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COASTAL L. vCENTER or Ian I V". St Summar ":'i- yp" t@' l@@ f 1*1 GV 3 and Wildlife DePartment 191.42 nSiVe Planning Branch .T4 T42 utdo Re rest 1975 TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE COMMISMN PEARCE JOHNSON Chairman, Austin JOE K. FULTON Lubbock JACK R. STONE Wells BOB BURLESON Temple JOHN M. GREEN Beaumont LOUIS H. STUMBERG San Antonio CLAYTON T, GARRISON Executive Director State roperty of CS ibrary Summary A U S DEPARTMENT OF -COMMERC OAA COASTAL SERVICES CENTER conducted Bv: 2234 SOUTH HOBSON AVENUE CHARLESTON SC 29405-241 Charles L. Branton, Head consumer Planning section and James C. Riggs, Head Statewide Coordination section 7 With Staff Assistance From: Joel S. Seffel John T. Ruben James A. DeLoneY Richard H. McGinn John F. Moran, Jr. A Under Direction Of: Ron Thuma, Head Comprehensive Planning Branch Z, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Austin, Texas 4,1) December, 1975 C) C= OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR DOLPH BRISCOE STATE CAPITOL GOVERNOR AUSTIN, TEXAS 787,lrl Mr. James G. Watt Director Bureau of Outdoor Recreation Department of the Interior Washington D. C. 20240 Dear Mr. Watt: Outdoor recreation has long been an important element in the lives of Texans. In this respect, citizens of Texas are fortunate to live in a State endowed with abundant natural resources and blessed with a rich variety of recreational resources. In the future, dependence on these resources will increase as the demand for recreation opportunities continues to grow. The future holds many challenges for Texans. Among these, along with maintaining a viable economy and an agreeable standard of living, is the challenge of insuring that a sufficient quantity of diversified outdoor recreation opportunities is available for present and future generations of Texans. In accomplishing these ambitious goals, the importance of careful planning'for the wise use of the State's natural and fiscal resources is a matter of concern for all Texans. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has recognized its responsibility for -assuring that adequate land, water and facilities for recreation are available to every region of the State. The ten volume Texas Outdoor Recreation Plan will serve as a guide for action in providing needed recreation opportunities throughout the State. With the completion of this plan, an important new source of information is available for input into the comprehensive planning process. I am pleased to submit to you this volume of thelexas Outdoor Recreation Plan. Si e 1 P OE Go nor e E iP 1 ' I 0 Go *n0orf S tte of Texas DB/jc Table of CoNNOW1510 Title Page ............................................. 1 Letter of Transmittal ..................................... 2 'Table of Contents ....................................... 3 Acknowledgements ....................................... 4 Legal Authority ........................................ 6 Foreword ............................................. 6 Chapter 1 -Plan Overview and Summary ........................ 8 Chapter 2-Texas-A Perspective and Description ................. 19 Chapter 3-What Texas Has-Outdoor Recreation Opportunities ....... 28 Chapter 4- Recreation Demands Facing Texas ................... 38 Chapter 5-What Texas Needs-Additional Recreation Resources. . . - . .48 Chapter 6 -Recreation Problems and Special Considerations .......... 62 Chapter 7 -Recommendations and Priorities .................... 79 Chapter 8-Recommended Responsibilities ..................... 95 Chapter 9- Action Programs .............................. 109 Appendix-State Acquisition and Development Program Planned to be Accomplished by 1976 .......... 117 Acknowledgements 7@ Recognition is due a large number of federal agencies, state agencies, local. governments, institutions, organizations, and individuals without whose assistance and cooperation this plan would not have been possible. The following is a list of contributors to the development of the Texas Outdoor A Recreation Plan: Federal Agencies Agricultural Stabilization &Conservation Service M@ Bureau of Census Bureau of Land Management All' Bureau of Outdoor Recreation Bureau of Reclamation Environmental Protection Agency Nit Federal Aviation Agency National Aeronautics and Space Administration National Park Service National Weather Service Soil Conservation Service, USDA U.S. Army Corps of Engineers U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service U.S. Fisheries Service 4 U.S. Geologic Survey State Agencies Coastal Marine Council General Land Office Interagency Council o n Natural Resources and the Environment Office of The Governor, Budget and Planning Office ice University uston State University Sam Ho $ Texas Air Control Board Texas A&M University 4 Texas Agricultural Extention Service Consultants Texas Archeological Service Texas College Coordinating Board of Colleges, Universities Mr. Robert R.. Wilson, Consulting Economist Texas Department of Agriculture Dr. R. J. Freund, Texas A&M University at College Texas Department of Highways and Public Transportation Station Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Dr. Stanley R. Johnson, University of Missouri at Retardation Columbia Texas Education Agency Dr. Jack B. Ellis, York University, Ontario, Canada Texas Forest Service Dr. Jared E. Hazleton, University of Texas at Austin, Texas Health Data Institute Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs- Texas Historical Commission Texas Industrial Commission Recognition is due Mr. Ned Fritz of The Nature Texas Railroad Commission Conservancy, Texas Chapter; Professor W. Frank Blair of Texas Rehabilitation Center the University of Texas at Austin; and Professor Frederick Texas River Authorities R. Gehlbach of Baylor University for the data on urban and Texas Department of Health Resources rural natural areas. Texas Water Development Board Texas Water Quality Board Special recognition is due Mr. Paul Schlimper, Director, Texas Water Rights Commission Parks Division, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for his University of Houston administrative direction and support during various phases University of Texas at Austin: of the Texas Outdoor Recreation Plan. Bureau of Business Research Bureau of Economic Geology Members of the staff of the Comprehensive Planning Computation Center Branch who contributed substantially to this volume Population Research Center include William C. Morrow who supervised the development Population Research Center of data systems and programming involved in the Water Resources Institute development of the Plan and provided editorial review of Texas Water Districts this volume; Connie A. Lewis, present clerical supervisor and Robert B. Evans, former clerical supervisor, who Local-Regional Agencies supervised the clerical staff in compiling the data associated with this volume; Stephen R. Puckett who contributed to County Governments data systems and computer program development; Pat Wiles Municipal Governments and her assistants, Margaret Rochelle and Wallace W. Snell, Regional Councils of Governments who developed the layout, artwork, other graphics, and Texas Association of Counties coordinated printing arrangements; Auzie L. Blevins who Texas Municipal League assisted in review and comment on certain recommendations; Martha Davis who provided editorial assistance; and special thanks to the staff secretaries who Private Organizations typed thel many transcripts and the clerical staff who assisted in compiling the data. Citizens Environmental Coalition Chambers of Commerce Past members of the staff also deserve recognition. Dow Chemical, U.S.A. Foremost *of these is Mr. Ron Jones for his guidance during Gulf Universities Research Corporation various phases of the entire Texas Outdoor Recreation Plan. Houston Archeological Society Others include William Oden and Jim Melton who assisted Houston Hike and Bike in narrative development in the draft of this volume; and Houston Outdoor Nature Club James Barry who assisted in data systems and program Houston Power Squadron development. Houston Yacht Club Mitchell Energy and Development Corporation The preparation of this volume was financed in part National Audubon Society through a planning grant from the Land and Water Nature Conservancy, Texas Chapter Conservation Fund administered by the Bureau of Outdoor Sierra Club Recreation, U.S. Department of the Interior, and through Texas Natural Areas Survey Committee appropriations from the Texas Legislature. 5 Section 3 states that in order for other State or local agencies ... to obtain the benefits of any such programs (under the Land and Water Ilk Conservation Act of 1965), the Parks and Wi Idlife Department shall coordinate its activities with and represent the interests of all W@ agencies and political subdivisions of the State of Texas. . having interests in the planning, ;V4 J;L&4 I4W development, acquisition, operation, and maintenance of outdoor recreation resources i and facilities." -41VOIRP, Attorney General's Opinion No. C-518 issued September 30, 1965, supports the authority that the Department is the proper agency of this State t pim"J. ijl@ authorized to allocate funding and to carry out the State recreation planning requirements of the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund Act (Public Law Allink"M am M 88-578). tegal Auth%pr -all The above legislation and related guidelines have been adhered to both with regard to devplopment and implementation of the Texas Outdoor Recreation The development of the Texas Outdoor Recreation the proper ' departments of the Federal Plan. The various volumes of the Plan are based on a Plan is authorized by Article 6081r, V.T.C.S. Government and with all other departments of careful assessment of what was necessary to fulfill the (Chapter 112, Acts of the 59th Legislature, Regular the State and local governments ... in the provisions and intent of the planning requirements of Session, 1965.) enforcement and administration of the the legislation. Basically, two aspects were identif 'ied provisions of this act. . as necessary: (1 ) a careful determination of the type and quantity of resources necessary to meet the Section 1 of this Act designates the Texas Parks and Section 2 authorizes the Texas Parks and Wildlife State's recreation needs and, (2) assessment of steps Wildlife Department as Department needed to properly utilize resources. In summary, the Parks and Wildlife Department ... the State Agency to cooperate with the to prepare, maintain, and keep up-to-date a Federal Government in the administration of state-wide comprehensive plan for the serves as'the primary State Agency authorized to 1) the provisions of any federal assistance development of the . outdoor recreation coordinate, develop, and implement the:TexasOutdoo, programs for the planning, acquisition, resources of the State of Texas; to develop, Recreation Plan for the people of Texas and (2) operation, and development of the outdoor operate, and maintain outdoor areas and regulate the allocation of federal aid from the Land recreation resources of the State. . ." In facilities of the State and to acquire land, and Water Conservation Fund to all political addition, the Parks and Wildlife Department is waters, and interests in land and waters for such subdivisions of the State in accordance with the authorized and directed to cooperate with areas and facilities." priorities set forth in the Plan. A qu In recent years, the demand for outdoor recreation contained many recommendations for action. assume responsibility for the Taxal Outdoor opportunities has rapidly increased throughout Texas. Responding to the recommendations in the report, Recreation Plan. In accordance with this direction, Changes in factors such as population, urbanization, Congress and the President began enacting legislation the Department embarked on a continuing course of leisure time, buying power and recreational which expanded the outdoor recreation action designed to provide a strong, viable program to preferences have created a tremendous pressure on responsibilities in several federal agencies, created the guide outdoor recreation development in Texas. public agencies and private entities to provide more Bureau of Outdoor Recreation under the U.S. The first outdoor recreation plan for Texas was outdoor recreational opportunities. Faced with the Department of the Interior, and established the Land published in 1965, and marked the initial effort of increased demand, decision makers and planners in and Water Conservation Fund. the Department to provide a meaningful program and Texas have responded in a commendable manner, guidelines for Texas. Accepted and recognized by recognizing the requirement each of us has for The Land and Water Conservation Fund's intent was federal, state and local agencies, the Plan served to recreation in our everyday lives. to increase outdoor recreation opportunities for the guide outdoor recreation development in the state American people by providing matching grants for and certify Texas eligible to participate in the Land In 1958, an act of the Federal Government, (Public state and local land acquisition and development. In Law 85-478, 72 Stat. 238), created the Outdoor order for state and local governments to receive and Water Conservation Fund from 1965 until 1968. Recreation Resources Review Commission, charging benefits from the Fund, certain eligibility Under the provisions of the Land and Water it with the massive task of recommending courses of requirements had to be satisfied. One of these Conservation Fund Act, each state desiring to action to insure that the necessary outdoor recreation requirements was that each state must develop, participate in the program must update its plan opportunities are provided for the citizens of this maintain, and keep up-to-date a statewide periodically. In 1968, responding to this provision, country now and in the future. The result of the comprehensive outdoor recreation plan. In response and with experience gained in the initial planning Commission's work, a report entitled, Outdoor to this requirement, the 59th Texas Legislature effort, the Department issued an updated plan which Recreation in America, was published in 1962, and directed the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to extended Texas' eligibility to participate in the 6 funding program until 1972. However, in 1967 the resource requirements for metropolitan areas, cities, 0 Guide and assist recreational planning entities Department and the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation, and towns within each of the 37 planning regions. in the development of outdoor recreation plans after long and careful considerations, concluded that The volume also contains suggested recreational and programs at the state, regional and local more complete and accurate information and resource requirements for small communities with a levels. techniques were necessary to accomplish a further 1969 population from 200 to 2,499 and identifies 0 Provide an official state recreation plan that can refined and major updating of the Plan. The Bureau areas of special concern and associated problems in be used by non-recreational planning entities to agreed with Department proposals to conduct a more the urban areas. anticipate, identiiy, accommodate or integrate extensive program than had been conducted by any Volume IV, Outdoor Recreation in the Rural Areas the interests and resource needs of recreation, state at that time. Extensive statewide data collection within the scope and objectives of such efforts were undertaken and sophisticated analytical of Texas, analyzes outdoor recreation in areas having planning endeavors. a rural environment and in towns with less than 200 techniques developed to further refine the Plan. population in Texas. This volume contains specific 0 Provide a more effective guide for the data on existing recreation opportunities, Funds and other outdoor recreation resource These efforts are realized in the updated 1975 Texas allocation of Land and Water Conservation Outdoor Recreation Plan which consists of ten participation, and existing and future resource related funding programs in Texas. volumes as follows: requirements in each of the 37 planning regions. This 0 Strengthen the ability of all levels of 1. State Summary volume also identifies areas of special concern and 'government and the private sector to better II. Regional Summary associated problems in rural areas. coordinate, plan and provide quality outdoor Ill. Outdoor Recreation in the Urban Areas of Volume V, Outdoor Recreation on the Texas Gulf recreation opportunities for Texans and their Texas Coast, analyzes saltwater related outdoor recreation visitors now and in the future. IV. Outdoor Recreation in the Rural Areas of in both the urban and rural areas along the Gulf 0 Bring about the expansion of efforts to protect Texas Coast, defined as those seventeen counties contiguous and conserve those resources that have special V. Outdoor Recreation on the Texas Gulf Coast to the Gulf of Mexico or associated bays. This volume scenic, historic, scientific, educational or other VI. A Regional Environmental Analysis contains specific data on each county with respect to value to outdoor recreation. VII. Outdoor Recreation Activities existing saltwater related recreation opportunities, 1 0 Provide general information regarding the Vill. The Roles of the Public and Private Sectors participation, and resource requirements, and also characteristics of outdoor recreation in Texas. IX. A Statewide Recreation Information System identifies areas of special concern an -d associated The development of this Plan in itself cannot solve X. Techniques of Analysis problems along the Gulf Coast. the recreation problems facing Texas. In attaining the Although each volume of the Plan presents specific Volume VI, A Regional Environmental Analysis, Plan objectives, there are four major efforts that must information regarding various aspects ofoutdoor recre- focuses on the problems of conserving wildlife and be accomplished by decision-makers at all levels of ation in Texas, the Plan is organized into three parts: other recreational resources for. present and future government and the private sector: summary volumes, major volumes and volumes of an recreational use in the face of rapid urban and other 0 There must be sincere concern on the part of informational nature. The essence of the Plan is con- development. This study focuses on the B-county decision-makers in the public and private tained in the two summary volumes, the State Sum- Houston-Galveston Region, with appropriate findings sectors to meet this objective. mary and the Regional Summary. All users of the and recommendations projected statewide. Plan are urged to become familiar with these two 0 Adequate data and information must be volumes. Volume VI 1, Outdoor Recreation Activities, analyzes available to aid decision-makers in fully participation patterns and examines factors. understanding the alternatives available and the Major volumes include Volumes Ill, IV and V, which significantly influencing participation for the most long term effects of decisions affecting outdoor contain detailed statewide and regional analysis of the significant of the more than 70 recreational activities recreation. recreation opportunities, participation and resource identified in Texas. Factors such as participation by 0 Adequate funds must be available from all requirements of the urban areas, rural areas and Gulf the time of day, seasons of the year, distances levels of government and the private sector to Coast region of Texas. Also included is Volume VI travelled, expenditures of time and money, ability to insure that necessary recreation opportunities which addresses the problems of resource participate, and facility preferences are examined. are provided in a timely manner. conservation. Volume Vill, The Role of the Public and Private *The various government and private sector The informational volumes include Volumes VII, Sectors, compares the roles and influences of public entities should coordinate and cooperate if Vill, IX and X,which provide information relating to agencies and private entities in providing recreational the State's problems are to be solved. Better recreation activities, roles of the public and private opportunities for public use. coordination and cooperation in data gathering, sectors, and, an information system and planning Volume IX, A Statewide Recreation Information analysis, and implementation must be achieved. methodology. System, describes the functions of communication, The philosophy of the State of Texas toward A brief description of the content of each of these coordination, and cooperation with the framework of statewide planning for outdoor recreation should be ten volumes is presented below to help the user the statewide recreational planning process. This clearly understood. A plan is not a static document understand the Plan and more effectively utilize the volume also examines the data collection instruments but an ongoing process. Various pieces of technical respective volumes to address particular problems or and methodologies used in the past, and presents information are out-of-date by the, time they are needs. alternatives for future updates. Published; therefore, the document should be used as an aid in decision-making rather than a document Volume 1, the State Summary, summarizes the major Volume X, Techniques of-Analysis, describes the containing cookbook decisions for every elements of the other nine volumes of the Plan. This methodology us;d in the TORP to determine recrea- circumstance. Our society is dynamic and our volume c o n t a i n s broad i 6 fo r m a t ion, tional demand, recreation facility standards, oppor- problems are too specialized and complex to depend recommendations, and policy statements to guide the tunities, resource requirements, and recreation prior- solely on a static document to guide the development current and future development of outdoor ities in Texas. of our outdoor recreation resources. Evaluation of recreation resources in Texas. With this information and frame of reference in mind, projects for compliance with the State Plan will Volume 11, the Regional Summary, summarizes per- it is important to understand the goal and objectives consider this reality. tinent recreational planning data relevant to the rural of this Plan, the recreational planning philosophy of Upon completion and distribution of the PI an, the and urban areas of Texas, as provided in detail in the State, and the major efforts necessary in order for planning staff of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Volumes Ill and IV. This volume contains data on Texas to remain an enjoyable place to live, work and Department will continue working with various existing and future resource requirements, as well as recreate. government entities and the private sector in efforts data on existing resources with recreation Potential, The overall goal of the Texas Outdoor Recreation to insure that the Plan is kept up-to-date and useful. recommendations and priorities for each of the 37 Plan is to provide a framework to guide the allocation With the help of all levels of government and the planning regions. of outdoor recreation resources in Texas. Specific private sector, the people of Texas will continue to Volume Ill, Outdoor Recreation in the Urban Areas objectives of the Plan are to: have high quality environments in which to live, work of Texas, analyzes outdoor recreation in those areas and recreate. The staff of the Texas Parks and of Texas with an urban environment. This volume 0 Provide outdoor recreation data and Wildlife Department is dedicated to this end and contains specific data on existing recreation information on a statewide and regional basis to welcomes any constructive suggestions or comments opportunities, participation, and existing and future all levels of government and the private sector. pertaining to this effort. 7 PLAN DEVELOPMENT Chaptef I As mentioned above, the development of the Texas Outdoor Recreation Plan PLAN OVERVIEW AND SUMMARY required the collection and analysis of large amounts of data in order to. recognize and solve problems. While secondary sources of information, including records of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, other state agencies, federal agencies, and other sources of published data, can be used in many parts of the planning process, it was found that much primary data had to be collected on existing facilities, recreationists' activity preferences, participation, and a host of other items for which secondary data were not available. As a result, five extensive surveys were conducted. These included two surveys of demand, one a stratified random sample of households (15,125 interviews) from across the State during 1968 and 1969, and the other, of recreationists' participation at a :z sample of parks (7,801 interviews) Of through the State in 1970; and three surveys of outdoor recreation INTRODUCTION careful planning and the ability to resources (1969, 1971, and 1973). make wise resource allocation These data were tabulated, coded, and Texans have been exceptionally decisions become ever more critical. computerized for use in mathematical fortunate to have available a wide Recognizing this important fact the models which develop demand variety and abundant quantity of State of Texas has embarked on a projections, recreation resource natural resources.'However, in the last planning effort, the magnitude of requirements, and other information. decade the growth in population and which is unequaled by any similar prosperity in the State has been effort in any other state. The result of accompanied by a rapid expansion of this effort is the ten volume Texas The analyses of outdoor recreation for demand for natural resources and Outdoor Recreation Plan. The volumes the Texas Outdoor Recreation Plan are especially recreation resou rces. are designed to aid recreation planners organized on state and regional bases. Increased demand for outdoor and other professionals and often While the Governor's Office has recreation resources is reflected in exceed the planning requirements of delineated 21 State Planning Regions, attendance figures for nearly any the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation for it was felt that some of these areas recreation area in the country and in Texas' participation in the Land and were too large for realistic outdoor almost any series of tabulation of fees, Water Conservation Fund. This recreation planning. Theref ore, a equipment sales, or recreation travel. volume, State Summary, is designed decision was made to subdivide a As a result, Texas is faced with the for easy use by public officials, number of the State Planning Regions phenomenon of two opposing and citizens, or others who may not have into smaller units. The resulting rapidly diverging trends. Demand for time to read the entire plan. It breakdown of the State into 37 outdoor parks grows according to contains summarized information Outdoor Recreation Planning Regions, some conceivable ratio with the State's from the detailed analysis of 37 shown in figure 1-1 on the following population and concentration of the planning regions in the State regarding page, retains for the most part the citizenry. On the other hand, prime recreation opportunities, recreation i ntegrity of the State Planning space available for recreational demand, recreation resource Regions, but permits more detailed activities decreases. As the two requirements, recommendations and geographical analysis where needed. In demand variables expand, the need for priorities, and action programs. all the Outdoor Recreation Planning 8 w a t e r , a n d recreational facilities-which the public has access to. By ascribing units of measurement (e.g., number of to these resources campsites, miles of trails, square yards of designated freshwater swimming V areas), and then enumerating and evaluating the existing and planned resources in terms of how many of each type there are, where they are hen planned resources will located, w v, Z, be available, etc., it has been possible 7 and practical to assess the present and future recreation resource situation and patterns in Texas. Knowing the objective facts about the supply of J, _@Wl recreational opportunities in the State, 7 or the magnitude and allocation of Texas' recreation resources, has 7 -,qr,, `Ak allowed detailed analyses of supply and demand relationships of the A., State's overall pattern of recreation. Many of the 11.2 million residents of Texas and the 22 million annual visitors from other states often find themselves somewhat restricted in their potential recreational pursuits or i n their enjoyment o f activities actually participated in. This occurs because of a lack of available resources for the a c t i v i ti es th ey prefer, increasingly crowded conditions, the occasional i na bility of existing resources to support the needed level Relaxing Around the Campfire. For most Texans, outdoor of use, the poor quality of some recreation is an important component of their present lifestyles. existing resources, the inapplicability (Photo by Leory Williamson, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department) of certain of our existing resources to the needs of current user populations (especially with respect to the aged, those with low incomes, ethnic Regions, the counties are contiguous, recreation demands, and resou rce minorities, and those with disabilities), and most comprise more than a single requirements summary section. The and many other limiting factors which county. recommendations, priorities, and cause less participation than would responsibilities section and the action otherwise occur. PLAN SUMMARY programs section follow to conclude the overview of the volume. The State has a substantial quantity of This volume presents a synopsis of the recreation resources. Below, the reader entire ten volume Texas Outdoor OUTDOOR RECREATION will find a brief overview, or Recreation Plan. The following very OPPORTUNITIES IN TEXAS inventory, of the statewide supply of brief sections indicate some of the selected recreation resources in terms most important findings of the The present supply of recreational of the number of units which are research on Texas recreational patterns opportunities in Texas can be reported to exist in the State. Most of conducted to update the current Plan. described by the numbers, types, area the recreation lands are located in the These findings are presented at the sizes, and qualities of existing and western half of the state, quite far beginning of the recreation resources, planned recreational resources-land, from most of the State's population. 9 FIGURE 1-1. TEXAS OUTDOOR RECREATION ANALYTICAL PLANNING REGIONS -------------------L --------------------- 01 ---------- ----- 29 ----- - 20 21 ---22 16 10 For this reason, an accurate pattern of 404,330 square yards of swimming provided 6.3 acres per 1,000. the supply of recreational resources pools Today ' state parks have been cannot be represented by the numbers 2,165,948 square yards of designated increased , to provide a new of units alone; the spatial or geographic freshwater swimming areas average of 7.8 acres per 1,000. distribution must also be considered. Texas has no trails included in Keeping this in mind, the following the National Scenic Trails summation of the numbers of units OTHER RECREATION RESOURCES System. can be viewed in proper perspective. Texas with 80,000 miles of 1,100 roadside parks, turnouts, and rivers, streams, and bayous has rest areas no state or nationally designated RECREATION LAND RESOURCES 217 nationally registered historic, wild or scenic rivers. prehistoric, or archeological sites 0 Nearly 46 percent of the 24 approved national historic land- recreation land in Texas is in one More than 1.7 million acres of marks isolated 5 county region in far parkland 10 approved national natural land- West Texas. Approximately 702 miles of marks .0 Recreational lands in Texas are accessible Gulf Coast and bay 4,600 state identified historical and not developed to their optimum shoreline archeological sites potential, especially in the rural Approximately 67 million land 311 museums areas; statewide, only 8 percent acres, almost totally private, 44 federal and state areas for fish and is developed; very little area is periodically available for hunting. wildlife preservation, management, left for expansion in the urban or research, and an undetermined areas where 70 percent of the RECREATION WATER RESOURCES number of similar Private conserva- 62,524 acres is developed; only tion areas 5 percent of the recreational Over 1.1 million surface acres of lands on the Gulf Coast is major lakes and reservoirs Regional analyses of the resources developed. Approximately 80,000 miles of rivers, listed above led to the development of 0 Public entities administer 80 streams, and bayous many findings and conclusions with percent, or 3,594, and private Approximately 2.1 million surface respect to the existing supply of entities administer 20 percent, acres of saltwater *bays recreation resources in the State. Some or 910, of the 4,504 parks in the An estimated 2,264 miles of Gulf of the most significant of these State which are normally open Coast and bay shoreline findings are as follows to the general public for recreational purposes; 246 parks, RECREATION PAR KS AND STATEWIDE FINDINGS or 5 percent of the total number FACILITIES of parks . in the State, are 0 Texas had 24 Standard associated with saltwater along 4,504 designated parks and recreation Metropolitan Statistical Areas the Gulf Coast. areas containing the following facil- (SMSA'S) in 1970, more than & While 61 percent of the parks in ities: any state in the United States; Texas are located in urban areas, over 79 percent of the State's they comprise only 4 percent of 25,624 picnic tables 11.2 million population resides the State's total recreation lands. 297 football/soccer fields in urban areas, and the majority Nearly 80 percent of the State's 2,344 base bal I/softbal I fields in SMSA'S. However, 41 percent population resides in urban 2,593 golf course holes of the designated recreation land areas. 303 miles of horseback trails in Texas is farther than 200 0 Federal agencies own and 21,254 campsites miles from the nearest SMSA. administer only 6 percent of the 1,309 tennis courts 0 Only one percent of the State's total number of parks, but 75 609 basketball courts land area is designated for percent (1,294,258 acres) of the 3,530 acres of playgrounds outdoor recreation use. designated recreation land 114 miles of bicycle trails 0 Compared to other states, Texas acreages in the State. 744 miles of walk, hike, nature study ranks very low in terms of 0 The U.S. Army Corps of trails recreation land per capita. Engineers is the chief supplier of 1,036 boat-ramps with 1,651 lanes, 0 In 1967 the national average for water-based recreation in the 9,1112 boat slips and stal Is state park land acreages per State, administering 219 parks 49,135 linear yards of fishing piers, 1,000 population was 30.7; the (in 1973) with 85,357 acres of barges, and marinas same year, Texas state parks recreation lands associated with 11 over 523,000 surface acres of Many recent residential 85,471 for each golf course; water; 34,823 acres of Corps developments are conspicuously 45,148 for each trail; and 4,466 lands are developed. devoid of recreational amenities. for each toilet. � Forty percent (101) of the 254 0 Each acre of urban recreation counties in Texas administer land is shared by 179 urban OUTDOOR RECREATION DEMAND outdoor recreation areas. Only 5 residents (not including IN TEXAS counties had formally out-of-state visitors); each acre established parks or recreation of developed land area is shared Within recent years, the demand for departments in 1973. by 196 urban residents; each the - various types of outdoor � There are estimated to be only urban park is shared by 3,120 recreation has grown tremendously in 138 municipalities out of a total urban residents. Texas, and even larger increases are of 1,055 in the State which have predicted for the future. The reasons at least minimal supervision in RURAL FINDINGS for this enormous growth are varied their parks and recreational 0 Of the reported 1,762 rural and highly complex, but a number of areas; of these, only 61 parks in the State in 1973, 52 factors are generally agreed upon as municipalities are known to have percent were private, 48 percent the most important. These factors can formally established parks were public, 600 had designated be described in terms of four major and/or recreation departments; campsites, 595 had picnic sites, groups: demographic, socio-economic, 19 have park superintendents 356 had swimming facilities, 655 physical, and descriptive. Demographic and recreation superintendents; had fishing facilities; 803 had factors include population and size of 2 h a v e r e c r e a t i o n boating facilities, 67 had sport the city of residence. Socio-economic superintendents only; and 55 shooting areas, 245 had factors include household size, age of have park superintendents only. playgrounds, 220 had games and household head, and household sports, 131 had golf courses, 139 income. Physical factors are made up URBAN FINDINGS had trails, 344 had lodging of the availability of facilities and � Over 8,556,000 persons residing facilities, 350 had sanitary natural resources and environmental in the urban areas of Texas in facilities. characteristics and quality. Descriptive 1970 shared the 2,742 urban 0 Public agencies administer factors are those which indicate the parks which comprised 62,524 approximately 89 percent of the general tendency of a household to urban recreation land acres and 1,663,360 acres of recreation participate in outdoor activities, such 50,174 surface acres of water. land in the rural areas; private as investment in recreation equipment � While providing only 3.6 percent entities administer 11 percent. by a household, participation in of the State's total recreation 0 The State administers 5 percent, various outdoor activities, hours per lands, urban areas accounted for municipalities administer 3 week spent in outdoor recreation by a approximately 25 percent percent, and counties administer household, and preferences for various (43,621 acres) of the total 1 percent of the rural recreation activities. The complexity of the developed recreation land in the land acreages; the majority of motivating factors involved dictates a State (174,969). the land (78%) is administered need for accurate information and � Only about 4.8 percent of the by federal entities. careful attention to analysis and recreational water in the State is 0 More than 95 percent of the planning in the provision of outdoor associated with urban parks; 49 recreational freshwater in the recreational opportunities for Texans. percent of that water can be State is found in the rural areas. found in metropolitan areas; 0 There were 6,355 persons in the In order to learn more about the only 1 percent is accounted for State (not including persons demand for outdoor recreation in by the cities and 50 percent by from other states) for each rural Texas, the Texas Parks and Wildlife towns. park in 1973; 574 persons might Department conducted two extensive � Private entities administered have had to share each campsite; demand surveys during the period about 6 percent of the number there were 875 people for each 1968/1970. The objective was to of urban parks and over 8 picnic table, 91 persons for each discover not only the extent of percent of the land acreages in square yard of swimming pool, demand for various activities, but a urban areas. 16 persons for each square yard great deal of other information, such � Most urban recreation facilities of designated freshwater as socio-economic factors with regard were located near the cores of swimming area, 11,414 person to recreation, distance traveled to the State's metropolitan areas for each boat ramp; 167,115 for recreate, expenditures on recreation, while an acute paucity generally each sport shooting area, 26 , 596 seasonality of participation, characterized growth areas. for each acre of playground; preferences of the public with regard 12 to facilities and natural areas and amount of total participation in As the distance to a recreation detailed participation patterns. Much 1968/1970 were Regions 25 facility of natural resource of this data was also incorporated into (Houston), 11 (Dallas), 10 (Fort increases, participation normally two econometric models used to Worth), and 16 (San Antonio). decreases; an increase in the p r oject recreation participation 0 All activities are expected to number of facilities available through the year 2000. The ultimate increase in participation between tends to cause increases in result was a vast store of knowledge 1968/1970 and 2000, reaching a participation. about recreation in Texas. Among the total of 1,131 million days by most significant findings of these 1980 and 2,736 million days by URBAN FINDINGS efforts were the following: 2000, increases of 110 and 412 0 Total participation occurring in percent over 1968/1970 the urban areas of Texas in STATEWIDE FINDINGS participation. 1968/1970 was 358 million 0 The top five activities in activity days. � A total of 538 million activity 1968/1970 were, in order, 0 The five most popular urban days took place in 1968/1970, swimming, driving for pleasure, activities in 1968/1970 were of which 65 percent occurred in bicycling, fishing, and walking swimming, driving for pleasure, urban areas and 35 percent in for pleasure and in 2000 are bicycling, walking for pleasure, rural areas. expected to be swimming, and child's play. � Fifty-seven percent of all bicycling, walking for pleasure, 0 Fifty-four percent of the urban outdoor recreation participation picnicking, and child's play. households in the State in Texas occurred on land and 0 An increase in population participated in some form of 43 percent on or in the growth in Texas of 59 percent outdoor recreation in the urban immediate vicinity of water. from 1970 to 2000 is expected areas in 1968/1970. � Eighty percent of all outdoor to cause large increases in Family size appears to be one of recreation in Texas takes place outdoor recreation demand. t h e most s i g n if icant in the five major geographic 0 Participation generally tends to socio-economic factors affecting areas known as the Gulf Coast, rise with increased income and participation per household with East Texas Piney Woods, Central educational levels. the average number of days of Texas Hill Country, North Texas Participation per household participation in all activities Lakes District, and the West tends to increase rapidly as the increasing from 40 days for a Texas Mountains, with the Gulf ages of household heads increase family of two to 281 days for a Coast accounting for the most of from 15 to 44 years, and then family of eight or larger. any single area, 29 percent. drops sharply as household head 0 As an ethnic group, � In order, the four planning ages increase past 44 years of Mexican-Americans participated regions receiving the largest age. more .in urban outdoor recreation than Anglos or Blacks in 1968/1970. Seventy-six percent of all urban outdoor recreation participation in Texas occurs on land, and 24 percent occurs on, or in the immediate vicinity of water. Seventy-eight percent of the total oarticipation in 1968/1970 occurred in metropolitan areas and 11 percent in cities and towns, respectively. In 1968/1970, the four largest metropolitan areas-Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Houston-accounted for 53 percent of the total participation occurring in urban areas and 35 percent of the total participation in Texas, rural and urban combined. 13 0 Urban participation is expected OUTDOOR RECREATION RESOURCE areas of the Gulf Coast, East Texas to increase by 92 percent, over REQUIREMENTS FOR TEXAS Piney Woods, Central Texas Hill the 1968/1970 level, to 687 Country, North Texas Lakes million days in 1980 and by 403 The participation in outdoor District, and West Texas Mountains. percent to 1,802 million days in recreation activities in Texas is The provision of hunting lands 2000. expected to demonstrate continued poses unique problems because of 0 Increases in population growth growth. Therefore, attention should b6 the large amounts of land required and days of participation per focused on providing opportunities (estimated needs of over 280 household are expected to through acquisition of lands, thousand acres in 1968/1970 are contribute to the projected development of recreation resources expected to increase to 5.5 million increases in participation. and facilities, and improvement of acres by 2000), the heavy recreation programs where feasible and dependence, upon the private RURAL FINDINGS practical. Developed facilities are sector, and the continual decline in specifically required to meet the wildlife h abitats due to � Total participation occurring in present and future demands in certain urbanization, e n v i ro nmental the rural areas of Texas activities. Natural, historical, and deterioration, and other land use amounted to 180 million archeological areas or sites should be changes. activity days in 1968/1970. considered first whenever practical The major problems with regard to � The five most popular rural because once such resources are providing recreational water are activities in 1968/1970 were damaged or destroyed, they cannot be feasibility, limited access to water, fishing, camping, swimming, replaced. and the fact that recreational water picnicking, and boating, considerations are inextricably tied respectively. From the extensive analyses of supply to, and largely based upon, factors � 58 percent of all Texas of recreational opportunities and other than recreation. households participated in some demand for their use, it was possible form of outdoor recreation in to determine the optimum numbers, 0 Total requirements for recreational the rural areas in 1968/1970. types, and locations of recreational water amounted to 6,700 surface � As an ethnic group, Anglo resources required presently and in the acres in 1968/1970, most of which households participate almost future for Texas. Among the major were urban requirements. It is twice t h e r a t e of findings of these analyses are the expected that recreational water Mexican-Americans and Blacks following: requirements will increase to in the rural areas. 24,000 surface acres by 1980, and � Twenty-nine percent of all rural STATEWIDE FINDINGS 103,000 surface acres by 2000, outdoor recreation participation increases of 2 percent and 9 percent in Texas occurs on land, and 71 0 A total requirement of 73,677 acres over the present level of supply. percent on, or in the immediate of developed recreation land 0 Those analytical planning regions vicinity of, water. existed in 1968/1970, of which 31 with the largest requirements for � In 1968/1970, 30 percent of the percent was urban, and 69 percent surface acres of recreational water participation occurring in the rural. in 1968/1970 include Regions 24, rural areas of Texas originated in 0 Total developed recreation land 16, and 12. Dallas, Fort Worth, San requirements are expected to 0 The five major geographic regions Antonio, and Houston. increase to 211,439 acres by 1980, of Texas accounted for 57 percent � More rural outdoor recreation and 539,501 acres by 2000, of the recreational water participation originates from increases of 121 percent and 308 requirements in 1968/1970. Region 11 (Dallas metropolitan percent over the 175,000 developed 0 The major problems with regard to area) than f rorn any other acres existing at the present time. providing recreational water are analytical planning region. 