Records Appraisal Report:
Parks and Wildlife Department

October 18, 1999, Laura K. Saegert, Appraisal Archivist

Agency contact

This agency contact information was current at the time of the report but may have changed in the interim. Please call (512-463-5455) for current contact information of the agency's records manager or records liaison for these records.

Logan Brown
Records Management Officer
4200 Smith School Road
Austin, TX 78744

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Agency history and structure

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) had its beginnings in 1879. In 1879, the 16th Legislature authorized the Governor to appoint a fish commissioner to ensure compliance with an Act for the preservation of fish, and to build fish ways and fish ladders (Chapter 92, 16th Legislature, Regular Session). In 1881, the Office of the Fish Commissioner was established (Chapter 78, 17th Legislature, Regular Session). It was created for the "propagation and preservation of fish and to build fish-ways and fish-ladders…," existing through 1885. The commissioner was appointed to a two year term by the Governor, with the approval of the Senate.

In 1895, the Office of the Fish and Oyster Commissioner was created by House Bill 55, 24th Legislature, Regular Session, with the commissioner appointed by the Governor as before. The duties included the protection of fish, turtles and terrapin of the bays and coastal waters of the state, protection of natural oyster beds and reefs, and the protection of the location of private beds. The Commissioner had the authority to appoint Deputy Commissioners to assist in carrying out the duties of the office. In 1907, protection of wild birds and wild game was added to the responsibilities of that office, which became the Office of the Game, Fish and Oyster Commissioner (House Bill 379, 30th Legislature, Regular Session). This Commissioner appointed Deputy Game Commissioners to assist in carrying out the duties of the office.

The single commissioner was replaced by a six-member commission in 1929 and the agency became the Game, Fish, and Oyster Commission (Senate Bill 83, 41st Legislature, Regular Session). The commissioners were appointed to six year terms by the Governor with the approval of the Senate, and were to be selected from different sections of the state. The chair was appointed by the Governor. Duties of the commission included administering the state's laws relating to game and fish; preventing pollution of streams; issuing hunting, trapping, and fishing licenses; collecting fees, taxes, and fines; conducting research; and proclaiming and enforcing open seasons and bag limits on game and fish. The commission also operated fish hatcheries and sanctuaries, administered game and hunting preserves, supervised oyster beds in the state, controlled and exterminated predatory animals and fish, and educated the public in the preservation of wildlife and fish and game resources of the state. It had the authority to create rules and regulations as necessary to carry out their duties.

The State Parks Board was created in 1923 (Senate Bill 73, 38th Legislature, First Called Session) to investigate prospective park sites in the state and report to the Legislature with recommendations, and to solicit and accept donations of land for state park purposes. The State Parks Board was initially composed of five members, appointed by the Governor with the approval of the Senate to six year terms, and they were to be state officers. The number of board members increased to six in 1937 (Senate Bill 484, 45th Legislature, Regular Session). This board was to begin locating sites for the establishment of the state parks system. It also directed and managed state parks created, except the historical parks which were managed by the Board of Control and/or several separate commissions. The Parks Board was also charged with locating, designating, and marking historic grounds, battlegrounds, and other historic sites in the state, and erecting markers and monuments at such sites. The board also had the authority to create rules and regulations as necessary to carry out its duties. The primary function of the board between 1923-1933 was to acquire lands for parks through donations. In 1933, federal funds became available for state park development and the board worked with the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the National Park Service for the development of better park sites for a state parks system. The CCC provided labor during the 1930s to improve state park lands and facilities. In 1949, the state historical parks were transferred to the State Parks Board, except for the San Jacinto Battlefield, the Battleship Texas, and the Fannin Battlefield, which were still controlled by their respective commissions--the San Jacinto Battlefield Commission, the Battleship Texas Commission, and the Fannin Battlefield Commission (House Bill 120, 51st Legislature, Regular Session). Jurisdiction over the Fannin and San Jacinto Battlefields was transferred to TPWD in 1965 (House Bill 102, 59th Legislature, Regular Session). Battleship Texas was transferred to TPWD in 1983 (House Bill 586, 68th Legislature, Regular Session).

In 1963, the State Parks Board and the Game and Fish Commission were merged to form the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife (House Bill 21, 58th Legislature, Regular Session). In 1967, the Historic Structures and Sites Act was passed by the 60th Legislature, House Bill 58, Regular Session, charging the Parks and Wildlife Department with stewardship of the state's cultural heritage sites. In 1983, the Legislature passed the 1983 Wildlife Conservation Act (Senate Bill 94, 68th Legislature, Regular Session), which gave the agency the authority to manage fish and wildlife resources in all Texas counties. Prior to this act county commissioner courts set game and fish laws in many counties, and other counties had veto power over Department regulations. In 1985, the legislature granted the agency authority over shrimp and oysters (Senate Bill 609, 69th Legislature, Regular Session).

The Parks and Wildlife Department is governed by the Parks and Wildlife Commission, initially composed of three members, currently nine members, appointed by the Governor with approval of the Senate. Members serve six-year overlapping terms. The Commission chairperson is appointed biennially by the Governor. The Commission meets quarterly or more often as needed. Its chief responsibility is to adopt policies and rules to carry out the programs of the Parks and Wildlife Department.

The Parks and Wildlife Department is responsible for the management and conservation of the state's wildlife and fish resources; provision of outdoor recreational opportunities to the public; acquisition, development, and operation of wildlife management areas, fish hatcheries, state parks, historic sites, and other public lands; conservation education and outreach; cultural and historical interpretation; and the regulation of fishing, hunting, and boating activities. The Department is composed of ten major divisions which carry out the functions and duties of the agency: Wildlife, State Parks, Coastal Fisheries, Inland Fisheries, Resource Protection, Communications, Law Enforcement, Infrastructure, Administrative Resources, and Human Resources. An Executive Director, selected by the Parks and Wildlife Commission, administers the department. In early 1999, the agency employed the full-time equivalent of 2,954 people.

The Wildlife Division manages and conserves all the state's wildlife resources. Its responsibilities include wildlife planning; research; inventorying wildlife resources; monitoring population dynamics; regulating game seasons and bag limits; conserving non-game and rare species; habitat conservation and acquisition; providing technical assistance to land owners; operating and managing 52 wildlife management areas; and assisting with the management of 123 state parks. The division also uses state-owned and operated lands to conduct wildlife research, field tours, seminars, wildlife management operations, and offer public access to these lands for public hunting and other recreational and education uses. Most of the work done by the division is eligible for reimbursement under the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937, also known as the Pittman-Robertson Act.

The State Parks Division protects, interprets, and manages cultural and natural resources and provides recreational opportunities to the public on land owned or leased by TPWD, which includes 123 state parks, historic sites, and natural areas. The division also administers matching grants to local communities and counties for park acquisition and development, public boat ramps and other facilities, and outreach.

The Coastal Fisheries Division manages the marine fishery resources of Texas' four million acres of saltwater, including the bays and estuaries and out to nine nautical miles in the Gulf of Mexico. These management strategies are designed to sustain fisheries harvest at levels necessary to ensure replenishable stocks of important species and provide balanced food webs within the marine ecosystems. The division conducts monitoring programs year round to gather technical data to assess population levels and develop fishing regulations. The division operates three hatchery facilities to enhance populations of several species of game fish, through increasing abundance of the fish and offsetting impacts of natural catastrophes.

The Coastal Fisheries Division also operates the Artificial Reef Program. In 1989, the Texas Legislature directed the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to develop the artificial reef potential of Texas (Senate Bill 5, 71st Legislature, Regular Session). The Texas Artificial Reef Plan was adopted in 1990, creating the Artificial Reef Program. The basic activity of the program is to acquire surplus ships, barges, oil rigs, and other material that is then deposited on the sea floor to form artificial reefs. These reefs increase the diversity of marine organisms at those locations. An advisory committee was formed in 1990 to aid the program in fulfilling its obligations to the state in building reefs that are in the best interest of the citizens of Texas. The Artificial Reef Program Advisory Committee is a 10 member panel appointed by the TPW Commissioners. According to the Parks and Wildlife Code (Section 89.021), the committee members represent the interests of the following groups: salt water sport fishing, offshore oil and gas producers, Texas tourism industry, the General Land Office, the Texas university system, environmental groups, a shrimping organization, a diving club, and the Attorney General's Office.

The Inland Fisheries Division manages the freshwater fishery resources of the state, which consist of 626 public impoundments and 80,000 miles of rivers and streams covering 1.7 million acres. The division activities include fisheries management and research, fish production, angler education and information, fishing access projects, and aquatic habitat management. The division also operates six fish hatchery facilities to enhance populations of several species of fish.

The Resource Protection Division protects fish, wildlife, plant and mineral resources from degradation or depletion. It investigates environmental contamination which may cause the loss of fish or wildlife. It also provides information and recommendations to other government agencies and participates in administrative and judicial proceedings concerning pollution incidents, development projects, and other actions which may affect fish and wildlife. The Division also reviews permits proposed for wastewater discharge and hazardous waste disposal by the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission and the Railroad Commission. The division also investigates fish kills, attempts to determine responsibility for the kill, and recovers the economic value of the fish and other lost aquatic life from the polluter. The division also assesses injury to fish and wildlife resources from oil and hazardous chemical releases and seeks restoration from the responsible party. The division represents the department in the Interagency Council for Oil Spill Response Planning and the Coastal Coordinating Council, a multi-agency body that reviews and coordinates state and federal laws and actions affecting the Texas coast. The division works with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to protect wetland areas and to dispose of dredge material from Texas bays; and it works to protect sensitive ecological habitats and rare, threatened, or endangered plants and animals. The Resource Conservation Branch of the division works with the Governor's Texas Review and Comment System (TRACS) by reviewing and commenting on various projects that may or may not have environmental impact on state resources.

The Resource Protection Division contains two units which report to it, but function as cross-divisional units in support of all TPWD divisions--the Education Branch and the Geographic Information Systems Laboratory. The Education Branch supports education throughout the agency and administers many of the agency's education initiatives and events, and cooperative and outreach efforts, including Outdoor Kids, the mandatory hunter education program, mandatory boater education and water safety, etc. The Geographic Information Systems Laboratory provides specialized training and spatial analysis as part of its support of agency-wide efforts to develop, manage, and archive digital maps and natural and cultural databases which allow biologists and resource managers to more effectively manage state resources.

The Communications Division manages internal and external communication and marketing for the agency. External products include the Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine, a PBS television series, and the Passport to Texas radio series. The division also produces print and video news releases, hunting and boating safety education programs, and employee newsletters; and continues to develop and enhance the agency's web site. The division also operates the Texas Conservation Passport program and its consumer research group, which produce information about the state's natural and cultural resources.

The Law Enforcement Division provides a comprehensive statewide law enforcement program to protect the state's natural resources and environment. It provides safe boating and recreational water safety on public waters by ensuring compliance with state laws and regulations. The game wardens of the division are responsible for the enforcement of the Parks and Wildlife Code, all TPW regulations, the Texas Penal Code, and selected statutes and regulations applicable to clean air, water, and hazardous materials. To fulfill these duties, the wardens educate the public about the laws and regulations, conduct high visibility patrols to prevent violations, and apprehend and arrest violators.

The Infrastructure Division administers TPWD's Capital Program, which includes all new construction, restoration, renovation, maintenance, and repair projects. It is responsible for all design and construction contracts for the department, and it provides professional design, construction, and project management services to state parks, wildlife management areas, hatcheries, and other department facilities. The division is also TPWD's liaison with the Texas Department of Transportation, the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

The Administrative Resources Division is responsible for the financial services of the agency, the agency's information systems, print shop, maintenance, and security for the headquarters building. The division also issues hunting, fishing, and other licenses; and handles the registration and titling of boats and outboard motors.

The Human Resources Division handles the personnel needs of the agency.

V.T.C.A., Parks and Wildlife Code, Title 2

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Project review

I was assigned to review the records of this agency in October 1998. The agency immediately requested a 60 day extension which was granted, thus the review actually began in January 1999. I have reviewed information about the agency in the Guide to Texas State Agencies, LBJ School of Public Affairs, University of Texas at Austin (1999, 10th edition; 1996, 9th edition; 1993, 8th ed.); A Layman's Guide to the Texas State Administrative Agencies, by Dick Smith, Bureau of Municipal Research, University of Texas at Austin, 1945; A Manual of Texas State Government, Texas Legislative Council, 1950; various laws affecting the establishment of the Parks and Wildlife Department and its predecessor agencies, dating from 1881-1998; V.T.C.A., Parks and Wildlife Code, Title 2; Texas Administrative Code, Title 31, Part II; the official web site for the agency (http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/); several reports produced by the Parks and Wildlife Department--Annual reports (1998, several between 1880-1970), Request for Legislative Appropriations for FY 2000-2001, and the Strategic plan for 1997-2001; and the 1984 Sunset Commission report on the agency. I have reviewed the destruction requests from the Parks and Wildlife Department, its records retention schedule, and the records of the Parks and Wildlife Department already housed in the State Archives.

On the current schedule of the Commission there are seven series designated as archival ("A" code), and fifty-eight series designated for archival review ("R" code). The archival series are:

General agency records

Meeting agendas and minutes
Organization charts

Finance - Budget

Biennial budget request

Executive Office

Commission meeting agenda
Commission meeting minutes/public hearings
Executive orders

Public Lands - Construction, Design, Management

Executive orders

The archival review series are:

General agency records

Correspondence, administrative
News or press releases
Policies and procedures manual
Publication development files
Reports and papers - Conference
Speeches
Legal opinions/advice
Legislative bill analysis

General Services, Contracts and Purchasing

Building construction contract and inspection records

Conservation Communications

TPWD magazine background material
Story folders
Hunter Education Student Record
Library correspondence
Television programs (Masters/PBS) (includes story reel and audio reels)
Radio program
News release
Video news release

Human Resources

Recognition and awards program file

Law Enforcement

Law Enforcement policies and procedures manual
Rules and regulations

Public Lands - Special Services

State Park information
Maps
Executive summaries
Reports and studies, including population, census, and recreational
Statewide planning final reports and studies
Statewide planning project files
Project file - special projects
Project file acquisitions
Project file - Caves
Main project files

Public Lands - Construction, Design, Management

Building construction project files
Building plans and specifications
Map files (flat)
Master planning project files
Project bid tabulations

Public Lands - Field Support Services

State park information
Maps
Reports
Archeological project files/park sites
Public lands project files
Park information (historical)

State Parks - Field Support Services

Marketing and tourism project files
Concession files

Resource Protection

Planning records
Reports and studies, final

Fisheries - Inland

Rivers & streams survey reports (paper)
Fish species research files (paper)
Abstract titles and deeds

Fisheries - Coastal

Administrative correspondence
Reports, studies, and surveys - final
Building plans and specifications (artificial reefs)
Coastal hatchery files

Wildlife

Wildlife surveys/data analysis
Wildlife mitigation
Wildlife monitoring
Wildlife project files
Species reference material
Reports - Game releases

There were also eleven series on the schedule which we decided to review as they may have archival value, but did not carry an "A" or "R" code. These series are:

Law Enforcement

Reports - Administrative

Resource Protection

Resource protection program files
Resource protection project files
National Estuary Programs

Fisheries - Inland

Lake information files (paper)

Fisheries - Coastal

Advisory Committee files
Fish kills files
Fisheries management files
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council
Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission

State parks, Field Support Services

Central project files

There are four series to be added to the retention schedule of the agency which are being reviewed for archival value:

Communications Division

Photographs

Resource Protection

Geographic Information Services Lab records

State Parks, Interpretation and Exhibits Branch, Curatorial Program

Civilian Conservation Corps Drawings Collection

Library (not assigned to a specific division, housed in the library)

Biologist diaries

Two series already considered to be archival were not on the schedule, but will be reviewed and added to the retention schedule:

Reports, annual and biennial
Strategic plans

I prepared a list of questions concerning series on the retention schedule to be reviewed and mailed these along with our letter of introduction to the Executive Director and the records management officer on October 29, 1998. The records management officer, Logan Brown, requested a 60 day extension so he could finish prior commitments before beginning the appraisal process. This was granted. I talked with him in mid December about the process, sent him some information so he could begin reviewing it, and called him in early January to schedule an initial meeting. On January 14, 1999 I met with Logan Brown to ask questions about specific records series and answer questions about the appraisal process.

I met with Logan again on February 10, 1999, to answer further questions and to meet with staff of the main Geographic Information Systems (GIS) lab to acquire some information about the GIS operations and the output produced by the lab. The lab staff were going to give me a demonstration of the system, but the system was down so I didn't get to view anything automated, but I was able to view various types of maps produced by the lab for reports TPWD produces, and maps done for reports produced by other agencies, such as TNRCC for which TPWD staff served as consultants. The lab is operated by the Resource Protection Division. The lab does produce maps for various divisions, in addition to Resource Protection, such as digital base maps based on several themes, producing what is needed by the divisions for their reports. There are smaller GIS operations in other divisions which produce materials for their particular needs. The output of this lab is typical of the GIS output found throughout the agency, on a much larger scale. We decided to appraise the operations of this lab as a series and the GIS staff prepared a series review for this report.

On February 22, 1999, I met with Logan and staff working with the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) drawings collection to review these maps and drawings for archival review and transfer. The CCC collection consists of about 3600 working plans and drawings done by the State Parks Board in cooperation with the National Park Service though the Civilian Conservation Corps of state parks - the grounds, their furnishings and structures - dating from about ca. 1931-ca. 1958. The agency, through grant funding, is currently scanning these drawings onto CD-ROMs. The agency has produced three CD's so far - containing the plans and drawings for Bastrop and Buescher State Parks. The scanning is done offsite by a commercial vendor. The CD's produced are not widely distributed - one for the agency, one to the park involved, and they are now sending The Texas State Library and Archives Commission a copy of the CD's as they are produced. These drawings will be more fully described in the appraisal report as part of the State Parks Division, Interpretation and Exhibits Branch, Curatorial Program. They are not currently on the retention schedule but will be added.

On Thursday, May 20, 1999, I met with Logan and the former TPWD Librarian, Debbie Bunch, to view the holdings of the defunct Parks and Wildlife Library to see if there were any records of archival value we might be interested in reviewing for the appraisal report. The library is housed in a small office suite in an industrial park on Highway 183. The suite holds the library in one room, filing cabinets with some volumes in another room, and materials (props, etc., not records) from the hunting and fishing areas within the agency in a large storeroom. I reviewed several sets of reports in the library and several types of volumes/records in one of the filing cabinets. There were several sets of reports we were interested in appraising, which were determined to be part of existing series. There was also a set of diaries stored there which we will be appraising as part of this report.

Throughout the spring and summer I have had several emails and phone conversations with Logan in our attempt to gather the information needed for this report. Because this is a large and complex agency, a few extra months were provided to the agency in which to gather the information needed. The process was further complicated by the fact that the agency has recently reorganized, which is not reflected in their latest records retention schedule. The divisions listed in the project review are as reflected on the current schedule; the divisions listed in the project outcome and the series review reports are those that exist under the recent reorganization. The agency is changing the titles of some series to more accurately reflect the contents. The new titles, when present, will be used as the series title; the title from the agency schedule will be used in the portion of the series review which lists the series on the schedule.

The agency has determined that a number of series listed on the schedule for archival review are empty series. These will not be appraised since there are not any records in those series. These series will be removed from the retention schedule. Additionally, a few series will be appraised which are not on the schedule, but will be added.

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Archives Holdings

Game, Fish and Oyster Commission ledgers, 1896, 1899-1943, 2.89 cubic ft.
Ledgers contain a variety of information, including lists of fish and oyster dealers; fees collected; locations, claims, and field notes for oyster beds; reports of mussel, pearl, and shell sales; registers of game wardens; lists of persons buying permits; and agreements for the protection of wild game. Dates covered are 1896, 1899-1943, ten ledgers comprising 2.89 cubic ft.

Game, Fish and Oyster Commission fish hatchery reports, 1930-1931, fractional

Game, Fish and Oyster Commission, Monthly reports to Comptroller of receipts, fees collected, 1913-1914, 0.47 cubic ft.

Game, Fish and Oyster Commission meeting minutes, 1929-1951, microfilm, fractional

Game and Fish Commission, meeting minutes, 1951-1963, microfilm, fractional

Game and Fish Commission meeting minutes, 1961-1963, 0.24 cubic ft.

State Parks Board, Goliad State Park Collection, undated, about 2 cubic ft.
These records consist of photographs, maps, charts, blueprints, and a scrapbook, concerning the administration of Goliad State Park by the State Parks Board. Records are undated.

Parks and Wildlife Department minutes, 1963-1995, microfilm, fractional

Parks Board minutes, 1933-1963, 1 cubic ft.

Parks and Wildlife Department meetings files, 1967-1968, 1972-1979, 1983-1988, 1991, 17 cubic ft.
These files consist of minutes, agenda, transcripts, and supporting documentation from meetings of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, dating 1967-1968, 1972-1979, 1983-1988, and 1991.

Motion picture film, 1954, fractional
This is 16 mm motion picture film produced by the Department of Parks and Wildlife, titled "Outlaw of the Cameron."

Executive Office records, 1972-1980, 5 cubic ft.
These are administrative and correspondence files of the executive office, containing correspondence with commissioners, legislators, congressmen, and others. Dates covered are 1972-1980.

Legislative correspondence, 1972-1984, 1 cubic ft.
These files consist of correspondence between commission members and staff of the department with various state legislators, dating 1972-1984.

Conservation and Communication Division, audio tapes, 1981-1985, 0.5 cubic ft.
These are audio cassette tapes produced by the department for their radio program, "Texas Outdoors Radio Program" (now titled "Texas Outdoor Connection"). Dates covered are 1981-1985.

Public Lands Division, Matagorda Island Air Force Base Plans and Specifications, 1940-1974, 2.25 cubic ft.
These records are civil engineering and architectural structural and mechanical plans and specifications for various repairs and improvements to Strategic Air Command bases in Texas. Dates covered are 1940-1974. The majority of the records concern Matagorda Air Force Base, but some plans are also present for Carswell, Bergstrom, Barksdale, and Port O'Connor Air Force bases.

Public Lands Division, Videocassette and publication, 1996, fractional
These items produced by the agency consist of a videocassette titled "Historical Sites" and a booklet titled "A Future for the Past: Texas State Historical Parks", both dated 1996.

Public Lands Division, Land Acquisition Branch, Abstract and appraisal files, 1908-1983, 13 cubic ft.
These are the project files of the Land Acquisition Branch and include appraisal reports, copies of land title abstracts, surveyor's field notes, survey and subdivision maps, photographs, and some correspondence. Records date from 1908-1983.

Records, 1912, 1921-1975, 24.94 cubic ft.
Files present in this accession include correspondence, agenda, proposals, minutes, photographs, publications, reports, clippings, press releases, Attorney General opinions, newsletters, contracts, blueprints, land deeds, and applications. Records are dated 1912, 1921-1975. These records document activities of the Parks and Wildlife Department and most of its predecessor agencies-State Parks Board, the Game, Fish, and Oyster Commission, and the Game and Fish Commission.

Records, 1963-1995, 0.26 cubic ft.
This series consists of 26 reels of 16mm microfilm of minutes, agenda, and exhibits from commission meetings and public hearings, and vouchers. Dates of the records are 1963-1995, with dates of the meetings covering 1963-1972, 1974-1975, 1978-1981, 1987-1995; and dates of hearings being 1981-1983.

State parks and recreation areas, 1974-1990, 0.94 cubic ft.
These records contain brochures, plats and maps showing trails, facilities, and site markers of state parks and state recreation areas. The descriptive text about the sites include historic data, geology and/or archaeology of the area, wildlife present, general rules, and rules pertaining to special situations, such as public hunts, and other points of interest in the area. Records range in date from 1974-1990.

State of Texas Comprehensive Outdoor Plan, 1965, 0.71 cubic ft.
This is a multi-volume report by the agency on outdoor recreation resources, consisting of seven volumes, dating 1965.

Previous Destructions

Several destruction requests have been submitted by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Division, for fiscal years 1986-1996. Types of records approved for destruction are routine administrative, fiscal, and personnel records, including unissued licenses, permits, public notices, surveys, questionnaires, drowning and accident reports, park passports, license plates and tags from boats, billing records, plans and specifications from grant projects, environmental assessment files, property appraisals, stamp purchasers reports, inventories, general correspondence, registers and ledgers, clippings, gas and oil receipts, certificates for titles, audits, contracts, revenue and other financial reports, audits, budget files, activity reports, magazine subscriptions, cashier records, requisitions, invoices, vouchers, payrolls, leave requests, etc. Dates of the records destroyed range from ca. 1909-ca. 1994.

Project outcome

The appraisal of the agency's records is complete. Following are instructions for changes to series on the retention schedule of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, primarily changing, adding, or removing archival codes, to be completed during the next recertification of the schedule. Archival records whose retention has expired can now be transferred to the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission at the agency's earliest convenience. Series containing records eligible for transfer are noted.

Archival series

The following four series on the schedule remain as archival:

Executive Division
Series GEN11 - Organization charts - Send copies of any charts dating prior to 1992 to the Archives and Information Services Division and send copies of charts after 1998 regularly as the charts are superseded.

Series E.01.0.6 - Executive orders - Transfer orders which have fulfilled their retention period to the Archives and Information Services Division now and yearly thereafter as they fulfill their retention period.

Series - E.01.0.1 - Commission meeting agenda - Combine with minutes series, listing as Commission meeting minutes and agenda.

Series E.01.0.2 - Commission meeting minutes/public hearings - Combine meeting agenda with this series and change name to Commission meeting minutes and agenda. Send copies of the minutes and agenda for 1996-1999 to the Archives and Information Services Division now. Send future copies of minutes and agenda annually or after each meeting. Create a series for meeting supporting documentation, as listed under "New archival series."

Three archival series have their archival requirement met by sending copies of publications to the Publications Depository Program. The latter two series need to be added to the retention schedule with an archival code of "A" and a retention of AC+6. A note needs to be added to the Remarks column for each series - "Copies sent to the Publications Depository Program of the Library and Archives Commission fulfill the archival mandate." These series are:

Administrative Resources
Series A.14.0.1 - Biennial budget requests - Send copies of the 1969/70 and 1998/99 budget requests to the Publications Depository Program to fill gaps in their holdings.

General agency records (not assigned yet to a division)
No series number - Reports, annual and biennial

No series number - Strategic plans

We have also determined that twenty-nine of the archival review series have archival value. These series need to have their archival code changed to "A" on the retention schedule. Further instructions are provided for each series.

General agency records
Series GEN 3 - Correspondence, administrative (Executive director) - The correspondence of the executive director has been appraised to be archival. It needs to be added to the schedule as follows: Executive director administrative correspondence, with an archival code of "A" and a retention period of 3 years. Transfer correspondence from 1995-1996 to the Archives and Information Services Division now, then make yearly transfers thereafter as the retention period is fulfilled.

Series GEN 47 - Legislative bill analysis - Transfer bill analyses from 1991-1995 to the Archives and Information Services Division now and yearly thereafter as they fulfill their retention period.

Communications Division
C.30.0.7 - News releases - Transfer releases from 1975-1995 to the Archives and Information Services Division now and yearly thereafter as they fulfill their retention period.

C.30.0.1 - Television programs - Texas Parks and Wildlife (formerly Made in Texas) - Once the tapes have fulfilled their retention period, transfer those tapes to the Archives and Information Services Division. Future transfers can be done annually as their retention period expires.

C.30.0.10 - Video news releases - Once the tapes have fulfilled their retention period, transfer those tapes to the Archives and Information Services Division. Future transfers can be done annually as their retention period expires.

P.21.0.10 - Statewide planning final reports and studies - Add a note to the Remarks column of the schedule - "Copies of reports sent to the Publications Depository Program of the Library and Archives Commission fulfill the archival requirement."

Infrastructure Division
P.33.0.6 - Building plans and specifications - The agency was intending to combine this series with another series titled Building construction contracting and inspection records. This series of plans and specifications needs to remain on the schedule as an archival series.

