SECTION 59.62. Parks and Wildlife Land Classification--Policy

It is the policy of the Parks and Wildlife Commission that:

(1) The executive director is authorized to implement the following classification and guidelines for existing and future lands managed or operated by the department. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission shall determine the appropriate classification.

(2) Classification of departmental lands under this system will not affect existing site names, naming policy, on-site signage or literature unless a new category so changes uses that it is misleading. Multiple classifications may occur within individual sites and the use of a specific name may be for convenience or to indicate a primary classification without precluding uses set forth under other classification categories.

(3) The use and management of individual units of the state park system will be addressed on a site-specific basis, in accordance with the classification system and appropriate management plans.

(4) Prior to classification or formal approval of individual site management plans for specific units of the state park system, provision for public use shall be made in accordance with sound biological management and cultural resource preservation, taking into consideration past patterns of use, and existing rules and regulations.

(5) Units of the state parks system will be classified as a State Park, a State Natural Area, a State Historic Site, or a State Park and Historic Site.

(6) Properties operated and managed by the department as defined and described in Parks and Wildlife Code, §81.401 and §65.191 of this title (relating to Definitions) shall be classified as Wildlife Management Areas.

Source Note: The provisions of this §59.62 adopted to be effective January 2, 1997, 21 TexReg 12420; amended to be effective August 10, 2009, 34 TexReg 5394