The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. (1) Low Impact Public Use--Development or use of a site which results in minimal long-term irreversible adverse impact, or is within acceptable limits of change. (2) Management plan--A document that sets forth the framework for resource stewardship, conservation, public use, facility maintenance, operations and public safety for a specific unit (or subunit) of lands within the state park system. (3) Natural biodiversity--The complement of indigenous plants and animals that is expected to occur on an ecological site type, in natural communities or over a landscape. (4) Natural communities--An assemblage of organisms indigenous to an area that is characterized by a distinct combination of species occupying habitats or ecological zones and interacting with one another, their environment, and natural processes. An array of plants and animals expected for any given ecological site type. (5) Public Hunting--Hunting by the public of wildlife, including feral and exotic species on departmental controlled lands as authorized by the Commission under the Public Lands Proclamation. (6) Public Use--Resource-oriented recreation or other site-appropriate uses permitted under Subchapter F of this chapter (relating to State Park Operational Rules. (7) Resource Oriented Recreation--Recreational activities the enjoyment of which is dependent upon or enhanced by a natural resource, consistent with applicable rules and policies of the department. (8) Sound Biological Management--The use of the best science-based information available to the department in setting living resources management goals and objectives and in determining the techniques to be used in achieving those goals, including best management practices determined by the Parks and Wildlife Commission. (9) Sustainability--The capability of natural systems to maintain themselves over time as defined by site-specific, measurable management goals and objectives. (10) Wilderness-type Experience--Recreational activities, in a natural setting, intended to provide the user with an unimpaired experience of open space, solitude, and few man-made intrusions. |
| Source Note: The provisions of this §59.63 adopted to be effective January 2, 1997, 21 TexReg 12420; amended to be effective April 23, 2001, 26 TexReg 3023; amended to be effective August 10, 2009, 34 TexReg 5394 |
