Preserving Texas In the News
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Donated land near Big Bend for sale
- Fort Worth Star-Telegram (new window)
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9/3/2007 |
| 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. | |
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Sale of a Texas Wilderness Area Is Put Off
- New York Times (new window)
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9/19/2007 |
| A mountain wilderness given to Texas in 1991 and now put up for sale to a chorus of boos by conservationists was taken off the auction block on Tuesday in Austin, Tex., because of what the Texas General Land Office said was a mistake in the property map. Opponents hailed the glitch as a sign that the sale might still be halted. “I think it’s great news because it brings us two more months to rally public support,†said Luke Metzger, director of Environment Texas, an advocacy group. | |
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West Texas land sale halted by map error
- Houston Chronicle (new window)
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9/19/2007 |
| A technical mistake in a map marking the 9,270-acre Christmas Mountains that the state wants to sell in West Texas forced the State Land Board to reject all bids on Tuesday and to reopen the bidding process. More than 3,000 people, inspired largely by Environment Texas, have sent e-mail messages to Patterson, expressing opposition to the sale of the property near Big Bend National Park, and a couple of dozen showed up at the meeting to amplify their protest. The prevailing attitude: Texas does not have nearly enough public parks and wilderness area today and selling those 9,270 acres near Terlingua would harm future generations. | |
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Sale of donated land is delayed
- Fort Worth Star-Telegram (new window)
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9/19/2007 |
| The state will wait until closer to Christmas to complete its controversial sale of the pristine Christmas Mountains near Big Bend National Park to private interests. Luke Metzger, director of the advocacy group Environment Texas, said the state will have broken its promise if the sale goes through. "We had a deal," he said, referring to the understanding with the original donors that the land would remain in public hands. "Our good name is on the line here. By violating that trust, we're dishonoring the state of Texas and showing that we're not good for our word." | |
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New bids planned for Christmas Mountains
- Austin American-Statesman (new window)
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9/19/2007 |
| The State Land Board made no decision Tuesday on whether to sell the Christmas Mountains, citing an error in a map given to bidders. The map had part of the boundary wrong in the northwestern part of the 9,270 acres of the state-owned wilderness property near Big Bend National Park in West Texas. | |
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Some Not Happy About Sale Of Christmas Mountain
- KEYE CBS 42 (new window)
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9/17/2007 |
| 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. | |
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Fate of Christmas Mountains could be decided Tuesday
- Rio Grande Guardian (new window)
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9/17/2007 |
| 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. | |
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Details of Eagle Mountain Lake park deal uncertain
- Fort Worth Star-Telegram (new window)
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9/17/2006 |
| 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. | |
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State seeks sale of donated land
- San Antonio Express-News (new window)
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9/12/2007 |
| Luke Metzger, legislative director for Environment Texas, said the proposed sale defies the wishes of land donors "that the land be owned and operated for the benefit of the public for recreation and hunting." "We think it sets a bad example for other donors who now might think twice before donating," Metzger said. "Because it's clear that there's no sanctity in their donation." | |
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A parks system worthy of Texas
- Fort Worth Star-Telegram (new window)
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8/7/2006 |
| 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. | |
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Texas deserves a world-class parks system
- Austin American Statesman (new window)
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8/4/2006 |
| 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. | |
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Perry pushed for Tarrant County parks land auction
- Fort Worth Star-Telegram (new window)
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8/30/2006 |
| 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. | |
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Years of budget cuts have badly damaged Texas parks
- Corpus Christi Caller-Times (new window)
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8/3/2006 |
| 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. | |
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Let's create a world-class parks network
- Amarillo Globe News (new window)
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8/14/2006 |
| 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. | |
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Fish and Wildlife service announces wildlife refuge in NE Texas
- For Worth Star-Telegram (new window)
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6/13/2006 |
| The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Monday that it has approved establishing a new national wildlife refuge in northeast Texas in an area where some wanted to build a reservoir to provide water for the Dallas-Fort Worth area. | |
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PARKS FUNDING INCREASE GETS APPROVAL IN THE HOUSE
- KUT NPR News (new window)
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5/3/2007 |