0 Among the 37 analytical planning feasibility access to water, and the � Participation is projected to regions, those with the largest fact that recreational water increase 147 percent, over requirements are regions containing considerations are inextricably tied 1968/1970 levels, to 444 million large metropolitan centers or to, and largely based upon, factors days by 1980 and 430 percent important natural resources, or other than recreation. to 954 million days in the year both, such as Regions 2, 10, 11, 12, 0 The greatest overall statewide 2000. 14, 15, 24, 25, 28, and 33. requirements in 1968/1970 for � Picnicking is projected to be the 0 Fully 80 percent of the recreation recreational facilities were for most popular activity by the land requirements for Texas occur campsites; fishing piers, barges, and year 2000, and fishing, second. within the five major geographic marinas; picnic tables; swimming 14 pools and designated freshwater Recreation water requirements area; boat slips and stalls; tennis amounted to 5,700 surface acres in SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS, courts; and trail m Iles. 1968/1970 and are expected to PRIORITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 0 Of the State's overall 1968/1970 increase by 30 percent to 15,000 requ i rements , for additional surface acres by 1980 and by 107 In the State outdoor recreation facilities of all types, 50 percent are percent to 54,000 surface acres by planning effort, the State must present needed in the urban areas with the 2000 over the existing supply of recommendations and priorities to remainder needed in the rural areas. 50,741 surface acres. guide the provision and development 0 As with recreation land, the 0 Metropolitan areas accounted for of lands, waters, and facilities distribution of facilities with 52 percent of the total recreational throughout the State. These respect to population centers is water requirements in 1968/1970, recommendations and priorities should often inadequate, primarily because followed by towns with 33 percent, be directed to responsibilities of good recreational lands and waters and cities with 15 percent. federal, state, regional, and local are not evenly distributed across 0 The facility requirements with the governments and the private sector, the State. greatest increases in urban areas are and based on the needs of the people 0 In the development of recreational expected to be acres of of Texas. facilities, more attention and playgrounds, basketball courts, consideration should be given to swimming pools (during the A very basic step toward the provision the requirements of the physically 19 6 8 /19 7 0 - 2 000 period), of outdoor recreation opportunities is handicapped and the elderly. baseball/softball fields, and tennis the establishment of general policies 0 Areas that should receive primary cou rts. on which to build. These general consideration for recreational policies provide the governmental purposes include cultural RURAL FINDINGS, agencies and private enterprises with (pre-historic, historic, and recommended tasks which are basic to archaeological sites) and significant 0 Developed recreation land the outdoor recreation effort in Texas. environmental areas (flood plains, requirements for the rural areas of Only after the establishment of general shorelines, wetlands, streams, Texas totalled 47,000 acres in priorities is it practical to assign more unique natural areas, caves, and 1968/1970, and are expected to detailed responsibilities. As general wildernesses). increase to 150,000 acres by 1980, guidance, Table 1-1 outlines estimated and 351,000 acres by 2000, 1975-1980 recource requirements and increases of 35 percent, 114 percentages of responsibility that are URBAN FINDINGS percent, and 267 percent over suggested to federal, state, local and Urban developed recreation land present developed land acreages. private entities for consideration. requirements totalled 27,000 acres in 0 While rural recreation water 1968/1970, and are expected to requirements were insignificant in It is estimated that an addition 'al increase to 62,000 acres by 1980, and 1968/1970, they are expected to 211,400 acres of recreational land to 188,000 acres by 2000. These increase to over 9,000 surface acres should be developed in Texas between reflect increases of 62 percent, 142 in 1980, and jump to 49,000 1975/1980, either at existing percent, and 432 percent over the surface acres by 2000. undeveloped recreational lands or existing 46,621 acres of developed 0 Particular emphasis should be given through acquisition of new lands. As a land. to providing rural facilities for result of joint meetings held among activities that occur in conjunction the State's major outdoor recreation 0 The metropolitan areas accounted with one another, or in "packages," suppliers, public entities should strive for the greatest propprtion of such as camping and fishing or to provide approximately 140,800 developed recreation land boating and fishing. This will ensure acres, while private enterprise should requirements with nearly 85 the provision of facilities for the be encouraged to provide percent, followed by cities and most prevalent activities, as well as approximately 70,500 acres. Roughly towns with approximately 7 the M ost prevalent activity 62,000 acres of these additionally percent each. combinations. developed I lands -@are estimated to be necessary for the urban areas of the 0 Among the three types of urban During the 1968/1970-2000 time State and 149,600 for the rural areas. areas, the metropolitan areas are period, the facility requirements with Land holding federal agencies, such as expected to continue to have far the greatest increases in rural areas are the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, greater requirements for expected to be picnic tables, acres of National Park Service, U.S. Forest recreational facilities than cities and playgrounds, boat slips and stalls, boat Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife towns. ramps and piers, and marinas. Service should strive to provide an 15 TABLE 1-1. RECOMMENDED RESPONSIBILTIES FOR PROVIDING DEVELOPED RECREATION LANDS AND FACILITIES IN THE RURAL AND URBAN AREAS, 1975-19801 1980 RURAL AREAS URBAN AREAS DEVELOPED RECREATION Rural Resource Federal Stat 2 3 1 Total Urb 1980 ' inicipal Privat otal e Local Private in Resource Mtj .31T LANDS& FACILITIES Requirements I I Sector Zaaluirements Sector Developed Recreation Land 149,609 acres 14% 19% 31% 36% 100% 61,827 acres 73% 27% 100% Inland ... ........ 126,377 acres 15% 21% 29% 35% 100% --- --- --- Saltwater . . . . . . . . . . . 29,232 acres 5% 10% 37% 48% 100% --- --- Campsites . . . . . . . . . . . 48,792 sites ' - - --- --- --- Inland . . . . . . . . . . . . 33,637 sites 19% 24% 20% 37% 100% --- --- --- --- Saltwater Associated .... 15,155 sites 4% 11% 25% 60% 100% --- --- Playgrounds .......... 568 acres 8% 10% 61% 21% 100% 785 acres 90% 10% 100% Golf Courses . . . . . . . . . . 40 holes 00% 0% 20% Soo/. 1001/0 3,935 holes 62% 38% 100% Baseball/Softball ; . . . . . . 187 fields 1% < 1 % 73% 26% 100% 166 fields 97% 3% 100% Picnicking ........... 81,518 tables --- --- --- --- - - - 4,709 tables 90% 10% 100% Inland ............ 66;157 tables 16% 23% 33% 28% 100% --- --- --- - - - Saltwater Associated . .'. . 1 5@3611 tables 3% 9% 44% 44% 100% --- --- --- Tennis . . . . . . . ... . . . . --- --- --- --- --- ... 10,430 courts 609/o 40% 100% Basketball ........... ... ... --- --- --- 840 courts 99% 1 % 100% Football . . . . . . . . . . . . --- --- --- --- --- 610 fields 100% 0% 100% Boating Ramps . . . . . . . . 2,568 ramps4 --- ... --- 415 ramps --- - - - --- Inland . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,339 ramps4 17% 17% 22% 44% 100% 320 ramps 53% 47% 100% Saltwater Associated . . . . 229 ramps4 2% 7% 31% 60% 100% 95 ramps 81% 19% 100% Boat Slips & Stalls . . . . . . 40,357 slips/stalls ... ... --- --- --- ... ... --- --- Inland . . . . . . . . . . . . 36,330 slips/stalls 01/. 0% 0% 100% 100% --- ... Saltwater Associated . . . . 4,027 slips/stalls 0% 0% 0% 100% 100% --- --- Fishing Facilities . . . . . . . 54,958 lin. yds. --- --- --- --- --- ... --- --- Inland (Piers, Barges, Marinas) ...... ; . . . 30,344 lin. yds. 19% 23% 25% 13% 100% --- --- Saltwater Associated (Piers and Jetties) . . . . . 24,614 lin. ycls. 4% 14% 34% 48% 100% --- --- --- ... Swimming Pools . . . . . . . . 699,344 sq. yds. 4% 4% 30% 62% 100% 660,170 sq. ycls. 70% 30% 100% Swimming in Designated Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . 39,575,248 sq. ycls. --- --- - - - --- ... --- Inland . . . . . . . . . . . . 18,763,550 sq. yds. 22% 16% 26% 36% 100% Saltwater . . . . . . . . . . . 20,811,698 sq. ycls. 1% 7% 53% 39% 100% --- ... - Bicycle Trails . . . . . . . . . 1,137 miles 9% 12% 69% 10% 100% 616 miles 100% < 1 % 100% Horseback Riding Trails . . . 1,990 miles 5% 8% 11% 76% 100% ... --- - Combined Walk, Hike, and Nature Study Trails . . . . 1,684 miles - - - - - - --- --- --- 1,235 miles 91% qcxo 100% Inland . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,480 miles 20% 38% 28% 14% 100% --- --- Saltwater Associated . . . . 204 miles 56% 7% 31% 6% 100% --- --- --- The responsibility allocations presented are set forth as guidance for public agencies. Any agency could provide facilities and/or areas on a concession basis, if so desired. 2 Also includes water districts. 3 Includes private enterprise, quasi-public org anizations, and private landowners. Saltwater associated responsibilities for the private sector are indicated to allow private enterprise opportunity, as is appropriate under the Texas Open Beach Act. 4Two lanes per ramp. 16 estimated 21,000 acres of developed recreational lands at existing areas or areas to be completed by 1980. State agencies, such as the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, river authorities, and various special districts should attempt to provide approximately 28,000 additional acres of developed lands, while counties should provide 46,000 and municipalities approximately 45,100 acres. In providing these opportunities, demand characteristics and geographic placement are of as great a significance as the developed lands themselves. Certain areas of the State are lacking in opportunities, while. others require relatively few new ones. In seeking to provide additional opportunities, all entities should place higher priority on actions in or near the larger urban areas, along the Gulf Coast, and, generally, in the eastern one-half of the State. Detailed descriptions of priority areas are presented later in this volume for further guidance. All entities in Texas also should place higher priority on providing better land accessibility to existing and planned inland and coastal waters which offer recreational opportunities. taken if recreationists are to have what the eastern half and mid-coastal areas This could be done through various they would prefer - 1) almost all of of the State. means, such as considering legislation the larger urban areas of the State Surveys, meetings, discussions, and which would increase the financial should be provided with additional conferences conducted by the State capabilities of the'State Boat Ramps, water acres when possible, and 2) land have revealed several major .areas of Buoy and Marker, and Beach Cleaning access to existing reservoirs, rivers, and outdoor recreation which should be Programs; seek the establishment of a streams, especially in and near urban improved I in Texas if recreational State waterway and trail system; and areas and along the Gulf Coast, should requirements are to be met. First, provide substantial financial state be greatly improved. Many public entities, particularly grants-in-aid assistance to local federal, state, and municipal entities, governments. have recognized requirements for additional recreational opportunities Recreational waters in Texas can New facilities to support outdoor and in fact have plans to provide more., support most of the current boating, recreation activities, such as campsites, However, funds are often not skiing, and boat fishing demand on a picnic tables, trails, etc., should be available, particularly at local statewide basis. However, the current provided all over the State. Almost government levels, where the bulk of supply of waters should be increased every urban area, all rural areas, and recreational demands are. Local by approximately 103,000 surface each region along the Gulf Coast are governments repeatedly cite a lack of acres by the year 2000. When one estimated to be lacking in varying local funds with which to provide new looks at geographical distribution of numbers and types of facilities, with areas, even a lack of funds to match the various reservoirs in the State, or the more acute requirements occurring existing state and federal recreation along the Gulf Coast, where a majority in the 24 standard metropolitan assistance grant-in-aid programs. of water recreation takes place, two sta t i stical areas, most small Second, the recreational resource major correctional actions need to be communities, and the rural areas of management capabilities of state and 17 local entities should be improved. development of state parks, based on assistance, research and education, and Counties have no powers to manage annual disbursements from the State local and regional government resources by such tools as zoning, and Comptroller, and received from a planning. The State will encourage are currently limited in the amount of portion of the state tax on cigarettes; Federal agencies in determining the funds they may spend per year. The examine the feasibility of providing necessity and improving the provision Coastal Zone's many fine public the funding necessary for the Texas of recreational areas of federal land beaches have not been made the Conservation Foundation to function holdings, heightening the provision of responsibility of either state or local as a more effective organization. Also, federal ' technical and financial governments. There are not enough the State will take action to establish a assistance to local governments, and organized parks and recreation statewide recreation waterways and esta bl i sh i ng more formalized and departments at local government trails system; to continue the planned coordinated recreation information levels. acquisition of new state park lands; to gathering and distribution systems continue the planned acquisition and among federal, state, regional and local As can be seen, all public entities in development of 13 historic sites and entities. The State will also encourage Texas should assume more structures; to continue efforts to the federal government to provide responsibilities, if the recreational p r o v i d e improved f ishing additional fu nds for recreation requirements and preferences of highly opportunities; and to continue to development to federal agencies urbanized Texas, the second largest enforce and regulate existing laws and operating recreation areas in Texas. and third most populous state, are to regulations pertaining to water and air be provided. quality. In order to allow improved capabil ity in providing outdoor recreation SUMMARY OF ACTION PROGRAMS The State will undertake, in opportunities in Texas, selected state relationship to the allocation and and local agencies should encourage management of recreation resources, the Legislature to consider, but not be The State of Texas will undertake various actions which include limited to, measures which ease the various actions during the 1975/1980 continued provision of f ish for current restrictions placed on counties time period in order to improve stocking streams, lakes or ponds; by Article 6079b, V.T.A.C.S., as recreational opportunities offered by continued removal of rough fish from amended; to seek to establish a state federal, state, local and private public waters to improve the program of financial assistance to local entities. These actions are for a variety propagation and preservation of game governments; to encourage or require of functions, and further detail is fish; continued efforts for eradication the reclamation of surface mined lands provided later in this volume. In of noxious vegetation; continued for recreational purposes; to clarify summary, the State's actions are trapping and transplanting of surplus and define state and/or local entity divided into direct programs (designed wildlife species; encouragement of the responsibilities for enforcement of the to provide actual outdoor recreation employment and utilization of Texas Open Beaches Act; and to opportunities); resource allocation and qual if ied wildlife and recreational increase county authorities and management; technical assistance personnel; encouragement of the responsibilities for the management of programs; planning programs; research; utilization of flood-prone areas, potential recreational resources. education and information programs; waterways, aquifer recharge areas and governmental coordination; financial other similar areas for recreational The preceeding volume summary has assistance programs; and operation of purposes; determination of the presented an overview of information the Land and Water Conservation feasibility of establishing multiple-use to be presented in the volume in more Fund program. resource management policies for detail. The following sections provide state-owned lands; and, where feasible, certain spec if ic i nf ormation Through direct program actions, the encouragement of proper placement of concerning the physical, natural, and State will seek to increase annual air and water pollution sources to sociological characteristics of Texas, funding levels for the State Buoy and avoid locations upstream, upwind, or and the supply, demand, and resource Markers and Boat Ramp Programs; adjacent to existing recreation areas requirements for outdoor recreation in increase annual funding to allow and known state significant natural the State. 'Finally, recreational additional local government areas. problems and special considerations, participation in the State Beach recommendations and priorities, Cleaning Program; continue to obligate In addition, the State will seek to recommended responsibil ities, and State Park Bond Funds for the increase the ability of various entities action programs are set forth. The acquisition and development of parks t o p r o v i d e m o r e a n d reader is encouraged to review this in the state systems; continue to better-coordinated .- recreational material in depth to obtain a complete utilize funds for the acquisition and activity for technical and financial picture of outdoor recreation in Texas. 18 Lou'isiana and Arkansas, on the north Chapter 2 by Oklahoma, on the west by New Mexico, and on the south by Mexico TEXAS-A PERSPECTIVE AND DESCRIPTION and the Gulf of Mexico. From East to West, Texas is located in the center of the United States; from North to LOCATION AND A PERSPECTIVE and a sense of pride and participation. South, it is one of the southernmost Providing adequate recreation states. (See Figure2-1.) People are the central focus of opportunities to the people of Texas is recreational planning in Texas, along contingent upon characterizing man's Texas occupies about seven percent of with a sincere desire to conserve the activities, identifying the potential of the total water and land area of the State's valuable natural resources and the State's recreation resource, and United States. Its 267,339 square fragi .le ecosystems. The importance of analyzing the interactions of miles (262,840 square miles of land recreation in supporting the desired recreational supplies and demand. This and 4,499 square miles of inland healthier, more productive society in section is devoted to summarily water) of total land and water area Texas becomes even more crucial as describing the State's location, history, may be compared with Alaska's expectations of population growth, population characteristics, natural 586,412 square miles (the largest accompanied by simultaneous resources, a n d economy, state) or with California's 158,693 accumulations of greater urban understandings of which lend square miles (the third largest state). concentrations, change from additional meaning to the elements of Distances in Texas amplify the size of projections to realities with the passing supply and demand in the following the State. For example, a recreationist of time. Not only is recreation sections. journeying from the West Texas city of important to a society as a whole, it is El Paso to the 6st Texas city of a means by which the individual may Texas, the second largest of the fifty Orange would have to travel 900 road pursue self-respect, self-fulfillment, states, is bordered on the east by miles. FIGURE 2-1. TEXAS: LOCATION AND PERSPECTIVE IN THE UNITED STATES SEATTLE SHINGON PNE MONTANA NORTH DAKOTA MONTREAL INNESOTA M OREO MCHIGAN ON @WISCONSIN E,4 fo;, P'S -S IDAHO SOUTH DAKOTA CO q..I. L NEW YORKPITY WYOMING AN%A IOWA NEVADA I SKA )c-ICAG J NEBRA I IND. OHIO IA I@ UTAH WESIT WASHINGTON Dc COLORADO ILLINOIS VA., 0 \DENVER LLI K SAS 0 AN M@ I @,OU I, MI I I A, , I` KY NORT, C,,ROLIN A CALIFORNIA __r@ - TENNESSEE U So S ANGELE OKLAHOMA CAROLINA ARIZONA NEW MEXICO ARKANSAS I ATLANTA A, r Fori Worlh-1381188 EORr_IA ALABAMA I El s lo, MISSISSIPPI JACKSONVILLE S NORA 0- LOUISIANA CHIHUAHUA 0 NEW ORLEANS 7 ALAS A ALAS --0 HAWAII COAHUILA 0 \3 L F OF M 0@NC G ^,Cho ge NUEVO T T NGO D Source: The University of Texas at Austin Bureau of 6 S lies Business Research 19 HISTORY Other events of a historical and Florida, showed a greater significance af f ecting Texas' numerical increase than the 1.6 million The fascinating history of Texas which development after its annexation were gain of Texas. Population projections provides significant potentials for the Mexican War, Texas entering the (Figure 2-2) indicates a possible in- outdoor recreation dates back some American Civil War as a Confederate crease of approximately 46 million by 15,000 years ago when the first State, the expansion of the cattle the year 2000 for the United States. Texans (called Paleo-Indians by industry in Texas, the expansion of The population in Texas(Figure 2-2)has archaeologists) inhabited the railroad lines in Texas in the 1870's been projected to increase over 6.6 geographical area now known as the and 1880's, the discovery of oil in million between 1970 and 2000, giving State of Texas. For several thousand Texas in 1867, the development of the Texas a total population in 2000 years these early Texans travelled in Rio Grande Valley as a farm area in exceeding 17.8 million residents. nomadic bands subsisting on wild the early 1900's, the transition of the Texans, like U.S. citizens in other animals, fruits, nuts, and berries. White population from a rural to an urban states, have migrated from the rural men were first introduced into Texas society in the 1900's, and the areas to urban areas seeking economic with the arrival of the Spanish phenomenal population growth in explorers in the early 16th ce I ntury. Texas, making its population the opportunities. Consequently, 'Texans These adventurers, while searching for fourth largest of the fifty states in have moved from rural open space wealth and fame, were the first to 1970 and third largest in 1975. areas to the confines of the urban explore and map Texas. Although the environment. Across the United States Spanish failed to locate the riches they POPULATION* almost 70 percent of the population were searching for, they did discover lived in urban areas in 1970 compared and explore vast areas of Texas and Between 1960 and 1970 the total to almost 80 percent in Texas. Even the Southwestern United States. population of the United States though 80 percent of the population increased by 24 million to a total of lived in urban areas, Texas ranked 33rd Significant in the series of historical 203.2 million, an increase of 13.3 in population density (Figure 2-3) events leading to the independence of percent. During the same ten-year with over 42 persons per square mile. Texas was the purchase of the period, the population of Texas rose The low population density of Texas Louisiana Territory in 1803 by the to 11, 196,730 residents, an increase of is, of course, attributed primarily to United States. Spanish Texas was a 16.9 percent. In 1970, the total the large size of the state. frontier providence to those who popu lation of Texas was exceeded The most significant fact about the would migrate to Texas and eventually only by three states-California, New population of Texas is the continued defeat the Spanish to declare the York, and Pennsylvania. The shift toward a more highly urbanized independence of Texas on March 2, percentage increase in population society. Review of past and present 1836. The independence of Texas led growth in Texas for the 1960 decade population trends indicates that the to its later annexation to the United was exceeded by several states; urbanization phenomena will continue States, approved on June 21, 1845. however, only two states, California in Texas. Since the mid-19th century, F9GURE 2-2. POPULAT@ON GROWTH FOR TEXAS AND THE Texas has been transformed from a UN07ED STATES, 1960-2W0 rural to an urban society (see Figure - 2-4). Less than 4 percent of the total PROJECTED INCREASES IN POPULATION 1960-2000 population resided in urbanized areas 100 .1- T- in 1850 compared to almost 80 1960 '80-871-OOD 579'000 1970 204.87ROOO ':197'000 percent by 1970. The total population 19M 2 "84 119 2 @3 of Texas became predominantly urban 8.000 @:332,0 0 @4PO for the first time in modern Texas history between 1940 and 1950. During the 30-year period from 1940 50 to 1970 rural areas declined in population by 1,227,651, a 32 percent u drop from the all time high rural Z population in 1940 of over 3.5 Z 25 E *Sources: Outdoor Recreation: A Legacy for America. Bureau of Outdoor Recreation, U.S. Department of the Interior, (Washington, D.C., 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 U.S. GPO, 1973) p. 6. Texas Almanac 1972-73. Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census 20 million. This decline dropped the rural population to 2,275,784, the lowest since between 1890 and 1900. Recent growth rates have been most dramatic in the SMSA's (standard metropolitan statistical areas) in Texas. The 23 SMSA's recorded in 1970 accounted for 90 percent of the total population increase in Texas occurring from 1960 to 1970. Currently there are 24 SMSA's in Texas as shown in Figure 2-5. Another important aspect of the population in Texas is the composition 7 by race or ethnic background. In 1970, the composition was approximately 69 percent Anglo, 13 percent Black, 18 percent M e x i ca n - American, and . about HAWAII two-tenths of one percent Indian. While the proportion of Blacks remained relatively constant from 1960 to 1970 (12.4 percent in 1960 Source: Adapted from Outdoor Recreation-A Legacy for America. and 12.7 percent in 1970), the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation, U.S. Department of the interior, Mexican-American population (Washington, D.C., U.S. GPO, 1973) p. 7. ref I ected a gradual increasing - proportion from 14.8 percent in 1960 to 18.4 percent in 1970. FIGURE 2-4. TEXAS POPULATION GROWTH, 1850-1970 Two other important characteristics of the Texas populations are education and income levels. Of the three ethnic groups-Blacks, Mexican-Americans, MILLION PEOPLE and.Anglos, Anglos had obtained the 12. highest levels of education, followed in 11, order by Blacks and then Mexican- Americans in 1970. Income (Figure 10. 2-6) and educational levels have M, increased substantially over the past K 91 fal few decades and are projected to 8. increase in the future, particularly in M_ the urban areas. These changes will in 7, turn cause increases in future outdoor recreation demand levels. 6 5 4-- NATURAL RESOURCES 3 Texas is a geographical crossroads for a 2. wide variety of plant and animal life and other natural resources. This 1 11110\001 'N' lowo variety of natural resources ranges 0 \\\N\ from the dense forests of humid East 1850 1860 1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 Texas to the deserts and mountains of Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census arid West Texas. Between these two 21 FIGURE 2-5. STANDARD METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREAS j@MARILL]0 IN TEXAS, 1970 F_ SWEV$01 hk WORTH ALLAS TILES @A @SO J_Z 71 WAC C3 tSA:N ANGEL07 LEEN 41 R, JA@7STI:N Lli 'OU S @1N AN [S-AN @W_REO 07 1@ FC FM_cALLEN.PHARR-E(Ijk@U@RG BROWNSVILLE Source: Texas Almanac, 1972-1973 HARLINGEN SAN BENITO FIGURE 2-6. PER CAPITA INCOME IN TEXAS, 1960-1970 extremes are found climatic conditions, vegetation, and wildlife of equal diversities. Natural resources found in Texas contain an excellent base for providing outdoor recreation 4000- opportunities. Continued increases in the total population of Texas, chacteristics of the population, and shifts toward a more highly urbanized society combined will continue to accelerate the demands for outdoor 3000. recreation opportunities causing greater demands for the natural resources of Texas having recreational potential. This section briefly 2000 describes the State's physiographic and natural regions, climate, water resources, and wildlife. PHYSIOGRAPHIC PROVINCES AND NATURAL REGIONS 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 @@ARI _iL Years Portions of four major physiographic Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census provinces are encompassed by the 22 Texas boundaries: the Gulf Coast percent of the people of Texas (77 The Great Plains province is the third Plains, the Central Plains, the Great persons per square mile) reside in the major physiographic province Plains, and the Cordilleran Plateau. Gulf Coast Plains. The portion of the extending into the northwest part of These four major physiographic Gulf Coast Plains located in Texas can Texas out of New Mexico and provinces are further subdivided into be divided into five physiographic Oklahoma. Its 70,000 square mile area 13 natural regions as follows: Gulf regions: the Pine Woods, the Post Oak is divided into the High plains, the Coast Plains-five regions; Central Belt, the Gulf Coast Prairies, the South Edwards Plateau, and the Llano area. Plains-four regions; great Texas Brushland Plains, and the The population density of the Great Plains-three regions; and that part of Blackland Prairie Belt. Natural Plains is 14 persons per square mile. the Cordilleran Plateau which passes resources found in the Gulf Coast Popular recreational resources in the through Texas is called the Trans- Plains physiographic province having Great Plains province are the Palo Pecos Region. Figure 2-7 outlines significant recreational value are the Duro Canyon, the Highland Lakes the four physiographic regions and the abundant wildlife, natural scenery, and along the Colorado River, the 13 natural regions. , f reshwater resources of the Pine spring-fed streams, the scenic In South Texas the South Texas Plains Woods region, the many miles of open geological features, and the spreads between the coast and the Rio saltwater beaches in the Gulf Coast white-tailed deer proviaing good Grande River. This is brushland Prairies region, and a wide variety of hunting. country comprised of small trees, wildlife providing hunting scrubs, cactus, weeds, and grasses. opportunities throughout the Gulf Northwest of the South Texas Plains Coast Plains physiographic province. the Edwards Plateau stretches over The fourth major physiographic rolling hills, woodlands, and grassy The major physiographic province province in Texas is the sparsely prairies. In addition to live oak, called the Central Plains extends into populated Cordilleran Plateau (14 shinnery oak, elm, mesquite, Texas fr1orri the north covering an area persons per square mile) found in the sycamore, and juniper (cedar),cypress of nearly 58,000 square miles with 30 westernmost part of the State. It has trees also grow profusely along persons per square mile. The Central no divisions in Texas and the entire streams. Numerous grasses also grow Plains can be divided into four province is called the Tran.s-Pecos throughout the area. North of the physiographic regions: the Cross Region. This area, 31,000 square Edwards Plateau the Rolling Plains Timbers, the Grand Prairie, the North miles, contains Texas' only true stretches from Central to North Texas Central Plains, and the Rolling Plains. mountains with elevations ranging into the Panhandle. This is a woodland Reservoirs in the eastern half of the from 2,500 to 8,751 feet above sea and prairie type . area with mesquite Central Plains provide good fishing level. The Trans-Pecos region offers and grasses the most commonly f ou nd opportunities. Wildlife species also the recreationist. -some spectacular vegetative species. The western half of make hunting a popular recreational scenery, particularly in Big Bend and the Panhandle is comprised of the activity in the Central Plains. Guadalupe Mou ntains National Parks. High Plains, now about one-half native grasslands and the remaining half irrigated for farming. The final major vegetative area is the drought-resisunt vegetation comprising the Trans-Pecos Mountain and Basin Area. The principal vegetation includes lechuguilla, ocotillo, yucca, cenizo, 4 t00 il IP agave, and sotol. Penori and ponderosa 09 pine are found in some mountain areas JIM while black grama, burrograss, and fluffgrass is common in the desert areas. Within Texas, the largest of the four major physiographic regions is the Gulf Coast Plains extending into Texas from the east covering over 104,000 square miles or nearly 40 percent of the total area of Texas. Over /U . . . . . . . . 23 FIGURE2-7. PHYSIOGRAPHIC PROVINCES AND NATURAL REGIONSOFTEXAS ROL ING BLACKLAND IS PRAIRIE PL NS 0'". I N saw CIEf.. BELT I PLAINU b1b ei GRAND _1%., PRAIRIE PINE WOODS TRANS-PECOS POST OAK BELT "GULF ,"'GULF COAST P RAIRIES SOUTH TEXAS BRUSHLAND PLAINS PHYSIOGRAPHIC PROVINCES GREAT PLAINS CENTRAL PLAINS GULF COAST PLAINS CORDILLERAN PLATEAU Compiled by: Roderick B. Patten, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Austin,Texas, 1973. Another favorite natural resou rce drastic temperature changes occur rainfall varies from over 56 inches found in this area is the wild and from early fall to late spring when along the Louisiana border to less than scenic Rio Grande River. polar air masses approach from the 8 inches in El Paso. northwest. CLIMATE The plentiful sunshine causes Texas to Although dust storms, snow blizzards, be hot during the summer months Because of its vast area and geographic tornadoes, hurricanes, drouth, and with little contrast from north to location, Texas has three typ_es of floods may occur in Texas, the single south. Daily highs in the 90's are d i v e r s e climates-maritime, most prevalent climatic resource Texas prevalent over the entire State. In the continental, and mountain. The has to offer is sunshine which ranges winter a considerable contrast cooler, drier mountain climate is from just under 60 percent of the develops. In the Rio Grande Valley it restricted to the Trans-Pecos region. possible maximum in extreme East rarely freezes while daily temperatures Along a narrow,strip confined to the Texas to over 80 percent in the El average below freezing for five months Gulf Coast, the maritime climate is Paso area. Rains occur most frequently of the year in the High Plains. modified so that temperatures are in the springtime except in the relatively uniform in all seasons. High mountain area where most of the The variable climate of Texas is well humidities accompany each season. annual rainfall is provided by suited for outdoor recreation. During Most of Texas experiences a afternoon summer showers. In the the summer, clear skies and warm continental climate characterized by eastern half of the State a secondary sunny days promote water activities rapid temperature changes, marked peak in precipitation appears during such as boating, swimming, and skiing. extremes, and large temperature ranges the fall when tropical disturbances During the clear, crisp autumn days, both daily and annually. The most move inland. The average annual hunting'and other active sporfs such as 24 camping, walking, and hiking become areas of the State where groundwater FIGURE 2-8. GROWTH OF MAJOR very popular. Participation in activities resources have not been sufficient to RESERVOIRS IN TEXAS, such as fishing and picnicking is heavy meet local or regional water demands, 1913-1970 from late spring through early fall. single purpose water supply reservoirs Number of Reserviors and/or multi-purpose reservoirs have WATER RESOURCES been constructed by federal, state, and Wide variations in the annual local agencies with the help and precipitation falling on the State guidance of the Texas Water causes@ water resources to vary from Development Board and pursuant to 100 Z East to West Texas. Texas' permits issued by the Texas Water development, largely dependent on Rights Commission. These lakes 50 water resources, steadily increases the provide water f or recreational, pressure on Texas' water supply. municipal, industrial, and agricultural use. Natural lakes in Texas are almost Iwo li2o IS130 19@0 1950 1960 197019n Attempts to ease this pressure include non-existent, but approximately 200 Years planning the use of water brought in major reservoirs have been constructed from outside the State; reducing or are under construction, as shown in Source: Texas Almanac, 1972-1973 waste, pollution, and loss to Figure 2-8. In addition, there are Note: Includes only those reservoirs noneconomic plants; desalinizi.ng;and 80,000 miles of rivers, creeks, and bay- storing 5000 acre-feet of water or modifying the weather to increase ous in Texas, and one of the most signi- more. rainfall. ficant water resources for recreational Mexico serve as important areas for Texans get their water from both purposes in Texas is the coastal area. camping, fishing, swimming, boating, underground and surface sources. In The bay systems, beaches, and Gulf of picnicking, and hunting. Figure 2-9 FIGURE 2-9. MAJOR RIVERS, RESERVOIRS, AND SALTWATER BAY SYSTEMS IN TEXAS SUIPH SAS, 04 J 0 0 AD ALVESTON 4 DAY 0 N(,E MATAGORDA BAY SAN ANT ONIO DAY ARANSAS BAY 0 CORPUS CHRISTI SAY UPPER LAGUNA MADRE Source: Adapted from Surface-Water Develop- BAFFIN BAY ment Plan Map, Texas Water Develop- ment Board. LOWER LAGUNA MADRE Note: Reservoirs shown were existing or under construction during 1973. 25 depicts the major rivers and reservoirs Gulf Coast Plains: white-tailed deer, transportation, and recreation) are in Texas and identifies some of the turkey, bobwhite quail, gray treated briefly in the discussions that more important saltwater bays. squirrel, channel and blue follow. Another important water resource in catfish, largemouth and white Texas is the many small "tanks" or bass, black and white crappie, INDUSTRY "ponds" constructed primarily by muskrats, alligators, - ducks, private landowners. These small bodies geese, cranes, many species of In 1969, manufacturing accounted for of water serve a variety of purposes saltwater f ish, javelina, 58 percent of the total goods from watering livestock to supporting whitewinged and mourning produced in Texas, over $22.2 billion, private recreational activities. doves, and a few pronghorn and in 1970, Texas ranked eighth in antelope, the United States in manufacturing. WILDLIFE AND FISH RESOURCES Texas' three m ost important Central Plains: white-tailed deer, mlinufacturing industries (in Wildlife are important to Texas. Birds, mourning doves, quail, squirrels, manufacturing output), as-well.as the animals, and fish have esthetic and catfish, bass, and crappie. fastest growing in 1970, we re, cultural appeal, as well as substantial in order, the chemical industry, recreational and economic value. The Great Plains: white-tailed deer, transportation equipment, and diversified environments in Texas turkey, squirrels, mourning petroleum refining. produce a wide variety of wildlife, doves, quail, catfish, bass, including approximately 211 species crappie, javelina, pronghorn AGRIBUSINESS of freshwater fish, 59 species of antelope, mule deer, scaled amphibians, 167 species of reptiles, quail, and bobwhite quail. Agribusiness, a combination of about 600 species of birds, and 138 agriculture and business that includes species of mammals. Cordilleran Plateau: mule deer, all phases of agriculture, adds more pronghorn antelope, javelina, than $7.3 billion yearly to the Texas Hunting and fishing are deep-rooted scaled quail, catfish, and bass. economy. This $7.3 billion includes an traditional activities in Texas. The lack estimated $2.1 billion from of public domain and the trespass law Some of the wildlife that once thrived manufacturing and supplying essentials has effectively transferred the in Texas no longer flourish here. As a needed for the production of crops ownership of game to the Private result, many of these creatures are and livestock, cash receipts averaging landowners, although by statute game now considered endangered, including $1.8 billion for livestock, poultry, and animals are the property of the people nine species of birds, five species of their products; $1.1 billion for crops; of the State. While hunting and fishing mammals, five species of fish, and and $2.3 billion for manufacturing, are two of the most popular several species of reptiles and processing, and other step s i n recreational activities in Texas, many amphibians. Already extinct to Texas distributing agricultural commodities people also enjoy the esthetic and are the gray wolf, bison (except in to consumers. Texas ranks consistently cultural values provided by wildlife. captivity), greater prairie chicken, high among the states in producing passenger pigeon, and possibly the agricultural commodities, a position The distribution of some wildlife ivory-billed woodpecker. that Texas should continue to hold as (shrews, moles, bats, skunks, racoon, the State meets its increasing role in rabbits, m ice, white-tailed deer, ECONOMIC RESOURCES supplying agricultural products not mourning dove, quail, bass, snakes, only for the United States but for rats, gophers, squirrels, bobcats, and Texas' economy depends primarily on other nations as well. coyotes) is statewide. Gray fox, nutria, the State's natural resources. Texas' and armadillos range over the eastern natural wealth includes large mineral MINERALS two-thirds of the State; and deposits, especially natural gas and oil; porcupines are seen west of the millions of acres of fertile soils, thick The total value of Texas minerals balcones escarpment. A few beaver live forests, and grasses; and a plentiful exceeded $6 billion for the first time in the Post Oak Belt, Pine Woods, the supply of fish and game. Goods in 1970, Each year during the 1960's a Rio Grande Valley, and the Edwards produced in Texas are composed of new peak was reached in mineral Plateau. A few black bear and puma, about one-fourth mineral products, values. Texas leads all states in the or mountain lion, still roam the one- sixth agricultural products, and total value of mineral production and mountainous areas of the Trans-Pecos slightly less than three-fifths in the production of crude petroleum, region. Game animals and fish are manufactured products. Some of the natural gas, natural gas liquids, and found in each physiographic province chief sectors of Texas' economy magnesium. Texas also has the world's of Texas as f ol I ows: (including agribusiness, industry, largest petrochemical industry. 26 $64 million, camping $168 million, and fishing $168 million. It was also estimated that $223 million was spent yearly on vacations, while expenditures on all types of trips amounted to approximately $3 billion. On recreational and non-recreational trips to Texas in 1970, out-of-state visitors spent about $1.5 billion. These figures demonstrate the -tremendous importance of recreation to the economy of Texas, an importance that should increase with projected increases in recreation demand. This section has briefly described the history of Texas, the characteristics of the Texas population, those natural resources in the State which may provide recreational opportunities, and the State's economy. The many cultures found in Texas indicate that _cut*-e_nt and future outdoor recreation demands will encompass a wide range of recreational activities. Increases in !I J7 the total population in the State should cause increases in outdoor recreation demands even if participation intensities continue at 21 0 current Jevels. Changes in population characteristics, such as rural to urban migrations and increases in income and educational levels, will cause demands RECREATION equ ipment, including camping, to intensify for some activities and at boating, fishing, and hunting the same time remove the population Recreation's impact on the Texas equipment, recreational vehicles, etc., further from the basic recreational economy has increased steadily in expenditures for food, lodging, travel, resources. All of these factors will recent years and today its etc. The to-Cal investments for affect the supply of natural resources contribution is an enormous one. camping, boating, and hunting and man-made facilities needed to While the total contribution is difficult equipment in 1969 as estimated from meet increasing and changing outdoor to measure with any degree of data collected in the 1968-1969 Texas recreation demands of the people of precision, it is easy to visualize the Household Demand Survey was $906 Texas and those who visit Texas to magnitude considering total million. Expenditures on picnicking participate in outdoor recreation expenditures for recreation trips amounted to $42 million, boating activities. 27 acres, or less, per person for the most densely populated, southeastern Chapter 3 one-half of Texas. By comparing that WHAT TEXAS HAS-OUTDOOR RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES section of the State with other states, Texas has the largest total area so designated in the United States. By including federally administered As indicated in the previous chapter, furnish an overview of the available recreation lands in the relationships very dramatic social changes have been recreational opportunities provided depicted in Figure'3-11, no significant made in recent decades in Texas. More through Texas' lands, waters, and changes in per capita land acres occur rapid changes are expected during the facilities devoted to recreational use within the economic districts of Texas, 1970's and during future decades in by the various public . and private with the possible exception of the terms of population growth and recreation suppliers in the State. areas which include the Padre Island dispersion, and changing social and A NATIONAL COMPARISON National Seashore and the Big Thicket economic patterns. As a result of these National Biological Preserve. changes, the use of the State's in December of 1973, the Bureau of resources for recreation has increased Outdoor Recreation, U.S. Department Texas per capita recreation acreages significantly. This trend is expected to of the Interior completed publication are shown in Figure 3-2 by the 37 continue into the future as the factors of the National Outdoor Recreation Texas Outdoor Recreation Analytical i nf luencing recreation behavior Plan titled Outdoor Recreation A Planning Regions (Figure 3-3,depicts continue to change. Legacy for America. The national regional populations and relative analysis of the public recreation recreation and land acreages). As The purposes of this chapter are to Supply- of state - and locally Figure 3-2, indicates, only three compare Texas with other states, to administered lands devoted to analytical regions in the State have more specifically summarize the recreation within the United States, as more than 1.0 acre of recreation land designated pu bl ic use recreation depicted in the adapted Figure 11, per person. In contrast, seventeen resources of the State, and, in general, indicates that there are .05 recreation regions have .05 acres or less per FIGURE 3-1. STATE AND LOCAL PARK AND RECREATION R CAPITA IN THE UNITED STATES BY . ..... :10161 1 Lei REA, 1972 ............. X". X X :iXi ....... ................. .. .. ............ X. X ... .... ........ LEGEND .. PER CAPITA RECREATION ACREAGE E13 1- .2. .... ... .... X % over N V Map regions are Bureau of Economic Analysis Areas, deIineated by the Regional Economics Division, Bureau of Economic Analysis, Depart ant of Commerce. 1970 population. used in calculations of per capita acreages. SOURCE: Adapted from Outdoor Recreati..--A Legacy for America. Bureau of Outdoor Recreation, U. S. Department of Interior. (Washington, D. C., U. S. GPO, 1973) P. 15. 28 person, twelve regions have between FIGURE 3-2. PARK AND RECREATION ACREAGE IN .06 and .20 acres per person, and five ... ... TEXAS BY RECREATION PLANNING REGION, regions have between .21 and 1.0 acres 1973 per person. As clearly indicated by Figure 3-1 public recreation lands in Texas are in X*K-K xxxxx:: relatively short supply compared to ...... 4 other states. Although strong to: 11 emphasis, yielding significant results, 14 has been placed on outdoor recreation 29 in the past decade, Texas still ranks far below most of the 49 other states with 21 respect to publicly administered a :26 recreation lands. LEGEND PER CAPITA 31 Also documented in the National Plan, 24 28' .@: RECREATION ACREAGE national shoreline ownership is ..!S or tars; presented in Figure 3-4 for comparin'g the Texas Gulf Coast with nationwide 32 .06 to .20 Source: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department shoreline resources by administration. 3 Map regions are Texas Outdoor Recreation 21 to 1.0 Analytical Planning Regions, delineated by the Since water resources, especially beach Texas Parks and Wildlife Department 1970 Population used in calculations of per capita X and shoreline areas, are prime acreages. [email protected] I.. FIGURE 3-3. PARK AND RECREATION ACREAGE PER CAPITA IN TEXAS BY ADMINISTRATION BY RECREATION PLANNING REGION, 1973 REGION ACRES PER THOUSAND POPULATION REGION ACRES PER THOUSAND POPULATION NUMBER 100 200 300 400 NUMBER too 200 300 400 20 In 9.0 3 Z2 4 23 5 24 6 HE 25 7 26 8 2? 9 Eli= 28 10 29 39,367 11 30 12 31 15 32 536 14 53 15 KEY 34 16E FEDERAL = 35 17 STATE Ej 36 Is X LOCAL N1 37 jff@ :1@,]Jj 11111 E Is oil PRIVATE BE STATE NMI= SOURCE: Regional population figures were obtained from the Rural Volume, Pts. 11 and Ill. Regional Recreation land acres per thousand were calculated by dividing Regional Recreation land ac res; (obtained from the Regional Summary Volume Table "Summary of Park and Recreation Lands, Waters, and Facilities by area and Administration") by the re- gional population figures in thousands. SOURCE: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1970 population. 29 FIGURE3-4. SHORELINE OWNERSHIP IN THE UNITED STATES 82 EXPLANATION IN PERCENT 82 NORTH PACIFIC ... FEDERAL GREAT LAKES 7 0 ........... ........... .......... ........... STATE AND LOCAL 83 PRIVATE NORTH 60 19 ATLANTIC UNCERTAIN 17 13 ALIFORNIA ..14 57(!@'3 12 9 77 SOUTH ATLANTIC-GULF (I NC ATO RICO LUDES PUE 60 28 AND VIRGIN ISLANDS) LOWER MISSISSIPPI- @EXAs d-LrL F 3 HAWAII 31 43t___1 - : 54 87 12 % 24 (5 U.S. TOTAL ALASKA SOURCE: Adapted from Outdoor Recreation--A Legacy for America. Bureau of Outdoor Recreation, U. S. Department of the Interior. (Washington, D. C., U. S. GPO, 1973) p. 34. TABLE 3-1. CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES AND TEXAS SHORELINE BY TYPE, OWNERSHIP, AND DEVELOPMENT STATUS' OWNERSHIP OF RECREATION SHORELINE TOTAL RECREATION TYPE OF RECREATION SHORELINE Public Private RECREATION SHORELINE SHORELINE3 Recreation Restricted DEVELOPMENT Beach Bluff Marsh Areas Areas STATUS U.S.2 59,157 24,724 4,350 11,160 6,214 1,209 581 19,934 ..... I ..... TEXAS 2,2.644 1,081 301 421 359 58 92 931 very low Sources U. S. Outdoor Recreation Resources Review Commission, National Recreation Survey "ORRRC Study Report 4, Shoreline Recreation Resources of the United States," (Washington, D. C.. U. S. GPO, January, 1962) PP. 11-12, and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 1973, 1 All figures are estimations expressed in miles. 2includes the shorelines of the 48 continental states on the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, Pacific Ocean, and Great Lakes. Does not include Hawaiian and Alaskan Shorelines. 3Shoreline is defined as the line of intersection of a stated water surface with the land. Recreation shoreline must meet three criteria: (1) the existence of a marine climate and environment, (2) the existence of an expanse of view of at least 5 miles over water to the horizon from somewhere on the shore, and (3) location on some water boundary of the U. S. (water bodies lying entirely within the U. S. boundaries are not included). 4 Consists of approximately 1,87 4 miles of baVshore and 390 miles of gulfshore. 30 recreation resources, it is significant to recreation trails. In addition to the public recreation are considered note that Texas has 2,264 miles (See recreation trails, the Texas Highway primary recreation suppliers. Also, Table 3-1) of shoreline approximately Department, which maintains 70,000 most private recreation entrepreneurs 57 percent of which are available for miles of quality highways and 1,100 may be classified as primary suppliers recreational development of various roadside parks safety rest areas, and since they directly provide recreation kinds and by different levels of scenic turnouts in the State, has resources and services. administration. These figures compare designated 10 travel trails widely with 59,157 miles (not including the distributed across the State, along SECONDARY SUPPLIERS States of Alaska and Hawaii), the which are points of scenic, historic, nationwide total number of available and recreational interest. shoreline miles, only 42 percent of which might be developed. Thus, the Secondary suppliers may directly Texas Gulf Coast possesies. a large provide recreational r e s ou rces, portion of the Nation's remaining services, programs, and support, but as coastal lands which are presently a by-product, or as a supplementary undeveloped and suitable for SUPPLY OF OUTDOOR RECREATION responsibility, to the primary goal or recreation development. RESOURCES IN TEXAS authority of the entity. At the federal level, the U.S. Army Corps of The key to satisfying the future Engineers, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife demands for outdoor recreation Service, the U.S. Forest Service, and opportunities in Texas rests with the the Bureau of Reclamation have been Further comparisons of Texas with the actions of entities at all levels of considered in the Plan as secondary Nation provide additional insight to government that have either primary, suppliers although these agencies the state's recreation situation. For secondary, or support responsibilities administer and directly provide a example, Texas with its large land area in supplying outdoor recreation. The majority of the publicly administered and highly contrasted environments, private sector, although directed by parks and recreational areas in the has no state or nationally designated economic stimuli as opposed to rural environments of the State. At the wilderness areas. At this time, Texas, assigned responsibility, can also make state level, secondary suppliers include with its 13,000 miles in major rivers significant contributions in providing the Texas Forest Service, the Texas alone, and 80,000 miles of rivers, more recreation opportunities in Highway Department, and certain of creeks, streams, and bayous combined, Texas. the Texas river authorities and water has no state or nationally designated districts. These agencies administer wild and scenic rivers. Although, land and water resources for other sections of the Texas portion of the ends as a primary responsibility before Rio Grande (Big Bend National Park providing recreational resources; region) are being considered and are although the resources are essentially presently under national study, a OUTDOOR RECREATION the same, they are used somewhat section of the Guadalupe River is SUPPLIERS IN TEXAS differently. C o u n t i e s and being considered for future national municipalities, at the local level, may study, and some 2,700 miles of rivers For purposes of the Texas Outdoor be considered secondary suppliers have been identified in a state analysis Recreation Plan, a recreation supplier when not having parks and recreation as having the greatest potential for has been considered a primary or departments as such, but by actually inclusion into a state waterways secondary supplier or a supporting providing recreation resources as a system. There are no designated trails entity depending on the statutory secondary responsibility of such,other included in the National Scenic Trails authorities of the -agency, or local departments as roads, streets, System in Texas at present. One trail entrepreneurial policy provisions highways, public works, county (already in existence), th"e 100 mile regarding recreation. commissioner cou rts, city/county Long Star Hiking Trail administered landscape or horticulture, by the U.S. Forest Service, has been maintenance, etc. Quasi-public suggested for inclusion in the National organizations are often considered Recreation Trails System. Two trails in secondary suppliers; however, since the state are included in the National facilities administered by these Recreation Trails System, the two and PRIMARY SUPPLIERS entities, e.g., boy scouts, church one-half mile Cargill Long Park Trail camps, summer camps, etc., are within the city of Longview and the Entities including the National Park usually not open to the general public, two and one-half mile Greer Island Service, the Texas Parks and Wildlife they are not presented in the data Nature Trail within the city of Fort Department, and the local Recreation described in the Plan grants-in-aid, Worth. Thirty-two already existing and Parks Departments (including park education, public relations, or other public and private trails in Texas have boards and commissions) whose forms of support which enable been identified as having potential for primary responsibilities consist of primary or secondary suppliers to inclusion in a statewide system of providing resources and programs for provide more effectively the actual 31 resources and programs. Although The above mentioned entities, in many task of updating supply statistics is not these entities do not actually cases, initiate actions on behalf of a simple one. The Texas Outdoor administer the resources for primary or secondary suppliers to Recreation Inventory of Parks, recreation, many recreation projects acquire or administer lands and/or Recreation Areas, and Recreation would not have been made available to waters which the assisting agency Faci I ities comprises numerous the public without their help. provides the supplier through long empirical surveys and compilations of term lease arrangements -or through the actual numbers, areal quantities, out-right conveyance to the final and qualities ascribed scientifically to SUPPORTING ENTITIES supplier. Since the technical assistance agencies or entities generally have no e x isti ng designated recreational At the federal level, supporting legal impetus to actually administer resources in the state, by individual facilities include the Bureau of recreation resources on their park or recreational area for all Outdoor Recreation, USDI; the own -specifically to provide administrations, public and private. Extension Service, USDA; the Soil recreational opportunities-their Urban recreation pursuits have been Conservation Service, USDA; the authorities to help others often come found to be substantially different from a federal or state funding General Services Administration; the program, a planning assistance . and from those recreation activities Farmers Home Administration; USDA; coordination program, a conservation pursued in the rural areas. Therefore, a the Water Rights Council; the program, or from an educational or separate analysis of The recreation Department of Housing and Urban technical assistance program. resources in each of the Itwo Development; the Department of Supporting entities provide catalytic environments . was conducted. In Health, Education, and Welfare; the functions between the resources and addition, the Texas Gulf Coast Department of Transportation; and others. State level entities include the the supplying entities by encouraging provides resources which vary Governor's Office, Division of planning, acquisition, development, significantly with the rest of the state's Planning Coordination; the Governor's operation, use, and maintenance of the resources and has been analyzed Office of Information Services; the resources for the purposes of public within the urban/rural context as well Interagency Council on Natural recreational activities. , as separately to provide additional Resources and the Environment; the SUPPLY OF PARKS, RECREATION insight to the problems unique to the Texas Agricultural Extension Service; AREAS, AND RECREATION LANDS coast. the Texas Historical Commission; the Texas Tourist Development Agency; In order to effectively assess present As shown in Table3-2, there were the Universities in the State with and future requirements for recreation estimated to be 4,504 Parks and courses and/or degrees related to resources in Texas, an inventory of recreation areas in texas in 1973. In recreation; the Texas Water existing d e signated recreation the urban areas there were 2,742 Development Board; and the Texas resources has been developed, parks. Rural areas had 1,762. State Soil Conservation Board. updated, and maintained by the Texas Within the boundaries of all parks and Regional and local entities include the Regional Councils of Governments and Parks and Wildlife Department since recreation areas in the state there were Regional Planning Commissions, and 1965. The tremendous public 1,725,917 acres, of recreation land many non-profit and private pressures for increased recreation area, 62,524 acres in urban organizations which help others opportunities in the past few decades environments and 1,663,360 acres in provide the park and recreation has generated an accelerating growth rural environments. Of this area only resources and programs needed to help rate in the number of parks, rec Ireation 3.6 percent is in an urban satisfy the State's recreation resource areas, and recreation facilities being environment. With respect to the State's population, each acre of urban requirements. developed in Texas, insuring that the park land is shared by 179 persons and TABLE 3-2. PARKS, RECREATION AREAS, AND RECREATION LANDS IN TEXAS, 1973 Percent of Percent of Percent of Statel Urban State Total Rural State Total Gulf Coasti State Total Totals Number of Parks 2,742 60.8 1,762 39.2 246 5.5 4,504 Land Acres 62,524 3.6 1,663,360 96.4 293,070 17.0 1,725,884 Acres Developed 43,621 24.9 131,348 75.1 15,810 9.0 174,969 Acres Undeveloped 18,903 1.2 1,532,012 98.8 277,261 17.8 1,550,915 Water Acres2 50,741 4.4 1,108,576 S15.6 1,159,317 Source: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department 'Gulf Coast land acres are composed of those acres of designated recreation lands associated with salt wat er, i.e., gulf, bay, marsh, no inland waters are are included; Gulf coast acreages are not reflected as such in State Totals, since urban and rural totals are inclusive of Gulf Coast figures. Some percentages have been rounded. 2state Total does not include saltwater. 32 P U q ''@7aV- Ali7 Z A 4 _77 V IF Privately-Owned Marina. In 1973, Texas had a total ofl4,504public and privately owned recreation areas open to the general public. JPhoto by Bill Reaves, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department) each park is shared by 4,083 persons. accounting for the largest number of might be expected, however, the urban By contrast, each acre of rural public parks, provide approximately recreation areas are highly developed recreation land is shared by 7 persons 18 percent of the total number of Gulf already, with 70 percent of the land and each park by 6,355 persons. parks. area containing recreation facilities of some type. Only 8 percent of the rural Parks in Texas are administered by all Within the 17 county Gulf Coast. area lands are developed facilities, and levels of public administration- there were 246 parks associated with slightly over 17 percent of the federal, state, and local-and by the salt water recreation. The majority of designated recreation lands on the private sector. Table 3-3 shows a the Coastal parks were in rural Coast are developed. percentage breakdown of the number environments. A total of 293,070 of rural parks by administration. Since acres of land were devoted to coastal Land suitable for recreation by far the majority of urban parks are parks and recreation areas. development has increased in value for administered by the municipalities, an other uses as well, especially near administrative breakdown for urban DEVELOPMENT STATUS OF urban areas and areas near recreational Parks is not shown. The county RECREATION LANDS water. Private home developers have governments and private enterprises found that lands suitable for supply the remaining percentages of it is significant to note that, as shown in recreation are the most highly desired the urban parks. Private enterprises, Table 3-2 and Table 3-3, much of the for homesites. Therefore, we find in however, account for over 51 percent land area devoted to recreation in the Texas a growing real estate market of the number of rural parks and on State is undeveloped with recreation featuring some of the most attractive the Gulf Coast the private sector facilities. A limited portion of the resources for public recreation. Thus, accounts for 67 percent. Also, on the undeveloped recreation land, however, availability and access to th ese Gulf Coast, county governments, is suitable for further development. As resources by the public, because of 33 TABLE 3-3. PARKS AND RECREATION LANDS, WATERS AND. FACILITIES IN TEXAS BY AREA OF LOCATION AND ADMINISTRATION, 1973 RUrRAL AREAS URBAN ISTATEWIDE FEDERAL ajATE I LOCAL- E TOTAL TOTAL EXISTING AREAS ENTER- ., I Co.., M..ii,.,] PRIVAT AREAS' AND FACILITIES Corps F -.P,-F-ur-, USFWS TPW PRISE I Number of Parks ......... 211 15 32 10 80 23 15 214 252 910 1,762 2,742 4,504 Inland .............. 209 14 32 5 71 23 15 195 251 810 1,625 2,633 4,258 Saltwater Associated ...... 2 1 0 5 9 0 0 19 1 100 137 109 246 Total Park & Recreation Land Acres ............ 85,357 1,045,283 8,995 154,623 87,218 16,633 10,428 22 @930 47,670 184,223 1,663,360 62,524 1,725,884 Developed ............ 34,823 2,655 669 9,647 22,295 2,867 7,782 7,763 15,352 27,495 131,348 43,621 174,969 Inland ............. 34,651 855 669 935 22230 2,867 7,782 5,219 15,347 27,119 117,675 41,485 159,159 t Saltwa er Associated ..... 172 1,800 0 8,712 65 0 0 2,544 5 376 13,674 2,136 15,810 Undeveloped ........... 50,534 1,042,628 8,326 144,976 64,923 13,766 2,646 15,167 32,318 156,728 1,532,012 18,903 1,550,915 Inland ............. 50,534 910,510 8,326 25,814 41,287 13,766 2,646 14,437 32,309 156,592 1,256,221 17,433 1,273,654 Saltwater Associated 0 132,118 0 119'162 23,636 0 0 730 9 136 275,791 1,470 277,261 Hunting Land Acres ....... --- --- ... --- --- --- --- 65,246,000 ... 65,246,000 Inland .............. 74,000 30,000 769,000 311,000 321,000 0 0 0 0 63,366,000 64,871,000 64,871,000 Marsh, Saltwater Associated --- ... --- --- --- --- --- --- 375,000 ... 375,000 Total Recreation Water Surface Acres ...... ... ... ... --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 5,051,000 Freshwater Lakes .... --- ... ... --- --- --- --- --- 1,108,000 51,000 1,159,000 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Saltwater Bays ... ..... --- 2,111,000 Campsites ............. 3,905 515 837 120 3,819 744 127 1,356 1,143 6,949 19,515 1,739 21,254 Inland .............. 3,905 315 837 120 3,819 744 127 797 1,143 6,793 18,600 --- --- Saltwater Associated ...... 0 200 0 0 0 0 0 559 0 156 915 --- ... Playgrounds-Acres Devoted To. 1 1 0 0 32 11 5 137 168 67 421 3,109 3,530 Golf Courses-Holes ....... 0 0 0 0 72 0 0 156 459 842 1,529 1,064 2,593 Baseball/Softball-Fields . . . . . 0 0 0 0 7 0 0 88 84 16 195 1,862 2,057 Picnic Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,007 513 250 130 1,988 498 113 2,586 1,361 1,348 12,794 12,830 25,624 Inland .............. 4,007 513 250 112 1,964 498 113 2,372 1,361 1,340 12,530 --- Saltwater Associated ...... 0 0 0 18 24 0 0 214 0 8 264 Tennis Courts-Double ...... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1,309 1,309 Basketball Courts-Full ...... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 609 609 Football/Soccer-Fields ..... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 287 287 Boat Ramps ............ 299 9 18 3 35 20 7 59 94 437 981 55 1,036 Inland, Freshwater ....... 297 9 18 3 32 20 7 46 93 362 887 --- --- Saltwater Associated ...... 2 0 0 0 3 0 0 13 1 75 94 --- Boat Slips and Stall s....... 1,973 375 10 0 0 110 62 2 783 5,797 9,112 --- --- Inland, Freshwater ....... 1,947 375 10 0 0 110 62 2 696 4,813 8,015 Sal twater Associated ...... 26 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 87 984 1,097 --- --- Fishing Fac il ities- Linear Yards Yards .............. 20,646 1,250 30 0 5,906 355 62 5,454 2,321 11,790 47,814 1,321 49,135 Inland, Freshwater (Piers, Barges, Marinas) ....... 13,648 1,250 30 0 1,401 355 62 509 2,321 6,219 30,795 --- --- Saltwater Associated (Piers and Jetties) ......... 1,998 0 0 0 4,505 0 0 4,945 0 5,571 17,019 ... ... Swimming-Sq. Yds. of Pools . . 6,344 0 0 0 11,830 308 250 10,665 19,860 73,553 122,810 281,520 404,330 Swimming-Sq. Ycls. Designated Areas ............. 239,032 33,320 48,064 0 165,864 12,320 4,000 10,511 59,960 137,370 710,441 1,641,907 2,352,348 Inland, Designated Freshwater 239,032 32,000 48,064 0 25,064 12,320 4,000 430 59,960 137,370 558,240 1,607,707 2,165,947 Saltwater Associated ...... 0 1,320 0 D 140,800 0 0 10,081 0 0 152,201 34,200 186,401 Bicycle Trails-Miles ....... 0 14 0 0 3 0 0 1 0 0 18 97 115 Horseback Riding Trails-Miles 0 23 0 0 10 0 0 9 11 192 245 58 303 Combined, Walk, Hike, Nature Study Trails-Miles ...... 0 250 105 15 67 0 5 15 73 10 540 204 744 Inland .............. 0 172 105 8 67 0 5 15 73 10 455 --- --- Saltwater Associated ...... 0 78 0 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 85 ... Note: Corps-U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, NPS-National Park Service, USFS-United States Forest Service, USFWS-United States Fish and Wildlife Service, TPWD-Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, RA-Texas River Authorities, Other (State)-Texas Forest and/or Special Water Districts. Dashed lines indicate not applicable or inland and saltwater associated figures were not separated. 'Publicly administered recreation lands and facilities only. 2primarily lakes and reservoirs over 5,000 acre-feet capacity. intense competition, is decreasing facilities are summarized in Table 3-3. provide many hours of diversified, rapidly. These totals express all known, passive leisure activities f or a designated outdoor recreational significant segment of the populaflon. Since there are very few recreation facilities in Texas which are generally lands left in urban areas for open to the public. As mentioned The private recreation suppliers in the development, and since there is a earlier, the Texas Highway state provide a more diversified array certain precedent for leaving open Department does provide of facilities than are generally found in space in recreational areas, approximately M00 additional the public sector. The majority of the administrators of urban recreation in roadside parks, scenic turnouts, and private enterprises are in the rural the state are closely limited to their safety rest areas, and also administers areas and they offer such specialized own innovations and to high prices for the Texas Travel Trails. Roadside activities as: sport shooting, dude acquisition and development. Rural parks in Texas generally have varying ranches, resorts (of various kinds), administrators do have a slight amenities ranging from waste equestrian enterprises as well as the comparative advantage in that their receptacles and picnic tables only, to more traditional -boating (marinas, land acquisition costs are somewhat large, beautifully landscaped rest areas launch ramps, slips and.stalls, gasoline, lower, but scarce, or limited, public with sanitary facilities, dump stations, etc.), fishing (piers, tackle, bait, and monies I or acquisition and water and electricity, multiple picnic fish cleaning, guideboats, etc.), development of recreation lands places tables, large parking areas, barbeque ca mpgrou nds, picnic grounds, them in a similar position. grills, and interpretive displays. swimming pools, golf courses, and entertainment enterprises. Regional SUPPLY OF SELECTED OUTDOOR The state also has numerous culturally attractions are provided by such RECREATION FACILITIES oriented facilities, such as museums amusement centers as Six Flags over and historic and archeological sites. Texas at Arlington, Astroworld with Rural, public and private, urban, and' These resources, while not used the Astrodome at Houston, Sea-Arama statewide tabulations of selected intensively for outdoor recreation, do Marineworld at Galveston, and others. V V FISH AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES Some of the most important recreation resources in Texas are the many species of fish and wildlife which inhabit the state. Intensified efforts have been made by public and private entities in recent years to conserve these natural, and to a large extent, recreational, resources. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of Interior, administers 10 areas in Texas which comprise some 154,343 acres in National Wildlife Refuges. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department administers 13 f ish hatcheries, 12 wildlife management areas, 2 waterfowl refuges, and 7 scientific areas. Combined, these state administered areas comprise some 207,361 acres of land devoted to the conservation of fish and wildlife resources. Only limited recreation is allowed on these areas and normally activities are passive in deference to J the wildlife. Some fishing and hunting are allowed, but are closely regulated and monitored. In addition, there are several areas in the state for which no coryplete information is available at MASTA L 72 MiTE. 35 INFEMIMPTfl.1.1- 77'`@'!UEDN T ski #Ak* Jogging Along an Urban Walking and Bike Trail. In 1971 there was a total of 301 miles of walking, bicycling and nature trails in the. urban areas of the State. JPhoto by Rolfe Mandel, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department) this time regarding wildlife areas form of historic districts and sites, within the National Park Service, the managed by sportsmen's groups, buildings, structures, and objects USDI. Another 24 sites have been private corporations, and private significant to American History, approved as National Historic individuals. Some 67,286,119 acres of architecture, archeology, and culture Landmarks, also under the National lands are estimated to be available for are the prime goals of the plan. Park Service. Of the 217 accepted hunting at different seasons during Registration of cultural heritage sites, places in Texas 150 are historic each year; however, the majority of districts, and objects provides a properties, 57 are archeological sites, those lands are used primarily for m easure of protection from and 18 comprise historic districts. In other purposes such as timber destruction or loss. By utilizing an some historic districts there are management, farming, and ranching inventory of historic resources and a historical and/or archeological sites and were not considered as designated plan for their continued use and which are reflected in the previous recreation lands. preservation, all public and private f igu res. planning entities may protect these CULTURAL AND HISTORIC valuable state resources. The comprehensive statewide RESOURCES inventory of historic , resources National Register nominations for represented only part of a process of The Texas Historical Commission has Texas by the National Register identification. Approximately 4,600 developed, with the support of the Programs Department are expected to historic resources have been identified, Office of Archeology and Historic exceed 1,000 by 1976. Presently, located, surveyed, and recorded from Preservation, the National Parks there are 217 accepted on the National which the above mentioned National Service, USDI, the Comprehensive Register and approximately 10 are Register nominations have evolved. - Statewide Historic Preservation Plan nominated, i.e., proposed for inclusion for Texas. Identification and the National Register of Historic Sites, Additionally, the Texas Historical preservation of the state's prehistoric maintained by the Office of the Commission administers the historical and historic cultural heritage in the National Register of Historic Places, markers program. By August 4, 1974, 36 the committee listed 5,779 These sites parallel the national considered generally urban resources state-approved historical markers significance of the sites registered on for purposes of recreation analyses. which designated and described the National Register of Histor .ic Presently, in the state there are very landmarks generally of local Places at which an event or era in few prehistoric and historic parks and significance, but in many cases holding human history occurred. In addition sites which are designated as nationally interest for those persons living to the 10 approved sites, 7 rn *ore have significant or of statewide significance. outside local communities. been recommended for approval and Under the auspices of the National several more are yet to be studied by Park Service in Texas, there are four the National Park Service. designated areas: The Fort Davis On the National Registry of Natural National Historic Site, the Alibates Landmarks, Texas has 10 resources The Texas Museums Directory revised Flint Quarries and Texas Panhandle recognized as meeting the national edition 1974, lists 311 existing Cultures National Monument, the criteria and objectives of the Natural museums which are "organized and Lyndon B. Johnson National Historic Landmarks Program. To be accepted, a permanent non-prof it institutions, Site, and the Chamizal National si te, in addition to its national essentially educational or aesthetic in Memorial. The Texas Parks and significance, must possess exceptional purpose, which exhibit objects with Wildlife Department administers 24 value or quality in illustrating or intrinsic value to science, art, or State Historic Parks and Historic Sites interpreting our national natural culture, and are open to the public." wh ich provide opportunities to heritage and must be an essentially As thesb resources most often occur in discover still other facets of the state's unspoil@d example of natural history. or near urban areas, they are cultural history. Goliad State Historic Park near Goliad. This replica of the Mission Nuestra Senora del Espiritu Santo de Zuniga, originally established in 1722, is one of many historic sites in Texas. (Photo by Bill Reaves, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department) A4 V A 4, 4 ;fit t 37 decreases as the distance to the site increases. Attractive, scenic, and Chapter 4 unpolluted natural environments are also important f actors to RECREATION DEMANDS FACING TEXAS recreationists. Descriptive factors are made up of investment in recreation equipment bya household, participation in various outdoor activities, preferences for various activities, and hours per week spent in outdoor recreation by a household; INTRODUCTION depending on the size of the city in and they indicate the general tendency which one resides. Socio-economic of a household to participate in As previously discussed, Texas factors include age of household head, outdoor recreation activities. possesses a broad and varied natural family size, household income, and Many of the factors shown above are, and man-made resource base with vast miscellaneous others. The age of the of course, interrelated, and they are potential for the provision of many household head can be a factor not the only ones affecting demand. forms of outdoor recreation determining both the amount and These, h6wever, were consistently opportunities. This is particularly the types of activities a household might found to have the strongest effects and case in the rural areas of the state. In pursue. Family size has often been consequently, were utilized along with the urban areas of the State, many of shown as a significant factor in the a large number of other factors to these resources are available only in amount of outdoor recreation a project demand for the various the undeveloped urban fringes. household pursues. Normally, as a recreation activities which were household's income increases, larger determined to have statewide In addition, Texas has undergone amounts of disposable income become signif icance. marked demographic and available for leisure and recreational socio-economic changes in a relatively pursuits. Physical factors include the CURRENT AND PROJECTED short span of years. Along with these availability of facilities, natural changes, the demands for outdoor resources, and environmental RECREATION DEMAND recreation have grown steadily and characteristics and quality. The increased the pressures on Texas' availability of a facility or resource is Total outdoor recreation participation recreation resources, pressures which directly dependent upon access and in Texas, which reflects demand, are predicted to increase as demand distance, and generally speaking, the totaled approximately 538 million continues to grow. tendency of recreationists to days in 1968/1970(Figure 4-2). Be- participate at given recreation sites tween 1968/1970 and 1980 the total Why and what causes Texans to recreate is one of the first questions FIGURE 4-1. MAJOR FACTORS AFFECTING RECREATION that must be answered in attempting DEMAND to develop a viable plan for the provision of outdoor recreation opportunities for the State. It has been DEMOGRAPHIC PHYSICAL found that participation in outdoor recreation activities is affected by a POPULATION AVAILABILITY OF FACILITIES large variety of factors, some of which I AND NATURAL RESOU are more important than others. ITY SIZE THE ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTE111TIC11 Generally, the most important factors AND QUALITY include four major groups: SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEMAND DESCRIPTIVE demographic, socio-econom ic, AGE OF HOUSEHOLD HEAD' RECREATION INVESTMEN physical, and descriptive. (See Figure FOR 4-1.) Demographic factors include FAMILY SIZE PARTICIPATION IN ACTIVITIES population size and the size of the city I I of residence. Generally, the greater a OUTDOOR RECREATI'NIN E AVA 'L ABIL'T AND NATUR V0 M ENIR N EN A T AND ER CIPATION 1@ TI population, the greater the recreation OLD INCOME PREFERENCE FOR ACTIVITIES demand. Participation rates, especially RECREATION for certain activities such as hunting F;@@E OR ETHNIC BACKGROUND HOURS SPENT IN for example, tend to vary greatly OUTDOOR RECREATION 38 various components of urban demand, and innumerable daily tensions, seek including metropolitan areas, cities, some kind of healthy release for these FIGURE 4-2. TOTAL RECREATION and towns; rural demand, including frustrations and anxieties. Recreation PARTICIPATION IN TEXAS, out-of-state; and total, or combined can and does provide such a release. urban and rural. In addition, demand Metropolitan residents seek recreation 1968/1970 -2000 (MILLIONS is treated in terms of activities and in their own urban parks, important OF ANNUAL PARTICIPATION distribution by analytical region, because of their accessibility, and in geographic region, and the use of the rural parks (state parks, national parks, DAYS), State's recreation lands and water Corps parks, etc.), which provide a resources. quality recreational experience and 2756 fulfill the need to escape the cities. COMPONENTS OF TOTAL While in the urban areas the most RECREATION DEMAND difficult recreation problems are in the State's 24 metropolitan areas, within The total participation in Texas in the largest metropolitan areas, the 1968/1970 occurred predominantly in problems are even more acute. Of the the urban areas of the state as can be .......... metropolitan areas of Texas, it is the seen from Figure 4-3. This is not four largest-Dallas, Fort Worth, San surprising to discover, since some 80 Antonio, and Houston (Regions 10, percent of the State's population now 11, 16, and 25, respectively)-which reside in urban areas. In addition , this 1131 consistently account for a majority of urban participation occurred the total participation taking place in erwhelmingly in the metropolitan ov ........ ......... the urban areas. In 1968/1970, these areas. four metros were responsible for 56 538 percent of the total urban ...... The percentage of participation in participation. In the rur5l areas of Texas (Figure 4-3), while it should .......... ........ Texas, residents of these four areas fluctuate, is expected to change very ...... - accounted for 32 percent of the total : so/ 1960 2000 little over time. Participation occurring :To in the large metropolitan areas of the rural participation, and of the total .State, account for approximately 50 participation in Texas, both rural and percent of the demand in all areas, and urban, 36 percent was attributed to approximately 80 percent of the residents of these four metropolitan recreation demand in Texas is demand in urban areas. It is in these areas. This clearly points out the need expected to more than double, metropolitan areas where some of the to focus close attention on the recreational requirements of residents reaching 1.13 billion days, or an more crucial recreation problems of the large metropolitan areas, with increase of 110 percent. From 1980 to originate. Residents, who daily face regard to both rural and urban 2000, demand is projected to continue traffic congestion, noise, pollution, environments. to grow at outstanding rates, placing more pressure on facilities and areas that, in many cases, are overcrowded FIGURE 4-3. PERCENT IOF TOTAL RECREATION PARTICIPATION now. By 2000, the demand for IN TEXAS BY LOCATION, 1968/1970-2060 outdoor recreation , is projected to reach approximately 2.75 billion days. 1968/1970 1980 2000 This amounts to an increase of 144 percent over the projected 1980 total, METROS METHOS METROS 51% 49% 54% and 412 percent over the figure for 1968/1970. As indicated by these URBAN RBAN UMCIAR trends, more people are expected to 61% b5 recreate and they will recreate more OUT (OWWF % % STATE 2% than at any time before. T OWNS r% OUT OUT F To further illustrate the patterns of CITIES 8 STATE 1% OTA I TOWNS 6 TO recreation that were found to exist in CITIES 4% Texas, demand is discussed in the CITIES a % 01 T. WN following section in terms of its 39 That portion of the demand taking FIGURE 4-4. RECREATION PARTICIPATION place in cities and towns together TOTAL RECREATION IN THE RURAL AREAS makes up 15 percent of the total. PARTICIPATION IN THE Overall participation occurring in the Furthermore, projections indicate that URBAN AREAS OF TEXAS, rural areas in 1968/1970 totalled while the demands taking place in 1968/1970-2000 nearly 180 million days and by 1980 is these urban areas will increase (MILLIONS OF ANNUAL projected to reach 444 million days, or substantially in the future, the rates of PARTICIPATION DAYS) an increase of 147 percent. This total increase will be lower than in the 1,602 ....... is expected to reach 954 million days metropolitan areas. Consequently, the in the year 2000. This amounts to a proportion of the total will decline to METRO- M 430 percent increase over 1968/1970. 11 percent by ....... the year 2000. CITY C TOWN T (See Figure 4-5) However, the recreation needs of the cities and towns of Texas are as important as those of the metropolitan areas and equal consideration should OUT-OF-STATE VISITORS be given them as to the metros. Demand for outdoor recreation taking Following metropolitan areas, place in Texas by residents of other participation taking place in the rural states for the four activities in which areas forms the next largest segment of suitable data was available amounted total demand in Texas with nearly 40 to 2 percent of the Texas total in percent for all projection years. In the 1968/1970. Out-of-State demand is rural areas too, there are problems in expected to continue to increase in the providing adequate recreation for the future. By the year 2000, participation people of Texas. Rapid, unplanned 697 ....... is expected to increase 62 percent over urban growth can quickly obliterate ...... the 1968/1970 level. Among the top ......... ....... highly desirable rural natural and states in terms of recreation scenic areas ideally suited for ....... participation in Texas were Louisiana, recreation as well as destroy wildlife M X. California, Oklahoma, Florida, Illinois, habitats. The location of population ....... Missouri,- Kansas, and New Mexico concentrations with respect to natural (See Figure 4-61. While there is C regions often creates extreme substantial recreation participation in re environmental and recreation pressure the urban areas of Texas by ........ .... on those natural regions, such as along :C1. out-of-state visitors, the amount the Texas Gulf Coast. Texas has I I ... :: * occurring in urban parks was found to relatively few large public land 1960/1970 1900 2'goo be relatively insignificant for the holdings and many of those it does will have risen to 1,802 million recreation activities dealt with in this have are located far from the majority activity days, an increase of 162 plan, and, therefore, was not of the State's populations, e.g., Big percent over 1980 and 403 percent considered in the analvses of urban Bend and Guadalupe Mountains over 1968/1970. recreation. National Parks. RECREATION PARTICIPATION IN THE URBAN AREAS In 1968/1970 the total recreation participation taking place in the urban areas of Texas amounted to 358 million days (See Figure 4-4). This total includes all participation occurring in metropolitan areas, cities, and towns and includes all major urban activities. By 1980, this total is projected to increase to 687 million days for a 92 percent increase. In 2000, urban recreation participation 40 FIGURE 4-5. RECREATION DEMAND in 2000. For the most part, these five TOTAL RECREATION BY ACTIVITY activities also rank as the top five PARTICIPATION IN THE RURAL activities over the three time periods AREAS OF TEXAS, 1968/1970- A comparison of the respective for each of the respective categories of 2000 (MILLIONS OF ANNUAL magnitudes of the major outdoor metropolitan areas, cities, and towns. recreation activities, both urban and PARTICIPATION DAYS) rural, projected for future years can be RECREATION PARTICIPATION IN made from Figure4-7. THE RURAL AREAS 954 Participation in rural outdoor RECREATION PARTICIPATION IN recreation activities indicate that the X THE URBAN AREAS five most popular activities were fishing, camping, swimming, With the exception of surfing, which picnicking, and boating in 1968/1970. 444 stays the same, all urban activities are Some changes in the rankings will be .... ......... ......... ......... ........ ..... expected to increase in participation reflected in the year 2000. A strong ......... ......... ........ ..... between 1968/1970 and 2000. The growth rate predicted for picnicking is ... ...... .. ......... ..... five most popular activities taking expected to place this activity in the place in urban areas in terms of days number one position by the year ........ ..... X. ...... ...... ......... ......... ......... ......... ISO ........ of participation in 1968/1970 2000, superseding fishing for the first ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... included swimming, driving for time, as fishing drops to second place. ......... ......... ......... ........ ......... ........ X pletsure, bicycling, walking for Among other changes, boating will ......... ........ ......... ..... -camping ...... :... pleasure, and child's play. With only a move up to third place and ......... few changes in the order, these same will drop to fifth and swimming will 19681 1980 2000 1970 activities will still make up the top five move to fourth place, FIGURE 4-6. ORIGINS OF RECREATIONAL VISITORS TO TEXAS, 1970 (PERCENT OF TOTAL VISITORS) MINNES0 ES 2% ALL OTHER STAT - 11 % NEINk ;TMFM rr _ 2 1'@S ALL OTHER CoUN YORK TRIES--.cl% 3% CHIGAN fOWA 3% PENNSYLVANIA 2% OHIO A ^IQ - COLORADO LINOIS % CA hc'0 5 0 KANSA &AM f. MISS 4% 1 / N 14 NEW OKLAHOMA 1, , -/ RKANSA ARIZONA Af,-XICO % CtEOR I 2 % 00 0 .e 0 0 OUIMANA -FLORIDA L 69,o,\ SOURCE: TEXAS HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT- 1970 MEXICO 3% 41 iversai Recreational activity. Child's Play-A un .of V; Participation in child's play in the urban areas is projected to increase by 87 percent between 1970 and 1980. (Photo by Melanie Shearer, Texas Parks &Wildlife Department) Fishing-One of Texas' Favorite Recreational r6 Activities. Between 1970 and 1980, overall demand for fishing opportunities is expected to increase over 93 percent. (Photo by Jim Whitcomb, Texas Parks &Wildlife Department) vow Ak4 41 ILa& 42 FIGURE 4-7. TOTAL RECREATION PARTICIPATION IN TEXAS BY ACTIVITY AND LOCATION, 1968/1970-2000 ACTIVITY DAYS (IN MILLIONS) ACTIVITY DAYS (IN MILLIONS) 50 100 150 260 250 3 0 50 too ISO too 150 300 Golf IM/1970 IQW/1970 19W ......... .......... 1980 ....... 501 645 ................. ........ . ................. 