[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6496547,"mediaKeyId","5613713-0285414647cea0e3a1a6d83ff7b6606c","parentId",5613713,"title","Commission approves disposition of 1.9 acres at Boca Chica State Park to SpaceX despite strong public opposition","audioSeconds",185,"startMs",4826521,"endMs",5012000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5613713-0285414647cea0e3a1a6d83ff7b6606c&start=4826&end=5012","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5613713-0285414647cea0e3a1a6d83ff7b6606c/thumbnail_4826521.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6496547/Texas/Commission-approves-disposition-of-19-acres-at-Boca-Chica-State-Park-to-SpaceX-despite-strong-public-opposition","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6496547-840988d219aae32c99e0651d55c820e3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143636&Signature=mlc~--HmFS1OAZdttxfnT7Yobe57Dm3f0~vX7HzIRHjUyKyP7NFBm0ABt-RnLdEygqf~9NQw2HYfkZYa68pIYW-xk4oFv9EE~4AJtKv1lULuJFqGK2grgimkZ1Pv0PvptJ4VgodjO0vXlBReB8~hq0aZTTu1kovzv1gm2hnYjH05Qmmy2GxnGBNkqdPwi6ZHzwH0qKnN2kYlA2ZxMhPuOIuWVUzP3giimpDiyfdH~KW6BWoWi1yBL4bdPba4y4TCX1l~g0zP58Yc~wB-hx3g23As7QvAu4NlxmQNtugKw59EByJdn1Hro5Uok0sqvJgunI~hIpglL4so9rkyVdvzlg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Texas Wildlife Services","date","2025-08-21T15:40:02.277Z","article","The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission voted Aug. 21 to authorize the executive director to dispose of four noncontiguous lots totaling approximately 1.9 acres at Boca Chica State Park to Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX), after hearing public comment opposing the action.

Trey Vick, with the department's Land Conservation Program, told commissioners the four lots are scattered within an existing subdivision near the park and that staff determined the parcels offer minimal conservation or recreational potential and could create user conflicts if retained for public recreation. Staff said SpaceX had requested the parcels to expand operations near its launch facilities and described the parcels as nonadjacent and of limited public use.

Staff reported receiving 266 written responses by the morning of the meeting: six in agreement and 260 opposed. Two speakers addressed the commission during the public comment portion before the vote. John Trahan, who said he lives near the area, described Boca Chica State Park as a \"special place\" and said the pattern of repeated land requests by SpaceX had led to concern among residents and conservation advocates. Molly Smith said she opposed the disposition and asked the commission to halt further land transfers to SpaceX until existing alleged violations and environmental harms are addressed; she listed concerns including impacts on endangered species, lighting and noise, and potential wastewater discharges into sensitive wetlands.

The motion to approve the disposition carried on a voice vote. Commissioners did not provide a roll-call vote in the transcript; the motion was recorded as passing after the voice vote.

Why it matters: Boca Chica State Park is in Cameron County at the tip of Texas and sits in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, a region the department and scientists describe as important habitat for wintering waterfowl and migratory birds. The parcels proposed for disposition are inside an existing subdivision near SpaceX facilities; public commenters argued the transfers further reduce public access and erode environmental protections in an area already affected by facility operations.

What staff said: Trey Vick presented maps showing holdings and the scattered lots proposed for disposition. Staff noted that the lots lie within a developed subdivision and that use as parkland could create user conflicts with residents. The department acquired Boca Chica State Park in 1994 and leased it to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service until February 2023, staff said.

Public concerns: Commenters and speakers emphasized a pattern of incremental land transfers and growing private control around launch infrastructure. They urged that the commission pause dispositions until enforcement and mitigation of previously identified impacts are addressed by relevant agencies. The written comment tally (266 responses) shows overwhelming written opposition by number; staff summarized those counts during the presentation.

What comes next: The commission authorized the executive director to complete the disposition; the transcript does not record implementation steps or timeline. Several public comments requested strengthened monitoring and enforcement by TPWD and other regulators before further land transfers.

Ending: The commission completed the agenda and adjourned at 10:29 a.m.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Commission Meeting 9:00am, Thur., August 21, 2025.","oneSentenceSummary","The commission authorized the department to dispose of four noncontiguous lots totaling about 1.9 acres at Boca Chica State Park to SpaceX. Staff described the parcels as having minimal conservation or recreation value; public commenters urged the commission to halt further land giveaways and cited environmental and access concerns.","taxTitle","Texas Wildlife Services, Departments and Agencies, Executive, Texas","taxId",37799,"location","Texas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6496552,"Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopts FY 2026 budget, approves executive director pay increase and multiple land and easement actions",869,3931741,4800801,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5613713-0285414647cea0e3a1a6d83ff7b6606c&start=3931&end=4800","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5613713-0285414647cea0e3a1a6d83ff7b6606c/thumbnail_3931741.jpg","/articles/6496552/Texas/Texas-Parks-and-Wildlife-Commission-adopts-FY-2026-budget-approves-executive-director-pay-increase-and-multiple-land-and-easement-actions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6496552-003248e18a78edbb0b18a9ee04a9087f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143636&Signature=DStOWqwjzbN7uh6dzvS7k~wA2FQyooyBEdrULB1fHhbJSPsHZD72H8saFRpkx4TwpqQKk5ONfhXxj8Z-~gSzIoAbfm11NycJ5U65qy0nRGfr5ZazJ6GdVrLwp3zKZWFmnWRwS1OTrsmQ2DVv5~gHAizrqYkKJ9St1D6XYc-sDyI3O8GRPwcow9VakVB-0CQlk2lZ-fWUwL-zv9n0Lab0Knj9jY4GtTe-fzN2iPIdojqKYDTctfojKLaLeYT6pWuKF2Up-InFpRLxQ7SNDFhyfcTpg4NsJk2bJC~5SiCWmrlSDPMbf6m9s-S~B0TXUrle8wTXuLYm1lRcoJRDne5mCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission on Aug. 21 approved the department's proposed FY 2026 operating and capital budget, raised the executive director's salary, adopted an internal audit plan, and authorized a series of land easements and acquisitions.

