and wood ducks, as well as a large number of other wildlife and plant species, including endangered bald eagle and the red-cockaded woodpecker. The land for the refuge would be purchased from willing property owners. The reservoir process would use eminent domain to forcibly take parcels. An unusual coalition of environmentalists, local residents and timber company operators is campaigning to save the river. They argue that there is enough water from existing reservoirs to meet North Texas needs until the year 2060, and the Fastrill project would not even come on line until 2045. Jim Thompson, the chairman of the Northeast Texas Water Planning Group and an executive of Ward Timber Ltd., told the Chronicle "any benefit we might get in terms of water is outweighed by the harm to our economy." Another area resident, Max Shumate, questioned "why I should lose my heritage so that Dallas can have St.Augustine lawns." The head of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Dale Hall, is scheduled to announce early next month whether plans for the refuge, under consideration since 1988, will move forward. Luke Metzger, a spokesman for Austin-based Environment Texas, urges those in favor of protecting the river to make their opinions known to Hall as well as the state's two U.S. senators, Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn. An adequate future water supply for North Texas can be achieved without drowning the ecosystem of the Neches as well as damaging a local economy increasingly geared to parks and recreational activities as well as timber. Federal officials should heed the calls of concerned Texans and grant refuge to the endangered river.   http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/editorial-river-refuge Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/austins-fall-bond-vote-already-taking-shape http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/austins-fall-bond-vote-already-taking-shape Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/metzger-our-natural-areas-are-at-risk From the swimming holes of the Hill Country to the barrier islands http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/metzger-our-natural-areas-are-at-risk Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/commissioners-vote-against-industrial-park-at-caddo-lake-refuge The Harrison County Commissioners Court voted 3-2 today against creating an industrial park on land intended for protection in the Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge. http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/commissioners-vote-against-industrial-park-at-caddo-lake-refuge Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/texas-parks-in-harms-way BY DANIEL MOTTOLA http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/texas-parks-in-harms-way Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/groups-look-for-park-spending Environmentalists say Texas facilities at risk, lack fundsFebruary 24,2006Elizabeth Pierson The Monitor AUSTIN — Environmental groups on Thursday called for the Legislature to spend more money on state parks, including those in the Rio Grande Valley.The urgency came the day Environment Texas released a report, Texas Natural Areas at Risk, that lists Padre Island and state parks in general as being at risk."It is time for our elected officials to invest in Texas’ natural heritage and to provide the planning and resources we need to preserve Texas for future generations," said Luke Metzger, advocate for Environment Texas.Specifically, the groups are asking the Legislature to raise or entirely do away with the cap that limits Texas Parks and Wildlife to $32 million in revenue from a portion of the sales tax on sporting goods.The Legislature designated the tax for Parks and Wildlife in 1993 and implemented the $32 million cap in 1995. The state collected more than $100 million from the tax last year, and environmental groups want more of that to go toward Texas’ ailing park system, said Beth McDonald, president of Texans for State Parks.On Dec. 1, the agency made at least its third round of job cuts in four years, slashing 39 occupied positions and 34 vacant ones. Hours and services were cut back at many of the system’s 120 state parks."If something is not done and done quickly, we’ll be losing parks," McDonald said.A bill that would raise the cap to $85 million was filed in 2005 but did not make it out of committee. Metzger said some lawmakers have since been more receptive to lifting the cap, having been jolted into the seriousness of the problem when parks cut services last year."A lot of legislators have been saying they didn’t realize the extent of the problem," he said.Lifting the cap would bring in more money, but Parks and Wildlife also needs the Legislature to appropriate the money it gets up to the cap, said Walt Dabney, director of state parks for the agency.For the 2006-07 biennium, the agency was appropriated just $21 million a year, he said. Of that, about $16 million will go to state parks, and the other $5 million to cities and counties for local park grants."The reality is parks are in serious trouble," Dabney said. "Unless you own your own ranch, the parks are what most Texans have to go to."The report was released at a news conference in Austin in which environmental groups called for the City Council to buy environmentally sensitive land before it is developed. http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/groups-look-for-park-spending Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/editorial-the-agenda-for-the-new-year-and-beyond