2000 20DO Hunting Bcycli-q 19W /1970 433 478 1990 ---------- 2000 walking LIE= Nature Study 1968/1970 19W 1980 20DO 2000 2000 FiShirig Basketball W8/1970 tgss/lgm SW 19W 2@000 2WG Picnicking Baseball /Softball WS/sm 1968/1970 19110 l� so 2DOO 2000 Boating Skiing 1968/1970 19W 1980 Child's Play 2000 Hiking 200o t968/lg)o 1968/1970 im 1980 Driong for 20DO MM 1W] Surfing 2000 1968/1970 1980 NY, 2000 Sightseeing Football 1968/1970 1968/1970 1980 1980 2000 Woo Campng Archery mshm 1968/1970 19W 1980 2000 20bo Horseback SpOrtshooting Riding 1968/ 970 1968/1970 2000 20W U Tem,s ,968/1970 URBAN 19W 2000 RURAL TOTAL RECREATION and Picnicking and child's play will home or origin, to another point, or PARTICIPATION IN TEXAS wi I I appear among these top five. destination, to participate in some activity. The amount of participation In 1968/1970, the top five activities in GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF in the activity taking place at this terms of total participation, both RECREATION DEMAND destination, then, is termed destination demand. urban and rural combined, reveal that the top f ive activities included DISTRIBUTION BY PLANNING swimming, driving for pleasure, The following paragraphs discuss REGIONS bicycling, fishing, and walking for demand in terms of various types of Total recreation participation that pleasure, respectively. By 2000 driving destinations where the participation occurred in 1968/1970 within each of and fishing will have dropped from the takes place. Typically, a recreationist the 37 analytical planning regions of five most popular activities in Texas will travel from some point, usually his Texas is shown in Figure 4-8. From 43 FIGURE 4-8. TOTAL RECREATION PARTICIPATION IN TEXAS BY PLANNING REGION AND LOCATION, 1968/1970 (33 3 5 133 (D 14 V 29 20 15 3 19 (D 17 Q 22 21 30 23 26 (337 Q 25 27 36 16 31 (324 28 PARTICIPATION DAYS %RURAL V 0 32 >40MILLIOM 20-39MILUON 33 10-19OLUON 0 X 5-9 MILLION 5 MILLION 35 34 this, one Gan discern how participation participation are more evenly beaches, etc. Region 12 is extremely varies across the state. By far, the four distributed popular with Fort Worth and Dallas largest metropolitan areas receive the Following the first four metropolitan residents because of the large number largest amount of total participation areas, other top-ranking regions and of lakes there. Region 14 is visited by (urban and rural), with Houston their ranks are Region 14, fifth; large numbers of Dallasites seeking the (Region 25) ranked first, followed by Regions 33 and 28 tied for sixth; regions lakes and forests. Region 23 Dallas, Fort Worth, and San Antonio Region 12, eighth; and Regions 23 and visitors come from all over Texas for (Regions 11, 10, and 16), respectively. 29 tied for ninth. Two things should the hill country and highland lakes. It is also evident that the be noted with regard to these region . s. Many Houstonians as well as residents overwhelming majority of the First, most are near, or immediately of Region 28 are drawn here by the participation in these regions isurban, adjacent to, one of the four large gulf coast beaches. Padre Island is because rural land is scarce and metropolitan areas, and all contain extremely popular with San Antonians becoming more scarce in these four metropolitan areas themselves. and, of course, residents of Corpus regions. Another metropolitan area Second, all contain one or more Christi. and largely urban region, Region 29, natural resources important for the El Paso area, ranks ninth in total recreation, e.g., piney woods, lakes. Other regions of the state also draw participation, although rural and urban hill country, streams, gulf coast recreationists in various amounts, 44 again depending primarily upon TJ 1@w natural resources in the region and distance from population centers. Curiously, Region 30, with two national parks and magnificent scenery, has the least amount of recreation of any region in the State. However, Region 30 is, except for El Paso and Midland-Odessa, at least a k, days' drive from the major population centers of the State, making it generally out of consideration for weekend trips. Moreover, water in te Region 30 is quite scarce, and wa r, ji particularly lakes, forms the natural Second is the North Texas lake district most popular activity, swimming, resource base for a wide variety of with 140 million days, or 33 percent is of course ' a water-oriented activities. of the total participation in Texas. activity. People enjoy being in This area combines easy accessibility or near water. It is pleasing to look at, Still other regions are expected to to a resource, i.e., IaGs, and a huge it is cooling, and it provides the basis assume a much greater importance population concentration. The Hill for a great variety of activities, many from a recreation standpoint. They, Country and Piney Woods account for more than would be possible without too, possess valuable natural resources, 61 million or 14 percent and 55 the presence of water. It has been but have not yet been developed. m i I I i o n days or 13 percent, found that recreationists tend to Therefore, special concern shouid be respectively, while the mountains participate in certain activities in focused on these regions with regard account for about 4 percent, or 17 conjunction with certain other to planning. These include Regions 15, million days, again reflecting the activities. For instance, camping, 22, 26, 27, 24, 9, 20, and 37. relative inaccessibility of this region. picnicking, swimming, boating, fishing, DISTRIBUTION BY MAJOR DISTRIBUTION BY LAND AND and skiing are activities that are quite GEOGRAPHIC REGIONS WATER RESOURCES often found in various combinations with one another. A great deal of The major geographic areas of Texas The following discussion considers participation in such activities, or are generally considered to be the gulf participation taking place on land and activity "packages," takes place on coast, the piney woods of East Texas, various types of water bodies. This Texas' large reservoirs and lakes. Over the hill country of Central Texas, and type information can be a valuable 13 percent of the total participation in the mountains of West Texas. A fifth planning tool for recreation because it Texas and over 31 percent of the area, while not actually a geographic highlights the importance of different water participation took place on lakes area, can be described for illustrative resources with regard to recreation above 250 surface acres in size in purposes as the North Texas Lakes participation, and indicates where 1968/1970. Pools accounted for over Area. Combined, these regions make demand is taking place now and where 9 percent of the total participation, up 76% of the population of Texas, it is likely to take place in the future. reflecting the high popularity of and account for only 43% of the total swimming. The gulf coast, even with square miles of land, but 80% of all Figure 4-10 shows urban, rural, and limited accessibility for large segments outdoor recreation in Texas takes total participation by land and water, of the State's population, ranks third place within these 5 geographic areas and further breaks water participation among water environments with 6 (See Figure 4-9). into more detailed categories. The ma- percent. Small lakes, between 10 and jority of total participation, 57 percent, 250 surface acres in size, accounted The single geographic area accounting takes place on land. Many activities are for nearly 5 percent of Texas' total for the greatest amount of recreation limited to land, but some activities, participation, and 5 percent took place participation is the Gulf Coast with such as picnicking, can take place on rivers and streams. Ponds or stock 156 million days, or 36 percent of the away from, near, or even on the water. tanks less than 10 surface acres in size total participation in -texas. This area Thus it is perhaps surprising to find made up 2 percent of the total includes Regions 24, 25,27,28, 33 and that such a large proportion, 43 participation. In some areas of the 34. This area also possesses the percent, of total participation takes State, a surprisingly large amount of characteristics of large population place in the immediate vicinity of swimming and fishing took place in concentrations of people living within some type of water body. The State's such ponds, particularly among rural easy reach of a public resource. residents and people participating an 45 FIGURE 4-9. TOTAL RECREATION PARTICIPATION IN TEXAS BY MAJOR GEOGRAPHIC REGION AND LOCATION, 1968/1970 4 5 3 NORIM ILAA,) LAKE 6 7 8 .-PINEY WOODS 20 18 19 21- 17 -23 ............... HILL COUNTRY 31 . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 31 36 GULF COAST 40 32 RURAL 20 35 URBAN MILLIONS OF ACTIVITY DAYS . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........... 46 FIGURE 4-10. TOTAL RECREATION PARTICIPATION IN TEXAS BY LAND AND WATER RESOURCES UTILIZED AND LOCATION, 1968/1960 TOTAL URBAN Lake (@250 s.a.) 13 % Pool 12%, WATER WATER Gulf 5% 43% 240/0 0 -Pool 9 /0 (> 250 S. a.) 3% Lake Rivers and Streams 2% Lake (10-250s,a.) 1% Gulf 6 % Inland Bays 1% nk (110 S. a.) 1% Pond or Ta Other 1 O/o Rivers and Streams 5% 7' Inland Waterways lo"o Lake (10-250s.a.) 5% Ponds and Tanks 2 '/o Inland Bays 1 % Inland Waterways @ I % Other i o/o RURAL WATER 71 Lake,(@250s.a.) 310/0 Lake(10-250Sa.) 110/0 Rivers and Streams 100/0 Gulf 80/0 Pond or TankOlos.a.)5% Inland Bays 20/c Pool 20/0 Other 1 9/0 Inland Waterways < 1% their own land. Inland bays made up 1 as preferences. Urban recreation water Analysis of current and projected percent of all Texas participation, and is very limited, while the majority of d e m a n d f r o m d i f f e r e n t inland waterways and other each Texas lakes are located in rural perspectives-rural, urban, out-of.state, accounted for less than 1 percent. settings. Under urban participation, by activity, analytical region, the relatively large percentage for geographic region, type of resource, Urban and rural comparisons provide pools, 12 percent, to some extent etc.-is imperative because of the some interesting contrasts. Clearly, reflects the popularity of swimming in insights it provides with regard to urban participation weighs heavily urban areas. Inasmuch as rural recreation planning. Such analysis toward land participation, while pools recreational water is generally provides managers and planners with form the largest segment of water accessible to the majority of the information on the amount and participation. Rural participation, on State's population, the large Patterns of outdoor recreation in the other hand, is predominantly proportion for water, 71 percent, Texas. This enables them to do a water-oriented, with the largest probably reflects preference more than better job of fulfilling the needs and segment being lakes of over 250 availability. Rural participation at desires of the citizens of Texas, and, at surface acres in size, These lakes of varying sizes is a very the same time, ensure careful planning breakdowns probably represent the important segment, comprising 42 for the future use of Texas' resources, availability of these resources as well percent of the total rural participation. both land and water. 47 DEVELOPED RECREATION LANDS Chapter S The following discussion describes WHAT TEXAS NEEDS - ADDITIONAL RECREATION RESOURCES developed recreation land requirements for the entire State, for the urban areas, and for the rural areas. It does not touch upon other types of land needed, such as open space, natural areas, wilderness, etc., although they are important. These latter categories of land requirements are considered in Chapter 6 of this volume. In interpreting the requirements for additional developed recreation lands, it should be pointed out that a number of alternatives are available for providing these lands. Among these alternatives is the further development of existing sub-optimally developed INTRODUCTION campsite in a remote area to an recreation lands, use of publicly intensely developed urban regional a- regulated lands for recreation Due to the increasing demand being musement center, such as Six Flags purposes, and the outright acquisition placed on the State's existing outdoor Over Texas. and develop rment of lands for recreation resources, many parks and recreation purposes. recreation lands, waters, and facilities Other resources may include natural, are presently inadequate to provide historical, and archeological sites and STATEWIDE DEVELOPED LAND the types of recreation opportunities areas that possess significant required to adequately satisfy the ecological, historic, or cultural and REQUIREMENTS recreational demands of the people of social - values. These plus other Texas and visitors to the State. resources serve to provide the It is estimated that an additional recreation opportunities presently 74,000 acres of developed recreation To provide adequate recreation being sought out by recreationists in lands should have been available to opportunities in a state as large and Texas today and are expected to meet the recreation demands in Texas diverse as Texas will require the continue into the future. during 1968/1970 and represents an provision of significant quantities of increase of 42 percent over the resources in addition to the existing existing 175,000 acres of developed supply. Since outdoor recreation is CURRENT AND PROJECTED lands. With the projected increases in characterized by a broad array of RESOURCE REQUIREMENTS demands, the need for additional personal interest and preferences of developed recreation lands isexpected recreationists, resources providing Estimates of the requirements for to total 211,000 acres by 1980 and to these opportunities are also of a varied selected recreation resources are total 540,000 acres by the year 2000. nature. provided in the discussions presented These estimates represent increases of below. The requirements represent the 121 percent over present levels of These resources basically include land, quantities and general locations of supply by 1980 and 308 percent by water, and developed recreation additional resources that should be 2000. (See Figure 5-1.) facilities. Lands may include made available between 1968/1970 mountains, forests, plains, hills, and the year 2000 to provide adequate COMPONENTS OF STATEWIDE wilderness, shorelines, or beaches or levels of recreation opportunities with DEVELOPED RECREATION LAND simply urban open space acres. Water respect to expected demands. These REQUIREMENTS may range from the coastal gulf and resources include acres of developed bay waters to freshwater lakes, rivers recreation lands, surface acres of Of the total requirement for additional and streams, or small ponds and stock recreational water, and the additional developed recreation lands in tanks. Recreation facilities may vary units of selected outdoor recreation 1968/1970, 36 percent is urban, while similarly from the most primitive facilities. 64 percent is in rural areas of Texas. 48 o aiion. Provisions for recreation c must be made for these peop e, too, - but due to the diverse nature of such 6.W communities, precise standards are difficult to@ gauge.; Therefore,: it is felt.- th6t:. he' types-.'@* of - recreation 'land y needed are best -determine b the cl 1z ens..iof, -.smaII.-communities-_@,*.-- them sel ves.-- However,-: a -7-1 - - benchmark of F6011111111Q@Aoip- 5 ir-b@th develooe d*:- 2 acres of -land -fo -ace or -.Jacilities-:and.@bpen_ sp -acreage.:-f s rri@a I I c-b.mrn u-n-i,ties --.',,has--- b n 7 7: established. Rural Re uirements. -7 F ural developed land.-*-'requiremen ts'in .1968/1970, werei.*-r estimated-, at over: 46 , 0 00 a cres4,,..,By,1 980 h u -4 -p liimmPIP-P-@'. Fr _ -req trement Js rojected 'to., grow o-., '@,_-r@early., 140@000 acres, an ihcr ase-of z 'o@ !, ^@i 7 74 more .-th a n:- 114, percent.'abo%;6@prese_t '11 &U n pplies By @2000 - a-total Of 351,0 su J f.@` acres,.@ wil Ibe@ reodir6d a increase 0. M n ze, I rk.@@ 267 percent above existing developed land acreages. (See Figure 5-1.) --Z GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF W RECREATION LAND EQUIREMENTS R 7-1>1 J_.,!; The following section describes Inadequate.Recreational Opportunities. resource requirements for developed Inadequate or pooriy-locateid recreation areas often leave local recreation land in terms of geographic residents to make the. most of vacant lots and other idle tracts of land in, the neighborhood. (Photo'by'Texas Department of. Public' -@distrib6tion of where these additional- Mlfare) ..land resources are needed. Distribution is of much importance, iri.'recreation planning because resources should be developed, so far as is feasible, with the, objective of. satisfying demand, and this demand, as has been varies @reatly'across the -demonstrated State. were estimated at 23,000 acres (85 14,000 acres, and towns 11,000 acres percent of all urban land.needs), while over existing recreation lands. Planning Regions cities will need 1,900 acres, and towns 2,000 acres in addition to their present Figure 5-3 depicts comb ined urban lands. Total urban recreation land In addition to the metropolitan areas, and rural developed jecreation land requirements are expected to increase cities, and towns requirements requirements for 1968/1970 for each to 62,000 acres by 1980, and to discussed above, there are 2,555 small of the 37 analytical planning regions 188,000 acres..by 2000, increases of communities (less than 2,500 of Texas. As can be seen, the majority approximately 142 and 432 percent popu lation ) in Texas.- T hese of urban and rural land acres estimated over thy. existing developed lands, . communities are often quite diverse in necessary for additional development e-' citizens, occur in the eastern north central, respectively. By the' year 2000 th '-the composition @ of their:. metropolitan areas. will require an depending on the socio-economic and southern regions, and in the additional 164,000 acres, the cities characteristics and geographic central coastal area. 50 (See Figure 5-2 .) The larger urban land needs are greater such as natural beauty, solitude, and requirement for rural lands is due to proportionally than rural needs, and tranquility. the fact that many activities pursued thus, it would be more efficient to in the rural areas require larger concentrate on providing urban Urban Requirements amounts of land and open space than recreation lands at the expense of rural urban activities. However, urban land. However, some rural activities In 1968/1970 it was estimated that recreation lands are very important. cannot easily occur in urban approximately 27,000 acres of Urban lands are costly, and urban environments, such as camping or developed recreational lands were recreation planners must optimize the h u n t i n g . In addition, rural needed in the urban areas of Texas in use of available recreation land. One participation often adds other addition to the acres of developed might surmise that, since the greater dimensions to recreation which are less lands presently available. (See Figure proportion of participation is urban, likely to be found in urban recreation, 5-1.) Metropolitan area requirements FIGURE 5-1. DEVELOPED RECREATION LAND REQUIREMENTS IN TEXAS, 1968/1970-2000 (000's of acres) URBAN RURAL TOTAL (Rural + Urban) 200 600 -- 600 100 450 450 100 300 300 .X 50 150 150 =0 1968/1970 1980 2000 1968/1970 1980 2000 1968/1970 1980 2000 FIGURE 5-2. PERCENT OF DEVELOPED RECREATION LAND REQUIREMENTS I N TEXAS BY LOCATION, 1968/1970-2000 1968/1970 1980 2000 .............. ............ URBAN URBAN URBAN 36% 29% 35% Metros 31% Metros 25% Metros 30% .................... .......... Cities 2% Cities 2% Cities 3% Towns 3% Towns 2% Towns 2% 49 location. Provisions for recreation must be made for these people, too, but due to thediverse nature of such communities, precise standards are difficult to gauge* Therefore, it is felt that the types of recreation land needed are best determined by the citizens of small communities 0 themselves. However, a benchmark of 25 acres of land for both developed facilities and open space acreage for small communities has been 7 i established. Rural Requirements Rural developed land requirements in 1968/1970 were estimated at over 46,000 acres. By 1980, this requirement is projected'to, grow to nearly 140,000 acres, an increase of more than 114 percent above present supplies. By 2000, a total of 351,000 acres will be required, an increase of 267 percent above existing developed r land acreages. (See Figure 5-1.) GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF RECREATION LAND REQUIREMENTS The following section describes Inadequate Recreational Opportunities. resource requirements for developed Inadequate or poorly-located recreation areas often leave local recreation land in terms of geographic residents to make the most of vacant lots and other idle tracts of land in the neighborhood. (Photo by Texas Department of Public distribution of where these additional Welfare) land resources are needed. Distribution is of much importance 'in recreation planning because resources should be developed, so far as is feasible, with the objective of satisfying demand, and this demand, as has been demonstrated, varies greatly across the State. were estimated at 23,000 acres (85 14,000 acres, and towns 11,000 acres percent of all urban land,needs), while over existing recreation lands. Planning Regions cities will need 1,900 acres, and towns 2,000 acres in addition to their present Figure 5-3 depicts combined urban lands. Total urban recreation land In addition to the metropolitan areas, and rural developed recreation land requirements are expected to increase cities, and towns requirements requirements for 1968/1970 for each to 62,000 acres by 1980, and to discussed above, there are 2,555 small of the 37 analytical planning regions 189,000 acres by 2000, increases of communities (less than 2,500 of Texas. As can be seen, the majority approximately 142 and 432 percent population) in Texas. These of urban and rural land acres estimated over thy existing developed lands, communities are often quite diverse in necessary for additional development respectively. By the year 2000 the the composition of their citizens, occur in the eastern, north central, metropolitan areas will require an depending on the socio-economic and southern regions, and in the additional 164,000 acres, the cities, characteristics and geographic central coastal area. 50 Among the 37 regions, those 10 with respectively. Due to further increases expected that recreation land needs the largest total land acre deficits for in demand, additional shifts among the will amount to approximately 11 1968/1970 include regions 11, 14, 25, top ten regions are expected by 2000, percent of the acreage in Region 11. 33, 28, 12, 10, 15, 24, and 2. These when Region 11 is expected to assume Such land needs may not be feasible to regions generally contain either large first place followed by Regions 25, 33, provide. in view of rapid urbanization, metropolitan areas or important 12, 28, 14, 10, 15, 9, and 24, high land costs in certain areas, and natural resources for recreation, or respectively. many other factors. Nevertheless, two both. By 1980, with changes in conclusions can be drawn from this demand throughout the State, it is In some regions, particularly in the information. First, if current attitudes expected that there will be some shifts future, recreation land requirements of recreationists prevail, it is among the top ten regions. Region 33 may amount to a @ignificant portion of imperative that the acquisition of will become first, followed by 11, 25, the entire area of the region, such as in recreation land be accorded a high 12, 28, 14, 10, 15, 9, and 24, Region 11, where, by 2000, it is priority everywhere. Second, since all FIGURE5-3. DEVELOPED RECREATION LAND REQUIREMENTS BY PLANNING REGION, 1968/1970-1980 4W 1968/1970 ACRES OF LAND 10 >10,000 4,000- 9,999 2,000 - 3,9" @4 1,000 - 1,999 1, 000 2 17 19 22 36 1980 '(D 27 28 25 10 33, 35 16 ng ppq mi 26 25 51 FIGURE 5-4. DEVELOPED RECREATION LAND REQUIREMENTS BY MAJOR GEOGRAPHIC REGION AND LOCATION, 1968/1970-1980 3 A 7 9 21 31 24 LAND ACRES t1a Thausams) poll 32 33 25 3 im FIGURE 5-5. RECREATIONAL LAKE AND RESERVOIR REQUIREMENTS, 1968/1970-2000 too 75 50 gj@ 25, ......- R RAL ..... .. .. .......... 19 2000 1970 to these resources and the opportunities they provide. For purposes of the Texas Outdoor Recreation Plan, estimates of the (01 additional water resources required to satisfy current and future recreation demand pertain only to freshwater lakes and reservoirs and consider only the demands for surface water suitable for boating, skiing, and boat fishing. In the process of developing these estimates a number of decisions were made concerning resource, potentials as they related to the feasibility of developing additional freshwater resources. This was particularly the case in the arid regions of the State. Consequently, these decisions are reflected in resource requirement the recreation land actually needed RECREATIONAL WATER estimates presented below. will probably not be provided within a given region, the needs of the people Water is an important recreation STATEWIDE RECREATION WATER will have to be met in other nearby resource not only because of the REQUIREMENTS regions. number and popularity of activities which take place directly on or in the With a present supply of 1,159,317 Major Geographic Regions water but also for the activities which surface acres of freshwater. lakes and are indirectly related to water such as reservoirs, the requirement for Presenting the developed recreation camping and picnicking. The presence additional surface acres of recreation land requirements of the State in of water resources adjacent to an area water is expected to grow moderately terms of commonly known natural for an activity such as camping between 1968/1970 and 1980 as regions generally reflected the enhances the area and makes it more shown in Figure 5-5. Between 1980 historical popularity and attraction of pleasant. As previously discussed, 43 and 2000 the requirements are these areas, as did the demand for percent of the total recreation expected to increase more rapidly. In recreation in these regions. Of the land participation that occurred in Texas in terms of additional surface acres needed in 1968/1970, the five major 1968 was related to some type of needed, it was estimated that an geographic regions accounted for 80 water resource. In the urban areas, additional 6,700 surface acres were percent of the total state estimated where suitable recreation water needed in 1968/1970 over the present land requirements as shown in resources are infrequent, 24 percent of supply. This represents an increase of Figure5A The geographic region the participation was water related. approximately 0.6 percent. By 1980, accounting for the largest number of However, in the rural areas over 70 this requirement will increase to additional developed land acres needed percent of the recreation participation 24,000 acres, an increase of 2.1 was the Gulf Coast with 23,000 acres, was related to or occurred within close percent over existing supply. Between or about 31 percent of the State's proximity to water resources. 1980 and 2000, an 8.9 percent total requirement. The North Texas increase over the present supply will Lakes Area ranks second with Given the importance of water to be needed. This represents the 17,000 acres, or about 22 percent, the recreation, planning for the addition of approximately 103,000 Piney Woods region ranks third with development of additional water surface acres within those areas of the 13,000 acres, 18 percent, and the Hill resources in Texas must consider the State where additional water Country and the Mountains rank recreation demands for water oriented development is needed and feasible. fourth and fifth, with 4,500 and 1,800 opportunities. Regardless of the acres, or 6 'percent and 2 percent, primary purpose for developing a COMPONENTS OF STATEWIDE respectively. While the acreages will reservoir or lake, whether for RECREATION WATER increase, these percentage breakdowns municipal water supply, industrial REQUIREMENTS are projected to remain approximately water supply, or flood control, In 1968/1970 requirements for the same through 1980. recreationists consistently seek access additional recreation water were found 53 4 R, +A 4# Water-An Important Recreation Resource. Much of the outdoor recreation in Texas is water related. (photo by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department) to exist in both the rural and urban FIGURE 5-6. areas of the State, but the majority of PERCENT OF RECREATIONAL LAKE AND the additional water was needed in the RESERVOIR REQUIREMENTS BY LOCATION, urban areas (See Figure 5-6 ). This 1968/1970-2000 relationship can be attributed to some extent to the fact that most of the lakes and reservoirs in the State are 1968/1970 1980 2000 presently located in rural areas. Towns 8% Cities L To-", 14% However, by 1980 the requirements 7 Town, Cities L 28% 9% RU A for additional rural water resources Metros will increase to 36 percent of the. URBAN .38% Metros 85% In. 41% State's total requirement as opposed 13% UR13AN URBAN 53% to only 15 percent in 1968/1970. By Metros 64% 44% 2000, 47 percent of the total State recreation water requirement of 103,000 surface acres will be needed Jn the-rural areas with the remaining 53 percent needed in the urban areas. 54 Urban Requirements In addition, early information Rural Requirements indicated that the cost of providing With an existing supply of 50,741 water resources for small communities With a present supply of 1,108,576 surface acres of lakes and reservoirs, would dictate that not all communities surface acres, the requirements for additional requirements for the urban will be able to have opportunities. recreation water in the rural areas of areas were estimated to be Nevertheless, outdoor recreation Texas are expected to grow rapidly approximately 5,700 surface acres in planning at every level, where it from a requirement of 992 surface 1968/1970. Of the total state concerns the needs of small towns, acres in 1968/1970 to approximately requirement, approximately 44 must take every effort to consider the 9,000 surface acres in 1980 for those percent was determined to be needed needs of these communities. areas of the state where additional in the metropolitan areas, 13 percent in the cities, and 28 percent in the towns of the State (See Figure 5-6 ). By 1980, total urban requirements will increase to over 15,000 surface acres, an increase of 30 percent over the existing supply. By the year 2000, an additional 54,000 acres will be needed. This represents a 107 percent increase over the 50,741 surface acres presently available. In 1980, metropolitan area requirements are projected to be 41 N1. IV, percent of the total state requirement, while cities and towns will account for approximately 9 and 14 percent, respectively. Metro area requirements will have increased to 39,000 surface acres by the year 2000, 38 percent of the total statewide requirement. Cities and towns water requirements are expected to amount to 7,000 and 4, 8,000 acres, or 7 percent and 8 percent of the statewide requirements, respectively. In providing the estimated requirements for water in the urban areas of the State, feasibility problems may be encountered by water development agencies. This may be particularly the case in securing lands with water development potential within a reasonable cost range. Consequently, development in rural areas in close proximity to metropolitan areas, cities, or towns may be a reasonable alternati ve to providing the opportunities needled by the urban areas as well as providing additional rural recreation opportunitiess. Recreation on Lake Austin, an Urban Reservoir. By 2000 statewide recreation requirements for urban oriented lakes and reservoirs are projected to increase to over 54,000 surface acres,an increase ofJ07 Analysis of requirements for the many percent over the supply in 1970. (Photo by Texas Parks & Wildlife small communities in Texas was Department) attempted but a lack of accurate data for all communities was encountered. 55 water development is considered state, Particularly in a state the size of regions are shown in Figure 5-7. All of feasible. The rapidly growing Texas, it is necessary to determine as the - regional requirements were in popularity of water sports, in accurately as possible where additional urban areas except for Region 24 particular boating, will increase rural emphasis should be placed in meeting w hich had a requirement for 992 requirements in certain areas of the these demands. The following surface acres in the rural areas. The State to nearly 49,000 surface acres discusses water surface acre requirements were relatively small. by 2000. This represents a 4 percent requirements in those geographic areas Region 24 stands out with the largest increase over the present surface acres of the state where additional waters requirements, nearly 1,200 acres. available in the rural areas of the State. are estimated to be needed at the Region 16 urban areas ranked second present time as well as in the future, with 900 surface acres, followed by GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF and where additional water resource Region 12 urban areas with 600 acres, REQUIREMENTS develoDment is feasible. Region 33 with 346 acres, and Region Planning Regions 27 with 345 acres. All remaining In order to effectively plan for regions had relatively small satisfying the future recreation Total water resource requirements for requirements of approximately 300 demands for water resources in the 1968/1970 for the 37 analytical surface acres or less. FIGURE 5-7. RECREATIONAL LAKE AND RESERVOIR REQUIREMENTS BY PLANNING REGION. (D 10 G) 5 7 14 8 9lim 17 20 15 30 18 22 21 23 26 36 37 24 27 28 Surface Acres 25 of Water In Th(misands '32 33 15 12 35 16 00 56 FIGURE 5-8. RECREATIONAL LAKE AND RESERVOIR REQUIREMENTS BY MAJOR GEOGRAPHIC REGION, 1968/1970-2000 2 NOOMH rEXAS LAKES[ 4 3 13 f4 6 7 PINE Y W 20 is 18 19 17 22 30 21 Surface Acres 23 (In Thousands) MOUNUIN.9 37 25 27 -30 N&L COUN 31 36 24 28 -20 64VLF COAsr 32 10 33 35 2 1968/ 2000 wo 3 While there are currently low estimates reservoirs, the spatial distribution of surface acres, or 15 percent, the Hill of requirements for surface acres of these reservoirs in relation to the Country with 15 percent, and the recreational water, between 1980 and population will be less than ideal in Piney Woods and Mountains each with 2000 both urban and rural many instances. Consequently, 5 percent. The importance of the five requirements are expected to grow at recreationists in the arid regions of the geographic regions with regard to the high rates in some areas as illustrated State may be forced to continue to proportion of total state requirements in Figure 5-7. This fact is extremely travel long distances to participate in attributed to them is expected to important in view of the extended water oriented recreation activities. increase between 1968/1970 and time frames necessary for the 2000. By 2000, these five regions will development of such recreational Major Geographic Regions account for 72 percent of the State's water. Studies must be conducted, recreational water acreage written and studied, funds must be Of the total requirements for requirements. provided, lands must be purchased, additional surface acres of recreational etc. Most of these processes are set in water that were estimated for RECREATION FACILITIES motion now, and adequate 1968/1970, 58 percent was needed in recreational waters for the public for the five major geographic regions of In addition to developed recreation the rest of the century will hopefully Texas (See Figure.5-8 ). The largest, lands and recreation water, facility be provided for the State as a whole. the Gulf Coast, was 1,189 surface requirements were developed to However, due to the various factors acres, or 18 percent, followed by the delineate the number and types of that dictate the location of new North Texas Lakes District with 1,036 facilities needed to meet the demand 57 for specific activities. These STATEWIDE FACILITY located in the urban areas, the urban requirements represent facilities that REQUIREMENTS areas are expected to account for 54 need to be provided in addition to percent and the rural areas 46 percent existing supplies in order to satisfy Figure 5-9 shows the projected of the State's recreation overall facility projected demand. requirements for all types of requirements. Estimates of additional facility recreation facilities for the State and requirements were determined for 17 the rural and urban areas of the types of recreational facilities. Some State.* As of 1968/1970, the larger Urban Requirements of these facilities are confined to rural statewide requirements estimated to areas, others only to urban exist were for campsites, piers, barges, Those facilities expected to have the environments, and some are found in and marinas, picnic tables, square fastest growing requirements in urban Yards of pools and designated areas include playgrounds, basketball both areas.* Urban and rural swimming areas, boat slips and stalls, courts, swimming pools, baseball recreation facilities are shown below. tennis courts, and miles of trails. Over fields, and tennis courts. All urban Campsites Rural Facilities the entire period from 1968/1970 to facility requirements are expected to Playground Acres 2000, the fastest growing requirements at least double between 1968/1970 Golf Holes are expected to occur for playgrounds, and 2000. Baseball/Softball Fields basketball courts, picnic tables, boat slips and stalls, and swimming pools Hunting Acres - By far, the urban facility requirements Picnic Tables with at least a 100 percent increase in are much larger for metropolitan areas Boat Ramps all requirements during this period. than for cities or towns. For every Boat Slips and Stalls Total statewide requirements for type of urban facility, metropolitan Fishing Piers, Barges, Marinas-Linear almost all types of facilities can be requirements exceed those of the cities Yards expected to at least double by the end by at least tenfold for most facilities. Swimming Pools-Square Yards of the century over the existing Requirements of cities and towns are supplies. Designated Swimming Areas-Square fairly close in the number of facilities Yards required. Bicycle Trail Miles COMPONENTS OF STATEWIDE Horseback Riding Trail Miles FACILITY REQUIREMENTS Rural Requirements Walking, Hiking, Nature Study Trail Of the total requirements for all types Miles of additional recreation facilities in The fastest growing requirements for Urban Facilities Texas in 1968/1970, approximately rural areas will be picnic tables, 50 percent were needed in the urban playground acres, boat slips and stalls, Tennis Courts areas with the remaining 50 percent boat ramps, and piers, barges, and Playground Acres needed in the rural areas. While the marinas, a 90 percent projected Golf Holes specific types of facilities needed will increase by 2000. Of particular Baseball/Softball Fields vary considerably in the urban areas as importance to rural facility Basketball Courts opposed to the rural areas, both areas requirements are activities that occur Picnic Tables of the State had similar overall facility in conjunction with one another, or in Boat Ramps deficits. (See Figure$-110.) packages," such as camping and Footbal I /Soccer- F iel ds fishing or boating and fishing. While Swimming Pools-Square Yards By 1980 this relationship is expected the primary purpose of a trip may be Bicycle Trail Miles to change somewhat with 43 percent fishing, camping and picnicking may Walking, Hiking, and Nature Study Trail of the State's total facility also take place on the trip as Miles requirement occurring in the urban secondary activities. Therefore, it is areas,with the rural areas accounting important that facilities for a variety for 57 percent. However, by the year of related activities be provided so as 2000,with continued urban population to satisfy the demand for the most growth as well as increases in the prevalent types of activity demands for recreation opportunities combinations for a particular recreational site. In addition, the *Note: The fact that a facility requirement that type of* environment, but appropriate support facilities and was not computed for either an simply that the demand is so small services, such as grills, restrooms, urban or rural area does not mean that it is considered insignificant for garbage cans, running water, etc., that the activitv does not occur in statewide resource considerations. should be provided. 58 FIGURE 5-9. RECREATION FACILITY REQUIREMENTS IN TEXAS, 1968/1970-2000 2 Football/Soccer Field S Boat Romps (SW 5 FW) Boat Slips and Stallsi (SW FW) 1,000 10,000.. l0q000 ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... WAR= .... ......... UR13AN ......... ......... 500 5,00a 50,000 ......... ......... ........ ........ ......... ......... ......... ...... RURAL 1980 2000 1968/ 1980 2000 1968 1980 2000 1970 1970 1970 Piers, Borges, and Marinas Swimming Designated Linear Yards (SW &FW) Swimming Pools Sq.Yards Sq.Yards (SVf Eh FW) Hunting (000's) (000's) (000s) 150,000 5poo 100,000 6,000 .......... ........ .......... ......... ........... ......... ...... ...... ....... 75,000 2AOO ......... 50poo ......... 3,000 .... ......... ......... .......... ......... ...... . . .. .......... .......... ...... ....... ....... ... .......... ......... 1968/ 1980 2000 1968/ 1980 2000 1968/ 1980 2000 1968/ 1980 2000 1970 1970 1970 1970 Trail Miles Camping Sites Playground Acres Golf Holes 20,000 100,000 10,000 15,000 ........ ......... ......... ......... .. ...... ........ ......... ......... ........ ......... ......... ......... ......... 10,000 50,000 5,000 7,500. ......... ... ...... ........... .......... ..... ......... ..... 1968/ 1980 2000 1968/ 1980 2000 1968/ 1980 2000 1968/ 1980 2000 1970 1970 1970 1970 Baseball/Softball Fields Picnic Tables Tennis Courts 2 Basketball Courts 2 1,500 250,0006 30,000 5,000, 750 125,000, 15,000 ZA00, ........ ........ .... ......... N111111111111:11: ......... SEEM 1968/ 1980 2000 1968/ 1980 2000 1968/ 1980 2000 1968/ 1980 2000 1970 1970 1970 1970 *,a '9180 I. Not calculated for Urban areas. 2. Not calculated for Rural areas. 59 GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF RECREATION FACILITY REQUIREMENTS N "M The following paragraphs discuss the p' distribution of facility requirements throughout the State in terms of the various regions of destinations. Planning Regions Requirements for the different types of recreational facilities vary greatly over the 37 regions. In terms of numbers and types of facilities, overall comparisons indicate certain regions with greater requirements than others. Regions with the largest facility requirements in 1968/1970 were the metropolitan regions and/or those @Wt reg i o ns highly possessing desirable natural resources. These regions include Regions 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 4 22, 25, 33, and 37. Furthermore, it is expected that for the years 1980 and 2000 these 10 regions will still be 41 among the regions with the largest facility requirements.(See Figure 5-11.) Major Geographic Regions Recreation facility requirements for P-4. the major geographic regions reflect the demands for recreation in these regions, I as did the resource Urban Swimming Pool. Overall requirements for swimming facilities in urban areas are projected to increase by almost 135 percent requirements for recreation land. The between 1970 and 1980. (Photo by Texas Parks & Wildlife greatest overall requirement in terms Department) of deficit opportunity days for all FIGURE5-110- PERCENT OF RECREATION FACILITY types of facilities in 1968/1970 REQUIREMENTS BY LOCATION, 1968/1970-2000 existed in the Gulf Coast region, which shows a total deficit of 47 million 1968/1970 1980 cities 2% Metros 38% activity-days. This was followed by the Towns 4% North Texas Lakes Area with a deficit of 38 million activity-days. Next followed, in order, the Piney ........... URBAN 43% Woods, Hill Country, and mountain 50@.' URBAN 50% regions. (See Figure 5-12.) 2000 For the years 1980 and 2000, the :0 X. overall ranking for geographic regions Cities 2% metros 44% Towns 3% are not expected to change @,.-:R.QRAL 46% URBAN 54% significantly, except that the North Texas Lakes will clearly surpass the @43% Gulf Coast and move to first place in Metros 48% terms of requiring more types and numbers of facilities in order to satisfy Towns 3% Cities 3% the large projected demands. 60 L9 Z! .4 V a 0 b b N 'm o c 08 00 0 00 p an 0 1 0 0:; m i 0 0 0 CL Ul LA M > C.) z m 9 m z > rn 0 C) Z CD Z -n 00 CTD co 0 OD IM m m z m 6i 0 0 0 C) m m m 0 C) CD 0 z ct -M m > m 0 M -0 C) 0 CL m CL co M 6' r m m CL m C M M El ul EB 00 Z r- z -0 G) m > 0 F 0 cb =r Cc AM ri r, r- CZ -n rn -i -< z 0 0 -4 o 0 > C: z > z 0) CL m m o U) AgA x --i > 0 m implementation of multiple use programs on state owned lands could Chaptelf 6 significantly expand their value as a RECREATION PROBLEMS AND SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS resource to the people of Texas. Efforts such as the Governor's Interagency Council on Natural Resources and the Environment's INTRODUCTION responsibility of maintaining (ICNRE) approach to establishing an up-to-date files on all state land "interagency" natural resources Within the sections that follow are ownership. Little is known regarding information system can eventually analyses of areas of consideration the variety of uses the State puts its provide a repository of just such which could not or were not lands to. Also, lands which receive information. quantified for presentation. However, little or no use at all are not widely their importance in achieving the known. A thorough and complete COASTAL RESOURCES objectives of the Texas Outdoor inventory of all state lands could aid Recreation Plan merit their full the provision of recreational The Texas coastal region, with its consideration in the effort to provide opportunities by identifying current many beaches and estuaries, is one of needed recreation opportunities to uses and, more importantly, uses -the State's and the Nation's most meet existing and projected demand which are compatible with various valuable recreation resources. through the year 2000. These special recreational activities. The Consequently, there is considerable areas of consideration include recreation resources, recreation A Prize String of Speckeled Trout. Special management efforts and programs, outdoor recreation cooperation involving all levels of government and private enterprise planning, coordination of plans and are needed to conserve the unique and valuable recreational programs, recreation funding, parks resources of the Texas Gulf Coast. Whoto by Leroy Williamson, and recreation departments and. Texas Parks & Wildlife Department) personnel, socio-economic factors, trails, and hunting. RECREATION RESOURCES STATE OWNED LANDS Agencies of the State of Texas hold title to significant, although relatively small portions of land in the State, Most of the lands are devoted to the primary functions of the title holding agency, e.g., lands administered by the Texas Forest Service are lands which pro vide timber, forest research opportunities, and an environment for other functions related to sound forest management and conservation. The State's many river authorities, conservation and reclamation districts, and special water districts utilize lands in their charge to support such services as electricity, water supply, and secondarily, recreation. A major consideration regarding state owned lands is the problem of optimizing their use. Presently, there is no statewide inventory of state lands. There is no agency with the 62 k,.'i TP t, Yty;,, I2r. R4 Scenic Area in East Texas. A region-by -region statewide inven torv of natural areas would help to conserve Texas' diverse array of recreational resources and would help to prepare and plan for the population growth and development expected in Texas in years to come. (Photo by Jim Whitcomb, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department) state concern for the natural resources Large scale shoreline and offshore expected coastal recreation resource of this area. Furthermore, because of development, artificial reefs, and and facility requirements. These the potential this area holds, it has superports. These and other difficult problems include resource carrying been identified as one of the most questions regarding the utilization of capacity, activity and resource important recreational resources which coastal resources have produced a substitutability, and critical natural will be needed to provide recreational keener awareness of ' the need for and cultural areas. opportunities for Texans and increased emphasis on research and out-of-state visitors. The unique land education programs foe achieving a contrasts of this are! together with its better balance between conservation SIGNIFICANT NATURAL AREAS increasing development for different measures and overall development of types of uses make the coastal region a the resources. At the present time, a Natural areas are areas or sites which, prime candidate for even greater new program has been launched to because of the scenic beauty, rarity, recreational demands. Special problem evaluate the State's position for the recreational value, uniquenes*s, areas include overlapping economic management of the entire coastal ecological importance, or cultural and social issues which must be dealt zone. The Coastal Zone Management value, should be protected for with in planning for the provision of Program, administered by the General posterity. Many such areas across the adequate coastal outdoor recreation Land Office, is currently in the process State are being destroyed every year opportunities. Conflicts will continue of developing a mechanism for a due to a number of i nter-rel ated factors. to arise when different public and balanced approach to land use and These include a lack of information private concerns seek to use the land development in the coastal which identifies these areas, the lack on or near the same coastal resources. environment. Through interagency of an entity with adequate funds to Examples of these conflict areas cooperation and coordination, the acquire and/or hold such areas, include the use of coastal lands for results of this program should produce inadequate -legislation, and the absence spoil deposition, alteration of information useful in the development of positive incentives to encourage the freshwater inflows into bay systems. of solutions to problems of meeting protection of su ch areas. 