TP&W Seeks Input From Public
On Outdoor Needs For Future

AUSTIN — What does the public want the outdoors to be like in 10 years? The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is looking for input on the future outdoor recreation and resource conservation needs of Texas during a statewide series of upcoming public meetings.

The discussions during these meetings will help guide the formation of a comprehensive plan to address those needs, a plan that is now available in draft form for public review. Last year, the 77th Texas Legislature directed TPWD to prepare a Land and Water Resources Conservation and Recreation Plan to guide the agency over the next 10 years in conserving natural and historic resources and providing public access to the outdoors.

"This plan will emphasize outdoor recreation access issues with a focus on the major urban centers," said TPWD Executive Director Robert L. Cook. "It will establish conservation priorities for all parts of the state," he said. "It will address water conservation and it will set forth our agenda in water. We haven't had anything like this. This will be 'the' TPWD plan."

The plan is also shaping up to be the most comprehensive overview ever compiled of what Texas has and lacks in natural, historical, wildlife and outdoor recreational resources. In March, TPWD staff completed an inventory of all lands and waters in Texas and an analysis that identifies gaps and overlaps of resources across the state. TPWD will focus its conservation and recreation efforts based on population needs and conservation goals.

While the scientific input and analysis for the plan is in full swing to meet statutory deadlines for implementation, (the plan must be adopted by the Parks and Wildlife Commission by Oct. 15), Cook says public participation will be encouraged and necessary. TPWD held constituency meetings to review and revise a preliminary outline for the plan. Now, officials want the public to get involved in the process.

The draft Land and Water Resources Conservation and Recreation Plan contains four major categories and addresses issues and objectives for each area. They include:

1. TPWD's Roles Based on the Legislative Mandates, Mission and Demonstrated Needs of the State. In this section, the plan seeks to identify TPWD's roles as they relate to constituents, state and local parks, wildlife management areas, cultural and historic preservation, water conservation and recreation, and private lands.

2. Inventory Analyses. These sections address the conservation needs for wildlife habitat in each ecological region of the state, the recreational needs of major metropolitan areas, the cultural and historic needs statewide and water needs as they relate to natural resources and outdoor recreation.

3. Needs and Priorities. These sections will help guide TPWD in increasing access for areas of the state that lack outdoor recreation opportunities and in addressing conservation priorities.

4. Strategies and Goals. These sections will provide TPWD with direction to meet the needs and priorities identified in the plan.

Following are the dates and locations for public meetings to review the plan. All meetings are set for 7 p.m.

Abilene: July 30 at the Taylor County Courthouse Commissioners Courtroom (2nd Floor), 300 Oak St.

Amarillo, July 31 at the Santa Fe Building, first Floor, 900 S. Polk St.

Austin: Aug. 7 at TPWD Headquarters, Commissioners Hearing Room, 4200 Smith School Road.

Dallas/Fort Worth: July 9 at the Collin County Junior College (Plano campus) Conference Center, 2800 E. Spring Creek Parkway.

El Paso: July 17 at the City Chamber Room, 2 Civic Center Plaza.

Harlingen: July 16 at the Harlingen Cultural Arts Center, 76th Drive.

Houston: Aug. 6 at the Humble Civic Center, 8233 Will Clayton Parkway.

Nacogdoches: July 10 at the Nacogdoches County Courthouse District Courtroom, second floor), 101 W. Main.