P.34.0.9 - Master planning project files - The published master plans are sufficient documentation of this activity; the files are not archival as long as publications are prepared. TPWD needs to create two series out of this one series - "Reports and Studies (non-fiscal) Raw Data" (i.e., the files) coded as non-archival; and "Reports and Studies (non fiscal)" (i.e., the published plans). This latter series will be coded as archival, with this note added to the Remarks column of the schedule - "Copies of master plans sent to the Publications Depository Program of the Library and Archives Commission fulfill the archival requirement." Transfer the set of master plans in the TPWD library to the Archives and Information Services Division at the agency's earliest convenience.

Resource Protection Division
V.34.0.6 - Fish kills files - This has a permanent retention period at the agency. When the agency ceases to maintain the records or no longer performs this function, transfer the summary computer reports of the fish kills and investigation to the Archives and Information Services Division.

R.01.0.1 - Planning records (Resource Conservation Branch) - Transfer records which have fulfilled their retention period to the Archives and Information Services Division, including the environmental policy and its reviews, and the published plans. Future publications can be sent directly to the Publications Depository Program.

R.01.0.5 - Resource Conservation Branch reports and studies, final - Add a note to the Remarks column of the schedule - "Copies of master plans sent to the Publications Depository Program of the Library and Archives Commission fulfill the archival requirement." Send a copy of the San Marcos River report to the Publications Depository Program as this title could not be located in their catalog.

R.01.0.5 - Freshwater Conservation Branch reports and studies, final - Add a note to the Remarks column of the schedule - "Copies of master plans sent to the Publications Depository Program of the Library and Archives Commission fulfill the archival requirement." If possible, send a list of titles produced in this series to the Archives and Information Services Division so we can check the holdings of the Documents Collection to see what titles might be missing from our holdings.

State Parks Division
P.45.3.9 - Park information (historical) - These files are listed in two different series, the agency will correct this during the next recertification, listing it as one series. We recommend listing the retention period as AV - "administratively valuable." Thus the records would be maintained at the agency as long as they receive regular use and transferred to the Archives when their use becomes infrequent. If the agency decides to retain the 25 year retention period, then transfer to the Archives and Information Services Division the records from 1923-1974.

Inland Fisheries Division
T.32.0.1a - Rivers and streams survey reports - Transfer records which have fulfilled their 25 year retention period (from the 1940s-1974) to the Archives and Information Services Division at the agency's earliest convenience. Future transfers can be done yearly as the files fulfill their retention period.

T.32.0.2a - Fish species research files - The published reports are sufficient documentation of this activity; the files are not archival as long as publications are prepared. TPWD needs to create two series out of this one series - "Reports and Studies (non-fiscal) Raw Data" (i.e., the files) coded as non-archival; and "Reports and Studies (non fiscal)" (i.e., the published reports). This latter series will be coded as archival, with this note added to the Remarks column of the schedule - "Copies of reports sent to the Publications Depository Program of the Library and Archives Commission fulfill the archival requirement."

Coastal Fisheries Division
V.34.0.2(a) - Administrative correspondence, Artificial Reef Program - Transfer correspondence which has fulfilled its retention period, from 1990-1995, to the Archives and Information Services Division at the agency's earliest convenience, and make yearly transfers thereafter. Create separate series for the committee minutes and presentation materials, as listed under "New archival series."

V.34.0.4 - Building plans and specification, artificial reefs - The agency is keeping the record copy of the files in their field office in Houston. They can maintain these for the life of the asset, as they are currently doing according to the retention schedule. If the agency ceases operating this program, but the reef sites are still left in place, then at that point the agency needs to transfer these records to the Archives and Information Services Division. If the reef sites are removed, then the Archives will review these records for final disposition.

V.34.0.3 - Reports, studies and surveys - final - Add a note to the Remarks column of the schedule - "Copies of reports sent to the Publications Depository Program of the Library and Archives Commission fulfill the archival requirement."

V.34.0.5 - Coastal hatchery files - The published Management Data Series reports in this series have been appraised to be archival. The federal reports described in this series are also available in another series, Fisheries management research files, where their archival retention is discussed. The MDS reports are sufficient documentation of the activities described in this series; the files are not archival as long as publications are prepared. TPWD needs to create two series out of this one series - "Reports and Studies (non-fiscal) Raw Data" (i.e., the files) coded as non-archival; and "Reports and Studies (non fiscal)" (i.e., the published reports). This latter series will be coded as archival, with this note added to the Remarks column of the schedule - "Copies of reports sent to the Publications Depository Program of the Library and Archives Commission fulfill the archival requirement."

V.34.0.7 - Fisheries management research files - Transfer the federal aid reports from the defunct TPWD library, dating 1958-1989 and copies of other reports produced since 1989 in the federal aid program from the agencies offices to the Archives and Information Services Division now. Then send copies of the federal aid reports as they are produced to the Archives and Information Services Division. Continue to send copies of the MDS reports to the Publications Depository Program. Add a note to the retention schedule in the Remarks section - "Copies of reports sent to the Publications Depository Program and the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission fulfill the archival requirement."

Wildlife Division
P.22.0.7 - Project file - Caves - Change the retention code to either "AV" or a specific number of years. If they wish to use "AV", then add a note to the Remarks section as follows: "These records will remain at the agency until they cease to have frequent administrative and research use. They will then be transferred to the Library and Archives Commission." Such a transfer can consist of the oldest (say files that are 20 years or older) files. If they wish to establish a specific time frame, say 20 years, then transfer the files which have fulfilled their retention period at that point and make yearly transfers thereafter.

P.22.0.15 - Project file - Special project - Transfer these records when they have fulfilled their retention period to the Archives and Information Services Division.

P.22.0.16 - Project file - Acquisitions - Transfer those records which have fulfilled their retention period to the Archives and Information Services Division now, which would include the older files in the Land records set and some of the records in the Potential records set. Future transfer can be done on a yearly basis.

P.45.04a - Maps (Archeology) - Recommend the retention code be changed to the same code used for the project files, which will be "AV" or administratively valuable. A note can be added to the Remarks section as follows: "These records will remain at the agency until they cease to have frequent administrative and research use. They will then be transferred to the Library and Archives Commission." When the agency decides to transfer some of these maps or the project files over, we will meet with agency staff to determine what would still be restricted - especially on the older maps - and how such restrictions will be implemented.

P.45.3.6 - Archeological project files - Change the retention period to AV-administratively valuable. A note can be added to the Remarks section as follows: "These records will remain at the agency until they cease to have frequent administrative and research use. They will then be transferred to the Library and Archives Commission." When the agency decides to transfer some of the project files over, we will meet with agency staff to determine which site specific information still needs to be restricted - especially in the older records - and how such restrictions will be implemented. We are not, at this time, interested in obtaining the actual artifacts or soil samples, just materials concerning them, such as artifact analyses, drawings, photographs, etc. The actual artifacts and samples should remain at the Archeology Lab of the Parks and Wildlife Department.

P.45.0.5a - Reports (Archeology) - Add a note to the retention schedule in the Remarks section - "Copies of reports sent to the Publications Depository Program of the Library and Archives Commission fulfill the archival requirement."

W.71.0.5 - Wildlife mitigation - The published reports are sufficient documentation of this activity; the files are not archival as long as publications are prepared. TPWD needs to create two series out of this one series - "Reports and Studies (non-fiscal) Raw Data" (i.e., the files) coded as non-archival; and "Reports and Studies (non fiscal)" (i.e., the published reports). This latter series will be coded as archival, with this note added to the Remarks column of the schedule - "Copies of reports sent to the Publications Depository Program of the Library and Archives Commission fulfill the archival requirement."

W.71.0.6 - Habitat monitoring - Recommend changing the retention period to a more practical value for this series, such as AV - administratively valuable. Migrate the database to new software/hardware when the technology it operates on currently changes enough to warrant a migration and to keep hardware and software documentation used to operate the system in each upward migration. If the agency has not been recording metadata and keeping data dictionaries, it needs to begin doing so and keeping these current. We would like to have copies of any original maps produced (not copies of unchanged USGS topographic maps or soil maps) as hardcopy output sent to the Archives and Information Services Division and reports sent to the Publications Depository Program of the Library and Archives Commission. If the agency still maintains the original photographs which were scanned into the database, those can be transferred to the Archives and Information Services Division when the agency ceases to have administrative use of them.

The Archives and Information Services Division currently does not accept electronic records, but at some point in the future if we begin to accept such files, we will apprise TPWD on the steps necessary to preserve this system electronically at our agency.

This series currently incorporates the database and output of the system, but the format is listed as paper. We recommend listing the series in two formats - one concerning the data files- Master files - Habitat monitoring, as an electronic record; one concerning the hardcopy output - Habitat monitoring - hardcopy output. If the agency wished to keep this as one series, then the schedule needs to have the format listed as paper and electronic.

W.71.0.7 - Wildlife project files - The published reports are sufficient documentation of the research; the files are not archival as long as publications are prepared. TPWD needs to create two series out of this one series - "Reports and Studies (non-fiscal) Raw Data" (i.e., the files) coded as non-archival; and "Reports and Studies (non fiscal)" (i.e., the published reports). This latter series will be coded as archival, with this note added to the Remarks column of the schedule - "Copies of reports sent to the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission fulfill the archival requirement."

Transfer the federal aid reports from the defunct TPWD library, dating 1952-1989 and copies of these reports produced before 1952 and since 1989 from the agency's offices to the Archives and Information Services Division now. Then send copies of these federal aid reports as they are produced to the Archives and Information Services Division. The series in the old TPWD library begins in 1952. If there are not any reports published prior to that at the agency, we will accept the transfer of the surveys, data, unpublished reports, etc., gathered and used by the agency prior to the publication of the first reports. If such a situation exists, then transfer those early files at the agency's earliest convenience to the Archives and Information Services Division.

There were eight series on the schedule not initially designated for archival review which were reviewed and were determined to have archival value. An archival code of "A" needs to be added to the schedule for these series. Further instructions are provided for each series.

Resource Protection Division
R.01.0.10 - Resource Conservation Branch program files - Transfer records which have fulfilled their retention period to the Archives and Information Services Division. Future transfers can be done annually, as their retention period expires.

R.01.0.10 - Freshwater Conservation Branch program files - The published reports are sufficient documentation of this activity; the files are not archival as long as publications are prepared. TPWD needs to create two series out of this one series - "Reports and Studies (non-fiscal) Raw Data" (i.e., the files) coded as non-archival; and "Reports and Studies (non fiscal)" (i.e., the published reports). This latter series will be coded as archival, with this note added to the Remarks column of the schedule - "Copies of reports sent to the Publications Depository Program of the Library and Archives Commission fulfill the archival requirement."

R.01.0.10 - Freshwater Inflow Studies Program files - Send copies of the reports done thus far and any others produced to the Publications Depository Program of the Library and Archives Commission. If the agency produces reports which provide sufficient summary coverage of these studies for all the areas studied, then sending copies of those reports to the Publications Depository Program will fulfill the archival mandate. In this case, add a note to the Remarks column of the schedule - "Copies of reports sent to the Publications Depository Program of the Library and Archives Commission fulfill the archival requirement." If only scattered reports are produced, then the agency needs to transfer records which have fulfilled their retention period, if any, to the Archives and Information Services Commission now, with regular transfers made on a yearly basis.

R.01.0.11 - Resource Conservation Branch project files - Transfer records which have fulfilled their retention period to the Archives and Information Services Division. Future transfers can be done annually, as their retention period expires.

Inland Fisheries Division
T.32.0.15a - Lake information files - Transfer records which have fulfilled their 25 year retention period (from the 1940s-1974) to the Archives and Information Services Division at the agency's earliest convenience. Future transfers can be done yearly as the files fulfill their retention period.

Coastal Fisheries Division
V.34.0.1 - Advisory committee files - Change this series item number to 1.1.058 and add an archival code of "A" and a retention period of PM. The agency needs to send copies of the minutes from 1990-1999 to the Archives and Information Services Division now, then regularly either after the meetings or on a yearly basis. Create a series for meeting supporting documentation, as listed under "New archival series."

V.34.0.9 - Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission - . Because of the different record types, with different retention periods, present in this series, TPWD needs to create three series out of this one series: "Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission minutes," with an archival code of "A" and a retention period of PM. Transfer copies of the minutes from 1989-1999 to the Archives and Information Services Division at the agency's earliest convenience; future transfers can be done yearly. "Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission correspondence and agreements," with an archival code of "A" and a retention period of 3 years. Transfer materials in this series dating 1989-1995, then make yearly transfers thereafter as their retention period is fulfilled. "Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission plans and reports," for the published plans and research reports. This will have an archival code of "A", TPWD can set an appropriate retention period. Add this note in the Remarks section - "Copies of published plans and reports sent to the Publications Depository Program of the Library and Archives Commission fulfill the archival requirement."

V.34.0.8 - Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council - Transfer copies of the minutes to the Archives and Information Services Division at the agency's earliest convenience. Future copies of minutes can be done on an annual basis. Copies of any reports which might be produced can be sent to the Publications Depository Program.

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New archival series

These include series not on the schedule which were reviewed for archival value, and series which were part of existing series but need to be added separately. The last series, Biologist diaries, is an obsolete series and does not need to be added to the schedule as we are requesting its transfer to the Archives and Information Services Division. See further instructions below.

Executive Division
No series number - Meeting supporting documentation - Add to the schedule with an archival code of "A", a retention of 2 years, and this note in the Remarks column - "These materials are filed with Commission meeting agenda and minutes." Transfer meeting documentation (if present) prior to 1967, 1969-1971, 1980-1982, 1989-1990, and 1992-1997 to the Archives and Information Services Division. Future transfers can be done on an annual basis as the retention period for these records is fulfilled.

Communications Division
No series number - Photographs - Add to the retention schedule with an archival code of "A" and a retention period of AV - administratively valuable. Add a note to the Remarks section as follows: "These records will remain at the agency until they cease to have frequent administrative and research use. They will then be transferred to the Library and Archives Commission." We understand the agency will likely retain these images for a number of years, but they are welcome to transfer to the Archives the older images when their use becomes infrequent.

Resource Protection Division
No series number - Geographic Information Systems Lab hardcopy output - Add this series to the retention schedule with an archival code of "A". Add a note to the Remarks section as "Copies of reports produced should be sent to the Publications Depository Program of the Library and Archives Commission." What we would like to receive now are paper copies of the digital base maps being produced for the state parks and the wildlife management areas and any publications containing work done by the lab. We are presuming other maps output by the system are done for specific reports which we will likely be receiving from the agency. Those reports will be appraised along with the records of the division for which the maps were produced. If this is not the case, such as the baseline maps referred to above, then we wish to receive paper copies of those maps as well. Transfer copies of maps requested to the Archives and Information Services Division.

No series number - Master files - GIS lab - Add this series to the schedule with an archival code of "A". We are not currently accepting electronic records at the Library and Archives Commission, at some point in the future if we begin to accept such files, we will apprise TPWD on the steps necessary to preserve this system electronically at our agency. For now, the agency needs to migrate the data to new systems when needed and keep copies of the hardware and software documentation used to operate the system in each upward migration. They also need to keep their metadata and data dictionaries current. We recommend the agency continues as it is doing now to regularly make copies of the base maps on CD-ROM. A backup copy of the database should be made regularly to document the data as it existed.

State Parks Division
No series number - Civilian Conservation Corps Drawings Collection - Add these to the retention schedule as archival. Put a note in the Remarks section "These materials ultimately will be transferred to the Library and Archives Commission." They will remain on the TPWD schedule until transferred. Continue to send copies of any CD-ROMs of these plans and drawings produced to the Archives and Information Services Division.

Coastal Fisheries Division
No series number - Advisory committee meeting supporting documentation - Add this series to the schedule, with an archival code of "A" and a retention period of 2 years (more if the agency sees the need). Then transfer the materials in this series (correspondence, notes, reviews, etc.) to the Archives and Information Services Division when their retention period has expired. If it is 2 years, then transfer the files for 1990-1997. Make yearly transfers thereafter as the retention period is fulfilled.

No series number - Artificial Reef Advisory Committee minutes and agenda. Add this series to the schedule with an archival code of "A" and a retention period of PM. Transfer copies of the minutes and agenda through 1998 to the Archives and Information Services Division now, then yearly thereafter after meetings are held.

No series number - Artificial Reef Advisory Committee meeting supporting documentation - Add this series to the schedule, with an archival code of "A" and a retention period of 2 years (more if the agency sees the need). Then transfer the materials in this series (correspondence, notes, reviews, etc.) to the Archives and Information Services Division when their retention period has expired. If it is 2 years, then transfer the files for 1990-1997. Make yearly transfers thereafter as the retention period is fulfilled.

No series number - Biologist diaries - Transfer these to the Archives and Information Services Division. The two ledgers of clippings will be further reviewed for archival value and returned to the agency if determined not to be archival. The ledger with the diary entries will be maintained at the Archives as an archival record. If the two ledgers of clippings are returned, then the agency will need to add a series for those to their schedule. It is likely they will be maintained as archival at the Archives with the third ledger.

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Non-archival series

There were twenty-one "R" series appraised to be non-archival. Remove the "R" code from the records retention schedule and replace it with the archival exemption code of "E". Add a note to the Remarks column for these series - "Archival review code removed subsequent to appraisal by the Archives and Information Services Division, Library and Archives Commission, October 18, 1999." These series are:

General Agency files
Series GEN 3 - Correspondence, administrative (divisions) - The correspondence of the division directors has been appraised to be non-archival. Add the correspondence series for each division as follows: Correspondence, administrative with an archival exemption code of "E" and this note in the Remarks column of the schedule - Archival review code removed subsequent to appraisal by the Archives and Information Services Division, Library and Archives Commission, October 18, 1999."

Communications Division
C.30.0.3 - Radio programs - Texas Outdoor Connection - The Archives and Information Services Division has tapes of older radio broadcasts, 1981-1985, which we will not be keeping. They will be offered back to the agency for final disposition.

C.30.0.3 - Radio programs - Texas Passport Adventures

C.10.0.4 - Story folders

P.21.0.9 - Reports and studies: Population, census, recreation

P.21.0.8 - Executive summaries

P.21.0.12 - Statewide planning project files

P.45.7.11 - Marketing and tourism project files

Law Enforcement Division
L.22.0.7 - Rules and regulations

Infrastructure Division
A.63.6.1 - Building construction contracting and inspection records

P.34.0.8 - Map files

Resource Protection Division
C.20.0.4 - Hunter education student record - Change the title to Boater and hunter education student and instructor records to more accurately reflect the contents of the series.

R.01.0.1 - Planning records (Coastal Conservation Branch) - Since the plans produced are covered in the another series - Resource Conservation Branch planning records, we do not need to obtain the same plans here as well. If this branch begins adding materials to this series which are not duplicated in the Resource Conservation Branch planning records, then we will re-appraise.

State Parks Division
P.20.0.1 - State park information - The agency is combining this with P.20.0.2 and renaming State parks information and maps.

P.20.0.2 - Maps - The agency is combining this with P.20.0.1 and renaming State parks information and maps.

P.26.0.19 - Main project files

P.45.0.3 - Park information

P.46.0.22 - Concession files

Inland Fisheries Division
T.32.0.5 - Abstract title and deeds - Recommend the series be renamed Abstract titles, since deeds are not present in the files.

Wildlife Division
W.71.0.4 - Wildlife surveys

W.71.0.11 - Reports - game releases - Because the agency is maintaining this data long term, I recommend changing the retention period from AR to AV - administratively valuable.

The following series did not have archival review codes of "R" on the schedule, but should have. They have been appraised to be non-archival. The archival exception code of "E" needs to be added to the schedule with a note added to the Remarks column for these series - "Archival review code removed subsequent to appraisal by the Archives and Information Services Division, Library and Archives Commission, October 18, 1999."

Law Enforcement Division
L.22.0.6 - Reports - Administrative

Resource Protection Division
R.40.0.17 - National Estuary Program - Records concerning Texas involvement in this program will be appraised when the records of the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission are appraised since it holds the record copy of work done for this program.

One series did not carry archival code but was reviewed for archival value. It has been determined to be non-archival. As it did not carry an archival code, no changes need to be made to the schedule.

Resource Protection Division
R.01.0.11 - Resource Protection project files (Freshwater Conservation Branch)

Non-archival series - miscoded, obsolete, other situations

These seven series were either miscoded for archival review, mistitled, obsolete, or are being combined into other series and can be removed from the schedule. Follow the instructions for each series.

Human Resources
H.50.0.11 - Recognition and awards program files - Remove the "R" code.

Communications
Series C.20.0.8 - Library correspondence - This is general correspondence, not administrative. The library closed in 1992 and the correspondence has met its retention period. Remove this series from the schedule.

C.10.0.3 - Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine background material - This series was miscoded. It is actually a collection of printed reference sources and the agency intends to remove it from the schedule.

Law Enforcement
L.22.0.4 - Law Enforcement policies and procedures manual - This should be coded as a job procedures record instead of a policy manual. Change the title to Law Enforcement job procedure records, series item number 3.3.025, remove the "R" archival code, and list the retention as US+3.

Infrastructure Division
P.30.0.1 - Building construction project files - This series is being combined with the series Building construction contracting and inspection records, under that title. Remove it from the schedule.

P.34.0.10 - Project bid tabulations - This series is being combined with the series Building construction contracting and inspection records, under that title. Remove it from the schedule.

Wildlife Division
W.71.0.8 - Species reference material - This series consists only of printed reference materials from outside sources. Since it is strictly a reference collection and does not contain any original materials by the division, it does not need to be on the schedule. Remove it from the schedule. If the agency wishes to retain this series on the schedule for tracking purposes, then remove the "R" code and do not assign a series item number.

Empty series

Several series on the schedule did not contain any records nor were they were considered likely by the agency staff to have records created. In most cases, these were duplicate series with the records in question found in another series of the same name or the records were housed in program or project files within the various divisions. The agency intends to remove these series from the records retention schedule during the next recertification.

General agency records
Series GEN 10 - News or press releases - See the same series under Communications Division.

Series GEN 12 - Policies and procedures manual - Those that exist are maintained at the division level, only one division listed them on the schedule. Others are kept in program areas. If it is determined that other divisions maintain policy manuals, they need to be added for each division during the next agency schedule recertification with an archival code of "R".

Series GEN 13 - Publication development files - These are kept in the program area producing the publication and considered part of the reports or project/program files in those areas.

Series GEN 8 - Meeting agenda and minutes - Commission meetings are kept in the Executive Office, other meeting minutes pertaining to divisions are kept in the program files of each division.

Series GEN 16 - Reports and papers, conference - These are kept in the various program areas, either as part of the program or project files or in a reports series.

Series GEN 17 - Speeches - Speeches are not routinely transcribed or recorded. When they are, they are kept in the program or project files of a related topics or in the files of the person making the speech.

Series GEN 45 - Legal opinions/advice - Legal opinions are not maintained by the agency as a separate series. According to the agency most of the opinions are verbal, others are kept in the files of attorneys and considered to be attorney work products, which are confidential - V.T.C.A., Government Code, Section 552.111, Texas Open Records Act. If the agency decides at some point to recreate this series, it can be added back to the schedule with an archival code of "R".

State Parks Division
Series P.38.0.13 - Executive orders - See the same series under the Executive Office.

Series P.45.3.8 - Public lands project files

Series P.47.0.23 - Central Project files - this is the same as series P.45.3.9 - Park Information (historical) - the agency will remove it from the schedule, keeping series P.45.3.9.

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Record Series Reviews

Record Series Review
Series Title: Biennial budget request

Agency: Parks and Wildlife Department
Administrative Resources

Obsolete record series? No

Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: fractional

Agency holdings:
Retained by the agency for six years after completion, according to the retention schedule. Actual holdings of the agency are 1969/70-[ongoing], comprising about 1.67 cubic ft. These are housed at the agency headquarters in Austin.

Description:
These records are legislative appropriation requests of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department submitted to the Legislative Budget Board and others. The records date from 1969/70-[ongoing]. The requests generally contain narrative statements of agency functions or programs. Program objectives are listed, along with a description of each objective, discussion of performance measures, statistics, program need indicators, and expenses--expended, current, and projected, at different funding levels.

Purpose:
The purpose of these records is to request specific appropriations from the legislature and to provide justification for the amounts requested.

Agency program:
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) had its beginnings in 1879. In 1879, the 16th Legislature authorized the Governor to appoint a fish commissioner to ensure compliance with an Act for the preservation of fish, and to build fish ways and fish ladders (Chapter 92, 16th Legislature, Regular Session). In 1881, the Office of the Fish Commissioner was established (Chapter 78, 17th Legislature, Regular Session). It was created for the "propagation and preservation of fish and to build fish-ways and fish-ladders…," existing through 1885. The commissioner was appointed to a two year term by the Governor, with the approval of the Senate.

In 1895, the Office of the Fish and Oyster Commissioner was created by House Bill 55, 24th Legislature, Regular Session, with the commissioner appointed by the Governor as before. The duties included the protection of fish, turtles and terrapin of the bays and coastal waters of the state, protection of natural oyster beds and reefs, and the protection of the location of private beds. The Commissioner had the authority to appoint Deputy Commissioners to assist in carrying out the duties of the office. In 1907, protection of wild birds and wild game was added to the responsibilities of that office, which became the Office of the Game, Fish and Oyster Commissioner (House Bill 379, 30th Legislature, Regular Session). This Commissioner appointed Deputy Game Commissioners to assist in carrying out the duties of the office.

The single commissioner was replaced by a six-member commission in 1929 and the agency became the Game, Fish, and Oyster Commission (Senate Bill 83, 41st Legislature, Regular Session). The commissioners were appointed to six year terms by the Governor with the approval of the Senate, and were to be selected from different sections of the state. The chair was appointed by the Governor. Duties of the commission included administering the state's laws relating to game and fish; preventing pollution of streams; issuing hunting, trapping, and fishing licenses; collecting fees, taxes, and fines; conducting research; and proclaiming and enforcing open seasons and bag limits on game and fish. The commission also operated fish hatcheries and sanctuaries, administered game and hunting preserves, supervised oyster beds in the state, controlled and exterminated predatory animals and fish, and educated the public in the preservation of wildlife and fish and game resources of the state. It had the authority to create rules and regulations as necessary to carry out their duties.

The State Parks Board was created in 1923 (Senate Bill 73, 38th Legislature, First Called Session) to investigate prospective park sites in the state and report to the Legislature with recommendations, and to solicit and accept donations of land for state park purposes. The State Parks Board was initially composed of five members, appointed by the Governor with the approval of the Senate to six year terms, and they were to be state officers. The number of board members increased to six in 1937 (Senate Bill 484, 45th Legislature, Regular Session). This board was to begin locating sites for the establishment of the state parks system. It also directed and managed state parks created, except the historical parks which were managed by the Board of Control and/or several separate commissions. The Parks Board was also charged with locating, designating, and marking historic grounds, battlegrounds, and other historic sites in the state, and erecting markers and monuments at such sites. The board also had the authority to create rules and regulations as necessary to carry out its duties.

In 1963, the State Parks Board and the Game and Fish Commission were merged to form the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife (House Bill 21, 58th Legislature, Regular Session). The Parks and Wildlife Department is governed by the Parks and Wildlife Commission, initially composed of three members, currently nine members, appointed by the Governor with approval of the Senate. Members serve six-year overlapping terms. The Commission chairperson is appointed biennially by the Governor. The Commission meets quarterly or more often as needed. Its chief responsibility is to adopt policies and rules to carry out the programs of the Parks and Wildlife Department.

The Parks and Wildlife Department is responsible for the management and conservation of the state's wildlife and fish resources; provision of outdoor recreational opportunities to the public; acquisition, development, and operation of wildlife management areas, fish hatcheries, state parks, historic sites, and other public lands; conservation education and outreach; cultural and historical interpretation; and the regulation of fishing, hunting, and boating activities. The Department is composed of ten major divisions which carry out the functions and duties of the agency: Wildlife, State Parks, Coastal Fisheries, Inland Fisheries, Resource Protection, Communications, Law Enforcement, Infrastructure, Administrative Resources, and Human Resources. Administration of the agency is by an executive director.