63 The unique natural areas of Texas With identification, location, survey, Ecosystems. Since preservation of should be considered and taken into and recording of these currently these sites is contingent on an account with a view toward their significant historic resources, the application for registration being filed conservation when planning Texas Historical Commission, with the by the owner of the site, a program for developments, highways, parks, sanction of the National Park Service encouraging voluntary owner recreation areas, and other has labelled the resources toward applications would be highly desirable. construction projects. To this end, a which the Texas Historical Texas' natural heritage, in the form of survey of approximately 750 areas was Preservation Plan is directed. state or nationally significant natural conducted by the Texas Natural Areas areas, with competent interpretation Survey, a group of over 100 concerned However, realization of the Historical and- with adequate design citizens. The study resulted in a listing Preservation Plan is hampered by consideration given to protecting the of 70 rural and 30 urban natural areas, several problems. One in particular is resources, could become very their location, and the priority order the small amount of funding available important recreational resources. in which it was felt they should be from the federal level through the There is evidence for this by the good protected. These lists were published National Park Service's Office of attendance at several natural areas in Outdoor Recreation in the Rural Archaeological and Historical presently available for the public. This Areas of Texas and Outdoor Preservation. In addition, historic importance is also evident where Recreation in the Urban Areas of buildings of merit are often found, certain areas of the State depend on Texas. These 100 areas of Texas that ironically, in areas of urban decline. these attractions to contribute to local should be saved are by no means the Continued degradation of these areas economies. only ones that are unique or worthy of can be expected if the resources protection, but are simply the areas cannot be restored to improve the considered to be of the highest economic aspects of the surroundings, SURFACE MINED LANDS quality. It is important that a program i.e., through re-evaluation of the tax of identifying such areas be on a base, conversion to business uses, Statistics provided by the United continuing statewide basis so that tourism, etc. Another problem centers States Department of the Interior, more unique areas, some of which may around the fact that there are no tax Bureau of Mines, indicate that in be unidentified at this time, can be reliefs for historic structures in Texas. Texas, f rom 19 30 to 197 1, reported. Scarce monies for preservation and approximately 80,000 acres of land high land costs present further had been disturbed by various mining STATE AND NATIONAL d i s c o u r a g e m e n t . F i na I ly , activities. This overall Texas mining archaeological and historic sites, area figure has increased on an average HISTORICAL SITES unprotected by law and physical of 2,500,acres per year and is expected restraints, are subject to public to increase even more rapidly in the Texas' 267,000 square miles, replete Yandalism and degradation. near future. The current energy with the evidence of thousands of shortages have had significant years of prehistoric and historic NATIONAL NATURAL LANDMARKS influence on the type of minerals changes since man first arrived here, is sought and on other related types of becoming smaller and smaller in terms surface mining activities. of remaining areas, sites, and objects Special criteria dictate which Texas which reflect our cultural heritage. As landmarks are to be included on the An example of this change is the we urbanize and expand our cities to National Registry of Natural recent shift in Texas mining activities reflect present and future needs, we Landmarks. Presently, only ten from predominantly sand and gravel tend to forget how we arrived at our landmarks of natural history have been excavations to more coal and lignite existing state. Properly preserved and accepted and recognized for their mining. Previous figures indicated ima'ginatively interpreted, our nationally significant attributes in the annual coal mining rates around 800 archaeological and historic sites and State. Currently, although the Texas acres per year. Now figures are closer areas and historic structures could Parks and Wildlife Department has to 2,000 acres per year and are become some of the State's most authority to administer such a expected to climb even higher. treasured recreational resources. program, there is no centralized state Because of the sizable coal and lignite program to submit landmarks to the reserves, as well as the significant An inventory (and assessment) of the N a t i o n a I Pa rk Service f or dependence on sand and gravel mining known existing archaeological and consideration within their system of operations now in existence in the historic sites and objects of natural history themes: Landformsof State, Texas should experience importance to the State and Nation the Present, Geological History of the increasing emphasis on mining projects has been only partially completed. Earth, Land Ecosystems, and Aquatic in the future. 64 7 7, 7 FEW-= 04 - i M lly@ Ale k@ < 4" @J Lignite Stripmining Operation in East Texas. Stripmining operations should identify and protect sensitive recreation resources prior to mining and should also consider local recreation needs in determining what uses are to be made of reclaimed stripmined lands. (Photo by Martin T. Fulfer, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department) As the overall tempo of mining in could also result in an increase in value FLOOD PLAINS general steps up considerably, and for adjacent lands. Many possibilities especially as the mining of those exist for changing mined lands, which Periodically inundated regions energy related resources increases, so sometimes appear to have no value to bordering natural or man-made water will the concerns for potential assets society, into useful resources. courses are generally incompatible and liabilities associated with these with development of structures. They interests. With the increased mining are, however, often excellent resources activities in Texas, strong possibilities However, before a program taking for low intensity recreational uses, for additional outdoor recreation advantage of these possibilities can be q.g., linear' parks, trails, greenbelts, opportunities have also come along. successfully implemented to any great nature study areas, etc. Reclamation policies and techniques extent, there will need to be concerning mined areas could provide improvements in incentives regarding I n the past, industry and a substantial and unique opportunity rehabilitation of mined lands. In this transportation have accounted for the for development of much needed regard, an interim mining committee majority of development in ' flood recreation and park areas. Where was set up by a joint House-Senate plains in Texas. But recently, with previous high costs of land and resolution of the State Legislature in more rapidly growing populations, development prohibited recreation use 1973. The committee was established flood plains have been pre-empted for or development, new alternatives may to review the current coal mining residential dwellings. With the now exist through the use of reclaimed operations in the State and is expected increases in development of second mining lands. Reclamation of some of to @come forth with recommendations homes (vacation homes or cabins) and these areas could not only provide pertaining to the future management the concurrent rise in popularity of badly needed recreation space, but of these lands. subdivision developments, flood plains 65 are being severely encroached upon. System, nearly all of which are located acquisition of the land could only be Flood plain developments can result in in the western United States. Texas at an enormous cost. serious types of problems, i.e., severe currently has no wilderness area of any erosion, stream siltation, possibilities kind although proposals have been A reasonable compromise would be to of sewage pollutants; toxic run-off made to designate portions of the Big consider the establishment of semi-or from fertilizers, soaps, pesticides; Bend and Guadalupe Mountains quasi-wilderness areas and pocket flood damages; and loss of human lives National Parks as wilderness areas. The wilderness areas. Such areas would fall due to drownings. objective of ' wilderness areas is to somewhere in the large area between preserve portions of the natural pure wilderness and mass, intensive About 30 percent of all outdoor landscape in their pristine state as recreation sites. Their purpose would recreation participation in the State much as possible. Wilderness areas be to convey a semblance of pure could be considered flood plain related prohibit most types of development wilderness, although they would not with about 4 percent associated with and facilities, prohibit the use of possess all the characteristics of a true rivers alone. The potential for using mechanized transportation, and forbid wilderness. flood plains for low-intensity public economic uses such as livestock recreation use is great. Encouraging grazing, timber cutting, mineral FRESHWATER LAKES AND the use of flood plains where practical extraction, etc. The values of RESERVOIRS and compatible for community, wilderness lay not in exploiting it, but district, and regional parks, recreation preserving it as it is for what it is. The The provision of water for the areas, and open space purposes is benefits of wilderness are many with activities of boating, fishing, and skiing highly prefereabie to encouraging perhaps the most obvious being involves numerous problems different other more intensive uses. recreation. Wilderness areas provide a than the provision of opportunities for high quality recreational experience any other kind of recreational The National Flood Insurance Act of for activities such as hiking, fishing, resource. Freshwater reservoirs and 1968, as amended, makes federally horseback riding, camping, streams are relatively scarce in the subsidized insurance moniesavailable backpacking, nature study, and Panhandle and western half of Texas. only in municipalities or areas where canoeing or.fl-oating. Less obvious, are With few exceptions, the major rivers land use controls are implemented to emotional, or psychological, benefits. and -reservoirs are located in the restrict further developments in flood A great many people seek wilderness eastern half of the state. For the prone areas.1 As of September 30, experiences for spiritual well-being, western parts of Texas, the few 1974, according-to the Texas National solitude, escape from noisy, polluted, existing water resources are heavily Flood Insurance Program Office in congested, and artificial urban used, plus the fact that recreationists Dallas, there were 4,776 communities environments, tranquility, and natural, are travelling vast distances for other in the United States which have agreed scenic beauty that wilderness provides. recreational waters. Panhandle to adopt the necessary controls Finally, there are educational and residents rely heavily on a few lakes restricting flood plain development scientific values in wilderness nearby, and the residents of El Paso under the federal insurance program. preservation. Wilderness areas can and must travel to New Mexico to enjoy Texas accounted for 210 of the total do provide habitats for endangered lake recreation. number of communities, or 4 percent, species or plants and animals, whose as of July 31, 1974, with ove r 37,000 normal habitats have been greatly In addition, the provision of policies in -effect, covering over $734 reduced by encroaching civilization. recreational water is nearly always million in Texas' existing commerical, inextricably tied to a series of other i n d u s t r i a I ,a n d reside nti al benefits, such as irrigation, water developments Unfortunately, providing wilderness supplies, flood control, etc., and many areas for Texas would likely prove to times, the recreation opportunities are WILDERNESS be quite difficult. Whereas, in the a minor portion of the total benefits western states, wilderness areas are which may accrue from a proposed Generally, a wilderness area is a designated from existing public lands, reservoir project. Generally, decisions Texas has few public lands. Areas of to provide additional water supplies natural, wild, and undeveloped area so "pure" wilderness must be fairly large have far-reaching ramifications for the designated and managed to preserve if the quality of a wilderness setting is residents and economy of the area, these characteristics. In the United to be preserved. Areas of West Texas and perhaps of even the entire State. States, there are over 11 million acres could qualify, such as the national Theref ore, water projects are in the National Wilderness Preservation parks which have already been sometimes, and in recent years, often, 1S. 1495, H.R. 6524, 93rd Congress, 1st proposed. However, most of the land highly controversial. The net result is Session (11M). would have to be acquired and the that whether or not a given region or 66 area will receive more water for utilization of such resources to the reservoirs in Texas are primarily the recreation will very likely be fullest. The provision of additional result of the provision of man-made determined by considerations other facilities can help overcome these r e s o u r c e s , r a t h e r t h a n than recreation, unless recreational access problems. Boat ramps, for naturally-occurring lakes. As a result, benefits are given a much higher example, are important to meeting almost all new water resources, are priority in the future than in the past. recreation demand because they very costly. Second, many of the provide public access to water for reservoirs in Texas have been In many instances, problems of the boating, fishing, and water skiing. constructed and are managed by the lack of recreational water could be U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. alleviated or eliminated through better Texas has one additional problem of Generally these resources have been access. Limited access to beaches, major consequence to the future constructed with considerable freshwater lakes, rivers and streams provision of additional recreational amounts of public lands surrounding due to a general statewide lack of waters and adjacent land areas. First, the projects. These lands have often adjacent public lands severely hinders recreational opportunities at lakes and been set aside for fish and wildlife management and recreational areas. In this scheme, recreational areas Fishing Along One of the State's Waterways. Assuring unimpeded adjacent to reservoirs were provided at public access to the Texas waterways, reservoirs, and beaches is one the time of reservoir completion. Now, of the State's major recreational problems. (Photo by Leroy Williamson, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department) however, the provision of additional recreation areas at existing and any x, new reservoirs that may be is in a much more tenuous constructed Y!7 With the passage of P.L. position. -72, the Federal Water Project 89 A Recreation Act, all federal water 7 71@ jects authorized by Congress after pro 1965 require state or local 50 percent 7 7 t n, 41 .4 cost-sharing and full-time management of recreational areas at f ederal water 0- projects. This aspect of the law is of -j great concern to the Corps of '0 Engineers, the State, and other entities due to the ever-increasing inability of such as the Texas Parks and agencies Wildlife Department, river authorities, water districts, and local governments e: iotv' to assume cost and management -2 responsibilities for areas at existing or new federal water projects currently being planned. Moreover, the most- .60h, desirable lands associated with existing water resources are generally developed first, so that remaining land reserves are inferior from a 71P recreational standpoint. A lack of action on the part of all state and local governments to adjust to these problems will most certainly reduce the proportion of recreation opportunities provided by federal water projects in the future. RIVERS AND STREAMS The rivers and streams of Texas amount to some 3,700 in number and 67 total_90,000 miles, of which over Accordingly, a Texas Parks and public agencies and private entities; 13,000 miles are classified as major Wildlife Department study, Texas and 3) an education program to waterways. It is these major waterways Waterways, completed in 1973 at the promote the spirit of cooperation which form another great potential direction of the Texas Legislature, among p .ocket park administrators, recreational resource for Texas. The found that a statewide waterway recreationists, and riparian landowners waterways of Texas are as diverse and system is a feasible concept for Texas regarding the proper stewardship, or unique as the land through which they and recommended sections of management, and use of the river and /flow-from the dark, slow moving, waterways for possible inclusion in a associated environment. vegetation enshrouded rivers of East system of wild, scenic, and Texas to the crisp, roaring waters of recreational waterways. The study the Hill Country to the wild, rugged, pointed out the need for legislation to The cooperative concept for and remote rivers of far West Texas. effect a Texas waterway system and establishing waterways should prove. to Texas waterways are some of the f u r t h e r recommended the be a workable solution for waterway prime areas that have retained much of establishment of a waterway council recreation associated problems. As their natural character. Even where to promote communication and individual waterway programs are development exists, the high banks or cooperation between landowners and implemented, the establishment of a vegetation often screen man-made recreationists to the mutual benefit of statewide system of wild, scenic and structures so that the recreationist can both. recreational waterway s for Texas still experience primitive nature. One would become a goal that should can experience a feeling of remoteness, -The study determined that the easily be attained. even wilderness, in floating a waterway purchase of extensive land corridors because much of Texas' waterways along waterways is not economically STATE, REGIONAL, AND LOCAL still remain undeveloped. In addition feasible and is not generally necessary RECREATION PROGRAMS to scenic and recreational benefits, f or the protection of the scenic there are other reasons for conserving qualities of the waterway. The DIRECT PROGRAMS AND and protecting Texas' waterways. enormous expense involved in AUTHORITIES Texas streams play a major role in obtaining land corridors along even a supporting fish and wildlife and in few waterways would genrally be Several direct programs and authorities sustaining entire ecological systems. prohibitive. This, coupled with the for providing outdoor recreation strong landownership ethic in Texas, opportunities are in effect for state Many rivers are well known to Texas indicates that complete public and local governments in Texas. For f ishermen, boaters, swimmers, ownership of such corridors is an example, the Texas Parks and Wildlife campers, and canoeists, but the unpopular alternative and generally is Department provides and operates the demand for recreation on rivers and considered infeasible. State Park System and has streams often remains unsatisfied for responsibility for management of the three reasons: a) access is limited and However, the report does mention State's wildlife and fisheries program. Texas waterways have not been alternative protection methods, River authorities, special districts, and developed to readily accommodate whereby lands along waterways remain local governments provide recreation recreational use, b) opposition to the in private ownership to the greatest areas at various locations within their recreational use of waterways by extent possible, development along jurisclicition. Table 6-1 presents a brief landowners whose property could be waterways is discouraged, conflicts general overview of these and other jeopardized by large numbers of arising from recreational use of outdoor recreation related recreationists passing near their land, waterways are reduced, and adequate responsibilities currently being C) confusion and misunderstanding on access points, rest areas and small provided by state, regional, and local the part of both landowners and "pocket" campgrounds are developed. governments. recreationists as to the definition of a The study report does not expound public waterway and subsequent upon these alternatives, but these basic As the table illustrates, the structure conflicts over individual rights. This ideas have been expanded into what is of state agency responsibilities and confusion is fostered by ambiguous now being termed the "Cooperative activities for outdoor recreation is and confused water laws. These Waterway" concept, which would fragmented, various functions being circumstances point out a great need involve three principal elements: 1) accomplished by different agencies. for effective planning to increase the the retention of riparian lands in utilization of Texas waterways and private ownership to the greatest In the area of state level authorities, maintain a quality recreational extent possible; 2) the provision of several aspects of outdoor recreation experience, yet protect the property small, one to five acre public use areas have become evident. Currently, Texas rights of individual landowners. (pocket parks) at strategic, intervals by state a gencies have three basic 68 TABLE 6-1. SUMMARY OF GENERAL OUTDOOR RECREATION RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACTIVITIES-STATE, REGIONAL, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS Provide or Prpvldn Planning Administer Oak andlof Financial Advisory r4ws8tio Technical Assistance Resource Zoning and AGENCY Opportunit:. Assistance Grants/Loans Management Regulation Power Research Training Information STATE Texas Parks and Wildlife Department x x x x x x x x Texas Conservation Foundation X1 Texas River Authorities x x x x x State Soil and Water Conservation Board x Texas Forest Service x x x x Texas Department of Community Affairs x X x x x Texas Water Development Board x x x x Texas Water Rights Commission x Texas Highway Department X2 x x x Texas Tourist Development Agency x x x x Texas Historical Commission x x Texas Agricultural Extension Service x x x x Texas Water Quality Board x x x x Governor's Office, Division of Planning Coo rdination x x X General Land Office x x x x x Universities x X X x x REGIONAL Regional Councils of Governments x x x LOCAL Counties x x X x x3 Municipalities x x x x x Water Districts x x x x School Districts X4 IThe Conservation Foundation is a charitable and non-profit foundation established to stimulate private contribution and gifts and to purchase property for the benefit of the Texas state system of Parks, refuges, and,scientific and recreation areas. 20nly Safety Roadside Rest Areas 3Cameron, Val Verde, and Willacy Counties only 4Facil ities necessary for support of educational activities methods with which to manage is that Texas has no specific legislative authorities and direction which govern recreation resources (other than fish authorities or programs for any type outdoor recreation activity in Texas. and wildfife)-fee simple acquisition of of official recreational waterway or Of significant note in developing the specific areas, negotiation of long-term trails networks. Usage of trail and table was the fact that legislation leases of specific areas, or acceptance waterway resources is occurring and governing municipal, county, special of donations of areas. Regulatory increasing. The same situation exists districts, and river authority outdoor powers are generally limited to for publicly owned islands in inland recreation activity is extremely diverse management of water quality, air waterways and along the Coast. in nature. For example, Legislative quality, limiting the use of State Acts are found ranging from statutes owned lands which are under lease, Further definition of roles and which relate to a specific county or and regulation of surface water responsibilities is possible when district to those which provide appropriation. specific legislative acts pertaining to authority statewide. The basic powers Sta te or I ocal government are and authorities necessary for all local A situation evident when State level reviewed. Table 6-2 illustrates a general government outdoor recreation programs and authorities are reviewed outline of more specific recreational activity are available if used. However, 69 the weak and often times vague nature and large number of these statutes TABLE 6-2. SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC OUTDOOR RECREATION may inhibit some local entities from LEGISLATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES AND functioning in the recreation areas. AUTHOR ITI ES-STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS One recent specific piece of legislation, Art. 6019b, V.T.C.S., as amended, has RIVER SPECIAL been found to be hindering many RECREATION FINANCING STATE AUT"ORITY COUNTY MUNICIPAL. DISTRICT counties in providing additional Expend Funds for Rec. Purposes x creational opportunities. The law @ox @@x re Charge Fees for Rec. Facilities @x Issue Bonds for Rec. Purposes k" states that counties with populations 'e"', X; Accept Property & Cash for Rec. Purp x of 80 000 or less are prohibited from oses X, x Tax for Rec. Purposes H Authority to Participate in Fed. Programs T_ x @x spending more than $15,000 per year for operation, maintenance, and ti @,J construction within county parks unless a bond issue has been approved RA51 by the citizen's of the subject county, RECREATION LAND ACQUISITION Fundi.ng at this level is wholly Eminent Domain A, x x x x inadequate for most county park Acquire Land for Recreation x x Establish Public Beaches ;,kx X x programs. A possible solution to this Accept Property & Cash for Rec. x , Use of Tidal Land for Rec. Purposes problem would be to lift the bond i 0N, W_- requirement and allow a county to conduct a referendum as to whether to establish an on-going county park program. PROVISION OF FACILITIES AND PROGRAMS @F Expend Funds for Rec. PUTPOSE15 ;- I',, One other aspect of local government @ X", -X- x Own & Operate Rec. Facilities '41 x x is also evident. With the Establish Public Beaches x powers Provide Rec, Programs !I _H 4 exception of Cameron, Willacy, and 0: x ,I Provide & Protect Park & Open Space Areas ;t x Historical Preservation 4Ajx.; Val Verde cou nt i es, county ucy', governments have no zoning powers. This aspect of county legislative I authority is particularly significant, in I light of the fact that areas with high RECREATION RESOURCE MANAGEMENT recreation potential, such as flood Regulation of Non-Owned Lands & Waters for Rec. Purposes plain areas and other high quality x Ow x n and Operate Rec. Facilities x'@! i,x x potential recreation resources, which Establish Public Beaches x x Dispose of Rec. Property or Facilities j,_ are sensitive to development pressures X Use of Tidal Lands for Recreation x and costly to the government, cannot Provide and Protect Owned Park & Open Space X Areas x x 6XI, x be managed without fee. simple Historical Preservation x x Planning Authority I X 'X2 X, acquis @@X ition of land or other costly Non-Owned Natural Area Protection lhaq Zoning UL L Lx methods. INDIRECT PROGRAMS *Note: Caution should be exercised in citing materials and information contained in the table. Indirect programs are those activities Specific legislative acts regarding recreational responsibilities and authorities for State agencies prov and local political subdivisions is extremely diverse and varied. The material contained in the ided by federal and state table is intended as general guidance. Questions regarding individual agencies or political government to encourage and assist subdivision responsibilities and authorities should be carefully researched when determining local governments and the private allowable recreational actions. sector in the provision of necessary 1 . Counties of less than 80,000 population are prohibited from spending more than $15,000 outdoor recreation areas and facilities per year for operations, maintenance, and construction within county parks unless a bond in Texas. Major concerns of the State issue has been approved by the citizens of the subject county. in considering these programs are (Art. 6079b, V.A.C.S. as amended) centered around the various 2. River authorities have powers to regulate the use of surface waters under their control. limitations certain programs may place Questions related to resource management authorities for lands should be carefully on the creation of recreational areas researched. 70 and facilities. At the federal level, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE Exceedingly common are the wide provisions of the Federal Water variations in planning techniques being Projects Act (P.L. 89-72) require that Technical assistance in recreation used by various public and private recreational facilities at Federal Water planning and development is available entities. The variety of planning Projects be developed only with local from a wide array of federal and state techniques is of concern to the state, or state political subdivisions providing agencies. These programs range from due to the potential conflicts that may 50 p er-cent cost-sharing for the the extensive assistance available from arise in joint federal, state, local development of fa 'cilities and full-time university extension services to planning. More specific concerns are management, e.g., Soil Conservation specific aid available from an agency outlined below. Service programs require that local concerned with the management of a political subdivision sponsors supply particular resource. However, despite OUTDOOR RECREATION 50 percent of the cost of approved the relative wealth and range of INFORMATION CONCERNS Resource Conservation and inf ormation services available to Development project measures for governmental entities, delivery There are certain types of outdoor recreational development associated capabilities are often limited by recreation supply, demand, and with water resources. In Texas, with funding levels and policy constraints. resource requirements information some municipalities, counties, special As a result, local utilization of many that are absolutely necessary for all districts, and river authorities often of these types of services is not as levels of government to meet their limited in their abilities to raise local extensive as might be desireable. responsibilities in providing outdoor matching funds for recreational recreation opportunities. This would projects, the objectives of federal OUTDOOR RECREATION suggest a need for joint data collection programs often cannot be fulfilled. PLANNING efforts, information sharing, Demands for financial assistance from Currently much of the outdoor standardized terms and units of programs such as the Land and Water recreation planning that occurs in measure, and other cooperative Conservation Fund, the State boat Texas is extremely diversified in its efforts. The State has been aware of ramps, buoy and markers, and Beach approach to problem solutions, this situation and has conducted Cleaning Funds are such that available ranging from statewide efforts to surveys in order to determine what funds are becoming exhausted each special efforts for one particular local, regional, state, and federal year. problem in an individual community. opinions are in regard to updating the ,0 oil -Z, A '41 Ike' I J 4Y.; V ;I sqit J -Site Recreation Interview.'Obtaining On adequate information on the attitudes and preferences of recreationists for specific activities, inVentory data on recreation facilities, and demographic characteristics of the population are X basic to sound recreation planning. 0. ft., (Photo by John Blair, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department) 71 Texas Outdoor Recreation Plan and efforts conducted throughout the COORDINATION OF PLANS maintaining a state clearinghouse. State and Nation. Currently, much of ANDPROGRAMIS Results of these surveys are contained the pure research and educational in Outdoor Recreation Activities, and efforts in Texas are conducted by Coordinating the provision of A Statewide Recreation Information Texas A&M and Texas Tech additional outdoor recreation System, both volumes of this Plan. Universities, as well as the Texal opportunities in Texas will require Results of the surveys reveal that in Agricu Itu re Experiment Station and cooperation. Without cooperation, no Texas the existing systems for various other colleges and universities plan, regardless of quality, detail, or collecting, distributing, and using in the State, as well as several federal intentions, will be ef f ective. outdoor recreation information are agencies. Cooperation and coordination must not formal ized ; i n general come in the development of the Texas uncoordinated; and often provide Significant concern relates to the Outdoor Recreation Plan, in the results which are less than desirable. development of other plans, and in the relatively small amount of research implementation of these plans. At the A requisite to a viable and particularly and educational efforts taking place at current time, the coordination of an equitable plan for meeting the the local government level in the State. recreational plans and programs in r e q u i r e m e n t s for recreation Most of the larger urban areas of the Texas is formally accomplished via opportunities in Texas is the State, with some exceptions, are not operation of State Clearinghouse establishment of a common set of or cannot expend the funds or effort review procedure established by the, standardized planning f actors, necessary to conduct detailed research Governor's Budget and PI anning terminology, and measurement units into localized recreational situations. Office, and federal regulation with which to measure and plan for Several councils of governments are at (O.M.B. Circular A-05). Procedures meeting recreation needs. Reviews of various stages in the development of necessary for the operation of the federal, state, council of government research into regional recreation State Clearinghouse are under the and munic .ipal entity planning problems, but they too are often management of the Governor's Office, documents publish .ed over the last limited in effort due to a lack of funds Division of Planning Coordination, and several years have revealed a lack of or staff. involve each of the 24 regional common 'approach to recreation councils in the State, various state planning, and this has been noted. in To date, little is known concerning e agencies, and entities of the federal earlier versions of the Texas Outdoor effects of air, water, and noise quality government. At the current time, no Recreation Plan. This lack of a as it impacts upon the recreationist. formal clearinghouse mechanism for common set of planning factors will Too, little is known regarding the state funded projects is in operation, continue to hinder decision-making effects of public sector-private although-.much informal cooperation aimed at a reasonable and rational e n t e r p r i s e competi'tion,_ the often takes place. A review to enforce distributions of recreation resources preferences for Texans as to natural coordination of state-funded programs around the State. As a result,. much- and undeveloped areas as opposed to has been proposed by the Interagency plan development work has been highly developed recreational areas, Council on Natural Resources and -the accomplished for use in this edition of and the ch'anging patterns of Environment and various committees the Plan, and should offer a much expenditures by recreationists. of the council are working toward better basis for accurately determining development of better coordination outdoor recreation needs in the future. and establ ishment of a Natural However, the State must rely on Many other factors need -research. Resources Information System. cooperation and coordination to Educational programs relating to the achieve widespread use of the Texas environment, land use, and the H owever, several aspects of the Outdoor Recreation Plan and economic value of recreation need coordination of plans and' programs increased utilization by all levels of strengthening, and these problems may for recreation are of concern to the government will require varying be expected to increase as the State. First, the delivery systems for periods of time. population of the State and Nation several grants-in-aid programs provided increase. Additional pressures for by the federal government are very RESEARCH AND EDUCATION qualified recreational personnel can be diverse. Several programs are delivered foreseen and the coordination of directly to local governments from The foundation for much of the future research and educational efforts will federal officers throughout the State, planning of outdoor recreation become more critical as the demand and bypass state level agencies. This opportunities in Texas lie in the for recreational opportunities and concern is not new to public entities, effectiveness and results of outdoor resulting long range decisions become nor can it be immediately rectified. recreation research and educational increasingly necessary. Another noteworthy concern is the 72 I fact that the administration of several is something only the largest the Gulf Coast), while less than 10% of the federal and state recreation operations can afford. are estimated to provide officially grants-in-aid programs are spread designated parks and recreation through various state agencies. For In summary, the status of funding for departments. Other counties have example, recreation impacting the provision of additional recreational establ ished parks boards or programs initiated by the Federal opportunities in Texas is generally committees to advise Icou nty Water Resources Act, the Land and characterized by many of the same commissioners and judges on Water Conservation FundAct,andthe problems which face other ares of the recreational matters. However, the R u r a I Development Act are United States-a lower priority for overall percentage of county administered by three separate state recreational requirements. The government provision of off icia I agencies. requirement for recreation is present, organizations is relatively small, and increasing, recognized, and in many many counties which provide RECREATION FUNDING cases plans for areas and facilities are recreational opportunities do so completed, awaiting the financial through the uti[ization of county Funding f or additional outdoor means with which to implement the employees who perform many other recreation areas and facilities is and plans. services. Other local organizations will continue to be a major area of providing parks and recreation concern for Texas. Various federal LOCAL PARKS AND RECREATION departments include River Authorities agencies have reported that funds are DEPARTMENTS AND PERSONNEL and Special Water Districts. Of the 19 not available for the implementation organizations I isted as River of recreational opportunities that have The occurrence and provision of Authorities or authorities with similar been planned at existing and!future formal organizations charged.with the responsibilities, it is reported that federal areas. Many of the sta@e river responsibility to plan, manage, and between 6 to 10 of these organizations authorities report no funds are provide recreational opportunities provide full time recreational staff available. Local political subdivisions within local government areas and members. The numberous special report "lack of funds" as a primary jurisdictions in Texas is of extreme districts throughout the State provide concern. Councils of government importance to recreation in Texas. very few recreation personnel. indicate local political subdivisions These organizations, when staffed with cannot match the local share of federal personnel trained in parks and The state has recognized the essential and state grants-in-aid programs. Then, recreation management and related requirement for the education and too, experience of state and federal fields, can ensure and provide the local training of parks and recreation level agencies indicates that often government activity necessary for the personnel by establishing college public and private entities have been adequate provision of localized degree programs for recreation and aware of federal or state grant-in-aid recreation opportunities and provide related fields at several of its colleges sources but unfamiliar or incapable of immeasurable benefit to state and and universities. Notably, Texas Tech, dealing with administrative procedures federal outdoor recreation activities. Texas A & M, and Stephen F. Austin to utilize federal and state funds. Unfortunately, the number of formal State University are currently local government parks and recreation graduating significant numbe.rs of The availability of adequate funding is organizations in Texas is not as students ready for entry into also judged somewhat of a problem for widespread as is judged necessary for professional careers in parks and t h e provision of recreation solution of the problems facing many recreation management. However, opportunities by the private sector. local governments. The Texas preliminary reports from these With often large capital expenditures Municipal League reports 1,055 institutions pertaining to the involved, financing of developments is municipalities as incorporated by the placement of recent graduates from likely to be judged extremely risky by state. One hundred thirty-eight of the university recreation and parks lending institutions. In addition, these municipalities, or 13% are programs reveal that approximately proper planning for private recreation reported as having 191 parks and 50% of the graduates are finding enterprises is a complex task often recreation personnel while only 38 employment outside Texas, and that requiring a large and diverse amount of municipalities report the establishment 10 to 20% of those individuals who data and information regarding the of parks and recreation departments. find employment out of the state do market situation. Consequently, the The 254 county governments in Texas so as a result of a feeling that "better" costs of adequate planning can be provide less organization in this area opportunities are presented to them prohibitive to prospective private than municipalities. Approximately outside the state, or that pay scales are e n te r prises. For the private 33% of the counties in Texas provide not as good in Texas as elsewhere. This entrepreneur generally lacking in county owned and administered parks situation is of concern to the State, necessary expertise, in-depth planning and recreation areas, (only 7 of 17 on especially due to the nat ibnal ly -known 73 high quality and caliber of the Citizenery is a problem that merits number and broad range of men, graduates of these programs. continued and further investigation. women, and children who are afflicted SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS AGE with varying degrees of physical, mental, or emotional disabilities. In Analysis of the survey data also addition, persons faced with particular In conducting this update of the Texas revealed that older Texans, types of disability (physical or Outdoor Recreation Plan, extensive particularly those 65 and older, mental), are often faced with problems data regarding the socio-economic evidenced reduced household rates of related to their disability which-limit c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of outdoor participation and a low percentage of their ability to enjoy outdoor recreationists in Texas was collected households participating when recreational pursuits. Certainly then, for utilization in preparing, compared with other "age of the vast number of people which fall participation estimates for various household head" categories. This within the categories of disadvantaged outdoor recreation activities on a general trend of decreasing or handicapped must be recognized regional basis. In compiling this participation with increasing age is and considered with regard to their information, certain socio-economic consistent with the results of other special problems which limit their characteristics of the population stand r e g i o n a I a n d even national opportunity to participate in outdoor out vividly, and detailed presentations participation surveys. However, recreation activities. of this information are presented in literature has also shown instances of the Plan volume entitled "Outdoor high rates of participation on the part Recreation Activities", which should of older persons when provided with be consulted for reference by the user suitable opportunity to pursue certain The TORP Household Demand Survey i n te r e sted in socio-economic recreation activities. This suggests that revealed that approximately 30 information. However, some of the a decline in participation on the part percent of the respondents felt that more significant findings are presented of the older people may have a good some member of their household was below. deal to do with