Sec. 11.104. LAND AND WATER RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECREATION PLAN. (a) Using the inventory prepared under Section 11.103, the department shall:

(1) analyze the state's existing and future land and water conservation and recreation needs;

(2) identify threatened land and water resources in this state; and

(3) establish the relative importance for conservation purposes of particular resources listed in the inventory.

(b) The inclusion of a specific parcel of land in the inventory does not create any additional right of public access to that land.

(c) Based on the analysis made under Subsection (a), the department shall prepare a land and water resources conservation and recreation plan. The department shall revise the plan as necessary to reflect changes in the inventory developed under Section 11.103. The plan must include:

(1) criteria for determining how to meet the state's conservation and recreation needs; and

(2) measures of the effectiveness of the department in meeting the goals and objectives of the plan, including, where possible, quantifiable measures.

(d) The department shall modify any existing plans regarding parks and wildlife management areas to make the existing plans consistent with the land and water resources conservation and recreation plan developed under this section.

(e) The department shall base its decisions regarding the state's conservation needs on the criteria developed in the plan, including decisions relating to:

(1) the acquisition of new resources for the conservation and recreation purposes of the department;

(2) the divestiture of existing department-owned resources;

(3) department grants to local parks;

(4) department cooperation with private conservation organizations and landowners, including associations of landowners; and

(5) other major land conservation operations of the department.

(f) Every five years the department shall evaluate progress towards achieving the goals and objectives of the plan prepared under Subsection (c). The department's evaluation must:

(1) include the effectiveness measures under Subsection (c)(2); and

(2) identify:

(A) the goals and objectives met by the department; and

(B) reasons for any unmet goals or objectives.

(g) On completion of an evaluation under Subsection (f), the department shall develop and implement practices designed to improve progress towards meeting the goals and objectives of the plan.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 968, Sec. 25, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.

Amended by:

Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 182 (S.B. 700), Sec. 5, eff. September 1, 2021.