The Administrative Resources Division is responsible for the financial services of the agency, the agency's information systems, print shop, maintenance, and security for the headquarters building. The division also issues hunting, fishing, and other licenses; and handles the registration and titling of boats and outboard motors.

V.T.C.A., Parks and Wildlife Code, Title 2

Arrangement: Chronological by biennium

Access constraints: None

Use constraints: None

Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access? No

Problems: None

Known related records in other agencies: None

Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the Parks and Wildlife Department and none were found for this series or for equivalent or related series.

Publications based on records:
Legislative Budget Board, Legislative Budget Estimates have been published since fiscal years 1954 and 1955. This publication, a compilation of data for all state agencies, summarizes the fiscal information found in agency-submitted budgets or appropriation requests, but omits most of the narrative.

Series data from agency schedule:
Title: Biennial budget request
Series item number: 1.1.004
Agency item number: A.14.0.1
Archival code: A
Retention: AC+6

Archival holdings:
None in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission.

Texas Documents Collection holdings:
Archival requirement for this series is fulfilled by sending copies to the Publication Depository Program. Two copies of Requests for Legislative Appropriations must be sent to the Publications Depository Program (13 Texas Administrative Code, Section 3.4 (3)). The Texas Documents Collection holds 1971/72-1996/97 and 2000/2001.

Gaps: None at the agency. The Texas Documents Collection is missing the volume for 1969/70 and 1998/99.

Appraisal decision:
Legislative appropriation requests prepared by state agency commissions provide evidence of an agency's fiscal performance and needs. These are already considered to be archival. The archival requirement for these records is fulfilled by sending copies to the Publications Depository Program of the Library and Archives Commission, which the Parks and Wildlife Department is already doing. The agency needs to send a copy of the 1969/70 and 1998/99 budget requests to the Publications Depository Program to fill gaps in their holdings.

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Records Series Review
Series Title: Reports, annual and biennial

Agency: Parks and Wildlife Department

Obsolete record series? No

Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: fractional

Agency holdings:
This series is not on the retention schedule, but it should have a retention period of AC+6. The present holdings of the agency are 1994-[ongoing], comprising about 0.25 cubic feet.

Description:
These are annual reports prepared by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and its predecessor agencies that summarize the activities of the agency for the fiscal year. Dates covered are 1994-[ongoing] at the agency; 1963-1979, 1994-[ongoing] at the Publications Depository Program; and 1880-1884, 1895-1896, 1899-1962 at the Archives and Information Services Division. According to the agency reports were not produced for the years 1980-1993. The reports describe the functions of the Commission and activities undertaken during a the fiscal year (the earliest reports of the agency were done on a biennial basis, until about 1913), including listing some accountability measures, which include figures on the number of park reservations, number of hunting and fishing stamps and licenses issued, acreage of department lands, wild game harvested, arrests by game wardens, number of facilities managed, fish kill and pollution complaints investigated, etc. The reports also give a summary of major program activities, such as research undertaken, overview of the inland and coastal fisheries managed, major events at state parks, outreach programs, wildlife restoration efforts, and law enforcement activities; and mention significant legislation which may bring changes to the agency. The reports include a list of Commission members, division directors, and the reports for the years 1967-1979 also contain organization charts of the agency. Detailed information regarding the appropriations and expenditures of the agency can be found in the Annual Financial Report of the TPW Commission.

Purpose:
Annual reports are created to provide summary documentation of the activities of the agency over a fiscal year.

Agency program:
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) had its beginnings in 1879. In 1879, the 16th Legislature authorized the Governor to appoint a fish commissioner to ensure compliance with an Act for the preservation of fish, and to build fish ways and fish ladders (Chapter 92, 16th Legislature, Regular Session). In 1881, the Office of the Fish Commissioner was established (Chapter 78, 17th Legislature, Regular Session). It was created for the "propagation and preservation of fish and to build fish-ways and fish-ladders…," existing through 1885. The commissioner was appointed to a two year term by the Governor, with the approval of the Senate.

In 1895, the Office of the Fish and Oyster Commissioner was created by House Bill 55, 24th Legislature, Regular Session, with the commissioner appointed by the Governor as before. The duties included the protection of fish, turtles and terrapin of the bays and coastal waters of the state, protection of natural oyster beds and reefs, and the protection of the location of private beds. The Commissioner had the authority to appoint Deputy Commissioners to assist in carrying out the duties of the office. In 1907, protection of wild birds and wild game was added to the responsibilities of that office, which became the Office of the Game, Fish and Oyster Commissioner (House Bill 379, 30th Legislature, Regular Session). This Commissioner appointed Deputy Game Commissioners to assist in carrying out the duties of the office.

The single commissioner was replaced by a six-member commission in 1929 and the agency became the Game, Fish, and Oyster Commission (Senate Bill 83, 41st Legislature, Regular Session). The commissioners were appointed to six year terms by the Governor with the approval of the Senate, and were to be selected from different sections of the state. The chair was appointed by the Governor. Duties of the commission included administering the state's laws relating to game and fish; preventing pollution of streams; issuing hunting, trapping, and fishing licenses; collecting fees, taxes, and fines; conducting research; and proclaiming and enforcing open seasons and bag limits on game and fish. The commission also operated fish hatcheries and sanctuaries, administered game and hunting preserves, supervised oyster beds in the state, controlled and exterminated predatory animals and fish, and educated the public in the preservation of wildlife and fish and game resources of the state. It had the authority to create rules and regulations as necessary to carry out their duties.

The State Parks Board was created in 1923 (Senate Bill 73, 38th Legislature, First Called Session) to investigate prospective park sites in the state and report to the Legislature with recommendations, and to solicit and accept donations of land for state park purposes. The State Parks Board was initially composed of five members, appointed by the Governor with the approval of the Senate to six year terms, and they were to be state officers. The number of board members increased to six in 1937 (Senate Bill 484, 45th Legislature, Regular Session). This board was to begin locating sites for the establishment of the state parks system. It also directed and managed state parks created, except the historical parks which were managed by the Board of Control and/or several separate commissions. The Parks Board was also charged with locating, designating, and marking historic grounds, battlegrounds, and other historic sites in the state, and erecting markers and monuments at such sites. The board also had the authority to create rules and regulations as necessary to carry out its duties. The primary function of the board between 1923-1933 was to acquire lands for parks through donations. In 1933, federal funds became available for state park development and the board worked with the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the National Park Service for the development of better park sites for a state parks system. The CCC provided labor during the 1930s to improve state park lands and facilities. In 1949, the state historical parks were transferred to the State Parks Board, except for the San Jacinto Battlefield, the Battleship Texas, and the Fannin Battlefield, which were still controlled by their respective commissions--the San Jacinto Battlefield Commission, the Battleship Texas Commission, and the Fannin Battlefield Commission (House Bill 120, 51st Legislature, Regular Session). Jurisdiction over the Fannin and San Jacinto Battlefields was transferred to TPWD in 1965 (House Bill 102, 59th Legislature, Regular Session). Battleship Texas was transferred to TPWD in 1983 (House Bill 586, 68th Legislature, Regular Session).

In 1963, the State Parks Board and the Game and Fish Commission were merged to form the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife (House Bill 21, 58th Legislature, Regular Session). In 1967, the Historic Structures and Sites Act was passed by the 60th Legislature, House Bill 58, Regular Session, charging the Parks and Wildlife Department with stewardship of the state's cultural heritage sites. In 1983, the Legislature passed the 1983 Wildlife Conservation Act (Senate Bill 94, 68th Legislature, Regular Session), which gave the agency the authority to manage fish and wildlife resources in all Texas counties. Prior to this act county commissioner courts set game and fish laws in many counties, and other counties had veto power over Department regulations. In 1985, the legislature granted the agency authority over shrimp and oysters (Senate Bill 609, 69th Legislature, Regular Session).

The Parks and Wildlife Department is governed by the Parks and Wildlife Commission, initially composed of three members, currently nine members, appointed by the Governor with approval of the Senate. Members serve six-year overlapping terms. The Commission chairperson is appointed biennially by the Governor. The Commission meets quarterly or more often as needed. Its chief responsibility is to adopt policies and rules to carry out the programs of the Parks and Wildlife Department.

The Parks and Wildlife Department is responsible for the management and conservation of the state's wildlife and fish resources; provision of outdoor recreational opportunities to the public; acquisition, development, and operation of wildlife management areas, fish hatcheries, state parks, historic sites, and other public lands; conservation education and outreach; cultural and historical interpretation; and the regulation of fishing, hunting, and boating activities. The Department is composed of ten major divisions which carry out the functions and duties of the agency: Wildlife, State Parks, Coastal Fisheries, Inland Fisheries, Resource Protection, Communications, Law Enforcement, Infrastructure, Administrative Resources, and Human Resources. Administration of the agency is by an executive director.

V.T.C.A., Parks and Wildlife Code, Title 2

Arrangement: Chronological

Access constraints: None

Use constraints: None

Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access? No

Problems: None

Known related records in other agencies: None

Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the Parks and Wildlife Department and none were found for this series or for equivalent or related series.

Publications based on records: This is a publication.

Series data from agency schedule: Not on schedule.
Suggested series from state records retention schedule:
Title: Reports - Biennial or Annual Agency (Narrative)
Series item number: 1.1.066
Agency item number: to be assigned
Archival code: A
Retention: AC+6

Archival holdings:
The Archives and Information Services Division has reports for: Fish Commissioner, 1880-1884; Fisher and Oyster Commissioner, 1895-1896, 1899/1900-1909/1910 (no report was done for 1897/1898); Game, Fish and Oyster Commission, 1911/12-1915, 1919-1920, 1922-1959 (they also hold copies of the Marine Lab Report of the Game, Fish and Oyster Commission for 1946-1951); State Parks Board, 1939-1962.

Texas Documents Collection holdings:
Archival requirement for this series is fulfilled by sending copies to the Publication Depository Program. Fifty-five copies of annual or biennial reports (includes narrative description) must be sent to the Publications Depository Program (13 Texas Administrative Code, Section 3.4 (1) (A)). The Texas Documents Collection holds: Game, Fish and Oyster Commission, 1931-1963; Parks and Wildlife Commission, 1963-1979, 1994-1998. They do not have any annual reports of the State Parks Board.

Gaps:
The agency does not have any reports prior to 1994. The Texas Documents Collection does not have any reports prior to 1931 for the Game, Fish and Oyster Commission, and does not hold any reports for the State Parks Board. The Archives and Information Services Division is missing reports of the Game, Fish and Oyster Commission for 1916-1918, 1921, or after 1959; reports for the State Parks Board (if they were done) prior to 1939; or any reports of the Parks and Wildlife Commission, beginning in 1963.

Appraisal decision:
These reports summarize the activities of the Parks and Wildlife Commission and its predecessor agencies over the fiscal year and are already considered archival. Their archival mandate is fulfilled by the agency sending copies of the reports to the Publications Depository Program. This series is not on the retention schedule and need to be added as listed above. A note needs to be added to the Remarks column - "Copies sent to the Publications Depository Program of the Library and Archives Commission fulfill the archival mandate."

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Records Series Review
Series Title: Strategic plans

Agency: Parks and Wildlife Department

Obsolete record series? No

Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: fractional

Agency holdings:
This series is not on the schedule but it should have a retention period of AC+6. The agency has copies of all four plans prepared - 1992-1998, 1995-1999, 1997-2001, and 1999-2003, fractional. It is unclear if these are at the agency's headquarters or maintained in their defunct library- both in Austin.

Description:
Strategic plans are long-range planning tools prepared by the agency in which the goals and objectives of the agency are presented along with performance measures for each. The Parks and Wildlife Commission has prepared four plans, in 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998 with the planning time frames 1992-1998, 1995-1999, 1997-2001, and 1999-2003 respectively. Plans contain a mission statement, a statement of philosophy, an external/internal assessment of the agency, the goals of the agency, and an organization chart. Each goal contains objectives, strategies, and output measures for measuring and achieving the goals.

Purpose:
Strategic plans are long-range planning tools prepared by the agency to set forth goals and objectives of the agency over a multi-year period.

Agency program:
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) had its beginnings in 1879. In 1879, the 16th Legislature authorized the Governor to appoint a fish commissioner to ensure compliance with an Act for the preservation of fish, and to build fish ways and fish ladders (Chapter 92, 16th Legislature, Regular Session). In 1881, the Office of the Fish Commissioner was established (Chapter 78, 17th Legislature, Regular Session). It was created for the "propagation and preservation of fish and to build fish-ways and fish-ladders…," existing through 1885. The commissioner was appointed to a two year term by the Governor, with the approval of the Senate.

In 1895, the Office of the Fish and Oyster Commissioner was created by House Bill 55, 24th Legislature, Regular Session, with the commissioner appointed by the Governor as before. The duties included the protection of fish, turtles and terrapin of the bays and coastal waters of the state, protection of natural oyster beds and reefs, and the protection of the location of private beds. The Commissioner had the authority to appoint Deputy Commissioners to assist in carrying out the duties of the office. In 1907, protection of wild birds and wild game was added to the responsibilities of that office, which became the Office of the Game, Fish and Oyster Commissioner (House Bill 379, 30th Legislature, Regular Session). This Commissioner appointed Deputy Game Commissioners to assist in carrying out the duties of the office.

The single commissioner was replaced by a six-member commission in 1929 and the agency became the Game, Fish, and Oyster Commission (Senate Bill 83, 41st Legislature, Regular Session). The commissioners were appointed to six year terms by the Governor with the approval of the Senate, and were to be selected from different sections of the state. The chair was appointed by the Governor. Duties of the commission included administering the state's laws relating to game and fish; preventing pollution of streams; issuing hunting, trapping, and fishing licenses; collecting fees, taxes, and fines; conducting research; and proclaiming and enforcing open seasons and bag limits on game and fish. The commission also operated fish hatcheries and sanctuaries, administered game and hunting preserves, supervised oyster beds in the state, controlled and exterminated predatory animals and fish, and educated the public in the preservation of wildlife and fish and game resources of the state. It had the authority to create rules and regulations as necessary to carry out their duties.

The State Parks Board was created in 1923 (Senate Bill 73, 38th Legislature, First Called Session) to investigate prospective park sites in the state and report to the Legislature with recommendations, and to solicit and accept donations of land for state park purposes. The State Parks Board was initially composed of five members, appointed by the Governor with the approval of the Senate to six year terms, and they were to be state officers. The number of board members increased to six in 1937 (Senate Bill 484, 45th Legislature, Regular Session). This board was to begin locating sites for the establishment of the state parks system. It also directed and managed state parks created, except the historical parks which were managed by the Board of Control and/or several separate commissions. The Parks Board was also charged with locating, designating, and marking historic grounds, battlegrounds, and other historic sites in the state, and erecting markers and monuments at such sites. The board also had the authority to create rules and regulations as necessary to carry out its duties. The primary function of the board between 1923-1933 was to acquire lands for parks through donations. In 1933, federal funds became available for state park development and the board worked with the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the National Park Service for the development of better park sites for a state parks system. The CCC provided labor during the 1930s to improve state park lands and facilities. In 1949, the state historical parks were transferred to the State Parks Board, except for the San Jacinto Battlefield, the Battleship Texas, and the Fannin Battlefield, which were still controlled by their respective commissions--the San Jacinto Battlefield Commission, the Battleship Texas Commission, and the Fannin Battlefield Commission (House Bill 120, 51st Legislature, Regular Session). Jurisdiction over the Fannin and San Jacinto Battlefields was transferred to TPWD in 1965 (House Bill 102, 59th Legislature, Regular Session). Battleship Texas was transferred to TPWD in 1983 (House Bill 586, 68th Legislature, Regular Session).

In 1963, the State Parks Board and the Game and Fish Commission were merged to form the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife (House Bill 21, 58th Legislature, Regular Session). In 1967, the Historic Structures and Sites Act was passed by the 60th Legislature, House Bill 58, Regular Session, charging the Parks and Wildlife Department with stewardship of the state's cultural heritage sites. In 1983, the Legislature passed the 1983 Wildlife Conservation Act (Senate Bill 94, 68th Legislature, Regular Session), which gave the agency the authority to manage fish and wildlife resources in all Texas counties. Prior to this act county commissioner courts set game and fish laws in many counties, and other counties had veto power over Department regulations. In 1985, the legislature granted the agency authority over shrimp and oysters (Senate Bill 609, 69th Legislature, Regular Session).

The Parks and Wildlife Department is governed by the Parks and Wildlife Commission, initially composed of three members, currently nine members, appointed by the Governor with approval of the Senate. Members serve six-year overlapping terms. The Commission chairperson is appointed biennially by the Governor. The Commission meets quarterly or more often as needed. Its chief responsibility is to adopt policies and rules to carry out the programs of the Parks and Wildlife Department.

The Parks and Wildlife Department is responsible for the management and conservation of the state's wildlife and fish resources; provision of outdoor recreational opportunities to the public; acquisition, development, and operation of wildlife management areas, fish hatcheries, state parks, historic sites, and other public lands; conservation education and outreach; cultural and historical interpretation; and the regulation of fishing, hunting, and boating activities. The Department is composed of ten major divisions which carry out the functions and duties of the agency: Wildlife, State Parks, Coastal Fisheries, Inland Fisheries, Resource Protection, Communications, Law Enforcement, Infrastructure, Administrative Resources, and Human Resources. Administration of the agency is by an executive director.

V.T.C.A., Parks and Wildlife Code, Title 2

Arrangement: Chronological

Access constraints: None

Use constraints: None

Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access? No

Problems: None

Known related records in other agencies: None

Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the Parks and Wildlife Department and none were found for this series or for equivalent or related series.

Publications based on records: None

Series data from agency schedule: Not on schedule
Suggested series from state records retention schedule:
Title: Strategic plans
Series item number: 1.1.055
Agency item number: to be assigned
Archival code: A
Retention: AC+6

Archival holdings:
None in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission.

Texas Documents Collection holdings:
The archival requirement for this series is fulfilled by sending 55 copies to the Publications Depository Program, Library and Archives Commission (12 Texas Administrative Code, Section 3.4(1) (C)). The Texas Documents Collection holds the plans for 1992, 1994, 1996, and 1998.

Gaps: None, the first plan was created in 1992.

Appraisal decision:
The strategic plans document the long-range planning activities of the Commission and are already considered archival. Their archival mandate is fulfilled by the agency sending copies of the reports to the Publications Depository Program. This series needs to be added to the records retention schedule as listed above, with an archival code of "A" and a retention period of AC+6. Also, a note should be put in the Remarks column, "Copies sent to the Publications Depository Program of the Library and Archives Commission fulfill the archival mandate."

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Records Series Review
Series Title: Organization charts

Agency: Parks and Wildlife Department

Obsolete record series? No

Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: fractional

Agency holdings:
Retained by the agency until superseded, current holdings are 1998, fractional cubic ft. These are maintained by the agency's records management office at agency headquarters in Austin. Older charts can be found in the annual reports of the agency for 1967-1979, and in strategic plans, dating 1992, 1994, 1996, and 1998.

Description:
Organization charts illustrate graphically the administrative structure of the different functional units within the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Dates covered are 1967-1979, 1992-[ongoing]. Copies of the organization charts were published in the agency's annual report during the years 1967-1979 and are published in the strategic plans prepared by the agency, dating 1992, 1994, 1996, and 1998.

Purpose:
These charts illustrate graphically the administrative structure of the different functional units within an agency.

Agency program:
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) had its beginnings in 1879. In 1879, the 16th Legislature authorized the Governor to appoint a fish commissioner to ensure compliance with an Act for the preservation of fish, and to build fish ways and fish ladders (Chapter 92, 16th Legislature, Regular Session). In 1881, the Office of the Fish Commissioner was established (Chapter 78, 17th Legislature, Regular Session). It was created for the "propagation and preservation of fish and to build fish-ways and fish-ladders…," existing through 1885. The commissioner was appointed to a two year term by the Governor, with the approval of the Senate.

In 1895, the Office of the Fish and Oyster Commissioner was created by House Bill 55, 24th Legislature, Regular Session, with the commissioner appointed by the Governor as before. The duties included the protection of fish, turtles and terrapin of the bays and coastal waters of the state, protection of natural oyster beds and reefs, and the protection of the location of private beds. The Commissioner had the authority to appoint Deputy Commissioners to assist in carrying out the duties of the office. In 1907, protection of wild birds and wild game was added to the responsibilities of that office, which became the Office of the Game, Fish and Oyster Commissioner (House Bill 379, 30th Legislature, Regular Session). This Commissioner appointed Deputy Game Commissioners to assist in carrying out the duties of the office.

The single commissioner was replaced by a six-member commission in 1929 and the agency became the Game, Fish, and Oyster Commission (Senate Bill 83, 41st Legislature, Regular Session). The commissioners were appointed to six year terms by the Governor with the approval of the Senate, and were to be selected from different sections of the state. The chair was appointed by the Governor. Duties of the commission included administering the state's laws relating to game and fish; preventing pollution of streams; issuing hunting, trapping, and fishing licenses; collecting fees, taxes, and fines; conducting research; and proclaiming and enforcing open seasons and bag limits on game and fish. The commission also operated fish hatcheries and sanctuaries, administered game and hunting preserves, supervised oyster beds in the state, controlled and exterminated predatory animals and fish, and educated the public in the preservation of wildlife and fish and game resources of the state. It had the authority to create rules and regulations as necessary to carry out their duties.

The State Parks Board was created in 1923 (Senate Bill 73, 38th Legislature, First Called Session) to investigate prospective park sites in the state and report to the Legislature with recommendations, and to solicit and accept donations of land for state park purposes. The State Parks Board was initially composed of five members, appointed by the Governor with the approval of the Senate to six year terms, and they were to be state officers. The number of board members increased to six in 1937 (Senate Bill 484, 45th Legislature, Regular Session). This board was to begin locating sites for the establishment of the state parks system. It also directed and managed state parks created, except the historical parks which were managed by the Board of Control and/or several separate commissions. The Parks Board was also charged with locating, designating, and marking historic grounds, battlegrounds, and other historic sites in the state, and erecting markers and monuments at such sites. The board also had the authority to create rules and regulations as necessary to carry out its duties.

In 1963, the State Parks Board and the Game and Fish Commission were merged to form the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife (House Bill 21, 58th Legislature, Regular Session). The Parks and Wildlife Department is governed by the Parks and Wildlife Commission, initially composed of three members, currently nine members, appointed by the Governor with approval of the Senate. Members serve six-year overlapping terms. The Commission chairperson is appointed biennially by the Governor. The Commission meets quarterly or more often as needed. Its chief responsibility is to adopt policies and rules to carry out the programs of the Parks and Wildlife Department.

The Parks and Wildlife Department is responsible for the management and conservation of the state's wildlife and fish resources; provision of outdoor recreational opportunities to the public; acquisition, development, and operation of wildlife management areas, fish hatcheries, state parks, historic sites, and other public lands; conservation education and outreach; cultural and historical interpretation; and the regulation of fishing, hunting, and boating activities. The Department is composed of ten major divisions which carry out the functions and duties of the agency: Wildlife, State Parks, Coastal Fisheries, Inland Fisheries, Resource Protection, Communications, Law Enforcement, Infrastructure, Administrative Resources, and Human Resources. Administration of the agency is by an executive director.

V.T.C.A., Parks and Wildlife Code, Title 2

Arrangement: Chronological

Access constraints: None

Use constraints: None

Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access? No

Problems: None

Known related records in other agencies: None

Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the Parks and Wildlife Department and none were found for this series or for equivalent or related series.

Publications based on records: None

Series data from agency schedule:
Title: Organization charts
Series item number: 1.1.023
Agency item number: GEN11
Archival code: A
Retention: US

Archival holdings:
None in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission.

Texas Documents Collection holdings:
Organization charts appear in the annual reports of the agency for the years 1967-1979 and in strategic plans, 1992-1998.

Gaps:
No records present with the records management officer prior to 1998. They were not published in annual reports prior to 1967 or after 1979 (no reports were produced from 1980-1993).

Appraisal decision:
Organization charts provide a graphic description of the administrative structure of the different functional units of the agency. These are already considered to be an archival record. The agency needs to forward copies of pre 1992 organization charts to the Archives and Information Services Division if any are located, and to send copies regularly after 1998 as the charts are superseded.

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Records Series Review
Series Title: Correspondence, administrative

Agency: Parks and Wildlife Department

Obsolete record series? No

Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: less than one cubic ft.

Agency holdings:
Retained by the agency for three years according to the retention schedule. Current holdings are 1995-[ongoing], 3 cubic ft. in the Executive Directors Office, less than one cubic ft. in the other divisions. These are maintained at agency headquarters in Austin.

Description:
This series contains memoranda and incoming/outgoing letters relating to the development and administration of agency policies, procedures, programs, and other major transactions, dating 1995-[ongoing]. This series currently describes the administrative correspondence files in the executive director's office and the offices of the division directors. The series in the executive director's office contains correspondence between the executive director and division directors, as well as the legislature, governor's office; high ranking officials of other state, federal, and local agencies; the TPW commissioners; industry contacts and prominent individuals. The division directors' files contain copies of executive office correspondence related to the division, and downward communications to program areas within the division.

Purpose:
The administrative correspondence is created and maintained to document the handling of agency's functions by the executive director and the handing of division functions by the division directors.

Agency program:
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) had its beginnings in 1879. In 1879, the 16th Legislature authorized the Governor to appoint a fish commissioner to ensure compliance with an Act for the preservation of fish, and to build fish ways and fish ladders (Chapter 92, 16th Legislature, Regular Session). In 1881, the Office of the Fish Commissioner was established (Chapter 78, 17th Legislature, Regular Session). It was created for the "propagation and preservation of fish and to build fish-ways and fish-ladders…," existing through 1885. The commissioner was appointed to a two year term by the Governor, with the approval of the Senate.

In 1895, the Office of the Fish and Oyster Commissioner was created by House Bill 55, 24th Legislature, Regular Session, with the commissioner appointed by the Governor as before. The duties included the protection of fish, turtles and terrapin of the bays and coastal waters of the state, protection of natural oyster beds and reefs, and the protection of the location of private beds. The Commissioner had the authority to appoint Deputy Commissioners to assist in carrying out the duties of the office. In 1907, protection of wild birds and wild game was added to the responsibilities of that office, which became the Office of the Game, Fish and Oyster Commissioner (House Bill 379, 30th Legislature, Regular Session). This Commissioner appointed Deputy Game Commissioners to assist in carrying out the duties of the office.

The single commissioner was replaced by a six-member commission in 1929 and the agency became the Game, Fish, and Oyster Commission (Senate Bill 83, 41st Legislature, Regular Session). The commissioners were appointed to six year terms by the Governor with the approval of the Senate, and were to be selected from different sections of the state. The chair was appointed by the Governor. Duties of the commission included administering the state's laws relating to game and fish; preventing pollution of streams; issuing hunting, trapping, and fishing licenses; collecting fees, taxes, and fines; conducting research; and proclaiming and enforcing open seasons and bag limits on game and fish. The commission also operated fish hatcheries and sanctuaries, administered game and hunting preserves, supervised oyster beds in the state, controlled and exterminated predatory animals and fish, and educated the public in the preservation of wildlife and fish and game resources of the state. It had the authority to create rules and regulations as necessary to carry out their duties.

The State Parks Board was created in 1923 (Senate Bill 73, 38th Legislature, First Called Session) to investigate prospective park sites in the state and report to the Legislature with recommendations, and to solicit and accept donations of land for state park purposes. The State Parks Board was initially composed of five members, appointed by the Governor with the approval of the Senate to six year terms, and they were to be state officers. The number of board members increased to six in 1937 (Senate Bill 484, 45th Legislature, Regular Session). This board was to begin locating sites for the establishment of the state parks system. It also directed and managed state parks created, except the historical parks which were managed by the Board of Control and/or several separate commissions. The Parks Board was also charged with locating, designating, and marking historic grounds, battlegrounds, and other historic sites in the state, and erecting markers and monuments at such sites. The board also had the authority to create rules and regulations as necessary to carry out its duties.