inadequate prevented from outdoor recreation opportunity and not, as might be participation because of general health RACE thought by some, solely due to problems. Further explanation and decreasing physical ability@. With detail concerning the population of The Household Demand Survey and current national projections indicating disadvantaged groups in the State and the On-Site Demand Survey conducted a rather significant shift in national the relevance of their problems to for this Plan update point up a average age of the population, outdoor recreation planning was significant statistic concerning the supported by lower birth rates, the specifically discussed in certain ethnic background of rural parkusers. provision of adequate and properly volumes. Problems related to the The Household Demand Survey designed opportunities for older disadvantaged were included in revealed that less than 43 percent of population groups will increase in. volumes such as Outdoor Recreation Mexican-American and Black importance. Texas has long had in the Urban Areas of Texas, Outdoor households participated in recreation legislation pertaining to architectural Recreation in the Rural Areas of Texas, in rural outdoor recreational areas. barriers in all publicly financed and Outdoor Recreation Activities. Additionally, of this percentage of constructions designed to minimize households that did enjoy recreating at negative efforts of architectural design rural recreation areas, the households upon the aged and handicapped OTHER participated at about half the rate of segments of the population. The Anglo households. This lower provision and enforcement of this Several other classes of socio-economic participation on the part of statute has provided immeasurable characteristics of outdoor recreation in Mex ican-Arnerican and Black assistance in encouraging proper design Texas are explored in greater detail in households was even more of public structures and will continue the volume entitled Outdoor dramatically illustrated by the On-Site to contribute in the future. However, Recreation Activities, which may Demand Survey where the sample the design of recreational areas with prove of value to the interested reader indicated that roughly four percent of facilities for activities more suited to and recreation professional. Analyses park users were Mexican-Americans older populations is at optimum levels of such socio-economic characteristics and one percent were Black. As of this in the state. as distance travelled information, writing, no explanation as to the lower household size, household income, rates of participation is evident. DISADVANTAGED household education levels, and others However, this apparent lack of use of The terms disadvantaged or are presented for additional reference. rural recreation facilities by such a handicapped persons include a- great All socio-economic characteristics are significant portion of the , Texas represented in estimates of regional 74 Primary emphasis has been placed more public involvement in trails upon the provision of facilities for programs. A "Trails Council" is an activities such as swimming and organized group of persons who are camping, and relatively few public concerned with the establishment, entities wh ich provide outdoor protection, and promotion of trails recreation facilities have placed within a specified area of interest to emphasis on trail development. The the council. A non-funded statewide combination of a statewide scarcity of trails council could be appointed to public lands available for recreation, open the lines of communication and major demands in the past for among all interested parties involved in recreation facilities other than trails, the development of trails, to largely account for the lack of trail coordinate trails at the state level, and development in Texas. to serve in an advisory capacity to a trail system administrator. Regional In addition, the participation in trails trails councils, drawn along the same activities and the demand for physiographic boundaries as the additional trail facilities are rapidly Regional Trail Systems, could increasing. The popularity of all trail coordinate trail activities on a regional related activities has been steadily basis to insure that the needs, demands increasing over the past few years, a and desires of each region are met. Individual local trails councils can trend which is expected to continue for many years to come. People are generate support at the grassroots, seeking opportunities to escape to providing trails for that specific less-crowded areas where they can locality. Once local trails councils are walk, hike, bicycle, ride horseback and actively established, the local councils generally enjoy nature in a pristine form regional councils, which in turn state. support a statewide trails council. In this manner, a balanced system of A Texas Parks and Wildlife trails is established. Department report, Texas Trailways, at the direction of the Texas Texas Trailways concludes with an Legislature, was published in action program which if implemented February, 1975. The study report s h o u I d i in s u r e the orderly states that a statewide trails system establishment and development of a established by the designation and statewide system of trails in Texas. incorporation of existing trails from Some of the more important outdoor recreation participation and both the public and private sectors recommendations include: 1) the resource requirements presented in the would be a desirable course of action establishment of a Texas Trails Plan volumes entitled Outdoor for the State of Texas. Regional Trail Council composed of representatives Recreation in the Urban Areas of Systems, composed of trails within from various levels of government, Texas, Outdoor Recreation in the specified physiographic regions, would private citizens, private enterprise and Rural Areas of Texas, and Outdoor encourage local and regional user groups; 2) the Texas Trails Recreation on the Texas Gulf Coast. participation in the program, A Council hosting a Texas Trail A detailed explanation of the program such as this would be directed Symposium for the purpose of setting utilization of socio-economic in its early Istages, not at providing up short-term goals and long-range characteristics in developing across-the-state trails where large land objectives for promoting the participation estimates and resource acquisitions would be necessary and development of trails in Texas; 3) requirements is presented in the where some sections would be only passage of legislation grantinq the volume entitled Techniques Of rarely utilized, but at promoting high Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Analysis. quality scenic, historic, recreation, and the , authority to coordinate , the expedition trails where they would development of a statewide system of TRAII ILS most benefit and be accessible to the trails; and 4) the incorporation of recreationists. existing trails into a statewide trails Until recently, trails activities have system. bee n given minor importance in The report envisions the creation of outdoor recreation planning in Texas. trails councils as a means of getting 75 the total estimated acres of hunting 4. lands in Texas, only about 1.2 million acres, or less than 2 percent, are public Y lands. The major suppliers of Texas' V d public hunting lands are the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service, and the Texas Parks and Wi Idl if e Department. The overwhelming majority of hunting lands, about 64 million acres, or 98 percent, are furnished by the private sector, chiefly in farms and ranches. ilk, Analytical regions with the greatest "4" %t amount of hunting land are chiefly undeveloped agricultural areas, such as Regions 30, 2, 37, 17, 1, 36, 35, 32, and 18. THE DEMAND FOR HUNTING In 1968, the demand for hunting in Texas totalled over 9 million activity-days. If adequate hunting lands can be made available it is projected that hunting participation Will reach 21 million days by 1980, an increase of 133 percent, and in 2000, it is estimated that a total of 38 million days will take place, an Recreation for Handicapped Persons. Where feasible, outdoor increase of 322 percent over 1968. recreation areas and facilities should be designated and located to encourage use by handicapped individuals. (Photo by The Texas Regions where the greatest demand for Rehabilitation Commission) hunting is expected to occur include Regions 37, 8, 17, 22, 14, 26, 18, 30, 36, 24, 9, and 33. (SeelFigure 6-11.) HUNTING private enterprise and private lands to provide recreation opportunities. In ADDITIONAL HUNTING Historically, hunting has been part of 1968 over 82 percent of the hunting OPPORTUNITIES NEEDED the life-style of many Texas residents. taking place in Texas occurred on Based on comparisons of current and This was due to the necessity of private lands with only 18 percent on future demands with the-hunting lands providing food supplies and the public lands. Due to the unique nature currently available, it was estimated control of predatory animals. Today of hunting, special attention must be that over .700,000 acres of additional hunting has diminished as a necessity given this activity in order to hunting lands will need to be made but has become increasingly popular as determine the most appropriate available in Texas by. 1980 if present an outdoor recreation activity. actions to be taken in providing utilization rates of existing hunting adequate hunting opportunities in the lands remain unchanged. By the year State. 2000, an additional 5.5 million acres Compared to most outdoor recreation will be needed above the present activities taking place in Texas. HUNTING OPPORTUNITIES supply of 65 million acres. These hunting is rather unique. It takes place AVAILABLE additional lands will be needed in chiefly in the fall of the year, whereas localized areas, primarily in relatively, the peak participation for virtually all It is estimated that there were close proximity to several of the major other activities is in the summer, and is approximately 65 million acres of land metropolitan areas of the State. Many still almost completely dominated by available for hunting in Texas in 1968, areas of the State have more than male participants. Hunting is the one of which slightly less than half, or 31 adequate supplies of hunting lands but activity most heavily dependent upon million acres, was leased.for a fee. Of are relatively long distances from the 76 '!, "01, 0:1A ix* i4. k zk lwg -tv 4 is V r ,A, 41 If Bird Hunting in East Texas. Better management and increased protection of wildlife habitats is needed if traditional forms of hunting are to be available to future generations of Texans. (Photo by Martin T. Fulfer, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department) major population centers where the opportunities cannot be totally PROBLEM AREAS. greatest number of hunters reside. accomplished within these regions due Among the 37 regions delineated in to the concentrations of population Texas for recreation planning and the continued growth expected. A number of special problems exist purposes, the regions expected to need Consequently, additional lands will with regard to providing adequate additional hunting opportunities in need to be made available in adjacent hunting opportunities in Texas. 1980 are Regions 3, 10, 11, 12, 25, regions or in regions within reasonable Foremost among these problems is the lack of access to private lands suitable 29, and 33. (See Figure 6-1.) Between driving distances from the metropoli- for hunting, the high costs, restrictive 1980 and 2000, several other regions tan areas. For example, Figure 6-1 leasing practices of private landowners, are expected to need additional hunting shows that Region 25 (Houston crowded conditions on public hunting lands. These include Regions 8, 9, 13, Metropolitan Area) is expected to lands, less than optimum distributions 14, 17, and 36. need over 36,000 acres of additional of wildlife and lands available for hunting lands by 1980. However, hunting, low harvest rates, and the adjacent regions possess ample supplies critical loss of high quality wildlife of hunting lands and could meet the habitat in certain areas of the State Several of the regions expected to needs of the residents of the from competing land uses. While these need additional hunting opportunities metropolitan area. On the other hand, are not all the problems associated are single county, highly urbanized there are significant problems to be with hunting in Texas, they are some regions. These iiinclude Regions 10 faced in meeting the demand for of the most significant, and alleviation (Fort Worth Metropolitan Area), 11 hunting land in Regions 10, and 11, (Dallas Metropolitan Area), 25 since some of the surrounding regions of these problems would make the most ef fective contributions toward (Houston Metropolitan Area), and 29 also indicate expected deficits of (El Paso Metropolitan Area). hunting opportunities. providing more adequate hunting Satisfying the demands for hunting opportunities for Texans. 77 FIGURE 6.1 REQUIREMENTS FOR ADDITIONAL HUNTING LANDS BY PLANNING REGIONS, 1980 +4,493,158 +6,788,947 10 -61,429 -57,143 5 .......... 3 +726,000 +1,392,105 +200,000 7 10,000 8 9 +438,421 -@1,581,667 +380,833 +390,000 . .... . . . . .... @22,778 ........... . . . . .:::.'- 30 is 17 2 0 15 +488,696 +9,14o,bbo, +2,372,667 19 22 +342,963 +1,245,000 +725,000 23 26 +801,111 37 +1,7341286 31 + 21,111 +384,074 36 +3,488,889 4 +615,625 +1,353,500 27 +477,317 +1,334,000 28 25 'D3-2) 33. -36,316 +2,248,333 35 16 9,048 +34,286 +2,020,000 SURPLUS OF HUNTING LAND ACRES +290,666 DEFICIT OF HUNTING LAND ACRES 78 4 Regional agencies, such as Chapter I Councils of Governments, Economic Developm-ent RECOMMENDATIONS AND PRIORITIES Districts, Resource Conservation and Development Project Areas, and other regional entities should provide regional planning and devel opment stru ctu re, A critical element in any planning 0 This volume of the Plan, State organization, and guidance to effort is the development of Summary, should be utilized as coordiante the development of conclusions and recommendations reference for guidance in matters a I I outdoor recreation which arise from the analysis of pertaining to outdoor recreation opportunities in their respective various factors chosen as necessary for in general. All entities should regions or districts, regardless of the solution of problems. In the State assure that their individualized project sponsor. outdoor recreation planning effort, the plans are in keeping with the 0 Federal and State agencies State must present recommendations guidance of the Plan, to include should continue to identify state and priorities to guide the provision reference to pertinent plan and nationally significant and development of outdoor material and estimates. resources and assist all local and recreation opportunities throughout Additional reference material regional governments, each the State. These recommendations are pertaining to the development of other, and the private sector in directed to the needs of the people recommendations in this volume identifying and managing and are presented in terms of for outdoor recreation activities, recreation resources throughout requirements for recreation lands, techniques of analysis, Texas. Individual federal and waters, and facilities th.roughout the recreation facility standards, state agencies should insure that State. As a resu It of these r e c r e a t i o n a I I y b a s e d their respective programs and re q u i r e m e n ts, the following e n v i r o n rn e n tal concerns, p r o j e c t s g i v e proper information is designed to provide recreation information, and consideration to recreation state-level guidance to federal, state, interaction between the public resources in the planning, regional, local and the private entities and private sectors is contained development, and execution of in the directions outdoor recreation in Plan volumes entitled their responsibilities. development should take between Outdoor Recreation Activities, 0 All entities, public and private, 1975 and 1980. Technicluies of Analysis, A with plans, policies, programs, Regional Environmental and projects which may have USE OF THE STATE PLAN Analysis, A Statewide impact upon the recreation Recreation Information System, resources of a given geographic 0 Various volumes of the Texas and The Role of the Public and area should, at the earliest Outdoor Recreation Plan present Private Sectors. opportunity, coordinate and regional information regarding signify their intent by the characteristics and estimated i dentifying their plans and requirements for additional GENERAL GUIDELINES programs to respective interests outdoor recreation opportunities with a responsibility in the in Texas. Regional information In the planning and provision of affected geographic a r ea. presented in the Regional outdoor recreation opportunities Protection o f recreation Summary volume, supplemented throughout Texas, the following basic resources and the esthqtics of by regional information guidelines should be followed: the recreational environment in presented in the Plan volumes b o t h d e s i g n a te d a n d entitled Outdoor Recreation in a Local units of government, undesignated recreation areas is the Urban Areas of Texas, either urban or rural, should also a major concern of this Outdoor Recreation in the Rural provide basic outdoor recreation Plan. Private enterprises and all Areas of Texas, and Outdoor opportunities where capable. responsible regulatory agencies Recreation on the Texas Gulf Higher levels of government and agencies sponsoring various Coast should be used as a guide should assist when local types of development projects for all entities in planning and capabilities are limited, such as transportation, airports, developing additional non-existent,orof a sufficiently power generation, pipelines and opportunities. higher government level interest. urban-industrial expansion 79 should carefully i d e ntify, by providing services supportive and magnitude of problems in consider, and otherwise take of the basic outdoor recreation planning outdoor recreation on a into account both direct and indirect effects likely to have an f a c i I i t i e s a n d h u n t i n g statewide basis are vast. The very impact on recreation resources. opportunities where needed in complexity, and the demands for Particular attention ihould be cooperation with pertinent outdoor recreation opportunities, directed to such effects that public agencies in a given setting. repeatedly emphasize the necessity for could result in the loss or statewide and other government-level deterioration of natural areas, More detailed recommendations comprehensive planning. Additionally, potential parksites, wildlife de .signed to complement th . ese these problems are not limited to habitats, stream corridors and guidelines are presented below. outdoor recreation. State plans for other land resources of local, many functional areas are being regional, state or national GENERAL PRIORITI .ES prepared throughout state government-plans for water concern, and air, water, visual AND RECOMMENDATIONS development, solid waste, pollution and noise pollution in or near control, transportation, and health-to existing or potential recreation but name a few. In keeping with these areas or resources. The state outdoor recreation planning other planning efforts, this section 0 Private enterprise sh ou Id p rogram in Texas has been in describes recommendations to guide supplement the basic supply of operation for less than a decade, and various public and private entities in outdoor recreation opportunities throughout its history it has become meeting their responsibilities for in both urban and rural settings increasingly evident that the numbers outdoor recreation. Planning Coordination at the Local Level. Recreation planning is most effective when coordinated with other types of functional planning through the comprehensive planning process. (Photo by Planning Department, City of Austin) Trans%jaiftorl M IrT j 'XA 4 A Ilk _4014-Aft-V 80 Although many obstacles stand in the concerns of a statewide nature. The utilize local voluntary assistance from path of the governmental and private following material is presented as qualified individuals and/or groups in sectors of Texas in their efforts to general guidance for all federal, state, providing additional recreation meet the huge growing demand for regional, local, and private sector opportunities so that available outdoor recreation, the obstacles can entities in planning, designing, and recreation funds may be maximized. largely be removed; the outdoor providing additional outdoor recreation demands of Texas residents recreation opportunities in Texas. For This voluntary assistance could be and visitors to the State can, in most further detail, users are referred to the used for data collection, park various volumes of the plan, whose part, be satisfied. But to accomplish planning, park development, park this tremendous task, all agencies, material has been utilized in maintenance, and even developing and organizations, and individuals having developing this information: conducting recreation programs. an outdoor recreation purpose in the State must come to recognize and The increased utilization of such emphasize these p u rposes and recreational resources as shorelines, All people should have adequate j u d i c i o u s I y assume t h e i r beaches, floodplains, wetlands, unique opportunities to participate in outdoor responsibilities to overcome the natural areas, , islands, rivers and recreation activity in Texas, regardless outdoor recreation problems existing streams, historic properties, and mined of age, 'sex, race, creed, or within their area of influence. lands shold be considered by all levels physical disadvantages. All entities in of government in seeking to provide the public sector should identify and It is highly unlikely that any particular additional recreational opportunities. assure that all segments of the sector, either governmental or private, population within their jurisdiction shall ever attain the status of hvaing a Large deficits in recreation lands are and responsibilities are afforded equal surplus of funds available to meet its estimated to exist throughout the opportunities, particularly by own responsibilities. Therefore, one State, and agencies and organizations considering such recreational area entity cannot a s s u m e the at all levels of government should take design factors as are compatible with responsibilities of another and still steps to assure that adequate the capabilities and desires of the aged fulfill its own duties. Neither is it recreation lands are made available.' and disadvantaged. always possible for any one entity to Funding levels should be increased at satisfy all the outdoor recreation needs all levels of government, but especially The State of Texas should implement generated by persons recreating within at the local, level. The State should a Texas Waterway System. Figure 7-1 its area of jurisdiction since physical or explore ways and means of assisting indicates the location of waterways ecological resources, such as local governments in this area. which the Texas Parks and Wildlife mountains, seashores, lakes, or forests, Department, in a feasibility study etc. may pose specialized problems. Funding for all organizations and conducted by direction of the development of additional outdoor Legislature, lists as those which have recreation areas and facilities in Texas been identified as having potential for Thus, all suppliers of outdoor sand will continue to bea major area inclusion in such a system. recreation resources, in order to satisfy of concern for Texas. Various the State's outdoor recreation requirements,must fulfill varying roles problems face the State, intensified by The State of Texas should establish a by assuming the responsibility of recent federal actions eliminating some Texas Trailways System. Existing trails providing opportunities for certain funding sources and restricting the ' use identified as having potential for types of outdoor recreation areas and of others. However, the availability of inclusion in such a system were facilities for activities associated with local government funds is judged as determined in a study conducted by these types of areas. In this manner, one of the most pressing problems. the Texas Parks and Wildlife optimum opportunities in a specific State and f ederal agencies are Department- at the direction of the geographic area may be provided, and encouraged to identify and maximize Legislature, and are presented in the State as a whole will present sources of matching funds to assist in Table 7-1. optimum opportunities for all people. the provision of additional outdoor recreation opportunities. Local Land access to public recreational governments should emphasize and waters in Texas should be increased. The results of analyses presented in increase the availability of local funds Texas has many lakes, reservoirs, rivers various volumes of the plan have for recreation, through such means as and streams, and miles of bay and Gulf brought to light several general aspects bond issues, Capital Improvement frontage. However, existing public of outdoor recreation in Texas. These programs, and utilization of revenue recreation areas adjacent to many of range from specific recreation facility sharing programs. Local governments these waters are crowded, while the deficits throughout the State to broad are also encouraged to obtain and waters themselves are under utilized. 81 FIGURE 7-1. POTENTIAL WATERWAYS FOR A TEXAS SYSTEM WILDWATERWAYS 1111111 1. Big Sandy and Village Creek 2. Devils River 3. Pecos River 4. Pedernales River 5. Rio Grande SCENIC WATERWAYS 1. Angelina River 2. Angelina River 3. Big Cypress Bayou 4. Blanco River M 5. Brazos River 6. Colorado River 7. Colorado River 8. Frio River 9. Guadalupe River 5 13 10. Lampasas River .6 2 10 11. Llano River 6 23 12. Medina River 4- 20 13. Neches River 14. Neches River 3 11 22 7 15. Nueces River is . 1. 23 7 17 16. Paluxy River 5 2 17. Pine Island River .8 2 18. Rio Grande 3 19. Sabine River 21 20. Sabine River 21. San Bernard River 22. San Gabriel River 23. San Marcos River 24. San Saba River RECREATIONAL WATERWAYS 1. Brazos River 2. Concho River 3. Guadalupe River 4. Lampasas River 5. Leon River 6. Little River SOURCE: Texas Waterways, A feasibility report on a system of wild, scenic, and recreational 7. Trinity River waterways in Texas. TABLE 7-1. POTENTIAL TRAILS FOR A TEXAS SYSTEM - - --- ------- .REGIONALTRAIL NAMEOF ADMINISTERING LENGTH POTENTIAL SYSTEM TRAIL AGENCY (MILES) CLASSIFICATION McAlli starParktrail City of San Antonio 4.0 Scenic TRAILS Town Lake Walk and Bikeway City.of Austin 9.75 Recreational Aecreational Sch'artz City Park Trail City of Schertz 1.0 0 1e Dept. 1.2 if Recreational L Bj State Park: Nature-T "'I Missions of San Anton io@ tre if -@Clly,'of San Antonio 13.5 Historic r "Varks &Wldlife,Dept. Pbderrilles'Feills'State Pa@ 'exas 7.0. Scenic .Hiking Trail del lo, PaseoR 2.0' -- ---------- Recreational PT iz _1 -TRAI,LS@,-@ cuntafns@Mc -Service, @i@%vo, -,,,--Gu6db1upe.M N@iiorialYark 20.0 Scenic fl in, _trdil:@ C National Par ervice, 2.79 Historic T. aL National Park Service 33.0 Expedition ig@ an uter ount im @@oo VALLEY TRAILS:, -Ri6 Grande V411" Te'xas'Parks & Wildlife Dept. 1.5 Recreational I peritseri qy@ Singiii"""@`-1 dT,-hd ng,qhappara@,,, ral -Wildlife' -'-'-U;',S;,Fish and.WildIffe - 14.8 Scenic anta to' I S @ A 61ni Nla i n1a' tu Na ails rqJr, n S-P ete 7 L Trail 2.5 Recreational P@a,dr&island,'N(6iion@alseashor Natiorial Park Service 0.7 Scenic Grassla'ndsTra-W',@- s National,,Wildlif ''Ij.'S.'Fish and Wildlife 5.5 Scenic A@ansai e:: Nature Service Refuge -U;Hike,@& Bi of_Houstori@ , 4.7 Recreational Ayffajo Bayo ke-- ty, ..... ..... F ark`-- ex 'j, RAIL -_qp@irnetmNatpIre_,,Trai[,&,-,@ omervi@ e3rai -we *S y, s Parks & Wildlife Dept. 23.9 Expedition FOREST7, argi Long Park @Ci -9,_ @origvjew 0.5 Recreational -M FT `Texei�Rarks@& Wildlife Dept. 'TJ efas, ---mt?,@NufiN- N--J,@'' ...... al -,A@16ntaState@Park--'T,@,ajlz",'@!@@-'-,,@a,@'-@'@@,@@'@j@',-@l@@@ Dept. 2.4 Recreation @@@-,--@Daingerfield@qtp@e,-,Pqr,,k - Dept., 2.5 Recreational TraiI pi Caddo Lake State,Park- 0.15 Scenic fR.@',@,,@.@@'@@@@,,T,@xasjf@prks,&@,Wildlife Dept. C ac 3.6 Scenic T -Te, .:Old. ramH,iking 'U,.,S,. Forest Service Old, Texas Forestry, Association 1.5 Scenic -RUsk 2.5 Historic axes oscqw Tel- T- Forestry so6iation 2.0 Scenic MT'I "U:S Fores 100.0 "Expedition 'Tr t Service PRAIRIE TRAILS Benbrook Trail U. S. Army Corps of Engineers 7.3 Recreational 7.0 Recreational -Fort0orth.Trinity,,River Hike, City of Fort Worth s 6 4 p6d` B i k e T r6 i 1,-? -Wil erness, ay -Dallas@Museurn ofNatural 3.0 Scenic fl@ ICU --Greee-Isla-nd'N6tU@ez,rai;@,<@,- q.Ciiy'bfj6rt"W rth@ T 1 3.0 Scenic -@,,Mericliab T6Cas ftitks;& swild I ife Dept. .3.4 Scenic "J "Hiking rai P, - ps of Engineers 15.0 Expedition F-, w 2- P La kP TqxQ1n@_" 1101 qg,,Tr@0_ A." ampa, Centralfar. - r; e- -ail- L .5 R credtibri take Mere P lU rW C r e e W, Ph rvi6d i @arwi@ 2.0 Scenic dith' ri@j P -Natuf @ra- 2, T @J Findings Under construction 83 4, 4* "AM It _77 7_ The Guadalupe-One of Texas' Many Beautiful Waterways, Establishment of a statewide system of wild, scenic and recreational waterways is one of the major recommendations in the Texas Outdoor Recreation Plan. (Photo by Reagan Bradshaw, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department) Access problems are of particular which should be considered in plans, and other activities. Efforts by concern along the Texas Gulf Coast. encouraging further activity in this federal and state agencies should be All entities should make special'efforts; area are the publication of recreation made to increase public hunting lands to provide more access to these directories and standardized maps and game management areas. recreational water resources. based on recreation resource Consultation with state and federal inventories, and the creation of wildlife specialists is encouraged by The current efforts of federal, state, statewide systems for monitoring the state in- all matters pertaining to regional, and local entities regarding demand on a relatively continuous hunting. the collection and maintenance of basis. SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS FOR various types of information needed to determine outdoor recreational supply Hunting activity in Texas is RECREATION LANDS, WATERS, and demand should be strengthened. characterized by individual hunter use AND FACILITIES Although federal and state level of privately owned lands. Landowners, agencies are currently engaged in these often unaware of the demand and As further guid .ance in providing activities, many regional an .d local economic potential represented by recreational opportunities needed entities are not active, especially wildlife populations, are not providing between 1975 and 1980, all regarding estimates of recreational as many opportunities as possible. All responsible entities should be demand. Any efforts by regional and entities with responsibilities and cognizant of the State's overall local entities in this area will be of interests in this area are encouraged to recreation requirements, as well as the great benefit to the State in providing evaluate this problem in considering geographical differences in these additional facilities. Possible options individual outdoor recreation projects, requ irements. 84 FIGURE 7-2. URBAN AREAS-RECOMMENDED PRIORITIES FOR ADDITIONAL DEVELOPED RECREATION LANDS BY PLANNING REGION, 1975-1980 CLASS I REGIONS CLASS 11 REGIONS Om QC'T MC,T PMT - CDT 5 (DM It 9 14 #AC 6 C 9 IT 14 M'l 30 19 20 22 15 (9 17 20M -15 21 C 22 23 26 21 23 37 4 36 31 27 24 28 27 25 '6 M'C'T 32 33 28 35 32 33 16 T LEGEND 35 16 LAND PRIORITY CLASSES2 54 CLASS I- Regions projected to have urban aress with land deficits ranging from 13.15 acres down to 6.20 :es per 1,000 population. CLASS II- Regions projected to him urban areas with land deficits ranging from 6.19 acres down to 3.70 acres per 1.000 Population. CLASS III- Regions projected to have urban areas with land deficits ranging from 3.69 ac as down to 1.60 acres per 1,000 Population. CLASS IV- Regions projected to have urban areas with @land deficits ranging from 1.59 to 0.0 acres per 1,000 population, Identification numb,r for recreational planning regions. TYPES OF URBAN AREAS IN REGION CLASS III REGIONS M, C, T- Indicates presence of one or mom menropti CLASS IV REGIONS can areas (M), cities (C), or towns IT) pro- jected to have facilltv deficits in he class 2 Q ra Be of the region where located. Urban n area population categories are as follows: histropolitainsmas: 50,000ormom i.[[ i[ Cities- 10,000to49,999 10 to Towns: 2,500 to 9,9119 5 AD G)c I i'Filla @10,T 29 14 8 9 D-c 8 9 U4 (7 20 o ZJ INq@' gi" qji; N 21 Z &T NY 17 C' 24 T 27 S iW; 28 25 35 6 T 34 C'T Land requirements include only those acres needed for developing recreational facilities. Land requirements for open space are not included. 2The priority classes shoWn are intended for general guidance only. For more specific information refer to the voume of the plan entitled Regional Summary, Outdoor Recreation in the Urban Areas of Texas and Outdoor Recreation on the Texas i Coast. 85 To provide adequate recreational regional urban, rural, and Gulf Coast a c q u i s i t i on a n d opportunities many difficulties such as saltwater-associated land acres development schedules for geographic limitations of estimated necessary to provide for recreational opportunities. responsibilities, d iversity of additional recreational facilities. Facil ity standards for responsibilities and a multiplicity of Priority Class I through IV urban and rural settings funding programs must be overcome. designations were developed by are - presented in the Even considering these and many estimating total urban, rural, and Gulf volume Techniques of other problems, public and private Coast saltwater-associated land acres A n a I y s i s and a r e recreation suppliers, guided by the necessary for each region, and then recommended for use in general recommendations in th is breaking the regions into priority estimating additional land volume, and with reference to classes with similar land acre requirements. additional volumes of the Plan, will be requirements. For example, Priority 0 As an aid in providing better able to ascertain priorities for Class I regions are those where the additional lands for their individual program efforts and largest numerical acre requirements recreational opportunities, assist in increasing the recreation have been found to exist, while at reduced cost, the opportunities in Texas. Recommended Priority Class IV regions, though following alternatives geographic priorities for additional requirements exist, are not as large as should be investigated developed recreation lands and Class 1, 11, or I I I regions. before f e e s i m p I e facil'ities are presented in Figures 7-2 acquisition of additional through 7-7. Figures 7-2, 7-3, and 7-4 The provision of additional outdoor lands is sought: present recommended priority classes recreation lands, regardless of priority 0 U t i I i z a t i o n o f for the provision of additional class, should be guided by the existing recreational developed recreational lands in the following general recommendations: lands not optimally urban and rural areas of the State and developed at the saltwater associated lands on the Gulf 0 Additional designated recreation present time. Coast. Figures 7-5, 7-6, and 7-7 lands should be adjacent to 0 U t i I i z a t i o n o f present similar regional priorities for existing water resources (fresh various types of additional recreational facilities. and saltwater) of all types where c u r r e n t I -y Additional recommendations possible. In addition, the spatial n on-recreational concerning the development of distribution of existing outdoor public lands for recreational lands, waters, and recreation opportunities with r e c r e a t i o n a I facilities of a more general nature are relation to population locations purposes. also presented in the following within various areas of the State 9 Consideration, discussions. is less than optimum in many designation, and cases. All entities are encouraged u t i I i z a t i on o f LANDS to consider this problem in existing resources planning new recreation lands, such as flood plains, and utilize -the various regional shorelines, islands, .Any additional recreation lands which analyses presented in the rights-of-way, and are planned to be developed or volumes Outdoor Recreation in other p u b I i c I y acquired should be supported by the Urban Areas of Texas, regulated land areas, individual and localized project area Outdoor Recreation in the Rural particularly in and analyses. This will insure that Areas of Texas and Outdoor near urban settings. additional lands are provided where Recreation on the Texas Gulf intra-regional deficits exist. However, Coast volumes as a guide. In 0 High priority for the F igu res 7-2 , 7-3, and 7-4 present providing additional lands, the acquisition, utilization, recommended priority classes which f o I I o w i n g a d d i t i o n a I d e s i g n a t i o n , a n d may be followed in determining areas recommendations are offered: development of land of the State in which federal, state, Local governments who resources for recreational regional, and local agencies should have not done so should purposes should be concentrate their efforts to improve immediately prepare and directed to the following, recreational opportunities. Priority continuously maintain as well as to those regions class designations indicate th ose comprehensive m aster indicated as high in regions where existing or acquired recreational plans for their priority: recreational lands should be developed respective jurisdictions, in 1.) U rban areas with with recreational facilities, based on order to determine 5 year steady to increasing 86 FIGURE 7-3. GULF COAST- R ECOMMEN DED PRIORITIES FOR ADDITIONAL DEVELOPED RECREATION LANDS' ASSOCIATED WITH SALTWATER2 BY COUNTY, 1975-1980 ORA14GE LEGEND HARRIS :JEFFERSON CHAMBE LAND PRIORITY CLASSES3 GALVESTON CLASS I- Counties projected to have land deficits rang- ing from 10,700 acres down to 5,000 areas. JACKSON ;ATZRDA - - CLASS 11- Counties projected to have land deficits rang- -7 C@ALHOUi4- ing from 4,999 acres down to 1,000 acres. _REF_UGIO- - CLASS III- Counties projected to have land deficits rang- ing from 999 acres down to 100 acres. SAN PATRIC RAN NUECES F] CLASS IV- Counties projected to have land deficits rang- i ng from 99 acres down to 4 acres. KLEBE 1 Land requirements include only those acres needed for developing recreational facilities. Land requirements for open space are not included. 21n calculating developed land priorities for the Gulf Coast WILL@ACVY counties, only saltwater associated needs were included. Also, no distinction was made between rural and urban ME N areas in establishing priorities. 10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100MILES 3The priority classes shown are intended for general guid- ance only. For specific information refer to the plan vol- umes entitled Outdoor Recreation on the Texas Gulf Coast, and Regional Summary. populations where should be directed 0 Lands which will I i ttle or no first toward the provide recreational r e c r e a t i o n a I metropolitan areas op p o r tu n i t i es opportunities exist of the State. complementary to at the current time. 0 Land areas adjacent those waterways Priority lands for to saltwater along identified a@ having u t i I i zation as the Gulf Coast. p o t e n t i a I f or recreation areas 0 Land areas which inclusion in a should be areas of w i I I p r o v i d e statewide waterwav su itable natural d e s i r a b I e basic system, as well as characteristics, r e c r e a t i o n a I lands with potential preferably adjacent opportunities at for inclusion in a to water bodies of h i s t o r i c a n d statewide trails good recreational a r c h e o I o g i c a I system. Priority for q u a I i t y a n d features, shorelines, the provision of such potential. Priorities and islands. landsshould be given 87 FIGURE 7-4. RURAL AREAS-RECOMMENDED PRIORITIES FOR ADDITIONAL DEVELOPED RECREATION LANDS BY PLANNING REGION, 1975-1980 CLASS I REGIONS CLASSHREGIONS (D Q 10 11 10 5 4 @ 5 7 29 9 29 0 14 9 30 20 15 17 20 22 30 21 19 22 23 26 21 23 26 31 24 1 31 24 27 27 28 25 28 32 33 25 35 32 33 16 35 34 LEGEND LAND PRIORITY CLASSES2 CLASS I- Regi ns projected to have land deficits rang or ing from 20,500 acres to 10,000 =as. nl- Regions projected to have land deficits rang- ing from 9,999 acres 1. 3,000 scres. CLASS III- Regions projected to have land deficits rang- = ing from 2,999 acres to 1,500 aaes. CLASS IV- Regions projected to haw land deficits rang- = ing from 1,499 - to 350 -as. Idemification number for recreational planning regions. CLASS IV REGIONS CLAS S III REGIONS to 1 01 4 13 0 I s 14 9 14 30 17 15 15 30 17 22 19 22 21 21 26 23 26 31 15 31 56 24 36 24 27 28 28 25 32 33 32 33 35 35 16 16 IThe priority classes shown are intended for general guidance only. For more specific information refer to the volumes or tne plan entitled Regional Summary, outdoor Recreation in the Urban Areas of Texas and Outdoor Recreation on the Texas Gulf Coast. 2A deficit opportunity day is a unit used to estimate the facilities needed to satisfy recreation demand when demand exceeds the present supply of recreation faci lities. 88 to I and s, within p r e v a i I i n g u r b a n recreational open space one-half day's drive development approach is and facility standards, and of metropolitan perpetuating urban sprawl, through appropriate means areas, where feasible. depriving residents of such as development taxes, 9 T h e c o,n t i n u e d recreational opportunities take steps to assure that development of urban and is creating recreational adequate lands are areas with inadequate deficits that are difficult identified and allocated to a I I ocation of land to and very costly to correct public recreation prior to recreation and open space a f t e r t h e u r b a n subdivision development. n e e d s a t t h e development process is Prior identification of key neighborhood-community c o m p I e t e . L o c a I recreational resources such level is a serious recreation governments should as scenic areas that are to problem in Texas. The develop and/or adopt be set aside is a key Recreational Open Space. Failure to identify and set aside quality element in implementing recreation lands and resources prior to urban development results in such a program and in a loss of recreational opportunities and is very difficult and costly to assuring the conservation correct. (Photo by Frank Aguilar, Texas Parks & Wildlife of high quality recreation Department) areas. Hunting activity in Texas is generally c h a r a cter ized by &%7 individual hunter use of V rivately owned lands. p Landowners, often not fully d aware of the recreation demand and consequent economic 14 potential represented by wildlife populations, ard not providing as N, V- many opportunities as are possible. This is resulting in high v- costs to hunters as a result of the V: limited supply. All entities with responsibilities and interests in this area are encouraged to evaluate this p r o blem in considering individual outdoor recreation projects, plans, and other activities. 0 Various types of unique natural a re a s, 'a n d historic and archeological sites exist throughout the State, many of which are unidentified at the not all current time. Although areas can be of national, state, or regional concern, all entities in the public and private sector are e ncou raged to identify and 7"' *4 Wor consider proper management of these unique areas and sites in v a r i o u s p I a n n i n g and development endeavors. Current priorities should be directed to the f u rther evaluation and possible creation as parks of the 89 30 urban and 70 rural significant detrimental impacts on wildlife above recommendations and factors in natural areas listed in the habitats, unique stream-oriented assessing the need for individual volumes of the Plan entitled recreation and freshwater inflows reservoirs or larger water development Regional Summary, Outdoor needed to sustain coastal estuaries. efforts. Recreation in the Urban Areas Full assessment of environmental of Te xas, and Outdoor impacts of all such projects is FACILITIES Recreation in the Rural Areas of recommended in order to avert Texas. unnecessary loss of recreation The development of recommended resources. Also, a complete assessment priorities for providing additional LAKES AND RESERVOIRS of the productive efficiencies of facilities to support various outdoor various water uses, especially recreation activities in Texas is a very From a broad statewide perspective, consumptive uses, is recommended in difficult task. The wide variety of the current supply of freshwater lake order to better define priorities for recreational facility deficits projected and reservoir surface acres in Texas is water projects and to more acurately to occur between 1975 and 1980 generally adequate for meeting, the determine the real costs and benefits complicates the statewide analysis. demands for boating, fishing, and of additional reserv'oirs and water Because projected requirements vary skiing. However, the regional transfer projects. greatly across the State, it is distribution of these resources in many recommended that all public and instances is less than ideal. For The problem of land access to existing private sector entities consult the example, estimates of additional water resources in the State has been individual regional analyses in the surface acre requirements indicate that previously discussed, all responsible volumes of the Plan entitled Regional many of the urban areas of the State, entities should insure that adequate Summary, Outdoor Recreation in the particularly in the larger metropolitan recreational areas are provided at Urban Areas of Texas, Outdoor areas, should be provided with existing and planned reservoirs in the Recreation in the Rural Areas of additional surface acres of lakes and State with priorities directed to the Texas, and Outdoor Recreation on the reservoirs to optimally meet the larger rapidly growing urban regions Texas Gulf Coast for guidance in recreation demand of urban residents. and the Gulf Coast. Also, water providing additional facilities. These On the other hand, most of the rural resource agencies, in conducting their analyses should be considered by all areas of the State generally have operations, should also take into public and private entities when sufficient surface acreages of water to account those rivers and streams which seeking guidance in determining satisfy the wants and desires of have been previously identified as requirements for additional outdoor recreationists from all origins. As a having potentials for inclusion in a recreation facilities. However, for result, the State is faced with a state waterway system. In summary, purposes of extremely general paradoxical situation-the supply of water resource agencies operating in guidance, Table 7-2 indicates the top 5 recreational lakes and reservoir waters the State should take into account the types of facility deficits in the urban is not located where it should be to Optimally provide for the boating, fishing, and skiing demands of the population. In the future, this TABLE 7-2. MAJOR REQUIREMENTS FOR ADDITIONAL situation is expecte -d to become more RECREATION FACILITIES BY LOCATION" 1975-1980 of a problem as the requirements for additional surface acres increase. Water In Urban Areas resource agencies should consider the estimates in the - Regional Summary Swimming facilities, Tennis courts, Playgrounds, Golf courses, and Picnic volume in determining recreational tables priorities for the location of new lakes and reservoirs. In Rural Areas Development of additional lakes and Boat Launch areas, Picnic units, Campsites, Designated freshwater swimming reservoirs is stimulated by projected areas, and Horseback riding trails agricultural, industrial, and municipal water needs and flood control Along Gulf Coast Waters purposes. While certain of these projects can provide needed Designated swirnming areas, Picnic tables, Boat launch areas, Campsites, and recreational opportunities, in other Fishing facilities respects they can have severe 90 and rural areas of the State. As clearly indicated, the rankings of these facilities vary widely, depending upon the urban and rural location of the facilities, I n addition to considering the priorities in developing the most needed types of recreational facilities, the geographic dispersion of needed facilities should also be considered by all entities, especially those federal, state, and private entities which have statewide responsibilities and capabilities. The volumes of the Plan mentioned in reference to recreation land priorities should again be consulted in determining the specific types of recreation facilities that should be developed in the rural and urban portions of the 37 planning regions. However, to provide guidance in determining regions of the State in which efforts to provide additional f a cilities should be strengthened, 0 Figures 7-5.7-6.and7-7indicate general regional priority classes for the provision of additional facilities. These priority classes were developed by estimating , total deficit days of opportunity for all facilities combined in each of the regions. Regional rankings were determined by examining the array of combined deficits which occurred within the 86 7. urban and 37 rural groupings in the 37 regions. Class designations were 4- assigned where similar overall facility deficits were determined. As was the case with the land priority classes, Class I regions are those regions in the urban and rural areas where the combined deficits for all 01 outdoor recreation facilities are greatest. Class 11, 111, and IV areas are those which have increasingly lower deficits of all types of facilities. It should be noted that the' Priority Class IV region,s do require additional facilities, only less so in term's of overall facilities deficits than Class 1, ll,and III regions. 