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Patterson puts off Christmas proposal Special to the Avalanche AUSTIN - The School Land Board voted unanimously Tuesday afternoon not to accept either of the two private conservation bids for the Christmas Mountains. As a result, the Permanent School Fund retains ownership of the 9,269-acre tract in far West Texas. To comply with the Open Meetings Act, the board said it was unable to take action or discuss a proposed National Park Service management plan because it was received too late to place on the board agenda. Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson said the Park Service plan could be discussed at a future board meeting, pending further examination and clarification of the plan details. "We needed to resolve the issue of the two bidders that had money on the table," Patterson said. "With the question of private ownership resolved for now, we can now more fully explore the option of public ownership. And there is a lot to consider. But there are some things we can do in the meantime." After the board meeting, Patterson outlined steps he said he will pursue "to ensure better public access" no matter who owns the tract. Patterson directed his legal staff to create a permanent public easement between the Christmas Mountains tract and Big Bend National Park. This easement is expected to allow public access - in perpetuity - across the mile-long common border. It is expected to improve public access immediately and does not require board action. Patterson also said that private parties own 18 of the 19 miles of the property boundary. To access the one mile shared with the national park requires a four-hour hike. "Right now, Texans can't get to this property," he said. "I've made that four-hour hike, and believe me, the public deserves additional ways to get to the property, regardless of whether the state or federal government owns the land." Patterson said he pledged to work with members of Congress for a federal designation and appropriation for the Christmas Mountains that will provide for the long-term maintenance of the property while allowing public hunting and compliance with state firearms laws. Patterson reiterated that while the National Park Service generally does not allow hunting, other federal agencies - such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Forest Service - allow hunting. "Federal ownership and hunting in the Christmas Mountains are not mutually exclusive," Patterson said. "It is possible to do both. We will explore all options at the federal level." Fort Davis honored, out-of-towner selling: Seguin man will sell to whoever meets his demands mikeperry@alpineavalanche.com National Trust honors Fort Davis; ceremony Saturday Avalanche staff Patterson puts off Christmas proposal Special to the Avalanche Analysys: Second in a series Avalanche staff mikeperry@alpineavalanche.com Highlights of the National Park Service's proposal € Facilities that are currently functional and in at least occasional use include an antenna system on the south peak, a rugged service road to the antenna site and several roads entering the property from Terlingua Ranch. |
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