In 1963, the State Parks Board and the Game and Fish Commission were merged to form the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife (House Bill 21, 58th Legislature, Regular Session). The Parks and Wildlife Department is governed by the Parks and Wildlife Commission, initially composed of three members, currently nine members, appointed by the Governor with approval of the Senate. Members serve six-year overlapping terms. The Commission chairperson is appointed biennially by the Governor. The Commission meets quarterly or more often as needed. Its chief responsibility is to adopt policies and rules to carry out the programs of the Parks and Wildlife Department.

The Parks and Wildlife Department is responsible for the management and conservation of the state's wildlife and fish resources; provision of outdoor recreational opportunities to the public; acquisition, development, and operation of wildlife management areas, fish hatcheries, state parks, historic sites, and other public lands; conservation education and outreach; cultural and historical interpretation; and the regulation of fishing, hunting, and boating activities. The Department is composed of ten major divisions which carry out the functions and duties of the agency: Wildlife, State Parks, Coastal Fisheries, Inland Fisheries, Resource Protection, Communications, Law Enforcement, Infrastructure, Administrative Resources, and Human Resources. Administration of the agency is by an executive director.

V.T.C.A., Parks and Wildlife Code, Title 2

Arrangement: Chronological by date received.

Access constraints: None

Use constraints: None

Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access? No

Problems: None

Known related records in other agencies: None

Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the Parks and Wildlife Department and none were found for this series or for equivalent or related series.

Publications based on records: None

Series data from agency schedule:
Title: Correspondence, administrative
Series item number: 1.1.007
Agency item number: GEN3
Archival code: R
Retention: 3

Archival holdings:
Executive Office records, 1972-1980, 5 cubic ft.
These are administrative and correspondence files of the executive office, containing correspondence with commissioners, legislators, congressmen, and others. Dates covered are 1972-1980.

Legislative correspondence, 1972-1984, 1 cubic ft.
These files consist of correspondence between commission members and staff of the department with various state legislators, dating 1972-1984.

Gaps: None at the agency prior to 1995.

Appraisal decision:
This series describes administrative correspondence in the Executive Director's office and the directors of the other divisions. The agency will be adding a separate correspondence series for each division to the schedule and for the executive director. The correspondence does concern the administration of the agency, its programs, procedures, etc. The Executive Director's correspondence concerns interaction with division directors, legislature, governor's office, the commissioners, other government officials, industry contacts, and others. This correspondence is the highest level produced by the agency and is important in documenting how the agency functions. The correspondence of the Executive Director's office has been appraised to be archival. It needs to be added separately to the schedule now, as follows: Executive director administrative correspondence, with an archival code of "A" and a retention period of 3 years. Transfer correspondence from 1995-1996 to the Archives and Information Services Division now, then yearly thereafter as the retention period is fulfilled.

The correspondence in the other divisions appears to be internal, consisting of copies of memos and letters from the Executive Director concerning that division and downward communications to program areas within their divisions. Also, correspondence concerning some programs and projects is filed in the appropriate programs/project files. I do not see long-term value in the division directors correspondence. These correspondence files have been appraised to be non-archival. Add the correspondence series for each division as follows: Correspondence, administrative with an archival exemption code of "E" and this note in the Remarks column of the schedule - Archival review code removed subsequent to appraisal by the Archives and Information Services Division, Library and Archives Commission, October 18, 1999."

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Records Series Review
Series Title: Legislative bill analysis

Agency: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Executive Office

Obsolete record series? No

Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: 2 cubic ft.

Agency holdings:
According to the retention schedule, the agency maintains these for three years. Actual holdings are 1991-[ongoing], comprising 13.5 cubic ft. These are maintained at agency headquarters in Austin.

Description:
This series consists of completed staff reports on legislative bills meeting these requirements: bill has been passed, and the bill directly affects TPWD. In addition, proposals for recommended legislation that is prepared by TPWD are kept. Dates covered are 1991-[ongoing]. Assignments for both types of analysis fall to the division most responsible for, or affected by, the legislation. All reports are forwarded to, and filed in the Executive office.

Purpose:
These are prepared by the agency to delineate TPWD's interest in passed and proposed legislation.

Agency program:
The Parks and Wildlife Department is governed by the Parks and Wildlife Commission, initially composed of three members, currently nine members, appointed by the Governor with approval of the Senate. Members serve six-year overlapping terms. The Commission chairperson is appointed biennially by the Governor. The Commission meets quarterly or more often as needed. Its chief responsibility is to adopt policies and rules to carry out the programs of the Parks and Wildlife Department.

The Parks and Wildlife Department is responsible for the management and conservation of the state's wildlife and fish resources; provision of outdoor recreational opportunities to the public; acquisition, development, and operation of wildlife management areas, fish hatcheries, state parks, historic sites, and other public lands; conservation education and outreach; cultural and historical interpretation; and the regulation of fishing, hunting, and boating activities. The Department is composed of ten major divisions which carry out the functions and duties of the agency: Wildlife, State Parks, Coastal Fisheries, Inland Fisheries, Resource Protection, Communications, Law Enforcement, Infrastructure, Administrative Resources, and Human Resources. Administration of the agency is by an executive director.

V.T.C.A., Parks and Wildlife Code, Title 2

Arrangement: Alphanumerically by bill number

Access constraints: None

Use constraints: None

Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access? No

Problems: None

Known related records in other agencies:
Legislative bill analyses prepared by legislative committees and/or the Legislative Council are filed with the legislative bill files and housed in the Legislative Reference Library for bills dating 1973-[ongoing], and in the Library and Archives Commission, Archives and Information Services Division for bills dating before 1973. Very few bill analyses are present prior to 1973.

Publications based on records: None

Series data from agency schedule:
Title: Legislative bill analysis
Series item number: 1.1.031
Agency item number: GEN47
Archival code: R
Retention: 3

Archival holdings:
None in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission.

Gaps: No records present prior to 1991.

Appraisal decision:
Legislative bill analyses are frequently sought after by researchers as they usually describe the intent and purpose of the bill through analysis. Although these analyses were not prepared by legislative staff, they have the same type of value, perhaps more so as TPWD staff can more directly relate the effect the legislation would have on the agency. Because of past uses and requests for this type of material by the public, this series has been appraised to be archival. Change the archival code to "A". Transfer the analyses from 1991-1995 to the Archives and Information Services Division at the agency's earliest convenience. Future transfers can be done on an annual basis as these documents fulfill their retention requirements.

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Records Series Review
Series Title: Executive orders

Agency: Parks and Wildlife Department
Executive Office

Obsolete record series? No

Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: fractional

Agency holdings:
Retained by the agency for five years after they are superseded. Actual holdings are 1989-[ongoing], comprising 1 cubic ft. These are maintained at agency headquarters in Austin.

Description:
This series contains orders of the executive director and the Parks and Wildlife Commission, dating 1989-[ongoing]. These orders document new or significant changes to agency policies, programs, and procedures. Orders of the commission are also discussed in the minutes of the commission meetings.

Purpose:
The orders document actions of the executive director and Parks and Wildlife Commission resulting in changes to agency policies, programs and procedures.

Agency program:
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) had its beginnings in 1879. In 1879, the 16th Legislature authorized the Governor to appoint a fish commissioner to ensure compliance with an Act for the preservation of fish, and to build fish ways and fish ladders (Chapter 92, 16th Legislature, Regular Session). In 1881, the Office of the Fish Commissioner was established (Chapter 78, 17th Legislature, Regular Session). It was created for the "propagation and preservation of fish and to build fish-ways and fish-ladders…," existing through 1885. The commissioner was appointed to a two year term by the Governor, with the approval of the Senate.

In 1895, the Office of the Fish and Oyster Commissioner was created by House Bill 55, 24th Legislature, Regular Session, with the commissioner appointed by the Governor as before. The duties included the protection of fish, turtles and terrapin of the bays and coastal waters of the state, protection of natural oyster beds and reefs, and the protection of the location of private beds. The Commissioner had the authority to appoint Deputy Commissioners to assist in carrying out the duties of the office. In 1907, protection of wild birds and wild game was added to the responsibilities of that office, which became the Office of the Game, Fish and Oyster Commissioner (House Bill 379, 30th Legislature, Regular Session). This Commissioner appointed Deputy Game Commissioners to assist in carrying out the duties of the office.

The single commissioner was replaced by a six-member commission in 1929 and the agency became the Game, Fish, and Oyster Commission (Senate Bill 83, 41st Legislature, Regular Session). The commissioners were appointed to six year terms by the Governor with the approval of the Senate, and were to be selected from different sections of the state. The chair was appointed by the Governor. Duties of the commission included administering the state's laws relating to game and fish; preventing pollution of streams; issuing hunting, trapping, and fishing licenses; collecting fees, taxes, and fines; conducting research; and proclaiming and enforcing open seasons and bag limits on game and fish. The commission also operated fish hatcheries and sanctuaries, administered game and hunting preserves, supervised oyster beds in the state, controlled and exterminated predatory animals and fish, and educated the public in the preservation of wildlife and fish and game resources of the state. It had the authority to create rules and regulations as necessary to carry out their duties.

The State Parks Board was created in 1923 (Senate Bill 73, 38th Legislature, First Called Session) to investigate prospective park sites in the state and report to the Legislature with recommendations, and to solicit and accept donations of land for state park purposes. The State Parks Board was initially composed of five members, appointed by the Governor with the approval of the Senate to six year terms, and they were to be state officers. The number of board members increased to six in 1937 (Senate Bill 484, 45th Legislature, Regular Session). This board was to begin locating sites for the establishment of the state parks system. It also directed and managed state parks created, except the historical parks which were managed by the Board of Control and/or several separate commissions. The Parks Board was also charged with locating, designating, and marking historic grounds, battlegrounds, and other historic sites in the state, and erecting markers and monuments at such sites. The board also had the authority to create rules and regulations as necessary to carry out its duties.

In 1963, the State Parks Board and the Game and Fish Commission were merged to form the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife (House Bill 21, 58th Legislature, Regular Session). The Parks and Wildlife Department is governed by the Parks and Wildlife Commission, initially composed of three members, currently nine members, appointed by the Governor with approval of the Senate. Members serve six-year overlapping terms. The Commission chairperson is appointed biennially by the Governor. The Commission meets quarterly or more often as needed. Its chief responsibility is to adopt policies and rules to carry out the programs of the Parks and Wildlife Department.

The Parks and Wildlife Department is governed by the Parks and Wildlife Commission, initially composed of three members, currently nine members, appointed by the Governor with approval of the Senate. Members serve six-year overlapping terms. The Commission chairperson is appointed biennially by the Governor. The Commission meets quarterly or more often as needed. Its chief responsibility is to adopt policies and rules to carry out the programs of the Parks and Wildlife Department.

The Parks and Wildlife Department is responsible for the management and conservation of the state's wildlife and fish resources; provision of outdoor recreational opportunities to the public; acquisition, development, and operation of wildlife management areas, fish hatcheries, state parks, historic sites, and other public lands; conservation education and outreach; cultural and historical interpretation; and the regulation of fishing, hunting, and boating activities. The Department is composed of ten major divisions which carry out the functions and duties of the agency: Wildlife, State Parks, Coastal Fisheries, Inland Fisheries, Resource Protection, Communications, Law Enforcement, Infrastructure, Administrative Resources, and Human Resources. Administration of the agency is by an executive director.

V.T.C.A., Parks and Wildlife Code, Title 2

Arrangement: Chronological

Access constraints: None

Use constraints: None

Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access? No

Problems: None

Known related records in other agencies: None

Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the Parks and Wildlife Department and none were found for this series or for equivalent or related series.

Publications based on records: None

Series data from agency schedule:
Title: Executive orders
Series item number: 1.1.011
Agency item number: E.01.0.6
Archival code: A
Retention: US+5

Archival holdings:
None in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission.

Gaps: No records present prior to 1989.

Appraisal decision:
These orders document changes to agency policies and programs by the executive director and the commission. They are already considered to be archival. Maintain the archival code of "A". Transfer orders which have fulfilled their retention period to the Archives and Information Services Division at the agency's earliest convenience. Future transfers of orders can be done on a yearly basis as their retention period is fulfilled.

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Records Series Review
Series Title: Commission meeting minutes

Agency: Parks and Wildlife Department
Executive Office

Obsolete record series? No

Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: about 0.5 cubic ft.

Agency holdings:
Retained by the agency permanently. Current holdings are 1963-[ongoing], comprising 25 cubic ft. The agency maintains the official record copy in paper and on microfilm at its headquarters in Austin.

Description:
These are the meeting files for meetings and public hearings of the Parks and Wildlife Commission, dating 1963-[ongoing]. These files contain minutes, agenda, tapes, transcripts, summaries, handouts, Texas Register postings, registration lists, exhibits, sign slips, and notes. The minutes and agenda are also microfilmed. Minutes and agenda for the Game, Fish and Oyster Commission (1929-1963) and the State Parks Board (1933-1963) have already been transferred to the Library and Archives Commission. Topics discussed at the meetings include division activities, changes in or addition to TPWD laws and regulations, orders issued by the commission, etc. Minutes and agenda from recent TPW Commission meetings (including committees of the commission), 1996-[ongoing], can be found on the web site of the agency.

Purpose:
This series documents the actions of the Parks and Wildlife Commission and its predecessors.

Agency program:
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) had its beginnings in 1879. In 1879, the 16th Legislature authorized the Governor to appoint a fish commissioner to ensure compliance with an Act for the preservation of fish, and to build fish ways and fish ladders (Chapter 92, 16th Legislature, Regular Session). In 1881, the Office of the Fish Commissioner was established (Chapter 78, 17th Legislature, Regular Session). It was created for the "propagation and preservation of fish and to build fish-ways and fish-ladders…," existing through 1885. The commissioner was appointed to a two year term by the Governor, with the approval of the Senate.

In 1895, the Office of the Fish and Oyster Commissioner was created by House Bill 55, 24th Legislature, Regular Session, with the commissioner appointed by the Governor as before. The duties included the protection of fish, turtles and terrapin of the bays and coastal waters of the state, protection of natural oyster beds and reefs, and the protection of the location of private beds. The Commissioner had the authority to appoint Deputy Commissioners to assist in carrying out the duties of the office. In 1907, protection of wild birds and wild game was added to the responsibilities of that office, which became the Office of the Game, Fish and Oyster Commissioner (House Bill 379, 30th Legislature, Regular Session). This Commissioner appointed Deputy Game Commissioners to assist in carrying out the duties of the office.

The single commissioner was replaced by a six-member commission in 1929 and the agency became the Game, Fish, and Oyster Commission (Senate Bill 83, 41st Legislature, Regular Session). The commissioners were appointed to six year terms by the Governor with the approval of the Senate, and were to be selected from different sections of the state. The chair was appointed by the Governor. Duties of the commission included administering the state's laws relating to game and fish; preventing pollution of streams; issuing hunting, trapping, and fishing licenses; collecting fees, taxes, and fines; conducting research; and proclaiming and enforcing open seasons and bag limits on game and fish. The commission also operated fish hatcheries and sanctuaries, administered game and hunting preserves, supervised oyster beds in the state, controlled and exterminated predatory animals and fish, and educated the public in the preservation of wildlife and fish and game resources of the state. It had the authority to create rules and regulations as necessary to carry out their duties.

The State Parks Board was created in 1923 (Senate Bill 73, 38th Legislature, First Called Session) to investigate prospective park sites in the state and report to the Legislature with recommendations, and to solicit and accept donations of land for state park purposes. The State Parks Board was initially composed of five members, appointed by the Governor with the approval of the Senate to six year terms, and they were to be state officers. The number of board members increased to six in 1937 (Senate Bill 484, 45th Legislature, Regular Session). This board was to begin locating sites for the establishment of the state parks system. It also directed and managed state parks created, except the historical parks which were managed by the Board of Control and/or several separate commissions. The Parks Board was also charged with locating, designating, and marking historic grounds, battlegrounds, and other historic sites in the state, and erecting markers and monuments at such sites. The board also had the authority to create rules and regulations as necessary to carry out its duties.

In 1963, the State Parks Board and the Game and Fish Commission were merged to form the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife (House Bill 21, 58th Legislature, Regular Session). The Parks and Wildlife Department is governed by the Parks and Wildlife Commission, initially composed of three members, currently nine members, appointed by the Governor with approval of the Senate. Members serve six-year overlapping terms. The Commission chairperson is appointed biennially by the Governor. The Commission meets quarterly or more often as needed. Its chief responsibility is to adopt policies and rules to carry out the programs of the Parks and Wildlife Department.

The Parks and Wildlife Department is governed by the Parks and Wildlife Commission, initially composed of three members, currently nine members, appointed by the Governor with approval of the Senate. Members serve six-year overlapping terms. The Commission chairperson is appointed biennially by the Governor. The Commission meets quarterly or more often as needed. Its chief responsibility is to adopt policies and rules to carry out the programs of the Parks and Wildlife Department.

The Parks and Wildlife Department is responsible for the management and conservation of the state's wildlife and fish resources; provision of outdoor recreational opportunities to the public; acquisition, development, and operation of wildlife management areas, fish hatcheries, state parks, historic sites, and other public lands; conservation education and outreach; cultural and historical interpretation; and the regulation of fishing, hunting, and boating activities. The Department is composed of ten major divisions which carry out the functions and duties of the agency: Wildlife, State Parks, Coastal Fisheries, Inland Fisheries, Resource Protection, Communications, Law Enforcement, Infrastructure, Administrative Resources, and Human Resources. Administration of the agency is by an executive director.

V.T.C.A., Parks and Wildlife Code, Title 2

Arrangement: Chronological

Access constraints: None

Use constraints: None

Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access? No

Problems: None

Known related records in other agencies: None

Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the Parks and Wildlife Department and none were found for this series or for equivalent or related series.

Publications based on records: None

Series data from agency schedule:
Title: Commission meeting agenda
Series item number: 1.1.016
Agency item number: E.01.0.1
Archival code: A
Retention: PM

Series data from agency schedule:
Title: Commission meeting minutes/public hearings
Series item number: 1.1.017
Agency item number: E.01.0.2
Archival code: A
Retention: PM

Suggested series from state records retention schedule:
Title: Meeting supporting documentation
Series item number: 1.1.062
Agency item number: to be assigned
Archival code: A
Retention: 2

Archival holdings:
The Archives and Information Services Division holds several series of meeting minutes and meeting files from TPW Commission and its predecessors.

Game, Fish and Oyster Commission meeting minutes, 1929-1951, microfilm, fractional

Game and Fish Commission, meeting minutes, 1951-1963, microfilm, fractional

Game and Fish Commission meeting minutes, 1961-1963, 0.24 cubic ft.

Parks and Wildlife Department minutes, 1963-1995, microfilm, fractional

Parks Board minutes, 1933-1963, 1 cubic ft.

Parks and Wildlife Department meetings files, 1967-1968, 1972-1979, 1983-1988, 1991, 17 cubic ft. These files consist of minutes, agenda, transcripts, and supporting documentation from meetings of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, dating 1967-1968, 1972-1979, 1983-1988, and 1991.

Records, 1963-1995, 0.26 cubic ft.
This series consists of 26 reels of 16mm microfilm of minutes, agenda, and exhibits from commission meetings and public hearings, and vouchers. Dates of the records are 1963-1995, with dates of the meetings covering 1963-1972, 1974-1975, 1978-1981, 1987-1995; and dates of hearings being 1981-1983.

Gaps:
No records are present at TPWD prior to 1963. Both TPWD and the Archives and Information Services Division are missing minutes (if any ever existed) from the Office of the Fish Commissioner, the Office of the Fish and Oyster Commissioner, and the Office of the Game, Fish, and Oyster Commissioner, covering the period 1879-1928; and the State Parks Board, from 1923-1932. Also at the Archives, meeting supporting documentation is not present prior to 1967, and is missing (if it was ever present) for the years 1969-1971, 1980-1982, 1989-1990, and 1992-[ongoing]. The Archives has not received minutes and agenda since 1995.

Appraisal decision:
Meeting minutes of agency boards and commissions provide the highest level documentation of the actions of the agencies they govern. These are already considered to be archival. The Parks and Wildlife Commission periodically sends copies of the minutes, agenda, and meeting supporting documentation to the Library and Archives Commission, but has not send any since 1995. The agency needs to send copies of the minutes and agenda for 1996-1999 and the meeting supporting documentation (if present) prior to 1967, 1969-1971, 1980-1982, 1989-1990, and 1992-1997 to the Archives and Information Services Division. Send copies of minutes and agenda annually or after each meeting, and meeting documentation annually after it has fulfilled its retention period.

The agency needs to combine the minutes series and agenda series into one series for the next retention schedule, list as Commission meeting agenda and minutes. They also need to add the series Meeting supporting documentation to the retention schedule, as listed above, with this note in the Remarks column - "These materials are filed with Commission meeting agenda and minutes."

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Records Series Review
Series Title: Radio programs - Texas Outdoor Connection

Agency: Parks and Wildlife Department
Communications Division

Obsolete record series? Yes
Replaced by: Passport to Texas radio series

Ongoing record series? No

Agency holdings:
Retained by the agency for 10 years after completion according to the retention schedule. Current holdings are September 1992-August 1996, consisting of about 100 audio cassettes. These are maintained at agency headquarters in Austin.

Description:
This series consists of audio cassette tapes from the Texas Outdoor Connection radio program--a half hour live weekly radio series regarding TPWD programs, personnel, and other related issues, dating September 1992 - August 1996. Topics include nature, wildlife management, state parks, and others. The show was distributed by the Texas State Networks radio network. It was replaced by the radio program Passport to Texas, which is still ongoing. For more information about this latter program, see the series Radio programs - Texas Passport Adventures.

Earlier tapes of the show, under the name Texas Outdoors Radio Program, dating from 1981-1985, were transferred to the Library and Archives Commission several years ago.

Purpose:
This program served as a public education and outreach forum for TPWD programs and issues.

Agency program:
The Parks and Wildlife Department is governed by the Parks and Wildlife Commission, initially composed of three members, currently nine members, appointed by the Governor with approval of the Senate. Members serve six-year overlapping terms. The Commission chairperson is appointed biennially by the Governor. The Commission meets quarterly or more often as needed. Its chief responsibility is to adopt policies and rules to carry out the programs of the Parks and Wildlife Department.

The Parks and Wildlife Department is responsible for the management and conservation of the state's wildlife and fish resources; provision of outdoor recreational opportunities to the public; acquisition, development, and operation of wildlife management areas, fish hatcheries, state parks, historic sites, and other public lands; conservation education and outreach; cultural and historical interpretation; and the regulation of fishing, hunting, and boating activities. The Department is composed of ten major divisions which carry out the functions and duties of the agency: Wildlife, State Parks, Coastal Fisheries, Inland Fisheries, Resource Protection, Communications, Law Enforcement, Infrastructure, Administrative Resources, and Human Resources. Administration of the agency is by an executive director.

The Communications Division manages internal and external communication and marketing for the agency. External products include the Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine, a PBS television series, and the Passport to Texas radio series. The division also produces print and video news releases, hunting and boating safety education programs, and employee newsletters; and continues to develop and enhance the agency's web site. The division also operates the Texas Conservation Passport program and its consumer research group, which produce information about the state's natural and cultural resources.

V.T.C.A., Parks and Wildlife Code, Title 2

Arrangement: Chronological

Access constraints: None

Use constraints: None

Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access? No

Problems: The impermanence of the medium.

Known related records in other agencies: None

Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the Parks and Wildlife Department and none were found for this series or for equivalent or related series.

Publications based on records:
News releases and press kits.

Series data from agency schedule:
Title: Radio programs (Texas Outdoor Connection)
Series item number: 1.1
Agency item number: C.30.0.3
Archival code: R
Retention: AC+10

Archival holdings:
Conservation and Communication Division, audio tapes, 1981-1985, 0.5 cubic ft.
These are audio cassette tapes produced by the department for their radio program, "Texas Outdoors Radio Program." Dates covered are 1981-1985.

Gaps:
The audio cassettes are incomplete, missing certain weeks/shows (exact dates not provided). This is due mainly to the fact that is was occasionally difficult to get the radio distributor to put in a tape and record the show while it was going out live.

Appraisal decision:
The agency has described this series twice in this report, to reflect different radio programs. Each program will be appraised separately. This series provides some documentation of the agency's public outreach efforts. However, public outreach is also documented in the news releases and agency publications. These radio shows are interesting, but provide brief and scattered coverage of agency functions which are covered in other series, such as News releases. And, the medium involved is unstable. This series has been appraised to be non-archival. The "R" can be removed from this series and replaced with the archival exemption code of "E". A note needs to be added to the Remarks column for these series - "Archival review code removed subsequent to appraisal by the Archives and Information Services Division, Library and Archives Commission, October 18, 1999." The Archives and Information Services Division will offer back the audio cassettes of programs we have received in the past to the agency, or else dispose of them for TPWD.

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Records Series Review
Series Title: Radio programs - Texas Passport Adventures

Agency: Parks and Wildlife Department
Communications Division

Obsolete record series? No

Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: 260 ninety second shows per year

Agency holdings:
Retained by the agency for 10 years after completion according to the retention schedule. Current holdings are January 1996-[ongoing], consisting of 700 shows as Real Audio shows on the TPWD internet site, 100 shows on audio cassette tape. Shows since September 1998 are also stored on compact disks. These are maintained at agency headquarters in Austin.

Description:
This series consists of daily 90 second radio shows, known at the Passport to Texas, regarding TPWD programs and other related issues, dating January 1996-[ongoing]. The program features interviews with experts on nature and conservation, including wildlife management and habitat restoration. They also visit state parks and historic sites, talk with biologists and outdoor specialists, and offer tips on everything from birdwatching to designing your own backyard wildscape. The show is distributed across the state on compact disks and can be heard on over 70 different radio stations or over the internet through the agency's website. This show replaced the weekly Texas Outdoor Connection show. For more information about this earlier show, see the series Radio programs - Texas Outdoor Connection. Even earlier tapes of radio shows, under the name Texas Outdoors Radio Program, dating 1981-1985, were transferred to the Archives and Information Services Division several years ago.

Purpose:
This program serves as a public education and outreach forum for TPWD programs and issues.

Agency program:
The Parks and Wildlife Department is governed by the Parks and Wildlife Commission, initially composed of three members, currently nine members, appointed by the Governor with approval of the Senate. Members serve six-year overlapping terms. The Commission chairperson is appointed biennially by the Governor. The Commission meets quarterly or more often as needed. Its chief responsibility is to adopt policies and rules to carry out the programs of the Parks and Wildlife Department.

The Parks and Wildlife Department is responsible for the management and conservation of the state's wildlife and fish resources; provision of outdoor recreational opportunities to the public; acquisition, development, and operation of wildlife management areas, fish hatcheries, state parks, historic sites, and other public lands; conservation education and outreach; cultural and historical interpretation; and the regulation of fishing, hunting, and boating activities. The Department is composed of ten major divisions which carry out the functions and duties of the agency: Wildlife, State Parks, Coastal Fisheries, Inland Fisheries, Resource Protection, Communications, Law Enforcement, Infrastructure, Administrative Resources, and Human Resources. Administration of the agency is by an executive director.

The Communications Division manages internal and external communication and marketing for the agency. External products include the Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine, a PBS television series, and the Passport to Texas radio series. The division also produces print and video news releases, hunting and boating safety education programs, and employee newsletters; and continues to develop and enhance the agency's web site. The division also operates the Texas Conservation Passport program and its consumer research group, which produce information about the state's natural and cultural resources.

V.T.C.A., Parks and Wildlife Code, Title 2

Arrangement: Chronological

Access constraints: None

Use constraints: None

Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access? No

Problems: The impermanence of the medium.

Known related records in other agencies: None

Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the Parks and Wildlife Department and none were found for this series or for equivalent or related series.

Publications based on records:
News releases, web pages, and Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine articles.

Series data from agency schedule:
Title: Radio programs (Texas Passport Adventures)
Series item number: 1.1
Agency item number: C.30.0.3
Archival code: R
Retention: AC+10

Archival holdings:
None in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission. We do hold audio cassettes from an earlier, weekly radio program.

Conservation and Communication Division, audio tapes, 1981-1985, 0.5 cubic ft.
These are audio cassette tapes produced by the department for their radio program, "Texas Outdoors Radio Program." Dates covered are 1981-1985.