91 FIGURE 7-5. URBAN AREAS-RECOMMENDED PRIORITIES FOR ADDITIONAL RECREATION FACILITIES BY PLANNING REGION, 1975-1980 CLASS I REGIONS CLASS 11 REGIONS oc 0 0, 10 (DT M 13 MIT /Im'T 9 14 29 6 7 M 9 l4M 30 18 17 20 15 30 18 M 20 115 19 21 22 is sr 21 22 23 26 23 26 31 24 216 m,c 31 24 CT M 27 28 25 'CT LEGEND 28T 25 32 33 32 33 tG T 35 fill T FACILITY PRIORITY CLASSES' 16 35 T all CLASS I- Regions with urban areas projeed to have 54 d=y,12 deficits in -ations] bappon-ity ranging from 56,ODO 19,00 per 34 1,000 Population. CLASS I) - Regions with urban areas projected To he. d. its in -eational opportunity .hg fr. td'any.12 , f'-ing m 18"s to 9'000 W 1DOO Pop. l.tiln. CLASS Ill- Regions with urban areas projected to mye@ lol.l.d.fidis in -tion.1 pportunity@ days ranging from 8,999 to 4,000 per 1,000 Population. CLASS (V_ Regions with urban areas projeated o, have t.1.12 dcfia@,, fin reaeational opportunity days rano'no rom 3.999 to 1.0 per 1,000 P.Pul ation, Id-tificaticm number far -eation Planning regions. CLASS III REGIONS TYPES OF URBAN AREAS IN REGION 0M 0 a M, C, T- Indim"s presenm of am or mom metrapoli. CLASSIV REGIONS on area IM), cities (C), or towns IT) pro- 0 T ie@ted to have f.ilitY deficits in die-jess rangep@f the region where IPaamd. Urban ar ea pulartion wtegarro are as f.1lows: 10 h4ebropolitan areas: 50,000 or more 10 Cities: 10,QW to 49,999 C T-1: 2,500,.9,999 @ 5 T 12 M 13 Z9 7 C @CT C 6- (T g t4 C T 9 14T (@)CT M z 15 C'T 30 le' 17 20 T T 15 22 P2 21 ?, T 23 WT 26 23 C T 7 24 CT rT 24 27 ac 25 28 25 53 3 35 16 35 16 IThe priority classes shown are intended for general guidance only. For more specific information refer to the. volumes of the plan entitled Regional Summary, Dutdoor Recreation in the Urban Areas of Texas and Outdoor Recreation on the Texas Gulf Coast. 2A deficit opportunity day is a unit used to estimate the facilities needed to satisfy recreation demand when demand exceeds the present Supply of recreation facilities. 92 FIGURE 7-6. RURAL AREAS- RECOMM ENDED PRIORITIES FOR ADDITIONAL RECREATION FACILITIES BY PLANNING REGION, 1975-1980 CLASS I REGIONS CLASS 11 REGIONS (D 10 it to 11 @ -16 0 (D 5 @ S 7 1. 9 (4 a 8 30 20 15 30 18 117 0 15 19 212 (9 21 22 23 26 23 26 36 24 36 24 27 27 28 25 20 25 32 33 @2 33 16 3 16 35 LEGEND FACILITY PRIORITY CLASSES' CLASS I- Regions with rural areas projected w have total deficits r- --adonal opportunity dos2 ranging rom 37.7 million to 12.0 mil. lion. CLASS 11- Regions with rural areas projected to have d0i.l.,in recrWil.n.1 opportunity dos2 ranging rom " .9 Million to 5.0 million. CLASS III- Regions with rural arms projectted to have deficits in nscrotional opportunity dV,2 ranging from 4.9 million to 3.0 million. CLASS IV- Regions Wth mral arms projected to hoe deficits in recreational opportunity days2 ranging from 2.9 million to 0.8 million. identification number for recreational planning regions. CLASS III REGIONS CLASS IV REGIONS A- 4 3 4 5 14 14 6 30 18', 20 15 17 20 30 8 15 2 19 22 211 21 26 'c 23 26 24 27 27 28 28 25 32 33 32 33 16 35 35 54 'The priority classes shown are intended for general guidance only. For More specific information refer to the volumes of the plan entitled Regional Summary,, Outdoor Recreation in the Urban Areas of Texas, Outdoor Recreation in the Rural Areas of Texas, and Outdoor Recreation on the Texas Gulf Coast. 2A deficit opportunity day is a unit -used to estimate the facilities needed to satisfy recreation demand when demand exceeds the present supply of recreation facilities. 10 7 6 93 FIGURE 7-7. GULF COAST-RECOMMENOEO PRIORITIES FOR ADOITIONAL RECREATION. FACILITIES ASSOCIATEO WITH SALTWATER1 BY COUNTY, 1975-1980 ORANGE HARRIS CH BE To.. A*.*'-* JACKSON MATAGORDA LEGENO CALHOUN REFUGIO FACILITY PRIORITY CLASSES2 N CLASS I- Counties having total projected deficits in re nity days3 ranging from creational opportu 17.5 million to 10.0 million. U CLASS 11- Counties having total projected deficits in 3 .... recreational opportunity days ranging from 9.9 million to 2.0 million. CLASS III- Counties having total projected deficits in > recreational opportunity days3 ranging from 1.9 million to 0.1 million. CLASS IV- Counties having total projected deficits in ...... ....... 3 recreational opportunity days ranging from 0.09 milliontoO.01 million. 1 n Cal cu I'atind fac i I i ty prior ities for the Gu I f Coast counties, ............ only saltwater associated facilities were included. Also, no ............ distinction was made between rural and urban areas in es- XX tablishing priorities. 2The priority, classes shown are intended for general guid- ance only. For more specific information refer to the vol- umes entitled Outdo6r Recreation on the Texas Gulf Coast, and Region ail-Summary. 3A deficit opportunity day is- a unit used to, estimate the facilities needed to satisfy recreation demand when demand exceeds the present supply of recreation facilities. 9-4 of joint meetings among the major Chapter 8 recreational suppliers operating in Texas. All current and potential public RECOMMENDED RESPONSIBILITIES and private , entities with responsibilities and interests in %/ outdoor recreation in Texas should also consult the Regional Summary Volume for more detailed information regarding recommended regional responsibilities and suggested P riorities. Individual regional summaries in the volume present recommended acreage and facilities .7 .."T'A responsibilities for various federal, state, local, and private entities in each region. In addition to the recommended responsibilities for developed recreation land and facility requirements, further guidance oriented toward the planning, development, conservation, and management of the State's recreation resources by federal, state, regional, local, and private entities is presented in the following sections. RECOMMENDED FEDERAL RESPONSIBILITIES Responsibilities currently assumed in recreation opportunities available or a the field of outdoor recreation are, for void where outdoor recreation In general, the outdoor recreation the most part, the result of federal and opportunities should be provided. This responsibility of the federal state legislation and by policies and is mostly due to the inability of a government in Texas should be to positions formulated through years of supplier to accept the responsibility of assure that the people of Texas and experience by professionals in the others and still meet its own primary visitors to the State have ample field. There are others, however, which responsibility. opportunity to utilize and enjoy the have been brought about through the outdoor recreational resources under transfer of responsibilities among the administration of the federal recreation suppliers. Various reasons government. When seeking specific have brought about these transfers of As a means to guide the general recreational action in Texas, federal responsibility, such as (11 ) the donation provision of additional recreational agencies such as the National Park and acceptance of lands by one opportunities between 1975-1980, Service, U.S. Army Corps of supplier which in reality would be the Table 8-11prre-se-ntsia statewide overview Engineers, and U.S. Forest Service responsibility of another supplier, or for recommended responsibilities for should continue or expand the agency, (2) the refusal of one supplier recreation land and facility provision of opportunities when to a c cept its clearly delineated development in terms of the possible, according to criteria and responsibility, thus requiring another percentages of the State's total 1980 estimates as presented in the volumes supplier to provide recreation as one requirements that should be provided of this plan. of-its secondary purposes, or (3) one by the State's major suppliers. The supplier assuming responsibilities that information, presented is general in In the administration of multi-use land are a responsibility of another supplier nature, and financial capabilities of and water resources having interstate, before said supplier can assume its individual federal, state, and local state, or regional recreation responsibility. In some cases, a result entities may not allow fulfillment of significance, the federal government of 'these actions has been either a all recommended responsibilities should solicit appropriate state or I o'cal degeneration of the quality of outdoor which have been developed as a result government agencies (depending upon 95 TABLE 8-1. R E COMM EN D E D- R E SPQ N SI BI LITIES FOR PROVIDING DEVELOPED RECREATION LANDS AND FACILITIES IN THE RURAL AND URBAN AREAS BY ADMINISTRATION 1975-19801 RURAL A EAS URBAN AREAS 1980 FEDERAL STATE LOCAL 1980 DEVELOPED RECREATION Rural Resource 1PRIVATE Urban Resource PRIVATE LANDS AND FACILITIES Requirements @C;z, si NPSIUSFS10therITPWDI RA310ther ICountyl SECTOR2 TOTAL Requirements IMUNICIPALISECTOR2 TOTAL Developed Recreation Land 149,609 acres 8% 3% 2% 1% 8% 11% 1% 31% 36% 100% 61,827 acres 73% 27% 100% Inland ........ ;. . 120,377 acres 10% 2% 2% 1% 8% 13% 1% 29% 35% 100% --- ... --- --- Saltwater Associated .... 29,232 acres 0% 4% 0% 1% 6% 4% 0% 37% 48% 100% --- --- --- --- Campsites ........... 48,792 sites --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ... Inland ............ 33,637 sites 13% 3% 3% <1% 11% 13% 1% 20% 37% 100% --- --- ... --- -Saltwater Associated .... 15,155 sites 0% 1% 1% 2% 8% 3% 0% 25% 60% 100% --- --- --- --- Playgrounds .......... 568 acres 60/. 1% 1% 0% 3% 7% 1% 61% 21% 100% 785 acres 90% 10% 100% Golf Courses .......... 40 holes 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 20% 80% 100% 3,935 holes 62% 38% 100% Baseball /Softbal I . . . . . . . 187 fields 1% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 73% 26% 100% 166 fields 97% 3% 100% Picnicking ........... 81,518 tables --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 4,709 tables 90% 10% 100% Inland ...... ... 66,157 tables 10% 3% 2% 1% 8% 15% 1% 33% 28% 100% --- --- Saltwater Associated 15,361 tables 0% 1% 0% 2% 3% 6% 0% 44% 44% 100% --- --- --- --- Tennis ............. --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 10,430 courts 60% 40% 100% Basketball ........... --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 840 courts 99% 1% 100% Football ............ --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 610 fields 100% 0% 100% Boating Ramps ........ 2,568 ramps4 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 415 ramps --- --- --- Inland ............ 2,339 ramps 4 13% 2% 1% 1% 3% 14% 0% 22% 44% 100% 320 ramps 53% 47% 100% Saltwater Associated .. .. 229 ramps 4 0% 1% 0% 1% 5% 2% 0% 31% 60% 100% 95 ramps 81% 19% 100% Boat Slips and Stalls ..... 40,357 slips/stalls --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Inland ............ 36,330 slips/stalls .0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 100% 100% --- --- --- Saltwater Associated .... 4,027 slips/stalls 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 100% 100% --- --- Fishing Facilities ....... 54,958 lin. ycls - --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Inland (Piers, Barges, Marinas) .......... 30,344 lin. ycls. 13% 1% 4% 1% 7% 16% 1% 25% 33% 100% --- --- --- --- Saltwater Associated (Piers and Jetties) ..... 24,614 lin. ycls. 1% 3% 0% 0% 11% 3% 0% 34% 48% 100% --- --- --- --- Swimming Pools ........ 699,344 sq. ycls. 4% <1% <1% 0% 1% 3% 0% 30% 62% 100% 660,170 sq. ycls. 70% 30% 100% Swimming in Designated Areas ............ 39,575,248 sq. ycls. --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ... Inland ............ 18,763,550 sq. ycls. 20% 1% 1% <1% 3% 13% 0% 26% 36% 100% --- --- Saltwater Associated .... 20,811,698 sq. ycls. 0% 0% 0% 1% 7% 1.1% 0% 53% 39% 100% --- --- --- --- Bicycle Trails ......... 1,137 miles 5% 2% 2% 0% 6%; 6% 0% 69% 10% 100% 616 miles 100% 0% 100% Horseback Riding Trails 1,990 miles 3% 1% 1% 0% 4% 4% 0% 11% 76% 100% ... --- ... ... Combined Walk, Hike, and Nature Study Trails .... 1,684 miles --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 1,235,miles 91% 9% 100% Inland ............ 1,480 miles 11% 5% 2% 2% 18% 20% 0% 28% - 14% 100% --- --- ... Saltwater Associated .... 204 miles 0% 55% 0% 1% 7% 0% 0% 31% 6% 100% --- --- --- --- lThe responsibility allocations presented are set forth as guidance for public agencies. Any agency could provide facilities and/or areas on a concession basis, if so desired. 21nclucles private enterprises, quasi-public organizations, and private landowners. Saltwater associated responsibilities for the private sector are indicated to allow private enterprise opportunity, as is appropriate under the Texas Open Beach Act. 3Also includes water districts. 4Two lanes per ramp. the resource's significance) to assume possible conversion to recreational Bureau of Outdoor Recreation, U.S. the development and administration of uses. The conversion of such areas Department of the Interior, or directly the recreational portions of the should be accomplished by the federal with the Governor's Budget and Plan- resources. When the construction of a government, or by appropriate state or ning Office. This coordination is federal multi-use land and water I ocal governmental units through essential in order for the State to stay project is contemplated, state or local agreements with the federal abreast of progress achieved toward governments should be informed at government. The initiation of any satisfying the outdoor recreation needs the earliest time and should be actions or programs by the federal of Texas. encouraged and allowed to actively government which could, in effect, participate in the planning processes, withdraw prime public or private All outdoor recreation-oriented federal as well as in the selection of areas recreational lands of Texas from the agencies operating within the State of which best fit their individual criteria recreational supply base should have Texas should become familiar with and operational procedures. It is prior approval of the State of Texas..If those aspects of the national outdoor believed this procedure will result in such action or program is in the best recreation plan, Outdoor Recreation-A greater participation by state and local interest of the Nation, State, or local Legacy for America, which relate to entities in the development, as well as area and must be affected,'provisions federal government actions, and the subsequent operation and for replacement of the recreational completely understand those actions maintenance, of these resources. resource, in kind if not in total necessary to adjust current operations quantity, should be made through and planning efforts to reflect the Those resources of Texas which are cooperative agreements*with the State National plan. Interaction between the under the administration of the federal of Texas or political subdivisions of state and federal landholding agencies government and which have significant the State. All plans and programs of indicates that many of the agencies recreational values to meet the priority the federal government within Texas, operating f ederal recreation or needs of the State, but which are which would in any way affect the potential recreation areas in the State managed by the federal government outdoor recreational development of are willing to create, and in many for non-recreational purposes, should Texas, should be keyed to meeting the cases, have plans for, recreational continually be examined by th e priority needs of the State and should facilities throughout the State. appropriate federal agencies for be coordinated either through the However, one constant factor arises as S c e n i c P o I I u t i o n . Protecting Texas' recreation areas and resources from the adverse effects of noise, water, air and scenic, Pollution will require attention from private enterprise as well as the various recreational and regulatory agencies. (Photo by Texas Parks & Wildlife De0artment) 97 responsibilities reference should be made to the Regional Summary Volume. Additional federal efforts concerning the m1anagement of recreation resources in Texas should be to provide leadership for the State, its local governments, and the private sector. In accomplishing the objective, various f ederal agencies should demonstrate and publicize model methods of multiple-use of land and water resources on federally owned I ands, and insure that adequate 4 consideration and emphasis is given 1 n recreation resources the N\M administration and delivery of federal assistance programs. Strong positive incentives, such as less restricted financing and technical assistance to lower levels of government and the private sector, would aid immeasurably in the provision of additional local recreation areas in the State. Federal agencies should also strengthen recreation oriented technical assistance and informational programs, especially those which will aid in the increased usage of Multiple Use-Sustained Y-ield concepts. Activitiessuch as topographic mapping, soil-use maps, Resource Conservation and Development Projects, especially in rapidly developing areas, should be accelerated. Further, a re-clefinition of flood hazard areas on the basis of the Standard Project Flood rather than the 100 year flood plain should be sought. Another area of federal concern should be encouragement of federal a deterrent-lack of funds to construct acres adjacent to existing facilities and agencies with regulatory and provide for planned facilities. Corps of Engineers managed projects responsibilities to continue and/or to be completed around 1980. The strengthen their policies and In order to meet recommended United States Fish and Wildlife Service operations in a reasonable manner, as responsibilities for federal landholding should provide 786 acres in national they relate to the management and/or agencies in Texas between 1975-1980, wildlife refuges, and the U.S. Forest protection of air and water and noise it is estimated that the National Park Service 2,992 acres in National quality at existing and potential Service should attempt to provide an Forests. Federal agencies should guide recreation areas. additional 4,488 acres of developed their activity by utilizing the recreational land on existing National recommended general priorities As was mentioned previously, the lack Park and National Recreational Areas. presented in this document. For of adequate- funding is a major The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers geographic locations of additional impediment to federal recreation should provide approximately 11,969 opportunities, as well as regional suppliers, along with state and local 98 suppliers, with respect to providing need for increased provision of universities of the State are a n d protecting recreation adequate public access at existing and encouraged to consult and cooperate opportunities. Some of the areas in newly developing fresh and saltwater with the Parks and Wildlife which federal agencies should seek resource areas of the State and the Department in completing basic additional funding from the United protection of public use areas at these outdoor recreation studies related to States Congress are as follows: water resources. Proper development the use and management of outdoor 0 Increase funding for the of these water-based public-use areas recreation resources, the economics of acquisition and restoration of should be accomplished by the outdoor recreation, and the historical structures. agencies themselves, in cooperation preferences for outdoor recreation, to 0 Increase fdnding for the with other state agencies, or by local name but a few. Much data is construction of wastewater treatment political subdivisions of the State, currently being collected by a number systems. depending upon the significance of the of agencies, institutions, regional 0 1 ncrea,se the annual resource and such arrangements as can planning commissions or councils of appropriations from the Land and be made to improving the public's governments, cities, and other entities Water Conservation Fund. access to water resources. interested in outdoor recreation. Only through an awareness of the studies RECOMMENDED and the assimilation in and STATE RESPONSIBILITIES The State, in accomplishing its distribution from a common data bank responsibilities, should use any funds can duplications be avoided. The Parks In the provision of ou tdoor made available to it in significant and Wildlife Department should be recreational opportunities for the use quantities for providing new informed during the formative stages and enjoyment of the people of Texas recreational opportunities, and should of studies to determine if cooperative and visitors to the State, the State of be guided by the TORP. By doing so, efforts in both manpower and funds Texas should continue to acquire, the State, in meeting its share of the might be achieved. Greater develop, and maintain those responsibilities by providing areas and coordination obtained during the recreational resources which have facilities which meet the criteria and formulative stage of a study can e ither natural, scenic, wilderness, concepts associated with a first class determine if a cooperative effort in scientif ic, historic, or recreational state parks systems, can set an both manpower and funds might be values significant on a statewide or example for local governments and the achieved and greater eff iciency multi-regional basis. For the benefit of private sector, and insure that funding obtained. Only through such future generations of Texans, the opportunities are optimized. harmonious and concentrated effort resources thus acquired should be can the outdoor recreation problems carefully managed and developed in As provided under Senate Bill 165, of the State be efficiently solved. such a manner as to make optimum Acts of the 59th Legislature, Regular use of the natural characteristics of Session, 1965, the Texas Parks and Other considerations for the improved individual areas. Wildlife Department is "authorized conservation, management and and empowered to prepare, maintain, provision of additional quality All state agencies having direct or and keep up-to-date a Statewide recreational opportunities are as indirect responsibility for the Comprehensive Plan for the follows: administration, planning, or financing development of the outdoor recreation of the State's water resources should resources of the State of Texas..." In 0 Consider the feasibility of strive to make certain that the meeting its responsibility under this expanding trail opportunities resource areas within the scope of statute, the Texas Parks and Wildlife through the use of utility and their responsibility are developed to Department should continue and transportation corridors planned their recreational potential in initiate, through cooperative efforts, for abandonment, to include accordance with the outdoor those studies necessary to' develop retention of these corridors in recreation needs of the State. acceptable solutions for the many public ownership. Particular attention will need to be outdoor recreation problems increasingly directed to the publicly confronting the State. Many of these 0 Strengthen efforts directed to owned natural river, stream, and studies should., as appropriate and t h e c o m p I e t i o n of bayou corridors in the State, which feasible, be caoiordinated with other comprehensive inventories and have historibally been overlooked as agencies of the State, political a nalyses of lakes to more valuable recreation resources. subdivisions of the State, and definitely identify those with quasi-public organizations, and private high recreation, natural, and fish The respective state agencies should individuals. Concerned colleges and and wildlife values. also give particular attention to the 99 INV., "'j De Cordova Bend Dam Across the Brazos near " ww'@r Granbury. Planning for additional reservoirs in Texas should carefully weigh benefits to water consumptive land uses and 7 flat water recreation a g a i n S t 1 0 s s e s o f irreplaceable strearnrelated resources, wildlife habitats, reduced estuarine a'7' - p r o d u c t i v i t y and consequent commercial %17- and recrea tion-related economic losses. (Photo by Frank Aguilar, Texas Parks &Wildlife Department) � Undertake i nventories and 0 technical assistance to private participation in assuming management consider establishing adequate land owners in the areas of responsibilities for large recreational public access and management w i I d I i f e a nd f i n a n c i a I areas. This is reportedly caused by a of all state-owned islands which management, encouraging lack of state or local funds or an actual are found -to have high expansion of the leasing system unwillingness to participate. Although recreation or wildlife values. in the State, promoting the state and local governments may programs which would open charge fees at such areas as a means � Estimate the carrying capacities additional private lands for with which to operate them, there are of recreational management hunting at no cost, making strong indications that Texans will not units under State administration, efforts to increase publicly h a v e much opportu n ity for administered hunting lands and recreational experiences at federal wildlife management areas, and water projects unless greatly increased 0 Increase the determination of continuing to explore new ideas responsibility for recreation areas is the possibilities for recreational and innovations which may assumed by the state and its local utilization of State and locaf- increase hunting opportunities. governments. Some of the problems public lands not currently used associated with this situation are a lack for recreational purposes. Of concern to outdoor recreationists of ability and/or funds on the part of in Texas are the effects of Public Law entities such as the Texas Parks and � Examine the feasibility of 89-72, the Federal Water Projects W i I d I i f e Depa rtment, River establishing more favorable tax Recreation A Ict. Provisions of-the Act Authorities, Special Districts, counties, situations for lands dedicated to require the participation of state or and municipalities to commit private parks, recreational areas, local government in the development themselves to involvement in a or open space uses. .of recreational areas at any federal particular project 5 to 10 years prior water project authorized after 1965, to its construction. The Texas The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Legislature should consider and � Continue, and where possible, Bureau of Reclamation report that develop measures which will encourage strengthen efforts to increase federal water projects now underway the United States Congress to amend hunting opportunities in the in the State will have little or no P.L. 89-72, in order to remedy this State by various means, such as recreation areas set aside due to a lack growing problem for outdoor encouraging and providing of state or local government recreation in the State. 100 Other responsibilities the various state losses for state-financed water *That primary and secondary agencies should increasingly emphasize projects. The State should consider recreation agencies continue are the encouragement of sound methods which will allow or require and/or initiate, as necessary, resource management practices among wildlife losses to be more adequately c o o r d i n a ted statewide public and private entities through considered in the planning and identification and mapping of various agency programs, continued provision of state-financed water significant recreation resources efforts to enforce and/or strengthen projects. Great opportunities for such as natural areas, wildlife regulatory actions in areas of air and additional hunting lands, recreation h a b i t a t s , w e t I a n d s , water quality at existing and potential areas, and wildlife management could a rch eo I og i ca I -h i sto r i ca I recreation areas. Also, continued result from such efforts. resources, water access points actions to insure that the recreation and existing recreation areas so resource potentials of public-owned a s t o f a c i I i tate better lands are adequately evaluated, and, In addition to the general state consideration of these resources where f easi ble, development of responsibilities discussed above, a in decision-making and planning. management systems for the number of specific recommendations recreational use of these lands. are presented in the volume entitled, A 0 That recreation-related technical Regional Environmental Analysis. assistance be provided to the Increased demands for water for These recommendations r e late regional councils of government. agricultural production, urban growth, primarily to those measures needed to and other developments, is a problem identify, conserve and/or provide of statewide significance in terms of better management of the State's OThat standardized base map the impact of water development recreation resource base. Reference scales be adopted for all official projects on wildlife habitats and should be made to this volume for planning purposes. estuarine environments. Federal water f i n d i n g s I e a d i n g t o these projects require extensive analysis and recommendations, their purpose, and *That official and more timely subsequent mitigation of wildlife the nature of the problems they seek updates and projections of habitat losses. At the current time, t o r e s o I v e . P a r a p h r a sed demographic data be obtained there is no state or local entity which recommendations from this volume and provided to all planning has powers of mitigation of wildlife include: organizations. 0 That the mapping of soils, resource capability units, and flood-hazard areas be continued and expedited. 0 That more intensive collection of surface water data be initiated well in advance of urban development to improve planning decisions. That recent amendments to the Texas Water Code be x x ale. implemented to develop information needed to allocate adequate freshwater inflow to the estuaries. 0 That efforts be continued to identify public-owned portions of stream beds. *That efforts to inventory, map a nd consolidate public free school lands be continued and completed and that recreational 101 opportunities and public access 0 That closer agency coordination regional plans, provide increased be identified and improved on and liason be maintained on air capabilities for local government these lands. quality matters . affecting assistance, and to better coordinate 0 That efforts be initiated to recreation. the interaction of federal, state, local, explore ways and means of 0 That potential industrial and private sector activities. Providing increased monitoring locations be inventoried RIVER AUTHORITY AND SPECIAL of the bacteriological quality of statewide and classified in terms DISTRICT RESPONSIBILITIES the Sta te 's recreational waterways, as an aid in notifying of probable environmental recreationists and planners as to impact. River Authorities and Special Districts the acceptability of waterways 0 That the economic and living are unique entities in 5tate for water contact recreation. government, being agencies with environments of small limited regional responsibilities 49 That. research regarding the town-rural areas be improved to regarding the utilization of water in effects of noise and air pollution minimize the costly migration of various portions of the State's River on recreationists be increased, people to large urban regions. Basins. At the current time, some of with a goal to establishing state REGIONAL PLANNING COUNCIL these entities are providing recreation standards and guidelines RESPONSIBILITIES areas at various locations throughout regarding acceptable limits. the State. Although these entities have broad statutory powers for the 0 That more effective means of Currently, there are 24 regional p r o v i s i o n of recreational conserving wetlands and natural councils and planning commissions in opportunities, several have indicated areas be determined. Texas. In view of the size of the State that funds are not available to provide of Texas, these voluntary associations more recreational areas. Most of the OThat the overall comprehensive of local governments continue to have River Authorities and Special Districts planning process be strengthened great potential to aid in conserving and have little or no taxing powers, and and better defined at the state managing recreation resources within revenues for their operation are often and fower levels. their jurisdictional areas. derived from the sale of bonds, water, and electric power. As a result, the 0 That continued liason and Under current statutory authorities ability of many of these agencies to recreational p I a n n i n g and i nterpretations, the outdoor provide funds for the provision of coordination be maintained or recreation responsibilities of the recreational areas is extremely limited, strengthened between the State councils should continue to be one of even for participating in @state or and the Regional Councils of p la n n i ng, plan implementation, federal cost-sharing programs. Government. coordinating, and monitoring outdoor recreation development, provision of Due to the local and regional *That efforts be initiated to technical services, and identifying significance of outdoor recreation i n f o r m a n d educate regional ly-related outdoor recreation resources administered by Special decision-makers and the general problems and priorities for action. Districts of Texas, the primary public about estuarine and other responsibility of these governmental wildlife habitat needs. Additional responsibilities of the entities is to ensure that the maximum councils should be to provide potential recreational use of their � That adequate implementation assistance in the development and resources is available to the public. powers be provided regional 208 coordination of various federal, state, The full development of these Area-Wide wastewater and I ocal programs of regional resources should be accomplished by management authorities. signif icance. Open space and the districts themselves according to recreation elements of comprehensive the outdoor recreation needs of the � That efforts to prevent or reduce regional plans constitute a very useful State, the region, and/or the local area. water pollution from urban mechanism to achieve a centralized When adequate development of these runoff be continued. regional overview and more effective resources cannot be accomplished by management of recreation resources. the districts, a p propriate local � That those effluent discharges be As an adjunct to such plans, each governments or the state government prevented t h a t would council is urged to employ qualified (depending upon the significance of significantly affect waterways recreation and wildlife personnel as the area) should be solicited and needed to meet present and interdisciplinary staff memberstohelp encouraged to provide adequ ate future recreation demands. develop and implement all elements of @ development of the resources. 102 40 county services districts, local assessments and other methods by which those benefitted will pay the cost. Coordination with local boards of education should include the park-school concept of building park sites adjacent to schools. 0 Counties are urged to employ a parks and recreation director and staff qualified by education and experience to administer, t implement, manage and assist in planning the-park and recreation program. In addition, th ey should fully utilize the wide range of technical services that are available through various ARK 1: state and federal departments and the several national park, recreation, and conservation organizations. )Oji 0 Parks and recreation should be an integral element of all county land use planning and zoning. As an aid in determining compatible COUNTY RESPONSIBILITIES 0 The special role of the county is land uses, zoning and/or to acquire, develop, and development sta nclards, consideration should be given to maintain parks and to administer the identification and mapping It is evident from the critical problems public recreation programs that of lands best suited for isolated in this Plan that many county will serve the needs of a g r i c u I t u r a I , i nclustrial, governments in Texas must assume a communities broader than the commercial, residential, and much larger role in providing outdoor I o c a I neighborhood or other private land development. recreational opportunities if the needs m u n icipal ity, but less than Such measures should embrace of Texas are to be satisfied. The statewide or national in scope. not only areas to be acquired for f o I I owing responsibilities are recommended for Texas county In addition, the county should county park or recreation governments to help meet the outdoor plan and coordinate local systems, but also to preserve recreation needs of the State. Most of neighborhood and community open space, protect scenic the recommendations are adapted facilities with the cooperation of values, establish compatible from "The National Policy for County the cities, and other intracounty r e c r e a t i o n u s e s i n development-sensitive areas, and Parks and Recreation" in a publication u n its, and should itself e n t i t I e d County Parks and cooperate in regional, state, and otherwise enhance recreational Recreati o n-A ' Basis f or federal planning and cooperative opportunities in private Action,published jointly by the activities. developments. National Association of Counties 0 In the adoption of basinwide Research Foundation and National 0 Where there is no existing unit watershed management and Recreation Association, Inc. (1964). of local government except the flood prevention plans, counties Many of these recommendations were county to provide needed local should make sure such plans developed and agreed upon by a neigh borhood or municipal have considered non-structural majority of the county governments f acilities and programs, the alternatives for flood control. which are memebers of the National county should provide such Counties should protect existing Association of Counties. facilities and programs, utilizing 103 0 park and recreation areas against both public and private �r encroachment@ and should yield such areas for other purposes only upon the condition that areas lost are replaced by others of comparable value-which serve the same population. � Counties should cooperate with and support in every way Possible the efforts of private businesses and of charitable, service and civic organizations to acquire and appropriately VVW manage recreation and park sites which serve public needs. � In addition, counties with a population of less than 80,000 are encouraged to seek easing of statutory restrictions imposed by Article 6079b, V.T.C.S., as amended. The law prohibits counties in this class from RZ, spending more than $15,000 annually for the operation, & 41% maintenance, and construction of county parks unless a bond ,7 issue has been approved by the citizens of the subject county. MUNICIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES 7F Municipal governments should acquire, maintain a balanced develop, and system of parks and recreation areas Learning About the Out-of-Doors. Recreationists of all ages should designed to meet the local needs of have adequate opportunities to experience and learn about the natural processes and systems that maintain and support our their citizens. A municipal park system environment. (Photo by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department) usually consists of well distributed playgrounds, playfields, neighborhood parks, large recreational. parks, and based upon local recreation demand and recreation director and support large and small scenic areas, as well as investigations by local administrators. such director with adequate staff and environmental corridors. Acreage Particular attention in demand studies finances. Those municipalities of the standards for determining the amount should be given to the possible need of State unable to employ professional of land and distribution of such for facilities for participation in the park and recreation personnel should each type of park have long been non-traditional forms of urban urge their county government to established and tested. Standards recreation, such as horseback riding, employ such personnel and make their should be adopted and applied by all hiking, nature study, walking for services available to all municipalities urban areas in Texas, regardless of size pleasure, driving for pleasure, etc. within the county. and location, and adapted to the localized special requirements through To assure proper development of a Municipal goverfirrients in Texas -local or regional recreation demand municipality's park and recreation should develop long-range park and studies. The development of an urban program, the major municipalities of recreation plans based on broad-based area's open spaces should primarily be Texas should employ a qualified park citizen formulated goals and 104 Milli 10 IN x Z. p Local Citizens Involved in the Planning Process. Broad-based citizen input in the formulation of recreational goals and objectives should guide recreation planning at the local level. (Photo by Planning Department, City of Austin) objectives. These park and recreation flood control have been considered effort to provide adequate access to plans should be coordinated and prior to the adoption of basin-wide the areas. Where the development of integrated with other functional plans watershed management and flood such a.resource would obviously serve at the municipal, county, and regional control plans. Through the Regional the citizens of more than one urban I e v e I s .L i k e t h e cou nties, Planning Commission or Council of area, and thereby become the municipalities should consider in their Governments, inter-city or responsibility of several, the planning efforts such concerns as inter-county problems can be solved. municipalities affected should compatible recreation uses in The regional plans should likewise be coordinate their efforts in the development-sensitive areas, coordinated with theState so that the development of an area or seek identification and mapping of lands full scope of outdoor recreation development of the area through best suited for recreation along with opportunity is available to the citizens cooperation with the county or other agricultural, industrial, commercial, of the community. Municipal appropriate entities. residential, and other uses, and insure governments administering water It should be the purpose of all that non-structural alternatives of resources areas should make every municipal governments to ensure that 105 adequate open-spaces are available for 2,500 or less population, indicate that surrounding communities; and by the use of all its citizens, to preserve a community of 2,500 inhabitants travellers who have reason to utilize the natural beauty of these spaces, and should have a minimum of 25 acres set community facilities, 2) the extent to to staunchly protect the open spaces aside as park and recreation areas, which the local school district can from any public or private including developed and open space provide recreational games and sports encroachment. a r e a s ; a m u I t i - p u r p o s e opportunities, and 3) the extent of basketball-doubles tennis court, except p r ivately owned and/or operated SUGGESTED MINIMUM FACILITIES in cases of unusually high participation facilities, but open to the public such FOR SMALL COMMUNITIES in any one of these activities; a as golf courses, swimming areas, combination basebal I /softball -football/ and/or camping areas, that are being Every community, regardless of size, soccer field, except in cases where provided. should have certain basic park and participation would indicate more; 3 recreation facilities to offer its individual permanent picnic units or a PRIVATE SECTOR RESPONSIBILITIES residents. Needs must he recognized group picnic shelter; approximately % and deficits eliminated by planning of an acre of land set aside for child's While considering the role of the and developing the facilities necessary play activity; a minimum of 184 private sector in meeting outdoor to adequately serve the community's square yards of swimming pool area; recreation needs, it must be kept in population. In Texas, small and approximately 0.3 miles of mind that the rights, liabilities, and communities (those local urban areas developed combination hike, bike, interest of the private sector are quite with population of 200-2,499 walk, and nature study trail. In apart from those of government. Most inhabitants) vary in many ways. Due addition to the basic facilities, private outdoor recreation areas are to the hundreds of municipalities of necessary support items such as established to return a profit to the this size in the State, their varied fencing, portable benches, barbecue owners, or are otherwise established to resources, age composition of the pits, trash receptacles, parking area, serve only special segments of the citizenry, and other factors,each bathhouse for swimming pool, etc., public, i.e., those persons belonging to community must analyze its own should be provided. The interested certain organizations, or in certain age particular situation and determine the reader should consult the Plan volume groups, or with certain economic types of recreational areas and entitled Outdoor Recreation in the abi I ities. Government areas, by facilities it requires. Urban Areas of Texas, Part 1: An contrast, are established to serve all Overview, for more detail regarding segments of the population, regardless In 1969, the Texas Outdoor suggested s m a I I community of social or economic standing and are Recreation Inventory of Parks, opportunities. not necessarily designed to show a Recreation Areas, and Facilities profit. Thus, the need for the private indicated that only 122, or twelve The facility units recommended are sector to receive a reasonable return percent, of the State's 985 small suggestions as to the possible types on its investment and to manage its communities had some type Of and units of facilities, and more or less lands in the best interests of the owner units may be required for an individual must be recognized. publicly administered park or community. Local demands in recreation area. This indicates the conjuction with the local financial Although additional study is being degree to which the State's small situation should be carefully analyzed given to the functions, capabilities, communities are lacking even the most in each community. Economical yet and responsibilities of private outdoor basic pu bI ic outdoor recreation durable facilities and equipment recreation enterprises in Texas, the opportunities. All public entities with should always be utilized to maximize current recommended role of the the capabilities to assist in achieving the use of the community's recreation private sector in meeting Texas necessary improved small community dollar. Outdoor recreation needs is as follows: opportunities should take note of those areas within their jurisdiction 0 to provide quality service which have little or no facilities and Among the factors that should be establishments at or near assist where feasible. considered by small communities in government and private planning and developing park and outdoor recreation areas, for As general guidance for improving recreation areas are: 1) the extent of the sale of sporting supplies, small community opportunities in facility use which is coming from groceries, gasoline, food, etc. Texas, suggested mimimum facilities, outside the community-by rural 18 to provide special se'rvices based on analyses of statewide average inhabitants of the area when the for the public, such as scenic outdoor recreation participation community serves as a focal point for tour guide operations, and information for small communities of a large rural area; by residents of fishing guide operations. 