1. (a) Classification. Game Management Areas. Game Management Areas are areas dedicated to wildlife management, research, demonstration, and appropriate public use.

   1. (1) Selection.

      1. (A) Game Management Areas should be areas possessing significant or potentially significant habitat values for the management and protection of wildlife and natural resources.
      2. (B) Game Management Areas should be of sufficient size to provide opportunity for research and management of the wildlife and natural resources.
      3. (C) Game Management Areas should be located to be representative of an ecoregion, or to meet priority wildlife habitat needs, or to provide education, hunting and other appropriate outdoor recreational opportunities for the public.

   2. (2) Development.

      1. (A) Facilities and supporting developments on Game Management Areas should be located and designed to minimize disturbance to natural and cultural resources.
      2. (B) Long-term major facility development should be limited to selected Game Management Areas identified for their research, education, demonstration and public use values.
      3. (C) Development of appropriate recreational facilities on Game Management Areas should be provided when there is a demonstrated demand.
      4. (D) Capital improvements on Game Management Areas should provide the opportunity to enhance habitats and conditions for wildlife populations, demonstrate integrated agricultural practices beneficial to wildlife and their habitats, and provide access for appropriate public use.

   3. (3) Operation.

      1. (A) Game Management Areas should be operated to provide opportunities for the research, education and/or demonstration of effective wildlife habitat management practices.
      2. (B) Game Management Areas may be operated to provide opportunities for outdoor classroom and other interpretive effort.

   4. (4) Use.

      1. (A) Game Management Areas 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.
      2. (B) Game Management Areas may provide other appropriate resource oriented recreation primarily through low impact public use, when such use is not detrimental to the long term stewardship and conservation of the natural and cultural resources as identified in the site management plan and as other uses permit.

   5. (5) Management.

      1. (A) Game Management Areas should be managed to maintain or enhance wildlife habitat and populations as such management is consistent with the site management plan.
      2. (B) Game Management Areas should be managed for the research, education and demonstration of effective wildlife habitat management practices.
      3. (C) Game Management 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.

2. (b) Classification: Recreational Areas. Recreational Areas are areas of natural or scenic character, often containing historical, archeological, ecological, or geological values selectively developed to provide resource-oriented recreational opportunities.

   1. (1) Selection.

      1. (A) Recreational Areas should be areas possessing natural or scenic values, that are adaptable to both active and passive recreational development and use;
      2. (B) Recreational Areas 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
      3. (C) Recreational Areas should provide recreational opportunities capable of attracting significant visitation on a regional or statewide basis.
      4. (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. (2) Development.

      1. (A) Recreational Areas 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.
      2. (B) Intensity of development of a Recreational Area should provide for the sustainability of the resource and should generally not exceed a ratio of one developed acre to four undeveloped acres.
      3. (C) Recreation facilities and supporting developments should be located and designed to minimize disturbance to natural and cultural resources.

   3. (3) Operation.

      1. (A) Visitor information and interpretive programs should be emphasized to provide the visitor with a more complete and meaningful recreational experience.
      2. (B) Recreational Areas should be operated in an economically efficient manner, striving toward self-sufficiency, while not compromising the natural or cultural resources or the enjoyment thereof.

   4. (4) Use.

      1. (A) Recreational Areas 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.
      2. (B) Recreational Areas 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. (5) Management.

      1. (A) Resources within Recreational Areas should be managed to provide the opportunity for a quality recreational experience while maintaining the natural, cultural and scenic features of the park.
      2. (B) Habitat management should emphasize maintenance and restoration of natural communities, and natural biodiversity.
      3. (C) Recreational 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.

3. (c) Classification: Natural Areas. 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. (1) Selection.

      1. (A) 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.
      2. (B) 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.
      3. (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.
      4. (D) 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. (2) Development.

      1. (A) Development in 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.
      2. (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. (3) Operation.

      1. (A) Natural Areas should be operated in an economically efficient manner, emphasizing resource protection over public use and revenue generation.
      2. (B) Visitor information and interpretation should be emphasized in Natural Areas to increase the visitor's understanding and appreciation of the resource being preserved.

   4. (4) Use.

      1. (A) 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.
      2. (B) 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. (5) Management.

      1. (A) Natural Areas should be managed, consistent with the site management plan, to insure the protection and perpetuation of the scenic or outstanding natural features.
      2. (B) Habitat management should emphasize maintenance or restoration of natural communities and natural biodiversity, consistent with the primary goals of the area.
      3. (C) 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.

4. (d) Classification: Historical Areas. Historical areas are areas established for the preservation, interpretation and public use of prehistoric and historic resources of statewide or national significance.

   1. (1) Selection.

      1. (A) Historical Areas should have a significant association with the broad history of the State as defined in the Texas Historic Sites and Structures Act, Texas Civil Statutes, Article 6081s.
      2. (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 Historical Areas.

   2. (2) Development.

      1. (A) Development of recreational features 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 program of the area, and the natural environment.
      2. (B) The intensity of recreational development 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. (3) Operation.

      1. (A) All preservation, interpretation, representation, restoration, and/or reconstruction activities should be in accord with documented historical, archeological and architectural information.
      2. (B) The historical integrity of a Historical Area should be preserved, and encroachments from conflicting uses or facilities should be avoided. Original material and design intent 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.
      3. (C) Interpretation of Historical Areas should reflect the overall statewide historical significance of the area.

   4. (4) Use.

      1. (A) Historical Areas should provide for resource oriented recreation or public uses that are not detrimental to the long term stewardship of the cultural and natural resources.
      2. (B) Historical 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 public uses permit.

   5. (5) Management.

      1. (A) Historical Areas should be managed to insure the continued conservation of significant cultural features.
      2. (B) When natural resources are a significant component of an Historical Area, habitat management should emphasize maintenance and restoration of natural communities, and natural biodiversity, consistent with the primary goals of the area.
      3. (C) Historical 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.

Source Note:The provisions of this §59.64 adopted to be effective January 2, 1997, 21 TexReg 12420; amended to be effective April 23, 2001, 26 TexReg 3023.