Gaps: None

Appraisal decision:
The agency has described this series twice in this report, to reflect different radio programs. Each program will be appraised separately. This series provides some documentation of the agency's public outreach efforts. However, public outreach is also documented in the news releases and agency publications. These radio shows are interesting, but provide brief and scattered coverage of agency functions which are covered in other series, such as News releases and in articles in Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine. And, the medium involved is unstable. This series has been appraised to be non-archival. The "R" can be removed from this series and replaced with the archival exemption code of "E". A note needs to be added to the Remarks column for this series - "Archival review code removed subsequent to appraisal by the Archives and Information Services Division, Library and Archives Commission, October 18, 1999."

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Records Series Review
Series Title: News releases

Agency: Parks and Wildlife Department
Communications Division

Obsolete record series? No

Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: 1-2 inches

Agency holdings:
Retained by the agency for five years according to the retention schedule. Current holdings are 1975-1978, 1980-[ongoing], consisting of 4 cubic ft. These are maintained at agency headquarters in Austin.

Description:
These are weekly press releases issued by the agency, concerning various agency issues and functions, including upcoming events or changes at state parks or other TPWD-managed facilities and areas; hunting, fishing, hiking, and other outdoor activities; changes in legislation; budget and other financial issues; wildlife management; habitat restoration; notices of new agency publications; research; education; appointments; and other TPWD activities. Dates covered are 1975-1978, 1980-[ongoing]. The news releases are also posted on the agency's web site, dating September 1997-[ongoing].

Purpose:
News releases provide information about activities of the agency that the agency considers to be of public interest.

Agency program:
The Parks and Wildlife Department is governed by the Parks and Wildlife Commission, initially composed of three members, currently nine members, appointed by the Governor with approval of the Senate. Members serve six-year overlapping terms. The Commission chairperson is appointed biennially by the Governor. The Commission meets quarterly or more often as needed. Its chief responsibility is to adopt policies and rules to carry out the programs of the Parks and Wildlife Department.

The Parks and Wildlife Department is responsible for the management and conservation of the state's wildlife and fish resources; provision of outdoor recreational opportunities to the public; acquisition, development, and operation of wildlife management areas, fish hatcheries, state parks, historic sites, and other public lands; conservation education and outreach; cultural and historical interpretation; and the regulation of fishing, hunting, and boating activities. The Department is composed of ten major divisions which carry out the functions and duties of the agency: Wildlife, State Parks, Coastal Fisheries, Inland Fisheries, Resource Protection, Communications, Law Enforcement, Infrastructure, Administrative Resources, and Human Resources. Administration of the agency is by an executive director.

The Communications Division manages internal and external communication and marketing for the agency. External products include the Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine, a PBS television series, and the Passport to Texas radio series. The division also produces print and video news releases, hunting and boating safety education programs, and employee newsletters; and continues to develop and enhance the agency's web site. The division also operates the Texas Conservation Passport program and its consumer research group, which produce information about the state's natural and cultural resources.

V.T.C.A., Parks and Wildlife Code, Title 2

Arrangement: Chronological

Access constraints: None

Use constraints: None

Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access? No

Problems: None

Known related records in other agencies: None

Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the Parks and Wildlife Department and none were found for this series or for equivalent or related series.

Publications based on records:
None generally, though releases can be used to notify the public about the availability of a TPWD publication.

Series data from agency schedule:
Title: News releases
Series item number: 1.1.019
Agency item number: C.30.0.7
Archival code: R
Retention: AC+5

Archival holdings:
None in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission.

Gaps: Missing releases for 1979, none are present prior to 1975.

Appraisal decision:
These news releases provide information about a variety of activities of the Parks and Wildlife Department. Some releases consist of routine appointments and notices, but most discuss important issues and events of the agency. Because of the informational value of these releases in documenting actions of the agency, this series has been appraised to be archival. Change the archival code to A on the retention schedule. The agency can send the releases from 1975-1995 to the agency at their earliest convenience. Further releases should be sent annually as their retention period expires.

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Records Series Review
Series Title: Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine background material

Agency: Parks and Wildlife Department
Communications Division

Obsolete record series? No

Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: 3 cubic ft.

Agency holdings:
Retained by the agency for 1 year after its purpose is served. Current holdings of the agency are 1942-[ongoing], comprising 50 cubic ft. These are maintained at agency headquarters in Austin.

Description:
This series contains clippings, notes, correspondence, books, magazines, photographs, and other materials used as reference for researching articles for the Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine, dating from 1942-[ongoing]. Also present are past issues of the magazine, dating back to 1942. These materials serve as a reference library and do not contain any original materials.

This magazine began publication in 1942, titled then as Texas Game and Fish. When the two agencies were merged in 1963, it soon became Texas Parks and Wildlife. Copies of these journals are on file in the Texas Documents Collection of the Library and Archives Commission.

Purpose:
These items are used as background information for magazine articles.

Agency program:
The Parks and Wildlife Department is governed by the Parks and Wildlife Commission, initially composed of three members, currently nine members, appointed by the Governor with approval of the Senate. Members serve six-year overlapping terms. The Commission chairperson is appointed biennially by the Governor. The Commission meets quarterly or more often as needed. Its chief responsibility is to adopt policies and rules to carry out the programs of the Parks and Wildlife Department.

The Parks and Wildlife Department is responsible for the management and conservation of the state's wildlife and fish resources; provision of outdoor recreational opportunities to the public; acquisition, development, and operation of wildlife management areas, fish hatcheries, state parks, historic sites, and other public lands; conservation education and outreach; cultural and historical interpretation; and the regulation of fishing, hunting, and boating activities. The Department is composed of ten major divisions which carry out the functions and duties of the agency: Wildlife, State Parks, Coastal Fisheries, Inland Fisheries, Resource Protection, Communications, Law Enforcement, Infrastructure, Administrative Resources, and Human Resources. Administration of the agency is by an executive director.

The Communications Division manages internal and external communication and marketing for the agency. External products include the Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine, a PBS television series, and the Passport to Texas radio series. The division also produces print and video news releases, hunting and boating safety education programs, and employee newsletters; and continues to develop and enhance the agency's web site. The division also operates the Texas Conservation Passport program and its consumer research group, which produce information about the state's natural and cultural resources.

V.T.C.A., Parks and Wildlife Code, Title 2

Arrangement: Alphabetical by subject.

Access constraints: None

Use constraints: None

Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access? No

Problems: None

Known related records in other agencies: None

Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the Parks and Wildlife Department and none were found for this series or for equivalent or related series.

Publications based on records:
Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine

Series data from agency schedule:
Title: TPWD magazine background material
Series item number: 1.1.028
Agency item number: C.10.0.3
Archival code: R
Retention: PS+1

Archival holdings:
None in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission.

Gaps: No records present prior to 1942.

Appraisal decision:
This series consists of a reference library of clippings, notes, articles, etc. used by the agency to verify facts and obtain other background information for articles to appear in Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine. According to the agency, none of the materials are original and they intend to remove it from the schedule. This is not an archival series and since it does not contain original records it can be removed from the schedule.

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Records Series Review
Series Title: Story folders

Agency: Parks and Wildlife Department
Communications Division

Obsolete record series? No

Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: 3 cubic ft.

Agency holdings:
Retained by the agency for 2 years. Current holdings are from June 1997 - June 1999, and comprise about 6 cubic ft. These are maintained at agency headquarters in Austin.

Description:
The story folders contain current and proposed manuscripts and photographs for publication in Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine. Dates present are 1997-1999. The bulk of the material is manuscripts from free lance writers and photographers. Also present are communications between the authors and senior editors of the magazine, notes from staff related to the publishing of the article, and memos from Division Directors authorizing the publishing of the article. These are essentially business records, and do not contain any commentary or testimony related to the subject of the article. Also present are approved copies of manuscripts and backup materials from previous issues.

This magazine began publication in 1942, titled then as Texas Game and Fish. When the two agencies were merged in 1963, it soon became Texas Parks and Wildlife. Copies of these magazines are on file in the Texas Documents Collection of the Library and Archives Commission.

Purpose:
These are used as publication development files for Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine.

Agency program:
The Parks and Wildlife Department is governed by the Parks and Wildlife Commission, initially composed of three members, currently nine members, appointed by the Governor with approval of the Senate. Members serve six-year overlapping terms. The Commission chairperson is appointed biennially by the Governor. The Commission meets quarterly or more often as needed. Its chief responsibility is to adopt policies and rules to carry out the programs of the Parks and Wildlife Department.

The Parks and Wildlife Department is responsible for the management and conservation of the state's wildlife and fish resources; provision of outdoor recreational opportunities to the public; acquisition, development, and operation of wildlife management areas, fish hatcheries, state parks, historic sites, and other public lands; conservation education and outreach; cultural and historical interpretation; and the regulation of fishing, hunting, and boating activities. The Department is composed of ten major divisions which carry out the functions and duties of the agency: Wildlife, State Parks, Coastal Fisheries, Inland Fisheries, Resource Protection, Communications, Law Enforcement, Infrastructure, Administrative Resources, and Human Resources. Administration of the agency is by an executive director.

The Communications Division manages internal and external communication and marketing for the agency. External products include the Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine, a PBS television series, and the Passport to Texas radio series. The division also produces print and video news releases, hunting and boating safety education programs, and employee newsletters; and continues to develop and enhance the agency's web site. The division also operates the Texas Conservation Passport program and its consumer research group, which produce information about the state's natural and cultural resources.

V.T.C.A., Parks and Wildlife Code, Title 2

Arrangement: Chronological

Access constraints: None

Use constraints: None

Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access? There is a computerized index to back issues.

Problems: None

Known related records in other agencies: None

Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the Parks and Wildlife Department and none were found for this series or for equivalent or related series.

Publications based on records:
Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine.

Series data from agency schedule:
Title: Story folders
Series item number: 1.1.028
Agency item number: C.10.0.4
Archival code: R
Retention: PS

Archival holdings:
None in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission.

Texas Documents Collection holdings:
Texas Parks and Wildlife and its predecessor, Texas Game and Fish, 1942-1957, 1959-[ongoing]. They are missing all of volume 16, which are the issues for 1958.

Gaps: No records present prior to 1997 as they are maintained only two years by the agency.

Appraisal decision:
These are publication development files and business records for Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine. The series does contain approved manuscripts and photographs used in articles during the production phase of an issue, but not any commentary relating to the subject or the article. Photographs which are taken by TPWD staff are returned to the programs files they came from. These account for about 5% of the photographs used in an issue. The other 95% are photographs taken by free lance photographers and their photographs are returned to them when the job is complete. Because this is such a widespread commercial publication and photographs are not maintained in the series after publication, this series has been appraised to be non-archival. Remove the "R" code and replace it with the archival exemption code of "E". A note needs to be added to the Remarks column for this series - "Archival review code removed subsequent to appraisal by the Archives and Information Services Division, Library and Archives Commission, October 18, 1999."

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Records Series Review
Series Title: Television programs - Texas Parks and Wildlife (formerly Made in Texas)

Agency: Parks and Wildlife Department
Communications Division

Obsolete record series? No

Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: 26 half-hour episodes per year

Agency holdings:
Retained by the agency for 30 years after completion. Current holdings are 1985-[ongoing], comprising about 226 completed program tapes, and over 1000 unedited feature tapes. Shows 1-69 exist on 1" BETA tape, shows 200-700 series are on D2 tape. All the tapes are commercial broadcast quality tapes. These are maintained at agency headquarters in Austin.

Description:
This is a television series produced by TPWD about many of its programs, concentrating on outdoor recreation, conservation and environmental issues, much like the Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine. Dates covered are 1985-[ongoing]. The Texas Parks & Wildlife TV series has been in production since 1985. Originally known as Made In Texas, the name was changed to Texas Parks & Wildlife in 1991. Each year they produce 26 half-hours of broadcast programming. The programs are distributed via satellite each week to PBS stations around the country. The series is shot on Betacam SP tape, the industry standard for video field production and mastered onto D2 tape (a digital format videotape). Information about programs for the current season is listed on the agency's web site. Some program titles include "Mountain Biking" and "Last of the Bayous". Recent programs include topics such as Buffalo Soldiers, Kemp Ridley's sea turtle, whooping cranes, and the swimming hole at Balmorhea State Park.

Purpose:
This program serves as a visual public education and outreach tool for TPWD programs and issues.

Agency program:
The Parks and Wildlife Department is governed by the Parks and Wildlife Commission, initially composed of three members, currently nine members, appointed by the Governor with approval of the Senate. Members serve six-year overlapping terms. The Commission chairperson is appointed biennially by the Governor. The Commission meets quarterly or more often as needed. Its chief responsibility is to adopt policies and rules to carry out the programs of the Parks and Wildlife Department.

The Parks and Wildlife Department is responsible for the management and conservation of the state's wildlife and fish resources; provision of outdoor recreational opportunities to the public; acquisition, development, and operation of wildlife management areas, fish hatcheries, state parks, historic sites, and other public lands; conservation education and outreach; cultural and historical interpretation; and the regulation of fishing, hunting, and boating activities. The Department is composed of ten major divisions which carry out the functions and duties of the agency: Wildlife, State Parks, Coastal Fisheries, Inland Fisheries, Resource Protection, Communications, Law Enforcement, Infrastructure, Administrative Resources, and Human Resources. Administration of the agency is by an executive director.

The Communications Division manages internal and external communication and marketing for the agency. External products include the Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine, a PBS television series, and the Passport to Texas radio series. The division also produces print and video news releases, hunting and boating safety education programs, and employee newsletters; and continues to develop and enhance the agency's web site. The division also operates the Texas Conservation Passport program and its consumer research group, which produce information about the state's natural and cultural resources.

V.T.C.A., Parks and Wildlife Code, Title 2

Arrangement: Chronological

Access constraints: None

Use constraints: Proper equipment is needed to view tapes.

Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access? A Filemaker Pro database is available which can search the shows and its elements (scripts, credits lists, contacts).

Problems: The impermanence of the medium.

Known related records in other agencies: None

Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the Parks and Wildlife Department and none were found for this series or for equivalent or related series.

Publications based on records: None

Series data from agency schedule:
Title: Television programs
Series item number: 1.1
Agency item number: C.30.0.1
Archival code: R
Retention: AC+30

Archival holdings:
None in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission.

Gaps: None, the series began in 1985.

Appraisal decision:
These videotapes provide a visual look at many of the agency's programs and functions, which, along with the narrative can be quite a useful approach to documenting the agency's education and outreach program. Visual resources such as this can serve as a good source of documentation on the agency. Because items such as these do have public appeal and potential for future uses, this series has been appraised to be archival. The video format is a problem for long-term storage, but hopefully by the time the agency is ready to transfer these tapes (at least 15 years from now if they follow the retention schedule), a better format for long-term storage will be available. Change the archival code to A. Once the earliest tapes have fulfilled their retention period, transfer those to the Archives and Information Services Division. Future transfers can be done annually as their retention period expires.

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Records Series Review
Series Title: Video news releases

Agency: Parks and Wildlife Department
Communications Division

Obsolete record series? No

Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: 48 stories a year

Agency holdings:
Retained by the agency for 10 years according to the retention schedule. Current holdings are 1990-[ongoing], about 112 Betacam tapes (the stories are housed 4 stories per tape and there are about 450 news clips at present). These are maintained at agency headquarters in Austin.

Description:
These are 1:45 minutes news stories produced to showcase agency programs to the general public. Dates covered are 1990-[ongoing]. These stories are broadcast as part of regular news shows, and recent clips are also available on the agency's web site. Some programs titles include "River Wardens," "San Jacinto Marshes," and "Snow Geese Crisis."

Purpose:
These are brief news clips to educate the public about agency programs and concerns.

Agency program:
The Parks and Wildlife Department is governed by the Parks and Wildlife Commission, initially composed of three members, currently nine members, appointed by the Governor with approval of the Senate. Members serve six-year overlapping terms. The Commission chairperson is appointed biennially by the Governor. The Commission meets quarterly or more often as needed. Its chief responsibility is to adopt policies and rules to carry out the programs of the Parks and Wildlife Department.

The Parks and Wildlife Department is responsible for the management and conservation of the state's wildlife and fish resources; provision of outdoor recreational opportunities to the public; acquisition, development, and operation of wildlife management areas, fish hatcheries, state parks, historic sites, and other public lands; conservation education and outreach; cultural and historical interpretation; and the regulation of fishing, hunting, and boating activities. The Department is composed of ten major divisions which carry out the functions and duties of the agency: Wildlife, State Parks, Coastal Fisheries, Inland Fisheries, Resource Protection, Communications, Law Enforcement, Infrastructure, Administrative Resources, and Human Resources. Administration of the agency is by an executive director.

The Communications Division manages internal and external communication and marketing for the agency. External products include the Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine, a PBS television series, and the Passport to Texas radio series. The division also produces print and video news releases, hunting and boating safety education programs, and employee newsletters; and continues to develop and enhance the agency's web site. The division also operates the Texas Conservation Passport program and its consumer research group, which produce information about the state's natural and cultural resources.

V.T.C.A., Parks and Wildlife Code, Title 2

Arrangement: Chronological

Access constraints: None

Use constraints: Proper equipment is needed to view tapes.

Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
An Excel spreadsheet is done for each year's stories. Scripts and key lists are in a MS Word based file, searchable by title.

Problems: The impermanence of the medium.

Known related records in other agencies: None

Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the Parks and Wildlife Department and none were found for this series or for equivalent or related series.

Publications based on records: None

Series data from agency schedule:
Title: Video new releases
Series item number: 1.1.019
Agency item number: C.30.0.10
Archival code: R
Retention: AC+10

Archival holdings:
None in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission.

Gaps: None, these were started in 1990.

Appraisal decision:
These video clips serve as a brief visual source of news about activities of the TPWD, which is generally not covered in the regular press releases. Because these items do serve as a form of visual public education and outreach and are not covered elsewhere, this series has been appraised to be archival. If it is determined that the information in these clips is available in another archival record produced by the agency, then these should be reappraised. Change the archival code to "A". Once the earliest tapes have fulfilled their retention period, transfer those to the Archives and Information Services Division. Future transfer of tapes can be done annually as their retention period is fulfilled.

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Records Series Review
Series Title: Reports and studies: Population, census, recreation

Agency: Parks and Wildlife Department
Communications Division, Marketing Branch, Consumer Research Program Area

Obsolete record series? No

Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: about 0.5 cubic ft.

Agency holdings:
Retained by the agency until purpose served according to the retention schedule. Current holdings are 1990-[ongoing], 1.5 cubic ft. These are maintained at the offices of the Consumer Research/Marketing Branch/Communications Division, located at 2900 Fountain Park Plaza, in Austin.

Description:
These are documents collected from the State Data Center, consisting of updates on federal census information, such as population estimates, and other socio-demographic information by state, county, and city for Texas. Dates covered are 1990-[ongoing]. These materials are used for reference purposes as part of research and marketing.

Purpose:
These documents are gathered to maintain a base of knowledge and to be current on changing demographics of the state. This information benefits department-wide research and marketing efforts.

Agency program:
The Parks and Wildlife Department is governed by the Parks and Wildlife Commission, initially composed of three members, currently nine members, appointed by the Governor with approval of the Senate. Members serve six-year overlapping terms. The Commission chairperson is appointed biennially by the Governor. The Commission meets quarterly or more often as needed. Its chief responsibility is to adopt policies and rules to carry out the programs of the Parks and Wildlife Department.

The Parks and Wildlife Department is responsible for the management and conservation of the state's wildlife and fish resources; provision of outdoor recreational opportunities to the public; acquisition, development, and operation of wildlife management areas, fish hatcheries, state parks, historic sites, and other public lands; conservation education and outreach; cultural and historical interpretation; and the regulation of fishing, hunting, and boating activities. The Department is composed of ten major divisions which carry out the functions and duties of the agency: Wildlife, State Parks, Coastal Fisheries, Inland Fisheries, Resource Protection, Communications, Law Enforcement, Infrastructure, Administrative Resources, and Human Resources. Administration of the agency is by an executive director.

The Communications Division manages internal and external communication and marketing for the agency. External products include the Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine, a PBS television series, and the Passport to Texas radio series. The division also produces print and video news releases, hunting and boating safety education programs, and employee newsletters; and continues to develop and enhance the agency's web site. The division also operates the Texas Conservation Passport program and its consumer research group, which produce information about the state's natural and cultural resources.

V.T.C.A., Parks and Wildlife Code, Title 2

Arrangement: Chronological

Access constraints: None

Use constraints: Available at the Fountain Park Plaza office location.

Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access? No

Problems: None

Known related records in other agencies:
Similar documents are available at other state agencies, such as the Comptroller's Office, but are used for different purposes.

Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the Parks and Wildlife Department and none were found for this series or for equivalent or related series.

Publications based on records:
1995 Texas Outdoor Recreation Plan, 1997 Super Combo/Combination License Holders Survey, 1997 Texas Grand Slam Product Sales Research Report

Series data from agency schedule:
Title: Reports and studies, including population, census, and recreational
Series item number: 1.1.037
Agency item number: P.21.0.9
Archival code: R
Retention: PS

Archival holdings:
None in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission.

Texas Documents Collection holdings:
1995 Texas Outdoor Recreation Plan

Gaps: None according to the agency.

Appraisal decision:
This series consists of socio-demographic data gathered from an outside source for use in agency research and marketing functions. The data used is not created by the agency. This series has been appraised to be non-archival. Remove the "R" from this series and replace it with the archival exemption code of "E". A note needs to be added to the Remarks column for this series - "Archival review code removed subsequent to appraisal by the Archives and Information Services Division, Library and Archives Commission, October 18, 1999." The agency has stated it will change the title of this series to Consumer Research reports and studies: Population, census, recreation.

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Records Series Review
Series Title: Executive summaries

Agency: Parks and Wildlife Department
Communications Division, Marketing Branch, Consumer Research Program Area

Obsolete record series? No

Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: several inches per year

Agency holdings:
Retained by the agency for 1 year after being superseded according to the retention schedule. Current holdings are 1967-[ongoing], comprising about 4 cubic ft. These records are maintained by Consumer Research/Marketing Branch/Communications Division, located at 2900 Fountain Park Plaza, Austin.

Description:
These documents consist of copies of the brief outlines of research results and recommendations for the research projects conducted by the Consumer Research program, dating 1967-[ongoing]. This research is an aid in the planning and management of the Texas state park system. Examples: State park visitor surveys, economic impact analysis of Texas State Parks, Texas Outdoor Recreation Plan, Socio-demographic studies of state park users, Citizen Surveys, Park inventory reports, Trails studies, and Texas population statistics. Copies of these Executive Summaries are filed in the Publications Depository Program of the Library and Archives Commission.

There are two related series of reports and studies produced by this division concerning park planning and management. See the series Statewide planning final reports and studies for the detailed research reports these executive summaries are based on; and the series Statewide planning project files which contain materials used in the research for these reports.

Purpose:
These are created to provide a brief outline of detailed research results and recommendations for use in the planning and management of the Texas state park system.

Agency program:
The Parks and Wildlife Department is governed by the Parks and Wildlife Commission, initially composed of three members, currently nine members, appointed by the Governor with approval of the Senate. Members serve six-year overlapping terms. The Commission chairperson is appointed biennially by the Governor. The Commission meets quarterly or more often as needed. Its chief responsibility is to adopt policies and rules to carry out the programs of the Parks and Wildlife Department.

The Parks and Wildlife Department is responsible for the management and conservation of the state's wildlife and fish resources; provision of outdoor recreational opportunities to the public; acquisition, development, and operation of wildlife management areas, fish hatcheries, state parks, historic sites, and other public lands; conservation education and outreach; cultural and historical interpretation; and the regulation of fishing, hunting, and boating activities. The Department is composed of ten major divisions which carry out the functions and duties of the agency: Wildlife, State Parks, Coastal Fisheries, Inland Fisheries, Resource Protection, Communications, Law Enforcement, Infrastructure, Administrative Resources, and Human Resources. Administration of the agency is by an executive director.

The Communications Division manages internal and external communication and marketing for the agency. External products include the Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine, a PBS television series, and the Passport to Texas radio series. The division also produces print and video news releases, hunting and boating safety education programs, and employee newsletters; and continues to develop and enhance the agency's web site. The division also operates the Texas Conservation Passport program and its consumer research group, which produce information about the state's natural and cultural resources.

V.T.C.A., Parks and Wildlife Code, Title 2

Arrangement: Chronological

Access constraints: None

Use constraints: None

Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access? No

Problems: None

Known related records in other agencies: None

Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the Parks and Wildlife Department and none were found for this series or for equivalent or related series.

Publications based on records:
Detailed research reports are published, see the series Statewide planning final reports and studies.

Series data from agency schedule:
Title: Executive summaries
Series item number: 1.1
Agency item number: P.21.0.8
Archival code: R
Retention: US+1

Archival holdings:
None in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission.

Texas Documents Collection holdings:
These executive summaries are deposited with the Publications Depository Program. The titles are too numerous to list, but include titles such as the Texas Outdoor Recreation Plan, and documents such as inventory reports of parks, or state park visitor surveys.

Gaps: None according to the agency.

Appraisal decision:
These are used by the agency as planning and management tools which supply summaries of research results and offer recommendations for further research projects. Final reports of the studies with recommendations can be found in the series Statewide planning final reports and studies. There is value in some of this information collected as the research results can change the way some parks or programs function. However, the final reports are more detailed as to the way the studies were conducted, the results, and recommendations for future research, and I have recommended that series - Statewide planning final reports and studies be appraised as archival. Therefore, since the more detailed reports are archival, this series has been appraised to be non-archival. Remove the "R" from this series and replace it with the archival exemption code of "E". A note needs to be added to the Remarks column for this series - "Archival review code removed subsequent to appraisal by the Archives and Information Services Division, Library and Archives Commission, October 18, 1999."

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Records Series Review
Series Title: Statewide planning final reports and studies

Agency: Parks and Wildlife Department
Communications Division, Marketing Branch, Consumer Research Program Area

Obsolete record series? No

Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: several inches a year

Agency holdings:
Retained by the agency for three years according to the retention schedule. Current holdings are 1967-[ongoing], comprising about 4 cubic ft. These records are maintained by Consumer Research/Marketing Branch/Communications Division, located at 2900 Fountain Park Plaza in Austin.

Description:
These documents consist of the final reports of the research results and recommendations for the research projects conducted by the Consumer Research program of the TPWD, dating 1967-[ongoing]. Examples: State park visitor surveys, Economic Impact Analysis of Texas State Parks, Texas Outdoor Recreation Plan, Socio-demographic studies of state park users, Citizen Surveys, Park inventory reports, Trails studies, and Texas population statistics. These reports provide documentation of research methodology, results, and recommendations for management. Background research for some reports can be found in the series Marketing and tourism project files. Copies of reports published are sent to the Publications Depository Program of the Library and Archives Commission.

There are two related series of reports and studies produced by this division concerning park planning and management. See the series Executive summaries for the brief outlines of these research reports; and the series Statewide planning project files which contain materials used in the research for these reports.

Purpose:
These are created to provide detailed research results and recommendations for use in the planning and management of the Texas state park system.

Agency program:
The Parks and Wildlife Department is governed by the Parks and Wildlife Commission, initially composed of three members, currently nine members, appointed by the Governor with approval of the Senate. Members serve six-year overlapping terms. The Commission chairperson is appointed biennially by the Governor. The Commission meets quarterly or more often as needed. Its chief responsibility is to adopt policies and rules to carry out the programs of the Parks and Wildlife Department.

The Parks and Wildlife Department is responsible for the management and conservation of the state's wildlife and fish resources; provision of outdoor recreational opportunities to the public; acquisition, development, and operation of wildlife management areas, fish hatcheries, state parks, historic sites, and other public lands; conservation education and outreach; cultural and historical interpretation; and the regulation of fishing, hunting, and boating activities. The Department is composed of ten major divisions which carry out the functions and duties of the agency: Wildlife, State Parks, Coastal Fisheries, Inland Fisheries, Resource Protection, Communications, Law Enforcement, Infrastructure, Administrative Resources, and Human Resources. Administration of the agency is by an executive director.

