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