In 2000, we wrote about the trade-offs that would be necessary for http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/editorial-the-agenda-for-the-new-year-and-beyond Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/travels-out-of-dallas---caddo-lake By Lucy Jones, WFAA-TV http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/travels-out-of-dallas---caddo-lake Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/senator-backs-putting-off-christmas-mountains-sale AUSTIN -- Opposition continued mounting Thursday to state Land http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/senator-backs-putting-off-christmas-mountains-sale Tue, 29 Jan 2008 15:39:51 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/craddick-orders-review-of-land-offices-power-to-buy-sell-property AUSTIN -- Jerry Patterson's General Land Office will come under http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/craddick-orders-review-of-land-offices-power-to-buy-sell-property Tue, 29 Jan 2008 15:41:09 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/feds-suggest-christmas-land-go-to-big-bend AUSTIN — The Christmas Mountains in West Texas could be donated to Big Bend National Park and permanently managed as a backcountry area, the National Park Service says in a formal proposal to state officials. The 9,270-acre parcel should go to Big Bend at no cost, the proposal states, because the property was purchased and given to the state of Texas 17 years ago with an understanding that it would end up with either the National Park Service or the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department if the state lost interest in managing it. The future of the property turned contentious last year after Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson proposed selling it to private individuals as long as they guaranteed public access. The School Land Board, on which Patterson serves, delayed action on private bids for the property last fall to give the National Park Service time to make its pitch. "The National Park Service has submitted a well-thought-out document. It will take some time to review and seek additional information," Patterson said Friday. The Virginia-based Conservation Fund gave the land to Texas in 1991 after buying it with a grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation. The National Park Service "is the only viable option" if state officials decide they don't want to manage the tract, Conservation Fund President and CEO Larry Selzer said. It would be more efficient for the state to transfer the land to the parks service, he said, but the organization would consider buying the property a second time and donating it again. "In spite of the fact that we have already acquired this property once for conservation, we believe it's important enough to maintain the integrity of this donation for the future of Texas ... and for the future of this magnificent piece of land, that we would be prepared to step forward," Selzer said. The School Land Board will meet Tuesday to consider two private bids for the mountainous land, which has a mile-long border with Big Bend National Park. The Christmas Mountains property near Terlingua does not have any legal access to it. An easement that the Conservation Fund placed on it when donating the land to the state prohibits new road construction and utilities. The only building allowed is a caretaker's cabin. Those restrictions make the property difficult to manage, Patterson said, who believes private individuals could be worthy stewards. Patterson declined to speculate on the board's likely reaction to the park proposal and competing bids from the private sector. The board will discuss the National Park Service plan on Tuesday but cannot take action because it's not included on the meeting agenda. "Right now, there are a lot of wheels turning out there on this issue and a lot of loose ends to consider," Patterson said. "My goal is to select the option that provides the best perpetual public access and the best stewardship for this property. There are several ways to do that." State Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, who has taken a keen interest in the property, said it makes sense to honor the Conservation Fund's original intent by such a transfer, since the state has no financial investment in the land. "It just so happens that it fits better in the plan of the National Park Service and the Big Bend," he said. "I would urge these decision-makers to do the right thing and put this to rest and on a winning note." Patterson has been reluctant to allow the property to end up in the national park system unless hunting and firearms are allowed. Federal rules prohibit hunting in national parks. "Hunting would require special legislation to establish the Christmas Mountains as a preserve," according to the National Park Service proposal, which also says the land contains between 46 and 61 deer and only a small number of harvestable bucks. More than 10,000 Texans have signed a petition to Patterson's office protesting sale of the land to an individual, said Luke Metzger, director of Environment Texas, which supports the National Parks Service plan. The agency offers interpretative services, archeologists, search and rescue capabilities and other professional assets, Metzger said. "Hands down, it's the best proposal," he said. gscharrer@express-news.net http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/feds-suggest-christmas-land-go-to-big-bend Thu, 07 Feb 2008 21:55:08 -0600