The Communications Division manages internal and external communication and marketing for the agency. External products include the Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine, a PBS television series, and the Passport to Texas radio series. The division also produces print and video news releases, hunting and boating safety education programs, and employee newsletters; and continues to develop and enhance the agency's web site. The division also operates the Texas Conservation Passport program and its consumer research group, which produce information about the state's natural and cultural resources.

V.T.C.A., Parks and Wildlife Code, Title 2

Arrangement: Chronological

Access constraints: None

Use constraints: None

Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access? No

Problems: None

Known related records in other agencies: None

Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the Parks and Wildlife Department and none were found for this series or for equivalent or related series.

Publications based on records:
None, these are published. Titles include: Texas Outdoor Recreation Plan and the Economic Impact Analysis of Texas State Parks.

Series data from agency schedule:
Title: Statewide planning final reports and studies
Series item number: 1.1.038
Agency item number: P.21.0.10
Archival code: R
Retention: AC+3

Archival holdings:
None in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission.

Texas Documents Collection holdings:
These reports are deposited in the Publications Depository Program. The titles are too numerous to list, but include titles such as the Texas Outdoor Recreation Plan, the Economic Impact Analysis of Texas State Parks, and documents such as inventory reports of parks, or state park visitor surveys.

Gaps: None according to the agency.

Appraisal decision:
These are used by the agency as planning and management tools which present the research results and recommendations for further research projects. Brief outlines of the research results and recommendations can be found in the series Executive summaries. There is value in some of this information collected as the research results can change the way some parks or programs function. Although we often consider summary results to be adequate coverage of some items, these detailed reports provide better coverage of the research process, results, and recommendations. Therefore, this series has been appraised to be archival. Change the archival code to A and add a note to the Remarks column - "Copies of reports sent to the Publications Depository Program of the Library and Archives Commission fulfill the archival requirement." The title of the series is being changed to Consumer research final reports and studies.

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Records Series Review
Series Title: Statewide planning project files

Agency: Parks and Wildlife Department
Communications Division, Marketing Branch, Consumer Research Program Area

Obsolete record series? No

Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: several inches a year.

Agency holdings:
Retained by the agency permanently. Current holdings are 1967-[ongoing], comprising about 6 cubic ft. These records are maintained by Consumer Research/Marketing Branch/Communications Division, located at 2900 Fountain Park Plaza, Austin.

Description:
These documents consist of day-to-day project files of past and present research projects conducted by the Consumer Research program, dating 1967-[ongoing]. Files consist of background information and documentation for conducting and analyzing research projects, containing work schedules, copies of questionnaires, correspondence, etc. Examples of projects: State park visitor surveys, Economic Impact Analysis of Texas State Parks, Texas Outdoor Recreation Plan, Socio-demographic studies of state park users, Citizen Surveys, Park inventory reports, Trails studies, and Texas population statistics.

There are two related series of reports and studies produced by this division concerning park planning and management. See the series Executive summaries for brief outlines of the research reports done based on the materials contained in these project files, and the series Statewide planning final reports and studies for the detailed research reports the brief outlines report on.

Purpose:
These materials allow the research team to review methodologies of past research efforts and to use this documentation as a guide for conducting current and future research.

Agency program:
The Parks and Wildlife Department is governed by the Parks and Wildlife Commission, initially composed of three members, currently nine members, appointed by the Governor with approval of the Senate. Members serve six-year overlapping terms. The Commission chairperson is appointed biennially by the Governor. The Commission meets quarterly or more often as needed. Its chief responsibility is to adopt policies and rules to carry out the programs of the Parks and Wildlife Department.

The Parks and Wildlife Department is responsible for the management and conservation of the state's wildlife and fish resources; provision of outdoor recreational opportunities to the public; acquisition, development, and operation of wildlife management areas, fish hatcheries, state parks, historic sites, and other public lands; conservation education and outreach; cultural and historical interpretation; and the regulation of fishing, hunting, and boating activities. The Department is composed of ten major divisions which carry out the functions and duties of the agency: Wildlife, State Parks, Coastal Fisheries, Inland Fisheries, Resource Protection, Communications, Law Enforcement, Infrastructure, Administrative Resources, and Human Resources. Administration of the agency is by an executive director.

The Communications Division manages internal and external communication and marketing for the agency. External products include the Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine, a PBS television series, and the Passport to Texas radio series. The division also produces print and video news releases, hunting and boating safety education programs, and employee newsletters; and continues to develop and enhance the agency's web site. The division also operates the Texas Conservation Passport program and its consumer research group, which produce information about the state's natural and cultural resources.

V.T.C.A., Parks and Wildlife Code, Title 2

Arrangement: Chronological

Access constraints: None

Use constraints:
Available at the Fountain Park Plaza office location instead of agency headquarters.

Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access? No

Problems: None

Known related records in other agencies: None

Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the Parks and Wildlife Department and none were found for this series or for equivalent or related series.

Publications based on records:
Research reports are prepared based on these records and published. The titles are too numerous to mention. See the series Statewide planning final reports and studies.

Series data from agency schedule:
Title: Statewide planning project files
Series item number: 1.1
Agency item number: P.21.0.12
Archival code: R
Retention: PM

Archival holdings:
None in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission.

Texas Documents Collection holdings:
Research reports based on these files are deposited in the Publications Depository Program. The titles are too numerous to list, but include titles such as the Texas Outdoor Recreation Plan, the Economic Impact Analysis of Texas State Parks, and documents such as inventory reports of parks, or state park visitor surveys.

Gaps: None according to the agency.

Appraisal decision:
These are the project files of two previously described series of research reports--Executive summaries and Statewide planning final reports and studies. The reports are used by the agency as planning and management tools which present the research results and recommendations for further research projects. There is value in some of this information collected as the research results can change the way some parks or programs function. The detailed published reports have been appraised to be archival and are sufficient documentation of this function. This series has been appraised to be non-archival. Remove the "R" from this series and replace it with the archival exemption code of "E". A note needs to be added to the Remarks column for this series - "Archival review code removed subsequent to appraisal by the Archives and Information Services Division, Library and Archives Commission, October 18, 1999." The title of this series is being changed to Consumer Research Project files.

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Records Series Review
Series Title: Marketing and tourism project files

Agency: Parks and Wildlife Department
Communications Division, Marketing Branch, Consumer Research Program Area

Obsolete record series? No

Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: several inches a year.

Agency holdings:
Retained by the agency permanently. Current holdings are 1996-[ongoing], comprising about 4 cubic ft. These records are maintained by Consumer Research/Marketing Branch/Communications Division, located at 2900 Fountain Park Plaza, Austin.

Description:
This series contains correspondence, research reports, sample questionnaires from other agencies and states to be used as reference materials, etc. Dates covered are 1996-[ongoing]. Also present is documentation on marketing research efforts for TPWD products. This research is conducted to aid the marketing of TPWD facilities, products and services. Examples of research reports are: Texas Grand Slam Product Sales Research Report, Super Combo Hunting and Fishing License Survey Research Results, Reaction to Per-person Pricing at Texas State Parks, Research Results of the Texas Conservation Passport Survey. These reports are described as part of the series Statewide planning final reports and studies. Some of these reports are sent to the Publications Depository Program of the Library and Archives Commission.

Purpose:
These are maintained to increase the agency's base of knowledge regarding marketing and tourism by other agencies and states.

Agency program:
The Parks and Wildlife Department is governed by the Parks and Wildlife Commission, initially composed of three members, currently nine members, appointed by the Governor with approval of the Senate. Members serve six-year overlapping terms. The Commission chairperson is appointed biennially by the Governor. The Commission meets quarterly or more often as needed. Its chief responsibility is to adopt policies and rules to carry out the programs of the Parks and Wildlife Department.

The Parks and Wildlife Department is responsible for the management and conservation of the state's wildlife and fish resources; provision of outdoor recreational opportunities to the public; acquisition, development, and operation of wildlife management areas, fish hatcheries, state parks, historic sites, and other public lands; conservation education and outreach; cultural and historical interpretation; and the regulation of fishing, hunting, and boating activities. The Department is composed of ten major divisions which carry out the functions and duties of the agency: Wildlife, State Parks, Coastal Fisheries, Inland Fisheries, Resource Protection, Communications, Law Enforcement, Infrastructure, Administrative Resources, and Human Resources. Administration of the agency is by an executive director.

The Communications Division manages internal and external communication and marketing for the agency. External products include the Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine, a PBS television series, and the Passport to Texas radio series. The division also produces print and video news releases, hunting and boating safety education programs, and employee newsletters; and continues to develop and enhance the agency's web site. The division also operates the Texas Conservation Passport program and its consumer research group, which produce information about the state's natural and cultural resources.

V.T.C.A., Parks and Wildlife Code, Title 2

Arrangement: Chronological

Access constraints: None

Use constraints: None

Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access? No

Problems: None

Known related records in other agencies: None

Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the Parks and Wildlife Department and none were found for this series or for equivalent or related series.

Publications based on records:
Reports produced are housed in a different series - see the series Statewide planning final reports and studies.

Series data from agency schedule:
Title: Marketing and tourism project files
Series item number: 5.2
Agency item number: P.45.7.11
Archival code: R
Retention: PM

Archival holdings:
None in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission.

Texas Documents Collection holdings:
Some marketing publications are sent to the Publications Depository Program. One title located was Texas Grand Slam Product Sales Research Report. Specific titles of other marketing or tourism reports based on use of these records are not known.

Gaps: None according to the agency.

Appraisal decision:
This is primarily a reference collection which TPWD uses to increase their knowledge of marketing and tourism practices of other agencies and states which have a value basically as reference files. Additionally, the marketing strategies of the agency do not need archival documentation. This series has been appraised to be non-archival. Remove the "R" from this series and replace it with the archival exemption code of "E". A note needs to be added to the Remarks column for this series - "Archival review code removed subsequent to appraisal by the Archives and Information Services Division, Library and Archives Commission, October 18, 1999."

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Records Series Review
Series Title: Photographs

Agency: Parks and Wildlife Department
Communications Division

Obsolete record series? No

Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: unknown

Agency holdings:
This series is not on the retention schedule, so it does not have a designated retention period. The dates of the earliest images are unknown, but images date back to at least the early 1970s. The series is ongoing, comprising about 500,000 images (about 72 cubic ft.).

Description:
This series consists of photographic images taken by staff photographers of the agency, consisting of about 500,000 images, dating from the early 1970s through ongoing. The dates of the earliest images are unknown, but staff say they date back to at least the early 1970s. The photographic media are primarily 35 mm or 4 x 5 transparencies, most in color, some in black and white and include only images taken by agency staff photographers. Some of these are present in various program and project files in most divisions of the agency, but many of the photographs in the program/project files in the various divisions were taken and submitted by outside photographers, such as biologists, etc. and are not present in this series. And, this series contains many images not present in the program/project files. Topics covered include scenes of wildlife, flora and fauna, views of parks, wildlife management areas, lakes, coastal areas, historic sites, special events (such as a new park opening), and employee activities. Many of these images were taken by the staff for news functions. Divisions throughout the agency access these images for use in publications. However, images in the TPWD magazine, Texas Parks and Wildlife are generally not present in this series as about 95% of the pictures published in the magazine are taken by outside photographers and are returned to them after publication of the issue in which they were used. The Communications Division is putting selected images on CR-ROM and has a few images available for purchase on the agency's website - http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/.

Purpose:
These images provide visual documentation of agency events and serve as a source for photographs to use in agency publications.

Agency program:
The Parks and Wildlife Department is governed by the Parks and Wildlife Commission, initially composed of three members, currently nine members, appointed by the Governor with approval of the Senate. Members serve six-year overlapping terms. The Commission chairperson is appointed biennially by the Governor. The Commission meets quarterly or more often as needed. Its chief responsibility is to adopt policies and rules to carry out the programs of the Parks and Wildlife Department.

The Parks and Wildlife Department is responsible for the management and conservation of the state's wildlife and fish resources; provision of outdoor recreational opportunities to the public; acquisition, development, and operation of wildlife management areas, fish hatcheries, state parks, historic sites, and other public lands; conservation education and outreach; cultural and historical interpretation; and the regulation of fishing, hunting, and boating activities. The Department is composed of ten major divisions which carry out the functions and duties of the agency: Wildlife, State Parks, Coastal Fisheries, Inland Fisheries, Resource Protection, Communications, Law Enforcement, Infrastructure, Administrative Resources, and Human Resources. Administration of the agency is by an executive director.

The Communications Division manages internal and external communication and marketing for the agency. External products include the Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine, a PBS television series, and the Passport to Texas radio series. The division also produces print and video news releases, hunting and boating safety education programs, and employee newsletters; and continues to develop and enhance the agency's web site. The division also operates the Texas Conservation Passport program and its consumer research group, which produce information about the state's natural and cultural resources.

V.T.C.A., Parks and Wildlife Code, Title 2

Arrangement: Alphabetical by topic

Access constraints: None

Use constraints: None

Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access? No

Problems: None

Known related records in other agencies: None

Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the Parks and Wildlife Department and none were found for this series or for equivalent or related series.

Publications based on records:
These photographs are used in various agency publications.

Series data from agency schedule: Not on schedule
Suggested series from state retention schedule:
Title: Photographs
Series item number: 1.1
Agency item number: to be assigned
Archival code: A
Retention: AV

Archival holdings:
There are photographs present in several series at the Archives and Information Services Division, most belong to other record series, except for the photos in this accession:

Records, 1912, 1921-1975, 24.94 cubic ft.
Files present in this accession include correspondence, agenda, proposals, minutes, photographs, publications, reports, clippings, press releases, Attorney General opinions, newsletters, contracts, blueprints, land deeds, and applications. Records are dated 1912, 1921-1975. These records document activities of the Parks and Wildlife Department and most of its predecessor agencies-State Parks Board, the Game, Fish, and Oyster Commission, and the Game and Fish Commission.

Gaps: None according to the agency.

Appraisal decision:
These images provide a vast store of visual documentation of TPWD functions, events, parks and other facilities, wildlife, etc. These images can be used over time to help document changing habitats and land use, can illustrate environmental concerns, etc. Because of the evidential value that photographs can provide visually, and the informational and research value of these images this series has been appraised to be archival. The agency needs to add it to the retention schedule with an archival code of "A" and a retention period of AV - administratively valuable. Add a note to the Remarks section as follows: "These records will remain at the agency until they cease to have frequent administrative and research use. They will then be transferred to the Library and Archives Commission." We understand the agency will likely retain these images for a number of years, but they are welcome to transfer to the Archives the older images when the use of those become very infrequent.

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Records Series Review
Series Title: Reports - Administrative

Agency: Parks and Wildlife Department
Law Enforcement Division

Obsolete record series? No

Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: about 4-5 cubic ft.

Agency holdings:
Retained by the agency for the three years according to the retention schedule. According to staff, they hold materials from the current and previous fiscal year, ca. 1997-1999, comprising 9 cubic ft. These are maintained at agency headquarters in Austin.

Description:
These are internal management reports describing operations within the Law Enforcement Division, dating ca. 1997-1999. Information in the reports include staffing assignments, budget expenditures, staff transfer and promotion schedules, staff training records, time sheets, and other management files. The reports are maintained for the current and previous fiscal years.

Purpose:
These serve as management tools for the Law Enforcement Division

Agency program:
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) had its beginnings in 1879. In 1879, the 16th Legislature authorized the Governor to appoint a fish commissioner to ensure compliance with an Act for the preservation of fish, and to build fish ways and fish ladders (Chapter 92, 16th Legislature, Regular Session). In 1881, the Office of the Fish Commissioner was established (Chapter 78, 17th Legislature, Regular Session). It was created for the "propagation and preservation of fish and to build fish-ways and fish-ladders…," existing through 1885. The commissioner was appointed to a two year term by the Governor, with the approval of the Senate.

In 1895, the Office of the Fish and Oyster Commissioner was created by House Bill 55, 24th Legislature, Regular Session, with the commissioner appointed by the Governor as before. The duties included the protection of fish, turtles and terrapin of the bays and coastal waters of the state, protection of natural oyster beds and reefs, and the protection of the location of private beds. The Commissioner had the authority to appoint Deputy Commissioners to assist in carrying out the duties of the office. In 1907, protection of wild birds and wild game was added to the responsibilities of that office, which became the Office of the Game, Fish and Oyster Commissioner (House Bill 379, 30th Legislature, Regular Session). This Commissioner appointed Deputy Game Commissioners to assist in carrying out the duties of the office.

The single commissioner was replaced by a six-member commission in 1929 and the agency became the Game, Fish, and Oyster Commission (Senate Bill 83, 41st Legislature, Regular Session). Duties of the commission included administering the state's laws relating to game and fish; preventing pollution of streams; issuing hunting, trapping, and fishing licenses; collecting fees, taxes, and fines; conducting research; and proclaiming and enforcing open seasons and bag limits on game and fish. The commission also operated fish hatcheries and sanctuaries, administered game and hunting preserves, supervised oyster beds in the state, controlled and exterminated predatory animals and fish, and educated the public in the preservation of wildlife and fish and game resources of the state. It had the authority to create rules and regulations as necessary to carry out their duties.

In 1963, the State Parks Board and the Game and Fish Commission were merged to form the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife (House Bill 21, 58th Legislature, Regular Session). The Parks and Wildlife Department is governed by the Parks and Wildlife Commission, initially composed of three members, currently nine members, appointed by the Governor with approval of the Senate. Members serve six-year overlapping terms. The Commission chairperson is appointed biennially by the Governor. The Commission meets quarterly or more often as needed. Its chief responsibility is to adopt policies and rules to carry out the programs of the Parks and Wildlife Department.

The Parks and Wildlife Department is responsible for the management and conservation of the state's wildlife and fish resources; provision of outdoor recreational opportunities to the public; acquisition, development, and operation of wildlife management areas, fish hatcheries, state parks, historic sites, and other public lands; conservation education and outreach; cultural and historical interpretation; and the regulation of fishing, hunting, and boating activities. The Department is composed of ten major divisions which carry out the functions and duties of the agency: Wildlife, State Parks, Coastal Fisheries, Inland Fisheries, Resource Protection, Communications, Law Enforcement, Infrastructure, Administrative Resources, and Human Resources. Administration of the agency is by an executive director.

The Law Enforcement Division provides a comprehensive statewide law enforcement program to protect the state's natural resources and environment. It provides safe boating and recreational water safety on public waters by ensuring compliance with state laws and regulations. The game wardens of the division are responsible for the enforcement of the Parks and Wildlife Code, all TPW regulations, the Texas Penal Code, and selected statutes and regulations applicable to clean air, water, and hazardous materials. To fulfill these duties, the wardens educate the public about the laws and regulations, conduct high visibility patrols to prevent violations, and apprehend and arrest violators.

V.T.C.A., Parks and Wildlife Code, Title 2

Arrangement: Alphabetical by topic

Access constraints: None

Use constraints: None

Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access? No

Problems: None

Known related records in other agencies: None

Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the Parks and Wildlife Department and none were found for this series or for equivalent or related series.

Publications based on records: None

Series data from agency schedule:
Title: Reports - Administrative
Series item number: 1.1.031
Agency item number: L.22.0.6
Archival code: none
Retention: FE+3

Archival holdings:
None in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission.

Gaps: No records available prior to 1997.

Appraisal decision:
These reports were reviewed for archival appraisal because this series should have an "R" archival code based on the item number used. The information in these reports is of a routine management nature and does not have archival value. This series has been appraised to be non-archival. Add an archival exemption code of "E" to the retention schedule and a note to the Remarks column for this series - "Archival review code removed subsequent to appraisal by the Archives and Information Services Division, Library and Archives Commission, October 18, 1999."

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Records Series Review
Series Title: Law Enforcement policies and procedures manual

Agency: Parks and Wildlife Department
Law Enforcement Division

Obsolete record series? No

Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: less than 0.5 cubic ft.

Agency holdings:
Retained by the agency until superseded, according to the retention schedule. The current manual contains updates through FY 1999. This is maintained at agency headquarters in Austin.

Description:
This is a single manual on Game Warden policies and procedures which supplements the Texas Parks and Wildlife Employee manual, developed for employees of the Law Enforcement Division. It contains updates through 1999. Any non-current policy items are considered obsolete and are removed. Topics include how to wear the uniform, conduct standards for court appearances, how to make an arrest or serve a warrant, how to confiscate items, and other such items.

Purpose:
This manual guides the day to day activities of Law Enforcement personnel, specifically the game wardens.

Agency program:
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) had its beginnings in 1879. In 1879, the 16th Legislature authorized the Governor to appoint a fish commissioner to ensure compliance with an Act for the preservation of fish, and to build fish ways and fish ladders (Chapter 92, 16th Legislature, Regular Session). In 1881, the Office of the Fish Commissioner was established (Chapter 78, 17th Legislature, Regular Session). It was created for the "propagation and preservation of fish and to build fish-ways and fish-ladders…," existing through 1885. The commissioner was appointed to a two year term by the Governor, with the approval of the Senate.

In 1895, the Office of the Fish and Oyster Commissioner was created by House Bill 55, 24th Legislature, Regular Session, with the commissioner appointed by the Governor as before. The duties included the protection of fish, turtles and terrapin of the bays and coastal waters of the state, protection of natural oyster beds and reefs, and the protection of the location of private beds. The Commissioner had the authority to appoint Deputy Commissioners to assist in carrying out the duties of the office. In 1907, protection of wild birds and wild game was added to the responsibilities of that office, which became the Office of the Game, Fish and Oyster Commissioner (House Bill 379, 30th Legislature, Regular Session). This Commissioner appointed Deputy Game Commissioners to assist in carrying out the duties of the office.

The single commissioner was replaced by a six-member commission in 1929 and the agency became the Game, Fish, and Oyster Commission (Senate Bill 83, 41st Legislature, Regular Session). Duties of the commission included administering the state's laws relating to game and fish; preventing pollution of streams; issuing hunting, trapping, and fishing licenses; collecting fees, taxes, and fines; conducting research; and proclaiming and enforcing open seasons and bag limits on game and fish. The commission also operated fish hatcheries and sanctuaries, administered game and hunting preserves, supervised oyster beds in the state, controlled and exterminated predatory animals and fish, and educated the public in the preservation of wildlife and fish and game resources of the state. It had the authority to create rules and regulations as necessary to carry out their duties.

In 1963, the State Parks Board and the Game and Fish Commission were merged to form the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife (House Bill 21, 58th Legislature, Regular Session). The Parks and Wildlife Department is governed by the Parks and Wildlife Commission, initially composed of three members, currently nine members, appointed by the Governor with approval of the Senate. Members serve six-year overlapping terms. The Commission chairperson is appointed biennially by the Governor. The Commission meets quarterly or more often as needed. Its chief responsibility is to adopt policies and rules to carry out the programs of the Parks and Wildlife Department.

The Parks and Wildlife Department is responsible for the management and conservation of the state's wildlife and fish resources; provision of outdoor recreational opportunities to the public; acquisition, development, and operation of wildlife management areas, fish hatcheries, state parks, historic sites, and other public lands; conservation education and outreach; cultural and historical interpretation; and the regulation of fishing, hunting, and boating activities. The Department is composed of ten major divisions which carry out the functions and duties of the agency: Wildlife, State Parks, Coastal Fisheries, Inland Fisheries, Resource Protection, Communications, Law Enforcement, Infrastructure, Administrative Resources, and Human Resources. Administration of the agency is by an executive director.

The Law Enforcement Division provides a comprehensive statewide law enforcement program to protect the state's natural resources and environment. It provides safe boating and recreational water safety on public waters by ensuring compliance with state laws and regulations. The game wardens of the division are responsible for the enforcement of the Parks and Wildlife Code, all TPW regulations, the Texas Penal Code, and selected statutes and regulations applicable to clean air, water, and hazardous materials. To fulfill these duties, the wardens educate the public about the laws and regulations, conduct high visibility patrols to prevent violations, and apprehend and arrest violators.

V.T.C.A., Parks and Wildlife Code, Title 2

Arrangement: N/A - this is a single volume

Access constraints: None

Use constraints: None

Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access? No

Problems: None

Known related records in other agencies: None

Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the Parks and Wildlife Department and none were found for this series or for equivalent or related series.

Publications based on records: None

Series data from agency schedule:
Title: Law Enforcement policy and procedure manual
Series item number: 1.1.025
Agency item number: L.22.0.4
Archival code: R
Retention: US

Archival holdings:
None in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission.

Gaps: Only the current manual is maintained.

Appraisal decision:
This manual describes the procedures used by game wardens to carry out their duties. Rules governing the way the game wardens carry out their duties are found in the published rules of the agency and in the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code. That is sufficient documentation of these functions. Since this is a job procedure manual, it does not need an archival code. Change the series to Law Enforcement job procedure records, with a series item number - 3.3.025, a retention of US+3, and no archival code.

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Records Series Review
Series Title: Rules and regulations

Agency: Parks and Wildlife Department
Law Enforcement Division

Obsolete record series? No

Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: about 2 cubic ft.

Agency holdings:
Retained by the agency until superseded, according to the retention schedule. The agency maintains a volume of the current rules and regulations, removing superseded entries as they are updated, and selected prior volumes. The current manual contains updates through FY 1999 and comprises about 2 cubic ft. Dates of the older volumes maintained are unknown. These are maintained at agency headquarters in Austin.

Description:
The series consists of the rules and regulations as promulgated by TPW Commission rulings, under authority granted by legislation, dating through FY 1999. These become part of the Texas Administrative Code. The agency maintains the current volume of rules and regulations, updating it regularly and removing superseded entries. As such, the date range of the holdings is limited to the current fiscal year, except for a few prior volumes, whose dates are unknown. Copies of the rules and regulations are regularly sent to the Publications Depository Program of the Library and Archives Commission.

Purpose:
These are the laws, rules, and regulations administered by the Parks and Wildlife Department.

Agency program:
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) had its beginnings in 1879. In 1879, the 16th Legislature authorized the Governor to appoint a fish commissioner to ensure compliance with an Act for the preservation of fish, and to build fish ways and fish ladders (Chapter 92, 16th Legislature, Regular Session). In 1881, the Office of the Fish Commissioner was established (Chapter 78, 17th Legislature, Regular Session). It was created for the "propagation and preservation of fish and to build fish-ways and fish-ladders…," existing through 1885. The commissioner was appointed to a two year term by the Governor, with the approval of the Senate.

In 1895, the Office of the Fish and Oyster Commissioner was created by House Bill 55, 24th Legislature, Regular Session, with the commissioner appointed by the Governor as before. The duties included the protection of fish, turtles and terrapin of the bays and coastal waters of the state, protection of natural oyster beds and reefs, and the protection of the location of private beds. The Commissioner had the authority to appoint Deputy Commissioners to assist in carrying out the duties of the office. In 1907, protection of wild birds and wild game was added to the responsibilities of that office, which became the Office of the Game, Fish and Oyster Commissioner (House Bill 379, 30th Legislature, Regular Session). This Commissioner appointed Deputy Game Commissioners to assist in carrying out the duties of the office.

The single commissioner was replaced by a six-member commission in 1929 and the agency became the Game, Fish, and Oyster Commission (Senate Bill 83, 41st Legislature, Regular Session). Duties of the commission included administering the state's laws relating to game and fish; preventing pollution of streams; issuing hunting, trapping, and fishing licenses; collecting fees, taxes, and fines; conducting research; and proclaiming and enforcing open seasons and bag limits on game and fish. The commission also operated fish hatcheries and sanctuaries, administered game and hunting preserves, supervised oyster beds in the state, controlled and exterminated predatory animals and fish, and educated the public in the preservation of wildlife and fish and game resources of the state. It had the authority to create rules and regulations as necessary to carry out their duties.

In 1963, the State Parks Board and the Game and Fish Commission were merged to form the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife (House Bill 21, 58th Legislature, Regular Session). The Parks and Wildlife Department is governed by the Parks and Wildlife Commission, initially composed of three members, currently nine members, appointed by the Governor with approval of the Senate. Members serve six-year overlapping terms. The Commission chairperson is appointed biennially by the Governor. The Commission meets quarterly or more often as needed. Its chief responsibility is to adopt policies and rules to carry out the programs of the Parks and Wildlife Department.