The commission voted to authorize the executive director to expend funds in accordance with the FY 2026 operating and capital budget exhibits described in staff materials. Chief Financial Officer Reggie Pegues told the commission the proposed base budget derived from the General Appropriations Act totaled $659,800,000, with salaries accounting for $269.4 million (roughly 40.8 percent) and capital at $110 million. Pegues said general revenue and sporting-goods sales tax make up the largest share (about 58 percent) of the proposed budget.

In a separate vote, the commission approved retaining 100 percent of boat registration, titling and related fees collected during FY 2026 in fund 9; staff said projected cash balances meant no transfer of up to 15 percent of those fees to the parks account would be necessary this fiscal year. The commission also approved the biennial state park list and change procedures for reporting to the next legislature.

The commission approved an executive director compensation update presented by Jada Lohala, director of human resources. Staff said the General Appropriations Act sets a statutory maximum of $299,813 for the position; the commission approved raising the executive director's salary from $236,953 to a proposed $268,230 per year, effective Sept. 1, 2025. Staff reported eight public comments on that item: two in agreement and six expressing various forms of disagreement (reasons included calls to raise salaries across the agency, divert funds to programs, or concern that the increase was too large).

The commission also approved the department's FY 2026 internal audit plan. Brandy Meeks, the department's chief auditor, outlined carryover audits and new proposed assurance engagements including audits of friends groups, fuel charges, selected state parks and cybersecurity-related reviews.

On rules, the commission adopted changes to implement Senate Bill 1247, which consolidated several nonresident hunting license types into two statutory license options (a nonresident general hunting license and a nonresident five-day hunting license). Chris Cerny, business analyst for the wildlife division, told commissioners the department sold roughly 31,000 nonresident general hunting licenses and about 40,000 five-day licenses in each of the last two license years; the three license types eliminated by the statute totaled roughly 10,000 sales per year combined. Cerny said the fiscal note for the legislation estimated approximately $1 million in additional revenue depending on purchaser behavior.

The commission approved several land-related and easement actions presented by land program staff. Items approved included:
- A request to grant Kinder Morgan an approximately 27.7-acre pipeline easement (about 4.5 miles of 42-inch natural gas pipeline) across the J.D. Murphy Wildlife Management Area in Jefferson County; staff received seven public responses (one in agreement, six opposed). Whitney Gann presented the request and staff recommended approval.
- Authorization to acquire approximately 2 acres near the new Post Oak Ridge State Park in Burnet County to provide housing for park operations; staff reported 13 public responses (11 in agreement, two opposed).
- Authorization to acquire approximately 37 acres adjacent to the Albert and Bessie Kronkowski State Natural Area in Bandera County, a purchase staff said would protect a view shed and add recreation opportunities; staff reported 14 responses (13 in agreement, one opposed).
- A request to grant Aqua Water Supply Corporation an approximately 6-acre waterline easement across Bastrop State Park to replace an aging 12-inch water line; staff reported 22 responses (18 in agreement, four opposed).
- Approval of disposition of four noncontiguous lots totaling about 1.9 acres at Boca Chica State Park (see separate article), after public comment.

All of the items above were presented with staff recommendations and carried by voice votes during the meeting. Where public comment was solicited in writing, staff summarized counts in their presentations and noted the nature of the responses.

Why it matters: the FY 2026 budget and the decisions on fees, parks list and capital allocations will govern department operations, staffing and capital projects for the coming year. The salary action changes the executive director's compensation within the statutory maximum and was taken after staff summarized public input. Land easements and property dispositions affect public access and conservation holdings across multiple coastal and inland sites.

What commissioners said: Vice Chair Oliver Bell and other commissioners spoke in favor of advancing the budget and compensation items citing competitiveness and performance; the meeting transcript records the motions and seconds and voice votes approving the items.

What comes next: staff said any adjustments to the state park list will be incorporated in next biennium reporting and that federal apportionments and supplemental funding could alter final federal fund amounts during the year. Departments will proceed with the approved easements, acquisitions and disposals as authorized.

Ending: The commission completed the business on the published agenda and adjourned at 10:29 a.m.","The commission approved a $659.8 million FY 2026 operating and capital budget, raised the executive director's salary, adopted an internal audit plan, implemented regulatory changes to nonresident hunting licenses required by legislation and approved several land easements and acquisitions.","actionData","errors"]

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Commission approves disposition of 1.9 acres at Boca Chica State Park to SpaceX despite strong public opposition

Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopts FY 2026 budget, approves executive director pay increase and multiple land and easement actions