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TPWD chairman directs phased park-opening policy, seeks clarity on Centennial Fund approvals
Summary
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department staff were asked to return with a formal phased opening policy for newly acquired parks and clarification on what information the Legislative Budget Board requires to approve Centennial Park Conservation Fund disbursements.
Chairman Hildebrand asked Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) staff to draft a formal policy that would set timelines for phased openings of newly acquired parks and clarify Centennial Parks Conservation Fund approval requirements.
David Joskowitz, TPWD executive director, briefed commissioners on land and water program activities and budget items. Following that presentation, Chairman Hildebrand outlined specific staged opening targets and directed staff to return in May with a written policy for commission adoption. Hildebrand asked that newly acquired parks be opened for limited public use within 12 months of closing, for day use within 18 months, and fully opened within 48 months, and that the department post each park’s phase on its website so the public can see when activities (for example, guided hunts or scout events) will be allowed.
Joskowitz told the commission that the department must seek Legislative Budget Board (LBB) approval any time it intends to pull monies from the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund for land acquisition or park build‑out, and that TPWD is requesting clearer guidance from the LBB about the content and data required for those requests so the approvals process will be smoother. Commissioner Rolling asked whether the commission’s approvals at TPWD would precede LBB review; Joskowitz confirmed that the commission first approves projects internally, and that the LBB review follows.
Commissioners emphasized accountability and timetables. Hildebrand said the department should “hold ourselves accountable for the follow through” and requested annual progress reports to the commission on whether staff are meeting, exceeding, or falling behind the adopted timelines. Commissioner Bell and others supported the direction and the request that staff return in May with the written policy for adoption.
The discussion followed staff remarks on TPWD’s recent acquisition activity and the governor and legislature’s support for expanding public lands. No formal vote on the policy was recorded at the work session; chairman’s direction was to place the drafted policy for commission consideration at the May meeting.