| A bill that would dramatically increase funding for state parks has received initial approval in the Texas House. The issue figured prominently in last year’s governor’s race and has been a priority for some lawmakers during the current legislative session. The bill would give parks about 80-million dollars a year MORE than the current budget. But it’s up to state budget writers, and not the parks bill as to how much parks will get. — Ben Philpott | |
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Bill triples funding for parks
- Fort Worth Star-Telegram (new window)
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5/29/2007 |
| "After decades of neglect, the Legislature has put our parks on the path back to excellence," said Luke Metzger in a news release. "The additional funds will allow the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to rehire park rangers, re-open campgrounds, repair decaying facilities, and acquire sensitive lands to create new state parks." | |
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Editorial: River Refuge
- Houston Chronicle (new window)
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5/28/2006 |
| Federal officials should heed the calls of concerned Texans and grant refuge to the endangered river. | |
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Struggling parks may get a big break
- Fort Worth Star-Telegram (new window)
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5/18/2007 |
| Parks advocate Luke Metzger, director of Environment Texas, said it appeared increasingly unlikely that lawmakers were going to lift that tax cap, although he said the overall spending boost for parks should come as good news. “It’s great to have an increase [in parks spending], but if we don’t have anything to guarantee a permanent funding stream, we could be back where we were two years from now if they slash the budget again,†Metzger said. | |
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Austin's fall bond vote already taking shape
- Austin American-Statesman (new window)
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5/17/2006 |
| It may seem too early to talk about the November election just days after a snarly May vote. But the Austin City Council will soon determine what — and how much — makes up the bond package that is slated for the November ballot. Public hearings are scheduled for Thursday and May 25 at 6 p.m. at City Hall. | |
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Bills seek to end revenue diversions
- Fort Worth Star-Telegram (new window)
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4/8/2007 |
| Case in point: fees generated when nature-loving Texans cough up an extra $30 to buy a specialty "conservation" license plate, such as those honoring the horned lizard (commonly known as the horned toad). The profit from the sales of those plates was supposed to fund parks programs. But in recent years the Legislature has only given the parks a fraction of the money raised. The raids have come at a time when the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, struggling with chronic funding shortages and crumbling infrastructure, needs cash more than ever. When the Star-Telegram reported on the diversion last year, it sparked indignation from park enthusiasts. "People were trying to do the right thing by paying a little extra," said Luke Metzger, director of Environment Texas, which advocates a massive financial rescue of the parks system. "To have that money shifted away to other purposes was outrageous." | |
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Metzger: Our natural areas are at risk
- Commentary in the Austin American-Statesman (new window)
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3/7/2006 |
| From the swimming holes of the Hill Country to the barrier islands of the Gulf of Mexico, our natural areas are a big part of what makes Texas special. | |
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The State Parks Express Rolls Into The Brazos Valley
- KBTX (new window)
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3/30/2007 |
| 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. | |
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Texas parks experiencing a funding crunch
- News 8 Austin (new window)
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3/28/2007 |
| The "State Parks Express" RV rolled through Austin Tuesday morning, on a mission to spread the word about the state park funding crisis. | |
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Land sale money not budgeted for new park
- Fort Worth Star-Telegram (new window)
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3/27/2007 |
| AUSTIN -- Money from the proposed sale of state parkland at Eagle Mountain Lake would not go to acquire a regional park near the Metroplex but would instead be directed to park maintenance under key legislation pending in the Texas House that at this point includes no new funds for parks. "We can and must do better than this," said Luke Metzger, director of Environment Texas. | |
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Agency lost fees, inflated visit data
- Fort Worth Star-Telegram (new window)
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3/20/2007 |
| 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. | |
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Agency lost fees, inflated visit data
- Fort Worth Star-Telegram (new window)
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3/20/2007 |
| 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. | |
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Commissioners Vote Against Industrial Park at Caddo Lake Refuge
- TexasInsider.org (new window)
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3/1/2006 |
| 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. | |
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Texas Parks in Harm's Way
- The Austin Chronicle (new window)
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3/1/2006 |
| The ability to escape from our daily routines, to seek peace of mind and reconnect with nature – whether at Austin's Barton Springs or in a park at the far reaches of the state – is a privilege that many Texans no doubt take for granted. | |
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State land board rejects private bids for Christmas Mountains
- Dallas Morning News (new window)
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2/6/2008 |
| AUSTIN – The state-owned Christmas Mountains won't be sold to a private bidder, land officials decided Tuesday, opening the door for a federal or state agency to acquire the embattled West Texas property. | |
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