The Parks and Wildlife Department is responsible for the management and conservation of the state's wildlife and fish resources; provision of outdoor recreational opportunities to the public; acquisition, development, and operation of wildlife management areas, fish hatcheries, state parks, historic sites, and other public lands; conservation education and outreach; cultural and historical interpretation; and the regulation of fishing, hunting, and boating activities. The Department is composed of ten major divisions which carry out the functions and duties of the agency: Wildlife, State Parks, Coastal Fisheries, Inland Fisheries, Resource Protection, Communications, Law Enforcement, Infrastructure, Administrative Resources, and Human Resources. Administration of the agency is by an executive director.

The Law Enforcement Division provides a comprehensive statewide law enforcement program to protect the state's natural resources and environment. It provides safe boating and recreational water safety on public waters by ensuring compliance with state laws and regulations. The game wardens of the division are responsible for the enforcement of the Parks and Wildlife Code, all TPW regulations, the Texas Penal Code, and selected statutes and regulations applicable to clean air, water, and hazardous materials. To fulfill these duties, the wardens educate the public about the laws and regulations, conduct high visibility patrols to prevent violations, and apprehend and arrest violators.

V.T.C.A., Parks and Wildlife Code, Title 2

Arrangement: N/A - single volume

Access constraints: None

Use constraints: None

Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access? No

Problems: None

Known related records in other agencies: None

Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the Parks and Wildlife Department and none were found for this series or for equivalent or related series.

Publications based on records:
Rules and regulations appear in the Texas Administrative Code, Chapters 51-69.
Also, the agency issues sets of rules and regulations on various topics, such as Rules and regulations in Texas state parks, 1998 or Alligators in Texas 1998 : rules, regulations, and general information.

Series data from agency schedule:
Title: Rules and regulations
Series item number: 1.1.039
Agency item number: L.22.0.7
Archival code: R
Retention: US+AR

Archival holdings:
None in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission.

Texas Documents Collection holdings:
V.T.C.A., Parks and Wildlife Code, 31 Texas Administrative Code, Chapters 51-69
Also, the agency issues sets of rules and regulations on various topics, such as Rules and regulations in Texas state parks, 1998 or Alligators in Texas 1998 : rules, regulations, and general information.

Gaps:
The agency generally maintains only the current rules and regulations. Selected older volumes are maintained, it is unknown what dates are missing.

Appraisal decision:
The rules and regulations are published as part of the Texas Administrative Code. Additionally, separate topical sets of rules and regulations have been published. All of these publications are sent to the Publications Depository Program. Because these are part of the Texas Administrative Code and are also published, this series has been appraised to be non-archival. Remove the "R" from this series and replace it with the archival exemption code of "E". A note needs to be added to the Remarks column for this series - "Archival review code removed subsequent to appraisal by the Archives and Information Services Division, Library and Archives Commission, October 18, 1999."

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Records Series Review
Series Title: Building construction contracting and inspection records

Agency: Parks and Wildlife Department
Infrastructure Division

Obsolete record series? No

Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: about 10 cubic ft.

Agency holdings:
These are materials in four formerly separate series which have been retained by the agency for a variety of periods, the longest being LA+10. Current holdings are 1975-[ongoing], comprising about 40 cubic ft. These are maintained at agency headquarters in Austin.

Description:
This series contains contracts; inspection records; tabulations of bids from contractors; planning, design, and construction records; and plans and specifications for construction projects. Dates covered are 1975-[ongoing]. Types of projects covered include design and construction projects for state parks, wildlife management areas, hatcheries, and other department facilities. These materials were formerly part of four different series, but have been combined recently into this series.

Purpose:
These files document design, planning, and construction undertaken at all TPWD facilities.

Agency program:
The Parks and Wildlife Department is governed by the Parks and Wildlife Commission, initially composed of three members, currently nine members, appointed by the Governor with approval of the Senate. Members serve six-year overlapping terms. The Commission chairperson is appointed biennially by the Governor. The Commission meets quarterly or more often as needed. Its chief responsibility is to adopt policies and rules to carry out the programs of the Parks and Wildlife Department.

The Parks and Wildlife Department is responsible for the management and conservation of the state's wildlife and fish resources; provision of outdoor recreational opportunities to the public; acquisition, development, and operation of wildlife management areas, fish hatcheries, state parks, historic sites, and other public lands; conservation education and outreach; cultural and historical interpretation; and the regulation of fishing, hunting, and boating activities. The Department is composed of ten major divisions which carry out the functions and duties of the agency: Wildlife, State Parks, Coastal Fisheries, Inland Fisheries, Resource Protection, Communications, Law Enforcement, Infrastructure, Administrative Resources, and Human Resources. Administration of the agency is by an executive director.

The Infrastructure Division administers TPWD's Capital Program, which includes all new construction, restoration, renovation, maintenance, and repair projects. It is responsible for all design and construction contracts for the department, and it provides professional design, construction, and project management services to state parks, wildlife management areas, hatcheries, and other department facilities. The division is also TPWD's liaison with the Texas Department of Transportation, the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

V.T.C.A., Parks and Wildlife Code, Title 2

Arrangement: Alphabetical by facility name and numeric by project number

Access constraints: None

Use constraints: None

Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access? No

Problems: None

Known related records in other agencies: None

Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the Parks and Wildlife Department and none were found for this series or for equivalent or related series.

Publications based on records: None

Series data from agency schedule:
Title: Building construction contract and inspection records
Series item number: 5.2.028
Agency item number: A.63.6.1
Archival code: R
Retention: LA+10

Series data from agency schedule:
Title: Building construction project files
Series item number: 5.2.002
Agency item number: P.30.0.1
Archival code: R
Retention: AC+10

Series data from agency schedule:
Title: Project bid tabulations
Series item number: 5.3
Agency item number: P.34.0.10
Archival code: R
Retention: AC+2

Series data from agency schedule:
Title: Building plans and specifications
Series item number: 5.2.003
Agency item number: P.33.0.6
Archival code: R
Retention: LA

Archival holdings:
None in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission.

Gaps: No records are present before 1975 according to the agency.

Appraisal decision:
This series contains materials formerly maintained in four series. When the agency reorganized, these four series were given to the Infrastructure Division, which has now combined the series into one. The materials in the first three series listed - Building construction contracting and inspection records, Building construction project files, and Project bid tabulations, contain routine construction records - bids, inspection records, contracts, correspondence, etc. which do not warrant permanent retention. These materials can be maintained in one series, with a retention period of AC+10 or longer if the agency wishes. These three series have been appraised to be non-archival. The agency can place them in the one series titled Building construction contracting and inspection records. This series does not need an "R" archival code. Instead, add an archival exemption code of "E". A note needs to be added to the Remarks column for this series - "Archival review code removed subsequent to appraisal by the Archives and Information Services Division, Library and Archives Commission, October 18, 1999."

The last of the original series, Building plans and specifications, contains plans and specifications for all TPWD parks and other facilities. These need to remain in a series by themselves, with a retention period of LA. Many of these facilities have been in existence for 20 or more years. Because of the long-term use of these facilities, the historic value of some facilities, and continued operation of them by the agency, this series has been appraised to be archival. Keep this series as it is currently on the retention schedule, change the code of "R" to "A". As long as the agency operates these facilities, they need to maintain these records. If they cease operating some facilities, records relating to those facilities will need to be reviewed for archival value, depending on whether the structures in question are deemed to be historic.

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Records Series Review
Series Title: Map files

Agency: Parks and Wildlife Department
Infrastructure Division

Obsolete record series? No

Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: 1 flat file

Agency holdings:
Retained by the agency until superseded, according to the retention schedule. Current holdings are 1950-[ongoing], consisting of 150 flat files or map drawers. These are maintained at agency headquarters in Austin.

Description:
These are maps, sketches, aerial photos, topographic maps, autocad drawings, and plans of state parks, fisheries, wildlife areas, and office buildings. Dates covered are 1950-[ongoing]. Most of these materials were prepared by other agencies or entities. Some of the sketches and plans are original, documenting things such as a new water line placement, or removal of a sewer line, etc. The materials in this series are maintained to help in the planning, design, and construction projects, but also to track cultural or physical changes occurring on TPWD lands. According to agency staff, significant changes found in these materials also appear elsewhere, such as in plans and drawings of facilities - see the series Building plans and specifications (listed as part of the series review Building construction contracting and inspection records); and in the published master plans done for state parks - see the series Master planning project files. Additionally, many of these materials are being scanned into the Geographic Information System (GIS) of the TPWD so information on these maps, etc. will be incorporated into future maps produced through the GIS laboratory for various purposes.

A related set of drawings and maps in the Parks Division which is not on the schedule are the Civilian Conservation Corps maps. See that series description for more information about those maps - Civilian Conservation Corps Drawings Collection.

Purpose:
These are maintained to assist in planning, design, and construction projects, and to track cultural or physical changes occurring on TPWD lands.

Agency program:
The Parks and Wildlife Department is governed by the Parks and Wildlife Commission, initially composed of three members, currently nine members, appointed by the Governor with approval of the Senate. Members serve six-year overlapping terms. The Commission chairperson is appointed biennially by the Governor. The Commission meets quarterly or more often as needed. Its chief responsibility is to adopt policies and rules to carry out the programs of the Parks and Wildlife Department.

The Parks and Wildlife Department is responsible for the management and conservation of the state's wildlife and fish resources; provision of outdoor recreational opportunities to the public; acquisition, development, and operation of wildlife management areas, fish hatcheries, state parks, historic sites, and other public lands; conservation education and outreach; cultural and historical interpretation; and the regulation of fishing, hunting, and boating activities. The Department is composed of ten major divisions which carry out the functions and duties of the agency: Wildlife, State Parks, Coastal Fisheries, Inland Fisheries, Resource Protection, Communications, Law Enforcement, Infrastructure, Administrative Resources, and Human Resources. Administration of the agency is by an executive director.

The Infrastructure Division administers TPWD's Capital Program, which includes all new construction, restoration, renovation, maintenance, and repair projects. It is responsible for all design and construction contracts for the department, and it provides professional design, construction, and project management services to state parks, wildlife management areas, hatcheries, and other department facilities. The division is also TPWD's liaison with the Texas Department of Transportation, the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

V.T.C.A., Parks and Wildlife Code, Title 2

Arrangement: Alphabetical by site name

Access constraints: None

Use constraints: None

Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access? No

Problems: None

Known related records in other agencies: None

Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the Parks and Wildlife Department and none were found for this series or for equivalent or related series.

Publications based on records:
Some of the maps, plans, and sketches or elements thereof appear in the master plans done for state parks, generically titled as "Master Plan for __________ State Park."

Series data from agency schedule:
Title: Map files (flat)
Series item number: P.34.0.8
Agency item number: 1.1
Archival code: R
Retention: US

Archival holdings:
None in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission.

Texas Documents Collection
Some of the maps, plans, and sketches or elements thereof appear in the master plans done for state parks, generically titled as "Master Plan for __________ State Park." The Documents Collection has some of these, though it is unknown if they have a complete set.

Gaps: None according to the agency.

Appraisal decision:
This series contains some original materials - maps, sketches, plans, and some mass produced materials, such as topographic maps. These materials are kept primarily as reference materials to track cultural and topographic changes to parks and wildlife. According to agency staff, significant changes noted here should be documented elsewhere in the agency. Some items will appear or be incorporated in the published master plans, others in the plans and drawings for facilities. And, the information is being added to their GIS system, thus it will available in other productions of the agency, including published reports which will be sent to the Publications Depository Program of the Library and Archives Commission. Although the state parks and other facilities have long-term value to the agency and to the public, the significant information in these files is available in other archival series or in published form. Therefore, this series has been appraised to be non-archival. Remove the "R" from this series and replace it with the archival exemption code of "E". A note needs to be added to the Remarks column for this series - "Archival review code removed subsequent to appraisal by the Archives and Information Services Division, Library and Archives Commission, October 18, 1999."

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Records Series Review
Series Title: Master planning project files

Agency: Parks and Wildlife Department
Infrastructure Division

Obsolete record series? No

Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: 2 cubic ft.

Agency holdings:
Retained by the agency until purpose served, according to the retention schedule. Current holdings of the agency are 1970-[ongoing], comprising 72 cubic ft. and 15 map flat files. The project files are maintained at agency headquarters in Austin.

A set of the master plans is maintained at the agency's defunct library located in a small office suite in an industrial park on HWY 183 in Austin. These are dated ca. 1971-[ongoing] and comprise about 6 cubic ft.

Description:
This series contains maps, survey data, narratives, studies, photographs, correspondence, public hearing documentation, and master plans, dating 1970-[ongoing]. This series records the agency's evaluation of proposed park sites. There has been very little activity in this area in recent years. The focus of the investigation is chiefly demographic: an attempt is made to determine how the site would best be utilized given the preferences of nearby population centers. Correspondents may be TPWD staff, staff of other interested Federal, state, and local governments, professional consultants and experts, and the general public. At the end of the process, all the gathered information is assembled in a publication, which is typically entitled "Master Plan for ______ State Park".

The master plans produced from these files are spiral bound reports done when parks were being initially developed. In some cases, a master plan was done before the land was officially acquired for the park - by the time the land was acquired the plan for the park could have been significantly altered. The type of information in the plan includes background data/history of the land, objectives of the plan, policies, maps, analysis of approach in developing the park (includes investigation, evaluation, team analysis), conservation studies, development studies (soil, weather, hydrography, etc.), land use concepts, pictures of the area, and programs for the facilities. The purpose of these documents was to develop a master plan for the park. Plans have not been done for all parks. The agency maintains a set of the published master plans in their now defunct library. Copies of the master plans have been sent to the Publications Depository Program of the Library and Archives Commission.

Purpose:
These materials are used to develop master plans for holdings in the parks and wildlife system.

Agency program:
The Parks and Wildlife Department is governed by the Parks and Wildlife Commission, initially composed of three members, currently nine members, appointed by the Governor with approval of the Senate. Members serve six-year overlapping terms. The Commission chairperson is appointed biennially by the Governor. The Commission meets quarterly or more often as needed. Its chief responsibility is to adopt policies and rules to carry out the programs of the Parks and Wildlife Department.

The Parks and Wildlife Department is responsible for the management and conservation of the state's wildlife and fish resources; provision of outdoor recreational opportunities to the public; acquisition, development, and operation of wildlife management areas, fish hatcheries, state parks, historic sites, and other public lands; conservation education and outreach; cultural and historical interpretation; and the regulation of fishing, hunting, and boating activities. The Department is composed of ten major divisions which carry out the functions and duties of the agency: Wildlife, State Parks, Coastal Fisheries, Inland Fisheries, Resource Protection, Communications, Law Enforcement, Infrastructure, Administrative Resources, and Human Resources. Administration of the agency is by an executive director.

The Infrastructure Division administers TPWD's Capital Program, which includes all new construction, restoration, renovation, maintenance, and repair projects. It is responsible for all design and construction contracts for the department, and it provides professional design, construction, and project management services to state parks, wildlife management areas, hatcheries, and other department facilities. The division is also TPWD's liaison with the Texas Department of Transportation, the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

V.T.C.A., Parks and Wildlife Code, Title 2

Arrangement: Alphabetical by site name.

Access constraints: None

Use constraints: None

Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access? No

Problems: None

Known related records in other agencies: None

Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the Parks and Wildlife Department and none were found for this series or for equivalent or related series.

Publications based on records:
Master plans based on these records were done for most state parks, using the generic title "Master Plan for ___________ State Park."

Series data from agency schedule:
Title: Master planning project files
Series item number: 5.2
Agency item number: P.34.0.9
Archival code: R
Retention: PS

Archival holdings:
None in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission.

Texas Documents Collection holdings:
Master plans for state parks - generic series title - "Master Plan for __________ State Park". It is unknown if the Documents Collection has a complete set of these.

Gaps: None according to the agency.

Appraisal decision:
The master planning project files contain a significant amount of information about the development and history of the state parks. The master plans are very detailed, containing much of the information gathered, including maps and copies of photographs, in the publication. The information gathered during this process is invaluable for documenting the history and development of the state parks. Since the information gathered is detailed in the published master plans, these master plans can be retained permanently in lieu of the actual project files. The published master plans in this series have been appraised to be archival. The published plans are sufficient documentation of this activity; the files are not archival as long as publications are prepared. TPWD needs to create two series out of this one series - "Reports and Studies (non-fiscal) Raw Data" (i.e., the files) coded as non-archival; and "Reports and Studies (non fiscal)" (i.e., the published plans). This latter series will be coded as archival, with this note added to the Remarks column of the schedule - "Copies of master plans sent to the Publications Depository Program of the Library and Archives Commission fulfill the archival requirement." Transfer the set of master plans in the agency's library to the Archives and Information Services Division.

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Records Series Review
Series Title: Hunter education student records

Agency: Parks and Wildlife Department
Resource Protection Division, Education Branch

Obsolete record series? No

Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: about 2 cubic ft.

Agency holdings:
Retained by the agency for 2 years according to the retention schedule. Current holdings in paper are 1997-1999, 5 cubic ft., stored in an storage unit maintained by the Education Branch. Electronic records date from 1977-[ongoing] for boater education and 1972-[ongoing] for hunter education. These are maintained at agency headquarters in Austin.

Description:
These are student and instructor records for each boater and hunter education course offered to the public, dating 1972-[ongoing]. The records are scanned into a Microsoft Access database. The division maintains the paper copies for two years, the electronic records permanently. The database contains boater education records for 1977-[ongoing], hunter education records for 1972-[ongoing]. Description of course offerings, how to enroll in the courses, and related publications are listed on the web page of the agency.

The Hunter Education Student records and Boater Education Student records (new, not on schedule yet) contain student registration forms: a one page form giving the student's name, address, date of birth, social security number, class date and location, instructor's name, course grade, and instructor's signature. Contents of these files are compiled annually for internal reports summarizing, for example, number of students served, average scores, demographic distribution, etc.

A parallel set of files (not on schedule) are maintained on instructor applications. These files contain the instructor's name, address, phone, SS#, etc.; information on the applicant's qualifications, and a record of the dates and locations of classes they have taught. The file for each instructor also contains a 4 page interview form completed by a Game Warden. This form collects additional info such as criminal history, hunting (or boating) experience, and the Game Warden's subjective impression of the applicant. Contents of these files are compiled into various internal reports to illustrate the program's effectiveness.

Purpose:
These are mandated educational programs (Section 31.018-110 (Boater education) and Section 62.014 (Hunter education) of the Parks and Wildlife Code). The records track the recruitment and training of instructors, and the students who have completed the training.

Agency program:
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) had its beginnings in 1879. In 1879, the 16th Legislature authorized the Governor to appoint a fish commissioner to ensure compliance with an Act for the preservation of fish, and to build fish ways and fish ladders (Chapter 92, 16th Legislature, Regular Session). In 1881, the Office of the Fish Commissioner was established (Chapter 78, 17th Legislature, Regular Session). It was created for the "propagation and preservation of fish and to build fish-ways and fish-ladders…," existing through 1885. The commissioner was appointed to a two year term by the Governor, with the approval of the Senate.

In 1895, the Office of the Fish and Oyster Commissioner was created by House Bill 55, 24th Legislature, Regular Session, with the commissioner appointed by the Governor as before. The duties included the protection of fish, turtles and terrapin of the bays and coastal waters of the state, protection of natural oyster beds and reefs, and the protection of the location of private beds. The Commissioner had the authority to appoint Deputy Commissioners to assist in carrying out the duties of the office. In 1907, protection of wild birds and wild game was added to the responsibilities of that office, which became the Office of the Game, Fish and Oyster Commissioner (House Bill 379, 30th Legislature, Regular Session). This Commissioner appointed Deputy Game Commissioners to assist in carrying out the duties of the office.

The single commissioner was replaced by a six-member commission in 1929 and the agency became the Game, Fish, and Oyster Commission (Senate Bill 83, 41st Legislature, Regular Session). Duties of the commission included administering the state's laws relating to game and fish; preventing pollution of streams; issuing hunting, trapping, and fishing licenses; collecting fees, taxes, and fines; conducting research; and proclaiming and enforcing open seasons and bag limits on game and fish. The commission also operated fish hatcheries and sanctuaries, administered game and hunting preserves, supervised oyster beds in the state, controlled and exterminated predatory animals and fish, and educated the public in the preservation of wildlife and fish and game resources of the state. It had the authority to create rules and regulations as necessary to carry out their duties.

In 1963, the State Parks Board and the Game and Fish Commission were merged to form the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife (House Bill 21, 58th Legislature, Regular Session). The Parks and Wildlife Department is governed by the Parks and Wildlife Commission, initially composed of three members, currently nine members, appointed by the Governor with approval of the Senate. Members serve six-year overlapping terms. The Commission chairperson is appointed biennially by the Governor. The Commission meets quarterly or more often as needed. Its chief responsibility is to adopt policies and rules to carry out the programs of the Parks and Wildlife Department.

The Parks and Wildlife Department is responsible for the management and conservation of the state's wildlife and fish resources; provision of outdoor recreational opportunities to the public; acquisition, development, and operation of wildlife management areas, fish hatcheries, state parks, historic sites, and other public lands; conservation education and outreach; cultural and historical interpretation; and the regulation of fishing, hunting, and boating activities. The Department is composed of ten major divisions which carry out the functions and duties of the agency: Wildlife, State Parks, Coastal Fisheries, Inland Fisheries, Resource Protection, Communications, Law Enforcement, Infrastructure, Administrative Resources, and Human Resources. Administration of the agency is by an executive director.

The Resource Protection Division protects fish, wildlife, plant and mineral resources from degradation or depletion. It investigates environmental contamination which may cause the loss of fish or wildlife. It also provides information and recommendations to other government agencies and participates in administrative and judicial proceedings concerning pollution incidents, development projects, and other actions which may affect fish and wildlife. The Division also reviews permits proposed for wastewater discharge and hazardous waste disposal by the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission and the Railroad Commission. The division also investigates fish kills, attempts to determine responsibility for the kill, and recovers the economic value of the fish and other lost aquatic life from the polluter. The division also assesses injury to fish and wildlife resources from oil and hazardous chemical releases and seeks restoration from the responsible party. The division represents the department in the Interagency Council for Oil Spill Response Planning and the Coastal Coordinating Council, a multi-agency body that reviews and coordinates state and federal laws and actions affecting the Texas coast. The division works with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to protect wetland areas and to dispose of dredge material from Texas bays; and it works to protect sensitive ecological habitats and rare, threatened, or endangered plants and animals. The Resource Conservation Branch of the division works with the Governor's Texas Review and Comment System (TRACS) by reviewing and commenting on various projects that may or may not have environmental impact on state resources.

The Resource Protection Division contains two units which report to it, but function as cross-divisional units in support of all TPWD divisions--the Education Branch and the Geographic Information Systems Laboratory. The Education Branch supports education throughout the agency and administers many of the agency's education initiatives and events, and cooperative and outreach efforts, including Outdoor Kids, the mandatory hunter education program, mandatory boater education and water safety, etc. The Geographic Information Systems Laboratory provides specialized training and spatial analysis as part of its support of agency-wide efforts to develop, manage, and archive digital maps and natural and cultural databases which allow biologists and resource managers to more effectively manage state resources.

V.T.C.A., Parks and Wildlife Code, Title 2

Arrangement:
Chronologically by month of courses held; then by calendar year, for each program.

Access constraints:
The social security numbers of the instructors are confidential, unless waived by that employee, V.T.C.A., Government Code, Section 552.117.

Use constraints:
Data entry limited to Education Branch staff in Austin headquarters. Field accessibility is limited until the database is made accessible to a wider network within the TPWD system.

Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access? Yes. Need to use/query passwords.

Problems:
Scantron records ('bubble-style forms') require much maintenance and there are many errors associated with the forms being scanned into the system; education and training would help to eliminate many of these errors.

Known related records in other agencies: None

Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the Parks and Wildlife Department and none were found for this series or for equivalent or related series.

Publications based on records:
This information appears in the W-104-S Federal Aid Report.

Series data from agency schedule:
Title: Hunter education student record
Series item number: none
Agency item number: C.20.0.4
Archival code: R
Retention: US

Archival holdings:
None in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission.

Gaps:
Boater education records not available until 1977; hunter education records not available until 1972.

Appraisal decision:
These records document training of instructors and the public in hunter and boater education. These training materials are coursework results which do not need to be maintained archivally. The number of individuals educated is summarized in the annual report of the agency, which is sufficient documentation of this function. This series has been appraised to be non-archival. The "R" can be removed from this series and replaced with the archival exemption code of "E". A note needs to be added to the Remarks column for this series - "Archival review code removed subsequent to appraisal by the Archives and Information Services Division, Library and Archives Commission, October 18, 1999." The agency has added additional materials to this series so the series title needs to be changed to reflect these changes to Boater and hunter education student and instructor records.

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Records Series Review
Series Title: National Estuary Programs

Agency: Parks and Wildlife Department
Resource Protection Division

Obsolete record series? No

Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: less than 1 cubic ft.

Agency holdings:
Retained by the agency for 5 years according to the retention schedule. Current holdings are 1989-[ongoing], comprising 2 cubic ft. These are maintained at the agency headquarters in Austin.

Description:
This series contains correspondence, drafts, and preliminary reports detailing TPW participation in the National Estuary Program, which is administered by the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC). Dates covered are 1989-[ongoing]. There are two major program areas: the Corpus Christi National Estuary Program, and the Galveston Bay National Estuary Program. The "Corpus Christi National Estuary Program" is now called the "Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Conservation Plan". Correspondents to this series include: federal agency staff (mainly U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Wildlife Service, etc), state government staff (mainly TPWD, TNRCC, General Land Office (GLO)), local government, industry and business representatives, landowners, and general public. All TPW contributions are included in reports published by TNRCC. See these series on the TNRCC retention schedule for more information about this program and its records - series 6240.01 - Galveston Bay National Estuary Program Meeting Reports and series 6250.01 - Corpus Christi Bay National Estuary Program Meeting Reports.

Purpose:
These records are used as aids in the development of comprehensive management plans for Texas' bays and estuaries.

Agency program:
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) had its beginnings in 1879. In 1879, the 16th Legislature authorized the Governor to appoint a fish commissioner to ensure compliance with an Act for the preservation of fish, and to build fish ways and fish ladders (Chapter 92, 16th Legislature, Regular Session). In 1881, the Office of the Fish Commissioner was established (Chapter 78, 17th Legislature, Regular Session). It was created for the "propagation and preservation of fish and to build fish-ways and fish-ladders…," existing through 1885. The commissioner was appointed to a two year term by the Governor, with the approval of the Senate.

In 1895, the Office of the Fish and Oyster Commissioner was created by House Bill 55, 24th Legislature, Regular Session, with the commissioner appointed by the Governor as before. The duties included the protection of fish, turtles and terrapin of the bays and coastal waters of the state, protection of natural oyster beds and reefs, and the protection of the location of private beds. The Commissioner had the authority to appoint Deputy Commissioners to assist in carrying out the duties of the office. In 1907, protection of wild birds and wild game was added to the responsibilities of that office, which became the Office of the Game, Fish and Oyster Commissioner (House Bill 379, 30th Legislature, Regular Session). This Commissioner appointed Deputy Game Commissioners to assist in carrying out the duties of the office.

The single commissioner was replaced by a six-member commission in 1929 and the agency became the Game, Fish, and Oyster Commission (Senate Bill 83, 41st Legislature, Regular Session). Duties of the commission included administering the state's laws relating to game and fish; preventing pollution of streams; issuing hunting, trapping, and fishing licenses; collecting fees, taxes, and fines; conducting research; and proclaiming and enforcing open seasons and bag limits on game and fish. The commission also operated fish hatcheries and sanctuaries, administered game and hunting preserves, supervised oyster beds in the state, controlled and exterminated predatory animals and fish, and educated the public in the preservation of wildlife and fish and game resources of the state. It had the authority to create rules and regulations as necessary to carry out their duties.

