31 Tex. Admin. Code § 59.64 - Classification and Guidelines
(a) State
Parks. State Parks are areas of natural or scenic character, often containing
historical, archeological, ecological, or geological values selectively
developed to provide resource-oriented recreational opportunities.
(1) Selection.
(A) State Parks should be areas possessing
natural or scenic values, that are adaptable to both active and passive
recreational development and use;
(B) State Parks should be located to help
meet the priority recreational needs of Texans, or where outstanding natural
values of statewide significance create a substantial recreation demand;
and
(C) State Parks should provide
recreational opportunities capable of attracting significant visitation on a
regional or statewide basis.
(D)
New acquisitions should normally include a minimum of 500 acres of land, but
may include less in the case of an extraordinary recreational resource of
statewide significance.
(2) Development.
(A) State Parks should be developed to
optimize recreational opportunities afforded by the site and to provide for a
variety of facilities and activities while retaining the character of the
natural setting.
(B) Intensity of
development of a State Park should provide for the sustainability of the
resource.
(C) Recreation facilities
and supporting developments should be located and designed to minimize
disturbance to natural and cultural resources.
(3) Operation.
(A) Visitor information and interpretive
programs should be emphasized to provide the visitor with a more complete
understanding of park resources and meaningful recreational
experience.
(B) State Parks should
be operated in an economically efficient manner, with appropriate cost
recovery, while not compromising the natural or cultural resources or the
enjoyment thereof.
(4)
Use.
(A) State Parks should provide for a
variety of resource oriented recreation and public uses not detrimental to the
long term stewardship and conservation of the natural and cultural resources as
identified in the site management plan.
(B) State Parks may provide public hunting
opportunity when such use is not detrimental to the primary goals and
management of the area, and sound biological management, location, physical
conditions, safety and other uses permit.
(5) Management.
(A) Resources within State Parks should be
managed to provide the opportunity for a quality and appropriate recreational
experience while maintaining the natural, cultural and scenic features of the
park.
(B) Habitat management should
emphasize maintenance and restoration of natural communities, and natural
biodiversity.
(C) State Parks
should be managed, consistent with the site management plan, to address habitat
needs of indigenous flora and fauna including species and communities listed as
threatened or endangered or species of special concern as identified by
staff.
(b)
State Natural Areas. State Natural Areas are areas established for the
protection and stewardship of outstanding natural attributes of statewide
significance, which may be used in a sustainable manner for scientific
research, education, aesthetic enjoyment, and appropriate public use not
detrimental to the primary purposes.
(1)
Selection.
(A) State Natural Areas should
encompass examples of natural scenic beauty, natural communities, biological
features, sensitive areas, or geological formations of statewide significance,
or possess exceptional educational or scientific values.
(B) State Natural Areas should be large
enough to protect the integrity of the features being protected, with adequate
buffers to provide for public access and resource protection, and where
feasible, include sufficient area to provide for a wilderness-type
experience.
(C) New acquisitions
should be selected on a priority basis determined by statewide significance,
natural condition, and the degree to which the resource is
threatened.
(D) State Natural Areas
which duplicate the primary significance of a site presently preserved in
public ownership will receive a lower priority for acquisition than those types
of areas currently unrepresented in the public domain.
(2) Development.
(A) Development in State Natural Areas should
be low-density in nature and limited to that appropriate for adequate control
and sustainability of the resource, and for visitor access.
(B) Recreational development should be
provided only where it facilitates additional appreciation of the unique
resource and should not be detrimental to the natural environment nor encroach
upon, damage or impair the scenic or natural features concerned.
(3) Operation.
(A) State Natural Areas should be operated in
an economically efficient manner, emphasizing resource protection over public
use and revenue generation.
(B)
Visitor information and interpretation should be emphasized in State Natural
Areas to increase the visitor's understanding and appreciation of the resource
being preserved.
(4)
Use.
(A) State Natural Areas should
accommodate low impact, resource oriented recreation, not detrimental to the
continued preservation and stewardship of the natural and cultural features as
outlined in the site management plan.
(B) State Natural Areas may provide public
hunting opportunity when such use is not detrimental to the primary goals and
management of the area and as sound biological management, location, physical
conditions, safety and other uses permit.
(5) Management.
(A) State Natural Areas should be managed,
consistent with the site management plan, to insure the protection and
perpetuation of the scenic or outstanding natural features.
(B) Habitat management should emphasize
maintenance or restoration of natural communities and natural biodiversity,
consistent with the primary goals of the area.
(C) State Natural Areas should be managed,
consistent with the site management plan, to address habitat needs of
indigenous flora and fauna including species and communities listed as
threatened or endangered or species of special concern as identified by
staff.