106 � to p r ovide special outdoor 0 to produce sound resource more than $15,000 per year for recreational facilities for the management with the aid of o p e ration, maintenance, and public, such as dude or guest technical services provided by construction within county ranches, public lakeside cabins, state and federal governments. parks unless a bond issue has oceanside resorts, boat launching 0 to utilize the services of been approved by the citizens of and storage facilities, youth qualified wildlife and recreation the subject county. summer camps, rental boats and personnel in the development of 0 Add increased annual revenues horses, etc. its lands, especially if a change in to the State's Boat Ramps, Buoy � to provide the general public the present use of the lands is and Marker,-and Beach Cleaning with opportunities to visit and contemplated. Programs. Currently, program enjoy those unique natural 9 to coordinate any planned funds are usually exhausted each features of the State under change of the use of its lands year, with suitable and necessary private ownership, and to with appropriate local, state, and I o c a t i o n s not receiving develop and manage those federal entities. assistance. features in such a manner that 0 to increase the adoption of 0 Seek to establish a state program the quality and uniqueness of policies by financial lending of financial assistance to local the features are protected. i nstitutions which encourage governments to assist them in � to provide ample public access that recreational resources and providing additional recreational to the State's water resources environmental rn a tters be opportunities through direct that are owned by government adequately considered. and actions or participation in and surrounded by private lands, coordinated in regard to the federal grant-in-aid programs. and in addition, to provide financing of projects such as 0 Encourage or require the access (under agreeable or i n d u s t r i a I a n d u r b a n reclamation of surface mined profitable conditions) to the development. lands for recreational purposes privately-owned water resources where appropriate. in the State. RECOMMENDED LEGISLATION 0 Clarify and define state and/or � to assist government in the local entity responsibilities for management, development, and State, regional, local, and private enforcement (if the Texas Open preservation of Texas' outdoor agencies with responsibilities and Beaches Act. recreation resources; in the authorities for providing, managing, or 0 Increase county authorities study of special outdoor regulating outdoor recreation and/or responsibilities for the recreation problems; and in the resou rces in Texas derive their management of potential collection and dissemination of authorities and operations from laws recreational resources through o u t d o o r r e c r e a t i o n and statutes enacted by the Texas such methods as zoning or other information-all of which would L e g i s I a t u r e . Some of the appropriate measures. benefit the outdoor recreation recommendations previously presented 0 Encourage the establishment of seeking public, as well as the will require legislative action in order a statewide system of wild, private sector. to be effectively implemented. s c e n i c a n d recreational � to realize that the natural beauty waterways as reported in Texas of any recreational area, along In order to allow improved capabilities Waterways, compiled by the with the services provided, is one in providing additional outdoor Texas Parks and Wildlife of the prime attractions for recreation opportunities and Department at the direction of recreationists and this aspect of conserving and protecting the State's the Legislature. t h e enterprise must be recreation resources, state and local 0 Seek to establish a statewide protected. a g e n c i e s with recreation system of recreational trails as responsibilities should encourage the proposed in the report, Texas � to coordinate its major outdoor Texas State Legislature to consider, Trailways, compiled by the recreational developments with but not be limited to, the following Texas Parks and Wildlife those of the government, so that recommendations. Department at the direction of the outdoor recreation the Legislature. opportunities offered by both 0 Ease the current restrictions Strengthen. the coordinating sectors are harmonious and placed on counties by Article authority of the GGvernor's complementary. 6079b, V.A.C.S., as amended. Off ice so as to assure 40 to identify and conserve the The law states that counties with appropriate coordination recreation resources of private populations of I,ess than 80,000 between plans and programs at lands. are prohibited from spending the state level. 107 C -age -Awl &g, The Texas Legislature. The source for the recreational responsibilities and authorities of state agencies, river authorities, local governments and special districts is the Texas Legislature. (Photo by House Media Service) � Provide positive incentives, such 0 Seek to establish a clearinghouse and funding to protect historic as financial assistance, to in the Governor's Office for landmarks. encourage local recreation r e c r e a t i o n a n d o t h e r 0 Encourage or require the planning and to achieve a resource-related research and m i t i g a t i o n o r i n - k i n d balanced allocation of land data collection programs. replacement of wildlife habitat resources to recreation in rapidly 0 Pursue ways and means to losses incurred as a result of developing areas. adequately staff and fund the state or local public-funded * Encourage or require watershed Texas Conservation Foundation. flood-control water projects. and flood prevention plans to * Consider the designation and 0 C o n s i d e r r e q u i r i n g consider non-structural means of funding of an appropriate e n v i r o n m e n ta I impact flood control in developing agency to inventory the State's assessments of state or local urban areas. natural areas. public-funded projects. � Consider the codification of 0. Consider providing tax or other 0 Consider the provision of existing legislation relating to positive incentives to protect funding and staff to monitor the recreational use of the StaWs natural areas. bacteriological quality of the surface waters. * Consider the funding of a study State's waters for water-contact � Consider the designation of 8 to explore and recommend recreation. state agency to inventory all means of conserving wetlands. 0 Encourage the control of noise public-owned lands in Texas. 0 Seek measure to en@ure a higher sources and noise generating � E ncourage or require that priority in the allocation of land uses. surplus public-owned lands be freshwater to coastal estuaries. 0 Seek to effectively prevent considered for recreation use 0 Provide t h e H i sto r ical littering of the State's recreation before disposal. Commission sufficient authority resources resulting from discarded disposable containers. 108 Continue the planned provision Chapter of specific new opportunities for outdoor recreation in the State, as indicated in the APPENDIX. ACTION PROGRAMS Seek increased annual funding levels for the State Buoy and Markers and Boat Ramp Programs. Accessibility to surface water has been pointed out as a major problem throughout the course, of the Plan update. Increased levels of boating demand projected by TORP data will mean that boating safety and access will become more critical. Seek increased annual funding to allow a d d i t i o n a I I ocal government participation in the State Beach Cleaning Program. "i Improved transportation routes and access to the Gulf Coast have increased already heavy outdoor recreation participation on gulf beaches and waters. Expansion of this program will allow local governments to better manage their valuable recreation resource. The foregoing sections of this programs, all of which will be guided 0 Continued provision of fish for document have addressed many by information presented in various stocking streams, lakes, or aspects of outdoor recreation in Texas, volumes of the Plan and subsequent ponds, to meet increasing public h igh lighting the more significant documents. However, the Texas Parks demand as i I lu strated by aspects of th.e supply, demand, and and Wildlife Department, as the state resource requirements for additional agency with primary responsibility for estimates of participation outdoor recreation lands, facilities, outdoor recreation in Texas, will need present in the TORP. and waters. Now the State must act to a great deal of assistance and 0 Continue to obligate State Park provide additional opportunities. cooperation if significant advances are Bond Funds for the acquisition H o wev e r -, estimated outdoor to be made. and development of parks in the recreation requirements for the State state system. These actions will are large. and extremely diversified. As DIRECT PROGRAM ACTIONS a result of these factors, the be gu ided by the various ,information presented below is The phrase "direct programs" is meant volumes of the Plan, as designed to provide all entities in the to include those actions designed to appropriate. public and private sectors knowledge provide actual outdoor recreation and information related to the more opportunities. The administration of 0 Continue to utilize special funds significant actions the State proposes these programs is the major impact on f o r the acquisition and to undertake in the area of outdoor outdoor recreation in Texas. development of state parks recreation from 1975 to 1980. In order to alleviate some of the received from a portion of the However, new situations will present outdoor recreation requirements state tax on cigarettes. Utilization of these funds will be themselves, offering new opportunities identified throughout the Texas guided by estimates and for the state to take steps to Outdoor Recreation Plan, the State p r i or ities presented in this implement stronger and/or new , 'will undertake the following actions: 109 volume. User preferences and RESOURCE ALLOCATION public and private sector through participation information as AND MANAGEMENT ACTIONS various state agency programs and presented in the Plan volume operations are of high value in entitled Outdoor Recreation Activities will also be used as a The State will undertake various speeding the provision of high quality, guide in the development of actions related to the allocation and well-designed outdoor recreation areas. state parks areas. management of recreation resources. Estimates of resource requirements Initially, these actions will consist of and. requests for assistance indicate � Continued trapping and the following: that the S',tate should continue to transplanting of surplus wildlife provide these services and selected species into various areas of the 9 Continued removal of rough fish state agencies will: state, as feasible, to help meet from the public waters of Texas estimated hunting demand as when it is determined that such 0 Continue to provide technical illustrated in the TORP. species exist i n numbers assistance to v a r i o u s detrimental to the propagation governments and the private � Examine the feasibility of and preservation of game fish. sector. providing the necessary funding 0 Compile, maintain, and publish a to the Texas Conservation 0 Continued efforts f or Foundation to enable it. to eradication of noxious catalog of state outdoor function as a more effective vegetation from the waters of recreation technical assistance organization. the State. programs. and services as an aid to all levels of government and � Encourage the establishment of 0 Encourage the employment and the private sector. a statewide system of wild, utilization of qualified wildlife sc e n i c, and recreational and recreational personnel in 0 Determine the feasibility of waterways as reported in Texas regional and local government establishing a program to Waterways compiled by the structures to insure that evaluate the comprehensiveness Texas Parks and Wildlife recreation resources are and effectiveness of outdoor Department at the direction of adequately considered in the recreation technical services the Legislature. - planning process. programs throughout the State. C o n t i n u e the p I a n n e d 0 Increase efforts to encourage the 0 Encourage all governments and acquisition and development of utilization, for recreational private entities to publicize 13 historic sites and structures purposes, of such resources as those programs of outdoor throughout the State at an flood-prone areas, waterways, recreation technical assistance estimated cost of $1,700,000. watersheds, and other areas of u n d e r t h e i r respective quality recreational potential. jurisdictions to insure public, Continue eff orts to provide private, and local government improved fishing opportunities 0 Determine the feasibility of awareness of such programs. in the coastal areas through such establishing multiple-use measures as artif icial reef resource management policies 0 Encourage all entities in the construction to improve fish for state-owned lands. private sector to seek out habitats. technical services offered by 0 Where feasible, encourage proper various agencies in the Continue to enforce and regulate placement of air and water development of individual existing laws and regulations pollution sources to avoid recreational enterprises, pertaining to water and air locations upstream, up-wind, or especially in the urban areas. quality in the coastal regions of adjacent to existing recreation Texas. areas and known state significant 0 Provide technical assistance to Take action to establ ish a natural areas. federal, state, regional, and local statewide system of recreational governmental agencies, and trails as proposed in the report, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE private entities in their efforts to Texas Trailways, compiled - by PROGRAM ACTIONS develop the recreational the Texas Parks and Wildlife potential of public waterways Department at the direction of Outdoor recreation technical and establish elements of a the legislature. assistance programs offered to the statewide trail system. 110 0 Make Texas Parks and Wildlife and participation in various areas of 0 Encouragement of local Department staff available to the State have increased significantly. government and private work with recreation planning In order to continue support of entity actions to identify entities and recreation research statewide outdoor recreation planning a n d e I i m i n a t e the institutions to further refine the and thereby provide adequate problems. standards and modeling efforts opportunities for future Texans and developed for the TORP. their visitors, the State will: Continued ef f orts to identify and map existing PLANNING PROGRAM ACTIONS 0 Continue to provide and wildlife habitats and maintain the Texas Outdoor vegetation formations by Planning for outdoor recreation in Recreation Plan, directed to the dominant species. Texas must continue to be heavily needs of the people and giving emphasized. Over 1.7 million acres of special attention to the demand, 0 Continued participation in land in Texas is reported as being supply, n eeds, pol icies, current federal efforts administered by public agencies. The r e s p o n s i b i I i t i e s , directed t o t h e population of the State is highly recommendations, priorities, and identification and mapping urbanized, mobile, and expanding, and implementation- of the Plan. of flood-prone areas and the natural resources and climate Table 19-11 outlines basic Plan dissem i nation of encourage high rates of participation update features estimated information pertaining in a wide variety of outdoor recreation to be necessary at this time. thereto. activities. Both actual and estimated trends of participation indicate that 0 Conti n uet specialized 0 Continued improvement pressures for future outdoor recreation investigations to isolate critical and enforcement of opportunities will i ncrease as wildlife, f ish, and other wildlife and fishery dramatically in the next ten to fifteen recreation resource management m a n a g e m e n t laws, years as in the past decade. Outdoor problems and needs. These regulations, and practices, recreation related retail and wholesale actions would include but not be to include the application sales, outdoor recreation industries, limited to: and development of sound wildlife and f isheries management activities, hunter and water safety program s, and public TABLE 9.1 EXPECTED TIME FRAME FOR UPDATING THE information dissemination TEXAS OUTDOOR RECREATION PLAN DATA BASE eff orts. 0 Strengthen the existing data base in relation to the state's Time Periods Work Elements significant natural areas. Fall 1975 to Summer 1977 Establish monitoring systems 0 Seek to classify and map, by type, all designated public and Winter 1976 Initiate design of supply (inventory) private sector recreation areas. update Spring 1976 to Summer 1977 Update supply 0 Encourage the inventory and evaluation of the recreation potential of all public free Summer 1976 Initiate update of the Texas Outdoor school lands and encourage all- Recreation Plan levels of governments to initiate similar actions on public lands. Fall 1976 to Summer 1977 Update appropriate model parameters 0 Encourage local governments to Fall 1976 to Spring 1978 Develop new demand Projections, resource identify known areas of current requirements, and priorities outdoor recreation activity, such Spring 1980 Complete update of the Texas outdoor as fishing areas, powered and Recreation Plan non-powered boating areas, hunting areas, scenic areas, etc., for use in local planning and 0 Continue and expand the 0 E.ncourage all levels of policies development. operation of the recently government and the private formed Texas Outdoor sector to coordinate programs of � Seek the timely completion of Recreation Task Force as a research and education with the efforts to identify, map, and vehicle for federal, state, Bureau of Outdoor Recreation, evaluate soils with priority and regional outdoor the Governor's Office, Division attention directed to the larger recreation planning of Planning Coordination, and growing urban areas of theState. c o o r d i n a t i o n and the Texas Parks and Wildlife interplay. Department. � Encourage the development of information pertaining to 0 Provide continued planning projected urban-industrial activity further clarifying the 0 Seek to publish and distribute a growth as an aid in resolving character isitics; of water-oriented directory of recreation areas in p o t e n t i a I r e c r e a t i o n outdoor recreation in Texas. Texas. resource-development conflicts. Continue planning for the Develop, publish, and distribute � Continue further refinement of provision of adequate air travel a catalog of available state policies, recommendations, access to rural recreational areas information from the State's and mechanisms for insuring in Texas. outdoor recreation data base. proper emphasis of outdoor Included will be explanations of recreation related planning 0 Continue activity regarding the the State's capability for factors in various programs preservation, restoration, and providing special request analysis throughout t h e Sta te. management of historical areas of the data to various users. Specifically to: in the State. 0 Encourage all planning entities Encourage coordinated Continue planning efforts to a n d recreation research outdoor recreation, further refine and guide the institutions to review and adopt wildlife, and open space development, management, and the facility standards developed planning efforts by all operations of the tourism for use in the TORP. f ederal, state, regional, industry in Texas. local, and private entities via: 0 Seek establishment of systems ACTIONS TO INFLUENCE for monitoring outdoor Conferences and RESEARCH, EDUCATION, recreation demand, on a meetings with AND INFORMATION PROGRAMS relatively , continuous basis, f e d e r a I , state, among various recreation regional, local, and resource managing entities. private entities. Properly directed research, education, and information programs can greatly 0 Seek increased activity relative Participation of aid the future provision and utilization to the monitoring and posting of state-level staff in of outdoor recreation opportunities in public waters found unfit for t e c h n i ca I a n d Texas. Currently, there is little activity water contact outdoor advisory capacities regarding centra I ized state-level recreation activity. for various federal, guidance in this area. Initially, the state, regional, local, State will examine the feasibility of 0 Conduct continued research and private sector preparing an updated compilation of regarding freshwater inflow planning efforts. programs for state and federally requirements of the coastal funded outdoor recreation related estuaries. Efforts seeking the educational, research, and information establishment of programs. In addition, the State will: state-administered 9 Continue efforts to clarify the funds as incentive Encourage all levels of rights and responsibilities of for emphasis of government and the private individual landowners and the regional and local sector to compile similar listings public with regard to the government outdoor for their respective areas of recreational utilization of the recreation planning. responsibility. public waters of the State. 112 0 Support research efforts directed recommendations, and needs Seek an expansion of state to identifying the effects of illustrated in the State Plan via funded programs of financial or noise on recreational activity. official channels of review and technical assistance to local comment, informal comment, governments. Support research directed tothe meetings, and other methods. definition of levels of critical air Alter the allocation of annual Pollution components that can 0 Continuously evaluate existing Land and Water Conservation be tolerated in recreation areas. mechanisms of coordination for Fund appropriations afforded ACTIONS TO INFLUENCE opportunities to increase the the State's local political efficiency of coordination and subdivisions from 50% to 70% at GOVERNMENTAL ACTIONS the general level of coordination this time, subject to an annual in outdoor recreation in Texas reveiw of supply and demand I n tergovernmental coordination of relationships. various programs and efforts related to outdoor recreation is extremely FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE 0 Utilize that portion of Land and complex in Texas due to the PROGRAM ACTIONS Water Conservation Fund multiplicity of programs, jurisdictions, monies previously set aside for funding sources, and responsibilities The administration of federal and state development maintenance of the inherent in government structure and f in a ncial assistance to local State Plan for the support of venue. Adding to these complexities, governments and the private sector for state and local pol itical outdoor recreation is a very diversified the provision of additional outdoor subdivision acquisition and field, impacting and being impacted recreation opportunities is one of the development projects. upon by many other fields of cornerstones of outdoor recreation endeavor. This requires considerable activity in Texas today. in light of the Encourage accelerated local coordination in the outdoor recreation e s t i m a t e s of the additional government recreational funding field now and is likely to require even opportunities required in order to assistance activity by federal more in the future. To aid in providing meet the growing demand in the State, agencies such as that provided greater coordination of outdoor f inancial assistance programs will b y U.S. Department of recreation programs, the State will become more important in the future. Agriculture, Soil Conservation undertake the following actions: Estimates of acquisition a nd Service Resource Conservation development plans from various and Development and Small � Increase the general knowledge government entities throughout Texas Watershed programs, Economic and recognition of the Texas indicate that not nearly enough Development Administration Outdoor Recreation Plan as the opportunities will be provided to meet programs, U.S. Army Corps of State's official guide for the these growing demands without Engineers programs, U.S. Fish provision of outdoor recreation additional incentives and assistance. In and Wildlife Service programs, opportunities. many c a ses, local and regional Federal Highway Administration government officials cite "lack of programs, National Park Service � Encourage all entities in the funds" as a major problem facing them Historic Sites Preservation public and private sectors to with respect to providing adequate programs, Rural Development adopt and utilize the recreation recreation opportunities. Selected Act programs, and Community facility standards presented in state agencies will support actions Housing and Development Act the TORP or, if feasible, locally that: of 1974 programs. determined standards using the same methodology. OPERATION OF THE LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION Increase encouragement, advice, Increase knowledge, awareness, FUNDPROGRAM and active participation in and utilization of federal, state, efforts of coordination of the and private entity programs of In September 1964, the Congress of outdoor recreation programs, outdoor recreation assistance by the United States approved the Land projects, and plans of agencies, local government and the private and Water Conservation Fund Act of i nterests, and other entities sector. 1965, Public Law 88-578 (78 Stat. throughout the State. 897). The act established a Land and Encourage quality private sector Water Conservation Fund from which Increase the communication of outdoor recreation enterprise Congress may currently. appropriate outdoor recreation policies, investment. $300 million annually to assist the 113 National Park Service, U.S. Forest Conservation Fund program. All Service, U.S. Fish and'Wildlife Service, outdoor recreation projects financed and the states in the acquisition and by the Fund must be in accord with 0 The Outdoor Recreation development of public outdoor the TORP, and meet all other Grants-in-Aid Manual of the U.S. recreation areas and facilities. States requirements of the program and act. Department of Interior, Bureau may allocate annual apportionments of Outdoor Recreation, March they receive under the Program to In April 1965, the 59th Texas 1974 edition, as revised, will their local political subdivisions and Legislature, sitting in Regular Session, govern general methods of other non-federal public agencies. The passed Senate Bill 165 enabling the assistance and operation of the operation of the Fund became State of Texas to participate in the Land and Water Conservation effective January 1, 1965. The Bureau Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund program. of Outdoor Recreation, U. S. Fund program. The statute designated Department of the Interior, was the Texas Parks and Wildlife designated to administer the provisions Department as the state agency to 0 Seventy percent of each year's of the Fund which deal with state and cooperate with the Federal annual apportionment to the local activity. Government in the administration of- State should be utilized for local the Program at the state level. Other political subdivision assistance Revenue for the Land and Water provisions of the.statute can be found based upon current supply and Conservation Fund is currently derived at the beginning of this volume under demand relationships. Th i rty from (1) revenues appropriated from "Legal Authority." The discussions percent should be utilized for federal royalities on off shore oil and below outline certain basicprocedures State Park System assistance. gas leases, (2) net proceeds from sales and information the Texas Parks and The - percent of allocation of of surplus federal real property, and Wildlife Department will employ in funds may be revised annually to (3) existing federal tax on motorboat the administration of the Land and reflect more current situations., fuels. Currently, 60% of annual Water Conservation Fund program in appropriations from the Fund amount Texas. A state manual explaining more specified by Congress are available to detailed procedures for obtaining ID Recommendations for the award the states as grants-in-aid, subject to assistance under the Program has been of grants-in-aid assistance to amendment by Congress. That portion compiled by the Texas Parks and local political subdivisions of each annual appropriation available Wildlife Department and is made should be forwarded to the to states is allocated to the various available to all interested persons. states based on formulas which Bureau of Outdoor Recreation consider a state's population and need. for consideration twice during The Secretary of the Interior the year. determines need according to terms set forth in the Federal Act. All grants-in-aid made in a particular state are then derived from the state's GENERAL ADMINISTRATION OF 41 Disbursement of funds for local apportioned share of the Fund. THE LAND AND WATER political subdivision projects Grants-in-aid projects in a state, which CONSERVATION FUND should remain flexible. Past can be state of local political experience in administration of subdivision sponsored, may not exceed the Program indicates that not 50% of the cost of planning, all projects will be fundable, due acqu isition, or development of In considering project applications to a lack of funds. Also current approved projects. from local political subdivisions for Bureau of Outdoor Recreation the acquisition and development of g u i d e I ines regarding the A comprehensive statewide outdoor outdoor recreation areas and facilities utilization of Contingency recreation plan, prepared by the state in Texas, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Funds has recently changed. In and found adequate by the Director of Department will adhere to the the past, Contingency Funds the Bureau of Ootdoor Recreationfor following general procedures in could have been awarded for purposes of the Federal Act, is meeting the purposes of the Land and projects considered to be prerequisite to a state's eligibility to Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 emergency in nature. Now, a receive benefits from the Fund. Thus, (P.L. 88-578, as amended): state's annual allocation must be one purpose of the Texas Outdoor totally obligated before Recreation Plan is to qualify Texas for Contingency Funds may be assistance under the Land and Water granted. 114 It is the interest of the State to for the 'project' will be conducted, Stat. 891) as amended. In determining utilize every available dollar the based on estimated project service area the rankings of individual projects in a Federal Government will analyses of supply -dem and- needs semiannual review, the following approve, as in the past. Any calculations for the project acquisition information as it relates to an state is entitled to receive up to and/or facilities proposals. Basic data individual project will be considered in a maximum of 7% of the total for these analyses will be obtained for determining the project's priority: national annual appropriation, the appropriate volume of the Texas although the apportionment Outdoor Recreation Plan, procedure specif ied by the supplemented by additional Bureau of Outdoor Recreation departmental, project applicant, area u s u a I I y a I I o w s Texas on-site inspection, and other approximately 3% of the i nf ormation sources as may be Higherpriority will be given national total. State experience available. Based on this analysis, communities with stable or with past projects indicates that recommendations for funding for all increasing populations (1960-70 nearly all projects submitted or parts of an individual project will be census) which have little or no have some land acquisition developed. Second, each project, with existing public urban outdoor and/or facilities development its attendant recommendations, will recreation areas and facilities. proposals which are worthy of then be evaulated as to its potential funding, but not emergency in for meeting overall state requirements. nature. Contingency Funds were This evaluation will allow projects in a 1 n general, projects which requested only for such projects, semiannual group to be placed in a provide opportunities for and projects with less urgency ranking which will indicate each activities where there are none in were placed in lower priorities project's val u-e in meeting overall state rapidly urbanizing municipalities for allocation of the state's requirements. After the ranking has and counties will be given high annual program. Now, however, been completed, funding of projects priority. with changed Contingency Fund will proceed in such a manner as to procedures, the State will, of exhaust available funds. It is expected necessity, submit all projects it that not all projects in the ranking will Higherpriority will be given believes supportable, in order to receive fund support, and these projects which will provide basic make use of the Contingency projects, at the discretion of project outdoor recreation opportunities Funds. As a result, funding sponsors, may be held for priority along quality Gulf Coast, priorities will be at the ranking evaluation and comparison reservoir, estuary, river, stream, discretion of the Federal with the subsequent group of projects and'flood plain frontages, in that Government after the state's submitted for the next semiannual order, with higher priority given annual allocation has been review. those frontage projects which exhausted. improve the spatial distribution of recreation areas to the population in a given geographic locale and the State as a whole. DETERMINATION OF LAND AND DETERMINATION OF LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND WATER CONSERVATION FUND Higher priority will be given PROJECT RECOMMENDATIONS PROJECT PRIORITIES projects which will provide new and needed outdoor recreation opportunities in specific locales of those urban, Gulf Coast, and rural areas of the state which In awarding 510% matching funds as In determining individual Land and have been identified as being in grants-in-aid to political subdivision Water Conservation Fund project Class I and 11 Geographic Lands, outdoor recreation acquisition and priority rankings, consideration will be Waters, and Facilities Categories development projects in Texas, each given to the overall needs of the State indicated in Figures 7-2 through project the Texas Parks and Wildlife of Texas as is illustrated by the 7-6 of the RECOMMENDA- Department considers for possible project's individual merits and the TIONS AND PRIORITIES assistance will be evaluated in serveral purposes of the Land and Water Section of this volume of the ways. First, an analysis of local needs Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (78 State Plan. 115 Higher priority will be given *Additional outdoor recrea- Better spatial distribution of those projects which are tion opportunities for active existing areas and facilities designed to provide more rather than passive (to include within the geographic area of balanced mixes of outdoor spectator) activities. jurisdiction. recreation facilities in a given project locale, urban area, or rural area, rather than those which would, although necessary, provide additional e. Better basic service to the facilities for one particu lar aged and disadvantaged. activity for which there are Higher priority will be placed on already existing recreational projects which will allow the De- facilities. partment to allocate "seed" funds into the acquisition of 9, improved service to minority those 30 urban and 70 rural sig- and/or low income geographic nificant natural areas identified areas. in the Plan volumes entitled Higher priority will be given "Outdoor Recreation in the Ur- those projects which illustrate ban Areas of Texas," "Outdoor that the project sponsor(s) has Recreation in the Rural Areas given consideration to, and of Texas," and "Outdoor Recre- placed emphasis on, the idea ation on the Texas Gulf Coast,". that the completed project e Recreational rather than en- as a means of encouraging public would provide: gineering type facilities. management of these areas. 116 I Appendix 117 STATE ACQUISITION AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM PLANNED TO BE ACCOMPLISHED BY 1976 The information presented on the following pages lists the Texas State Acquisition and Development Program planned to be accomplished by 1976. Program actions listed are dependent on appropriate funding levels from local, state and federal sources. Program actions beyond 1976 have not been finalized, pending the results of various studies, legislative action, and budgeting processes which influence state agency operations and activities. 118 STATE ACQUISITION AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM PLANNED TO BE ACCOMPLISHED BY 19761 Acquisition (A) or Action Qevelopment (D) Location Planning Region Estimated Cost* Provide 9.6 acres camping D Abilene State Recreation Region 7 $ 250,000 area (48 sites), 3.4 acres Park picnic area 117 tables), I acre playground, I mile nature trail, and support facilities. Provide 8 acres of camping D Balmorhea State Recreation Region 18 $ 710,000 area (40 siteO Park Install sprinkler system D Bastrop State Scenic Park Region 31 $ 45,000 Acquire 590 acres, install A&D Bryan Beach State Region 28 $ 2,009,480 25 acres camping area (30 Park Site tables), 1 boat ramp, I acre playground, 3 miles of nature walking trail, and support facilities. Construct 9 acres camping D Copper Breaks State Region 5 $ 1,453,991 area (45 sites), 8 acres Recreation Park picnic area 140 tables), 1,600 yards designated fresh- water swimming area, I boat ramp, 1 acre playground, 2.3 miles of nature trail, 1 amphitheater (50 seats), 1 headquarters/visitor center. Provide 26.4 acres camping D Fairfield Lake State Region 20 $ 2,500,000 area (includes primitive) Recreation Park (132 sites), 19.2 acres Wicnic area (96 tables), 24,445 square yards designa- ted freshwater swimming area, 124 yards fishing piers, 2 boat ramps, 4.5 acres play- ground, 5 miles of nature trails, and support facilities. Provide 91 acres camping D Galveston Island State Region 28 $ 3,600,000 area (180 sites), playground Recreation Park area, 12 acres picnic area (60 tablest, 80 yards of fishing piers, 1 boat ramp, 24 sl ips and stal Is, 2 rn i les hiking trail, 1 headquarters building, I interpretive center, I concession area, and support facilities. Develop.5 miles of hiking D Goliad State Historic Park Region 24 $ 444,000 trail, I group shelter, I interpretive center, and support facilities. Provide 6.6 acres camping D Goose Island State Recreation Region 33 $ 656,000 area (33 sites), 4.0 acres Park picnic area (20 tables), .5 acres of playground, .15 mile of walking trail, and support facilities. Develop 15.6 acres picnic D Hueco Tanks State Historic Region 29 $ 385,000 area 172 tables), 5 miles Park of multi-use trails, I interpretive shelter, and support facilities. Install 9.6 acres camping D Lake Arrowhead State Region 5 $ 733,000 area (48 sites), 4 acres of Recreation Park picnic area (20 tables), 300 yards of fishing pier, 27 slips and stalls, 1 acre play- ground, 1 headquarters building, 1 service building, and 1 concession area. 119 Acquisition JA) or Action Development (D) Location Planning Region Estimated Cost* Provide 50 acres camping D Lake Colorado City State Region 7 $ 960,453 area (75 sites), 5 acres Recreation Park picnic area J10 tables), 367 yards of fishing piers, .5 acres playground, 2 miles of motorized vehicle riding trail, 1 concession area, 20 screened shelters, and support facilities. Develop 32 acres camping D Lake Livingston State Region 22 $ 3,950,000 area (160 campsites), 13 Recreation Park acres picnic area (65 tables), 1 swimming pool, 2 boat ramps, 1.25 acres playground, 5 miles of horseback riding trail, 3 miles of hiking trail, I con- cession building, 1 service building, I headquarters building, and support facilities. Add 30.1 acres camping area D Lake Somerville State Region 21 $ 2,688,000 (143 sites), 15.8 acres picnic Recreation Park area (79 tables), 1 boat ramp, 8 miles of hiking trail, 2 -headquarters buildings, 2 service buildings, 4 park residences, 2 fish cleaning shelters, and support facili- ties. Provide 2 acres picnic D Lockhart State Recreation Region 31 $ 275,000 area 0 5 tables), 2 acres Park of playground, swimming pool headquarters/pro shop, maintenance building, sewage treatment plant, parking areas and road, and support facilities. Develop 2 tennis courts, D Lyndon B. Johnson State Region 37 $ 1,000,000 1 baseball field, 1 group Historic Park picnic area with shelter, interpretative trail units, sewage treatment plant, ,parking area, and neces- sary support facilities. Develop 30 acres of camping D Sea Rim State Scenic Park Region 27 $ 2,500,000 area 0 50 sites), 25 acres picnic area (250 tables), .5 acres of playground, 3 trails units, and support facilities. Develop 17 acres camping D McKinney Falls State Region 23 $ 2,200,000 area (85 sites, 30 acres Recreation Park picnic area (150 tables), 3.5 acres of playground, 2 miles of nature trail, 3 miles of hiking trail, 1 service building, 1 head- quarters building, I interpretive center, and support facilities. Develop additional 1.2 D Meridian State Recreation Region 20 $ 134,000 acres of camping area Park (6 sites). Develop 50 acres of camping D Mustang Island State Region 33 $ 1,500,000 area (240 sites), 4 acres of Recreation Park picnic area (100 tables), 4 boat ramps, 4 lanes, and necessary support facilities. 120 Acquisition IA) or Action Development (D) Location Planning Region Estimated Cost* Provide additional 8.2 acres D Possum Kingdom State Recrea- Region 9 S 1,300,000 of camping area, 4.9 acres tion Park picnic area, I boat ramp, 2 acres of playground, 5 acres of horseback riding area, .7 acres of hiking area, 10 lodge and/or cabin rooms, 1 visitor service center, park residences, 1 maintenance complex, head- quarters building, and support facilities. Acquire 5,000 acres and A&D Somerville Trailwav Region 21 S 1,000,000 develop the area with ISomerville State approximately 1,000 acres Recreation Park) camping (300-500 sitesl, 500 acres of picnic area 1100 tables/20 group picnic), 5 trails units (1.15 miles of horseback trail, 1.15 miles of bicycle trail, 11.25 miles of nature trail, 11.25 miles of hiking trail, 11.25 miles of back- packing trail), self guiding trails for the disadvantaged, and necessary support areas and facilities. Provide camping area (38 D Stephen F. Austin State Region 24 S 118,000 sites), 20 picnic tables, Historic Park 1 multi-use court, and necessary support facilities. Develop 50 acres of camping D Trinity River Authority Region 22 S 600,000 area (220 sites), 10 acres of Staley Park picnic area (80 tableO, 10,000 square yards of designated swimming area, 1 boat ramp, 1 acre of playground and support facilities. Develop 50 acres of camping D Trinity River Authority Region 22 S 400,000 area (136sites), 5 acres of White Rock Park picnic area (40 tables), 10,000 square yards of designated swim- ming area, I boat rarnp, 1 acre of playground, and support faci- lities. Develop 10 acres of camping D Trinity River Authority Region 22 8 75,000 area 130 sites), 1 acre of Blanchard Park picnic area (10 tables), and support facilities. Develop 40 acres of camping D San Antonio River Authority Region 16 S 150,000 area (50 sites), and 200 acres Calaveras Lake Park of picnic area (100 tables). Develop 23 new campsites, I D Lower Colorado River Authority Region 23 S 89,941 mile of nature trail, and Big Sandy Creek Park support facilities, Renovate 9 existing campsites, Acquire and initiate development A&D Central, eastern, and S 9,865,874 of 7 proposed state park areas. panhandle areas of the State. Acquire 13 h istoric sites A Throughout the State --- S 1,700,000 and structures TOTAL S43,292,739 *Estimates of cost are based on existing price and rate structures and may be altered due to the availability of materials, price changes, and other factors. In addition, the operation and administration of state level government clictatesiand is dependent upon 'state biennial budgeting processes. 'Only those actions that are directly related to known sites are listed in this program. For brevity, additional planned state acquisition and development actions have been listed under the Direct Programs category of the State Actions Portion of this document. 121 3 6668 00001 4946