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Brazos River Authority to convey 175 acres near Possum Kingdom to City of Graham for green space with reversion protections
Summary
The BRA board approved conveyance of about 175 acres north of Possum Kingdom Reservoir to the City of Graham for environmental and recreational use, reserving mineral rights and a perpetual inundation easement and including automatic reverter clauses to protect the authority's mission.
The Brazos River Authority on Friday authorized the general manager/CEO to negotiate and execute an agreement to convey approximately 175 acres north of Possum Kingdom Reservoir to the City of Graham for environmental and public recreational use.
Randall McCartney, regional lake operations manager, described the parcels (approximately 175 acres total) and showed photos and FEMA flood maps indicating the land lies in the 100‑year floodplain; he said the creek that runs through the property inundated the adjacent ballfields and park during a recent flood. McCartney said the authority will reserve mineral rights and a perpetual inundation easement and that the conveyance will include automatic reverter clauses to protect BRA’s mission.
The nut graf: The city of Graham intends to maintain the parcels as green space, wildlife management areas and passive recreation (trails); by agreement the city will pay survey and closing costs, and the BRA will retain specific reservations and reverter language so the land can return to BRA ownership if it is used outside the agreed public‑recreation purpose.
Eric Garrity, City Manager of Graham, told the board the city is “united with BRA in preserving, protecting, and sustainably managing this area” and said the city’s wastewater plant proximity and regular presence at the site make the city “better suited to manage this area and deal with some of the issues.” Garrity confirmed the city plans walking and bike trails, wildlife management and green‑space uses.
Directors asked whether the agreement would allow future development or above‑ground utilities. McCartney and legal counsel explained multiple reverter clauses will return the property to BRA if the city ceases to use the land for the agreed environmental and public recreational purposes or constructs non‑allowed structures; staff said they will not allow above‑ground utilities at this time and that the city’s utilities currently end at Salt Creek.
The resolution authorizes conveyance to the city “so long as the city of Graham maintains ownership of the tracks and only utilizes the tracks for environmental and public recreational purposes.” The motion, made by Director Huber and seconded by Director Henderson, passed on a voice/roll call vote with directors present voting yes.