(c)
State Historic Sites. State Historic Sites are areas established for the
preservation, interpretation and public enjoyment of prehistoric and historic
resources of statewide or national significance.
(1) Selection.
(A) State Historic Sites should have a
significant association with the broad history of the state as defined in Parks
and Wildlife Code, §§
13.005,
13.010,
13.011, and
13.301.
(B) The detailed selection criteria set out
in the Historic Sites and Restoration Program Policy Statement, Section III,
Acquisition Guidelines, as adopted by the Parks and Wildlife Commission, will
serve as the guiding policy for selection of State Historic Sites.
(2) Development.
(A) Development of recreational features at
State Historic Sites should only be provided when there is a demonstrated
demand for these facilities and/or when they facilitate additional appreciation
of the historic resource, and where such facilities and activities are not
detrimental to the overall historical significance of the site, and the natural
environment.
(B) The intensity of
recreational development at State Historic Sites should be within the carrying
capacity of the resource, and facility design and construction materials should
be tasteful and when feasible consistent with the character of the historical
feature.
(3) Operation.
(A) Preservation, interpretation,
restoration, and/or reconstruction activities at State Historic Sites should be
in accord with documented historical, archeological and architectural
information.
(B) The historical and
aesthetic integrity of a State Historic Site should be preserved, and
encroachments from conflicting uses or facilities should be avoided. Original
material and character-defining elements should not be obscured or destroyed to
facilitate interpretation, or promote visitor convenience except when
unavoidable to comply with rules or statutes pertaining to health, safety or
architectural barriers.
(C)
Interpretation of State Historic Sites should reflect the overall statewide
historical significance of the area.
(4) Use.
(A) State Historic Sites should provide for
sustainability and resource-oriented recreation or public uses that are not
detrimental to the long term stewardship of the cultural and natural
resources.
(B) State Historic Sites
may provide public hunting opportunity when such use is not detrimental to the
primary goals and management of the area and as sound biological management,
location, physical conditions, safety and other public uses permit.
(5) Management.
(A) State Historic Sites should be managed to
insure the continued conservation of significant cultural features.
(B) When natural resources are a significant
component of a State Historic Site, natural resource management should
emphasize maintenance and restoration of natural communities, and natural
biodiversity, consistent with the primary goals of the area.
(C) State Historic Sites should be managed,
consistent with the site management plan, to address habitat needs of
indigenous flora and fauna including species and communities listed as
threatened or endangered or species of special concern as identified by
staff.
(d)
State Park and Historic Sites. A State Park and Historic Site is an area
established for the preservation, interpretation and public enjoyment of
prehistoric and historic resources of statewide or national significance that
also offers substantial recreational opportunities for visitors.
(1) Selection. State Parks and Historic Sites
shall be designated by the Commission, using the criteria set forth in this
subsection:
(2) Development.
(A) Development of recreational features in a
State Parks and Historic Site should only be provided when there is a
demonstrated demand for these facilities and/or when they facilitate additional
appreciation of the historic resource, and where such facilities and activities
are not detrimental to the overall historical significance of the site, and the
natural environment.
(B) The
intensity of recreational development in a State Parks and Historic Site should
be within the carrying capacity of the resource. Facility design and
construction materials should be aesthetically pleasing, and when feasible
consistent with the character of the historical feature.
(3) Operation.
(A) Preservation, interpretation,
restoration, and/or reconstruction activities in a State Parks and Historic
Site should be in accord with documented historical, archeological and
architectural information.
(B) The
historical and aesthetic integrity of a in a State Parks and Historic Site
should be preserved, and encroachments from conflicting uses or facilities
should be avoided. Original material and character-defining elements should not
be obscured or destroyed to facilitate interpretation, or promote visitor
convenience except when unavoidable to comply with rules or statutes pertaining
to health, safety or architectural barriers.
(C) Interpretation in a State Parks and
Historic Site should reflect the significant cultural and natural resources of
the site.
(4) Use.
(A) A State Park and Historic Site should
provide for appropriate and sustainable resource oriented recreation or public
enjoyment that is not detrimental to the long term stewardship of the cultural
and natural resources.
(B) A State
Park and Historic Sites may provide public hunting opportunity when such use is
not detrimental to the primary goals and management of the area and as sound
biological management, location, physical conditions, safety and other public
uses permit.
(5)
Management.
(A) A State Park and Historic Site
should be managed to insure the continued conservation of significant cultural
features and natural resources.
(B)
Natural resource management in a State Parks and Historic Site should emphasize
maintenance and restoration of natural communities and biodiversity, consistent
with the primary goals of the area.
(C) A State Park and Historic Site should be
managed, in accordance with the site management plan, to address habitat needs
of indigenous flora and fauna, including species and communities listed as
threatened or endangered or species of special concern as identified by
staff.
Notes
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