In 1963, the State Parks Board and the Game and Fish Commission were merged to form the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife (House Bill 21, 58th Legislature, Regular Session). The Parks and Wildlife Department is governed by the Parks and Wildlife Commission, initially composed of three members, currently nine members, appointed by the Governor with approval of the Senate. Members serve six-year overlapping terms. The Commission chairperson is appointed biennially by the Governor. The Commission meets quarterly or more often as needed. Its chief responsibility is to adopt policies and rules to carry out the programs of the Parks and Wildlife Department.

The Parks and Wildlife Department is responsible for the management and conservation of the state's wildlife and fish resources; provision of outdoor recreational opportunities to the public; acquisition, development, and operation of wildlife management areas, fish hatcheries, state parks, historic sites, and other public lands; conservation education and outreach; cultural and historical interpretation; and the regulation of fishing, hunting, and boating activities. The Department is composed of ten major divisions which carry out the functions and duties of the agency: Wildlife, State Parks, Coastal Fisheries, Inland Fisheries, Resource Protection, Communications, Law Enforcement, Infrastructure, Administrative Resources, and Human Resources. Administration of the agency is by an executive director.

The Resource Protection Division protects fish, wildlife, plant and mineral resources from degradation or depletion. It investigates environmental contamination which may cause the loss of fish or wildlife. It also provides information and recommendations to other government agencies and participates in administrative and judicial proceedings concerning pollution incidents, development projects, and other actions which may affect fish and wildlife. The Division also reviews permits proposed for wastewater discharge and hazardous waste disposal by the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission and the Railroad Commission. The division also investigates fish kills, attempts to determine responsibility for the kill, and recovers the economic value of the fish and other lost aquatic life from the polluter. The division also assesses injury to fish and wildlife resources from oil and hazardous chemical releases and seeks restoration from the responsible party. The division represents the department in the Interagency Council for Oil Spill Response Planning and the Coastal Coordinating Council, a multi-agency body that reviews and coordinates state and federal laws and actions affecting the Texas coast. The division works with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to protect wetland areas and to dispose of dredge material from Texas bays; and it works to protect sensitive ecological habitats and rare, threatened, or endangered plants and animals. The Resource Conservation Branch of the division works with the Governor's Texas Review and Comment System (TRACS) by reviewing and commenting on various projects that may or may not have environmental impact on state resources.

The Resource Protection Division contains two units which report to it, but function as cross-divisional units in support of all TPWD divisions--the Education Branch and the Geographic Information Systems Laboratory. The Education Branch supports education throughout the agency and administers many of the agency's education initiatives and events, and cooperative and outreach efforts, including Outdoor Kids, the mandatory hunter education program, mandatory boater education and water safety, etc. The Geographic Information Systems Laboratory provides specialized training and spatial analysis as part of its support of agency-wide efforts to develop, manage, and archive digital maps and natural and cultural databases which allow biologists and resource managers to more effectively manage state resources.

V.T.C.A., Parks and Wildlife Code, Title 2

Arrangement: Chronological

Access constraints: None

Use constraints: None

Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access? No

Problems: None

Known related records in other agencies:
This material is duplicated in files at the Texas National Resource Conservation Commission, see series 6240.01 - Galveston Bay National Estuary Program Meeting Reports and series 6250.01 - Corpus Christi Bay National Estuary Program Meeting Reports on the TNRCC schedule.

Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the Parks and Wildlife Department and none were found for this series or for equivalent or related series.

Publications based on records:
The TNRCC publishes a series of reports based on this material. The titles are too numerous to mention, but include reports such as A Conceptual Ecosystem Model of the Corpus Christi Bay National Estuary Program Study Area, Galveston Bay Data Inventory, and The State of the Bay.

Series data from agency schedule:
Title: National Estuary Programs
Series item number: 1.1.067
Agency item number: R.40.0.17
Archival code: none
Retention: AR+5

Archival holdings:
None in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission.

Texas Documents Collection
The TNRCC publishes a series of reports based on this material. The titles are too numerous to mention, but include reports such as A Conceptual Ecosystem Model of the Corpus Christi Bay National Estuary Program Study Area, Galveston Bay Data Inventory, and The State of the Bay. The reports in this series are regularly deposited in the Publications Depository Program.

Gaps: None according to the agency.

Appraisal decision:
The materials in this series document the work of the agency in the National Estuary Program. The reports and studies produced provide valuable information about the estuary systems along the Texas coast. However, the materials maintained at TPWD are duplicated in the files of TNRCC, the agency which administers this program in Texas. Therefore, this series has been appraised to be non-archival. Although this series did not carry an archival code initially, based on the agency classifying this as 1.1.067, it should have had an "R" code. Add the archival exemption code of "E" to this series and a note to the Remarks column for this series - "Archival review code removed subsequent to appraisal by the Archives and Information Services Division, Library and Archives Commission, October 18, 1999."

Records documenting the work of the state in the National Estuary Program will be reviewed when the records of the TNRCC are appraised, since it holds the record copy of work done with this program.

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Records Series Review
Series Title: Fish kills files

Agency: Parks and Wildlife Department
Resource Protection Division

Obsolete record series? No

Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: about 1 cubic ft.

Agency holdings:
Retained by the agency permanently. Current holdings are 1958-[ongoing], comprising 22 cubic ft. of paper files. Data is also maintained in an Access 97 database. These files are maintained at the agency headquarters in Austin.

Description:
This series contains correspondence, raw data, field notes, photos, maps, lab analysis, and reports concerning the investigation of fish kills statewide. Dates covered are 1958-[ongoing]. Correspondents are staff, other agency staff (i.e., local law enforcement); vessel, business, industry, and other property owners; 'responsible parties' (defendants); and the concerned public. Summarized results of the field investigations are also available in an Access 97 database. There are not any printed or published reports, only computer summary reports, prepared from the data gathered in these files.

Another series which contains some materials concerning the investigation of inland fish kills is the series Resource Protection, Freshwater Conservation Branch program files.

Purpose:
These files fulfill a federal mandate to monitor fish kill events.

Agency program:
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) had its beginnings in 1879. In 1879, the 16th Legislature authorized the Governor to appoint a fish commissioner to ensure compliance with an Act for the preservation of fish, and to build fish ways and fish ladders (Chapter 92, 16th Legislature, Regular Session). In 1881, the Office of the Fish Commissioner was established (Chapter 78, 17th Legislature, Regular Session). It was created for the "propagation and preservation of fish and to build fish-ways and fish-ladders…," existing through 1885. The commissioner was appointed to a two year term by the Governor, with the approval of the Senate.

In 1895, the Office of the Fish and Oyster Commissioner was created by House Bill 55, 24th Legislature, Regular Session, with the commissioner appointed by the Governor as before. The duties included the protection of fish, turtles and terrapin of the bays and coastal waters of the state, protection of natural oyster beds and reefs, and the protection of the location of private beds. The Commissioner had the authority to appoint Deputy Commissioners to assist in carrying out the duties of the office. In 1907, protection of wild birds and wild game was added to the responsibilities of that office, which became the Office of the Game, Fish and Oyster Commissioner (House Bill 379, 30th Legislature, Regular Session). This Commissioner appointed Deputy Game Commissioners to assist in carrying out the duties of the office.

The single commissioner was replaced by a six-member commission in 1929 and the agency became the Game, Fish, and Oyster Commission (Senate Bill 83, 41st Legislature, Regular Session). Duties of the commission included administering the state's laws relating to game and fish; preventing pollution of streams; issuing hunting, trapping, and fishing licenses; collecting fees, taxes, and fines; conducting research; and proclaiming and enforcing open seasons and bag limits on game and fish. The commission also operated fish hatcheries and sanctuaries, administered game and hunting preserves, supervised oyster beds in the state, controlled and exterminated predatory animals and fish, and educated the public in the preservation of wildlife and fish and game resources of the state. It had the authority to create rules and regulations as necessary to carry out their duties.

In 1963, the State Parks Board and the Game and Fish Commission were merged to form the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife (House Bill 21, 58th Legislature, Regular Session). The Parks and Wildlife Department is governed by the Parks and Wildlife Commission, initially composed of three members, currently nine members, appointed by the Governor with approval of the Senate. Members serve six-year overlapping terms. The Commission chairperson is appointed biennially by the Governor. The Commission meets quarterly or more often as needed. Its chief responsibility is to adopt policies and rules to carry out the programs of the Parks and Wildlife Department.

The Parks and Wildlife Department is responsible for the management and conservation of the state's wildlife and fish resources; provision of outdoor recreational opportunities to the public; acquisition, development, and operation of wildlife management areas, fish hatcheries, state parks, historic sites, and other public lands; conservation education and outreach; cultural and historical interpretation; and the regulation of fishing, hunting, and boating activities. The Department is composed of ten major divisions which carry out the functions and duties of the agency: Wildlife, State Parks, Coastal Fisheries, Inland Fisheries, Resource Protection, Communications, Law Enforcement, Infrastructure, Administrative Resources, and Human Resources. Administration of the agency is by an executive director.

The Resource Protection Division protects fish, wildlife, plant and mineral resources from degradation or depletion. It investigates environmental contamination which may cause the loss of fish or wildlife. It also provides information and recommendations to other government agencies and participates in administrative and judicial proceedings concerning pollution incidents, development projects, and other actions which may affect fish and wildlife. The Division also reviews permits proposed for wastewater discharge and hazardous waste disposal by the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission and the Railroad Commission. The division also investigates fish kills, attempts to determine responsibility for the kill, and recovers the economic value of the fish and other lost aquatic life from the polluter. The division also assesses injury to fish and wildlife resources from oil and hazardous chemical releases and seeks restoration from the responsible party. The division represents the department in the Interagency Council for Oil Spill Response Planning and the Coastal Coordinating Council, a multi-agency body that reviews and coordinates state and federal laws and actions affecting the Texas coast. The division works with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to protect wetland areas and to dispose of dredge material from Texas bays; and it works to protect sensitive ecological habitats and rare, threatened, or endangered plants and animals.

The Resource Protection Division contains two units which report to it, but function as cross-divisional units in support of all TPWD divisions--the Education Branch and the Geographic Information Systems Laboratory. The Education Branch supports education throughout the agency and administers many of the agency's education initiatives and events, and cooperative and outreach efforts, including Outdoor Kids, the mandatory hunter education program, mandatory boater education and water safety, etc. The Geographic Information Systems Laboratory provides specialized training and spatial analysis as part of its support of agency-wide efforts to develop, manage, and archive digital maps and natural and cultural databases which allow biologists and resource managers to more effectively manage state resources.

V.T.C.A., Parks and Wildlife Code, Title 2

Arrangement: Alphabetical by county name

Access constraints:
Cases involving ongoing litigation and/or restitution cases are closed until the case is resolved.

Use constraints:
Access to the database is restricted to certain personnel. The data itself is not restricted.

Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access? No

Problems: None

Known related records in other agencies:
Yes. Computer summary reports are shared with the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission and likely maintained at that agency.

Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the Parks and Wildlife Department and none were found for this series or for equivalent or related series.

Publications based on records: None

Series data from agency schedule:
Title: Fish kills
Series item number: none
Agency item number: V.34.0.6
Archival code: none
Retention: PM

Archival holdings:
None in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission.

Gaps: None according to the agency.

Appraisal decision:
The materials in this series are used to document and monitor fish kill events in the state, per a federal mandate. There are not any reports prepared from this data, but the data is summarized in a computer database, with summary computer reports printed out and sent to TNRCC. The number of fish kills investigated by TPWD is sometimes listed in the annual report of the agency. Documentation and investigation of fish kills is a major function of this division. At this time the agency maintains these records permanently, both in paper and in electronic media. Some reporting of this function needs to be documented, which is currently only available through the computerized summary printouts. Because of the evidential and informational value of this data, this series has been appraised to be archival. Add an archival code of "A" to the schedule. When the agency ceases to maintain these printouts or ceases to perform this function, these summary printouts (or other summary published reports if such are ever prepared) should be transferred to the Archives and Information Services Division.

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Records Series Review
Series Title: Resource Conservation Branch Program files

Agency: Parks and Wildlife Department
Resource Protection Division, Resource Conservation Branch

Obsolete record series? No

Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: less than 1 cubic ft.

Agency holdings:
Retained by the agency for 5 years after completed according to the retention schedule. Current holdings are 1996-[ongoing], comprising about 2 cubic ft. The files for the current fiscal year are stored at the agency, the files for previous years are stored in offsite storage.

Description:
This series consists of TRACS (Texas Review and Comments System) inquiries forwarded from the Governor's Office of Budget and Planning to Parks and Wildlife for review and comment on projects that may or may not have environmental impacts, and responses by TPWD. Dates covered are 1996-[ongoing]. On those items requiring comment from TPWD, a narrative, usually in letter form, is attached to the original, and returned to the Governor's Office. The review documents relate to a wide variety of projects that could have environmental impact on fish and wildlife habitat. The reviews are coordinated through the Resource Conservation Branch and routed to the proper divisions in the agency (Wildlife, Inland and Coastal Fisheries, Law Enforcement, and Resource Protection) for departmental input. Responses are prepared by the Resource Conservation Branch and signed by the Assistant Director, Resource Protection Division. Replies are returned to the Governor's Office in the form of a letter or no comment noted on the TRACS form. A copy of the TRACS request and the responses are retained by the Resource Conservation Branch along with any supporting documentation provided by the Governor's Office on an annual basis. The original TRACS documents are returned to the Governor's Office.

Purpose:
These materials document agency responses to TRACS inquiries.

Agency program:
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) had its beginnings in 1879. In 1879, the 16th Legislature authorized the Governor to appoint a fish commissioner to ensure compliance with an Act for the preservation of fish, and to build fish ways and fish ladders (Chapter 92, 16th Legislature, Regular Session). In 1881, the Office of the Fish Commissioner was established (Chapter 78, 17th Legislature, Regular Session). It was created for the "propagation and preservation of fish and to build fish-ways and fish-ladders…," existing through 1885. The commissioner was appointed to a two year term by the Governor, with the approval of the Senate.

In 1895, the Office of the Fish and Oyster Commissioner was created by House Bill 55, 24th Legislature, Regular Session, with the commissioner appointed by the Governor as before. The duties included the protection of fish, turtles and terrapin of the bays and coastal waters of the state, protection of natural oyster beds and reefs, and the protection of the location of private beds. The Commissioner had the authority to appoint Deputy Commissioners to assist in carrying out the duties of the office. In 1907, protection of wild birds and wild game was added to the responsibilities of that office, which became the Office of the Game, Fish and Oyster Commissioner (House Bill 379, 30th Legislature, Regular Session). This Commissioner appointed Deputy Game Commissioners to assist in carrying out the duties of the office.

The single commissioner was replaced by a six-member commission in 1929 and the agency became the Game, Fish, and Oyster Commission (Senate Bill 83, 41st Legislature, Regular Session). Duties of the commission included administering the state's laws relating to game and fish; preventing pollution of streams; issuing hunting, trapping, and fishing licenses; collecting fees, taxes, and fines; conducting research; and proclaiming and enforcing open seasons and bag limits on game and fish. The commission also operated fish hatcheries and sanctuaries, administered game and hunting preserves, supervised oyster beds in the state, controlled and exterminated predatory animals and fish, and educated the public in the preservation of wildlife and fish and game resources of the state. It had the authority to create rules and regulations as necessary to carry out their duties.

In 1963, the State Parks Board and the Game and Fish Commission were merged to form the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife (House Bill 21, 58th Legislature, Regular Session). The Parks and Wildlife Department is governed by the Parks and Wildlife Commission, initially composed of three members, currently nine members, appointed by the Governor with approval of the Senate. Members serve six-year overlapping terms. The Commission chairperson is appointed biennially by the Governor. The Commission meets quarterly or more often as needed. Its chief responsibility is to adopt policies and rules to carry out the programs of the Parks and Wildlife Department.

The Parks and Wildlife Department is responsible for the management and conservation of the state's wildlife and fish resources; provision of outdoor recreational opportunities to the public; acquisition, development, and operation of wildlife management areas, fish hatcheries, state parks, historic sites, and other public lands; conservation education and outreach; cultural and historical interpretation; and the regulation of fishing, hunting, and boating activities. The Department is composed of ten major divisions which carry out the functions and duties of the agency: Wildlife, State Parks, Coastal Fisheries, Inland Fisheries, Resource Protection, Communications, Law Enforcement, Infrastructure, Administrative Resources, and Human Resources. Administration of the agency is by an executive director.

The Resource Protection Division protects fish, wildlife, plant and mineral resources from degradation or depletion. It investigates environmental contamination which may cause the loss of fish or wildlife. It also provides information and recommendations to other government agencies and participates in administrative and judicial proceedings concerning pollution incidents, development projects, and other actions which may affect fish and wildlife. The Division also reviews permits proposed for wastewater discharge and hazardous waste disposal by the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission and the Railroad Commission. The division also investigates fish kills, attempts to determine responsibility for the kill, and recovers the economic value of the fish and other lost aquatic life from the polluter. The division also assesses injury to fish and wildlife resources from oil and hazardous chemical releases and seeks restoration from the responsible party. The division represents the department in the Interagency Council for Oil Spill Response Planning and the Coastal Coordinating Council, a multi-agency body that reviews and coordinates state and federal laws and actions affecting the Texas coast. The division works with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to protect wetland areas and to dispose of dredge material from Texas bays; and it works to protect sensitive ecological habitats and rare, threatened, or endangered plants and animals. The Resource Conservation Branch of the division works with the Governor's Texas Review and Comment System (TRACS) by reviewing and commenting on various projects that may or may not have environmental impact on state resources.

The Resource Protection Division contains two units which report to it, but function as cross-divisional units in support of all TPWD divisions--the Education Branch and the Geographic Information Systems Laboratory. The Education Branch supports education throughout the agency and administers many of the agency's education initiatives and events, and cooperative and outreach efforts, including Outdoor Kids, the mandatory hunter education program, mandatory boater education and water safety, etc. The Geographic Information Systems Laboratory provides specialized training and spatial analysis as part of its support of agency-wide efforts to develop, manage, and archive digital maps and natural and cultural databases which allow biologists and resource managers to more effectively manage state resources.

V.T.C.A., Parks and Wildlife Code, Title 2

Arrangement: Chronological, then by TRACS number

Access constraints: None

Use constraints:
Files need to be checked out through the Resource Conservation Branch administrator.

Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
An EXCEL file is maintained by the Resource Conservation Branch at the agency headquarters in Austin, listings TRACS by TRACS number, date received, due date, project title, assigned to, disposition, and reply date.

Problems:
TRACS documents could be lost in routing, but the EXCEL files would assist in establishing where and to whom the document was routed.

Known related records in other agencies:
TRACS review files are also at the General Land Office, Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, Texas Water Development Board, and other agencies concerned with environmental impact issues in the state.

Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the Parks and Wildlife Department and none were found for this series or for equivalent or related series.

Publications based on records:
None produced by TPWD. The production of reports by other agencies based on TRACS records is unknown.

Series data from agency schedule:
The agency will be listing this series - Program files - on the schedule three times, once for each of the main program areas - Resource Conservation Branch, Freshwater Conservation Branch, and Coastal Conservation Branch. All the series will be appraised separately.
Title: Program files (Resource Conservation Branch)
Series item number: none
Agency item number: R.01.0.10
Archival code: none
Retention: AC+5

Archival holdings:
None in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission.

Gaps: None according to the agency.

Appraisal decision:
These files document the responses provided by the agency to TRACS requests received from the Governor's Office, which relate to a wide variety of projects that could have environmental impact on fish and wildlife habitat.. According to TPWD, the Governor's Office maintains the record copy of these files, which include the TPWD responses. There is not a series on the retention schedule of the Governor's Office which covers the TRACS records. The responses of TPWD are a valuable component in the review process and need to be maintained. Since we do not know what type of documentation the Governor's Office maintains regarding this review process, this series has been appraised to be archival. Add an archival code of A. Transfer records which have fulfilled their retention period to the Archives and Information Services Division. Future transfers can be done annually, as their retention period expires.

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Records Series Review
Series Title: Freshwater Conservation Branch program files

Agency: Parks and Wildlife Department
Resource Protection Division, Freshwater Conservation Branch

Obsolete record series? No

Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: varies, usually over 1 cubic ft.

Agency holdings:
Retained by the agency for 5 years after closed according to the retention schedule. Current holdings are 1995-[ongoing], comprising 9 cubic ft. These are maintained at agency headquarters in Austin.

Description:
This series contains case studies with event description, reports, evaluations, and action items concerning oil spills and other environmental contamination incidents, inland fish and wildlife kills, and natural resource trustee case files. Dates covered are 1995-[ongoing].

Another series which contains materials documenting fish kills is the series Fish kills files.

Purpose:
These materials document this division's actions in investigations of environmental impacts events, such as oil spills, and inland fish and wildlife kills.

Agency program:
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) had its beginnings in 1879. In 1879, the 16th Legislature authorized the Governor to appoint a fish commissioner to ensure compliance with an Act for the preservation of fish, and to build fish ways and fish ladders (Chapter 92, 16th Legislature, Regular Session). In 1881, the Office of the Fish Commissioner was established (Chapter 78, 17th Legislature, Regular Session). It was created for the "propagation and preservation of fish and to build fish-ways and fish-ladders…," existing through 1885. The commissioner was appointed to a two year term by the Governor, with the approval of the Senate.

In 1895, the Office of the Fish and Oyster Commissioner was created by House Bill 55, 24th Legislature, Regular Session, with the commissioner appointed by the Governor as before. The duties included the protection of fish, turtles and terrapin of the bays and coastal waters of the state, protection of natural oyster beds and reefs, and the protection of the location of private beds. The Commissioner had the authority to appoint Deputy Commissioners to assist in carrying out the duties of the office. In 1907, protection of wild birds and wild game was added to the responsibilities of that office, which became the Office of the Game, Fish and Oyster Commissioner (House Bill 379, 30th Legislature, Regular Session). This Commissioner appointed Deputy Game Commissioners to assist in carrying out the duties of the office.

The single commissioner was replaced by a six-member commission in 1929 and the agency became the Game, Fish, and Oyster Commission (Senate Bill 83, 41st Legislature, Regular Session). Duties of the commission included administering the state's laws relating to game and fish; preventing pollution of streams; issuing hunting, trapping, and fishing licenses; collecting fees, taxes, and fines; conducting research; and proclaiming and enforcing open seasons and bag limits on game and fish. The commission also operated fish hatcheries and sanctuaries, administered game and hunting preserves, supervised oyster beds in the state, controlled and exterminated predatory animals and fish, and educated the public in the preservation of wildlife and fish and game resources of the state. It had the authority to create rules and regulations as necessary to carry out their duties.

In 1963, the State Parks Board and the Game and Fish Commission were merged to form the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife (House Bill 21, 58th Legislature, Regular Session). The Parks and Wildlife Department is governed by the Parks and Wildlife Commission, initially composed of three members, currently nine members, appointed by the Governor with approval of the Senate. Members serve six-year overlapping terms. The Commission chairperson is appointed biennially by the Governor. The Commission meets quarterly or more often as needed. Its chief responsibility is to adopt policies and rules to carry out the programs of the Parks and Wildlife Department.

The Parks and Wildlife Department is responsible for the management and conservation of the state's wildlife and fish resources; provision of outdoor recreational opportunities to the public; acquisition, development, and operation of wildlife management areas, fish hatcheries, state parks, historic sites, and other public lands; conservation education and outreach; cultural and historical interpretation; and the regulation of fishing, hunting, and boating activities. The Department is composed of ten major divisions which carry out the functions and duties of the agency: Wildlife, State Parks, Coastal Fisheries, Inland Fisheries, Resource Protection, Communications, Law Enforcement, Infrastructure, Administrative Resources, and Human Resources. Administration of the agency is by an executive director.

The Resource Protection Division protects fish, wildlife, plant and mineral resources from degradation or depletion. It investigates environmental contamination which may cause the loss of fish or wildlife. It also provides information and recommendations to other government agencies and participates in administrative and judicial proceedings concerning pollution incidents, development projects, and other actions which may affect fish and wildlife. The Division also reviews permits proposed for wastewater discharge and hazardous waste disposal by the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission and the Railroad Commission. The division also investigates fish kills, attempts to determine responsibility for the kill, and recovers the economic value of the fish and other lost aquatic life from the polluter. The division also assesses injury to fish and wildlife resources from oil and hazardous chemical releases and seeks restoration from the responsible party. The division represents the department in the Interagency Council for Oil Spill Response Planning and the Coastal Coordinating Council, a multi-agency body that reviews and coordinates state and federal laws and actions affecting the Texas coast. The division works with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to protect wetland areas and to dispose of dredge material from Texas bays; and it works to protect sensitive ecological habitats and rare, threatened, or endangered plants and animals.

The Resource Protection Division contains two units which report to it, but function as cross-divisional units in support of all TPWD divisions--the Education Branch and the Geographic Information Systems Laboratory. The Education Branch supports education throughout the agency and administers many of the agency's education initiatives and events, and cooperative and outreach efforts, including Outdoor Kids, the mandatory hunter education program, mandatory boater education and water safety, etc. The Geographic Information Systems Laboratory provides specialized training and spatial analysis as part of its support of agency-wide efforts to develop, manage, and archive digital maps and natural and cultural databases which allow biologists and resource managers to more effectively manage state resources.

V.T.C.A., Parks and Wildlife Code, Title 2

Arrangement:
Alphabetical by subject, then case name and/or number, case locations, and responsible party.

Access constraints:
If records are part of an ongoing investigation or legal action, they will likely not be accessible to the public until the investigation is finished or the legal action settled.

Use constraints:
Data and reports should not be used for purposes incompatible with the objectives and quality of the data.

Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
Indexes for location, subject, name of responsible party, and case number.

Problems: None

Known related records in other agencies:
Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission also maintains files on fish kills and pollution events.

Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the Parks and Wildlife Department and none were found for this series or for equivalent or related series.

Publications based on records:
Final reports of studies or investigations are produced.

Series data from agency schedule:
The agency will be listing this series - Program files - on the schedule three times, once for each of the main program areas - Resource Conservation Branch, Freshwater Conservation Branch, and Coastal Conservation Branch. All the series will be appraised separately.
Title: Resource Protection program files (Freshwater Conservation Branch)
Series item number: none
Agency item number: R.01.0.10
Archival code: none
Retention: AC+5

Archival holdings:
None in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission.

Texas Documents Collection holdings:
Final reports of studies and investigations are produced and sent to the Publications Depository Program. The titles are too varied and numerous to list.

Gaps: No records available prior to 1995.

Appraisal decision:
This series presently consists of files and reports. The files document the actions of this division in investigating oil spills and other pollution events, inland fish and wildlife kills, etc. This is a major function of this division which needs archival documentation, especially in light of the oil spills which seem to occur with increasing frequency along the coast and some inland areas. The agency does publish reports based on their studies and investigations which can be used in evaluating long-term effects of oil spills and other major pollution events. These reports are deposited in the Publications Depository Program.

The published reports are sufficient documentation of this activity; the files are not archival as long as publications are prepared. TPWD needs to create two series out of this one series - "Reports and Studies (non-fiscal) Raw Data" (i.e., the files) coded as non-archival; and "Reports and Studies (non fiscal)" (i.e., the published reports). This latter series will be coded as archival, with this note added to the Remarks column of the schedule - "Copies of reports sent to the Publications Depository Program of the Library and Archives Commission fulfill the archival requirement."

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Records Series Review
Series Title: Freshwater Inflow Studies Program files

Agency: Parks and Wildlife Department
Resource Protection Division, Coastal Conservation Branch

Obsolete record series? No

Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: 2 cubic ft.

Agency holdings:
Retained by the agency for 5 years after closed according to the retention schedule. Current holdings are 1985-[ongoing], comprising 8 cubic ft. These are maintained at agency headquarters in Austin.

Description:
This series consists of freshwater inflow studies conducted by the Coastal Studies Program, Coastal Conservation Branch of the Resource Protection Division, dating 1985-[ongoing]. These are applied research and data analysis demonstrating the effects of freshwater inflows on living and non-living components of the Texas bays and estuaries. The freshwater inflow studies are conducted according to a standardized methodology utilizing computer modeling and statistical data analysis, which define the target flows needed to maintain an ecologically sound bay and estuary environment.

The Freshwater Studies program is mandated by House Bill 2, 69th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, passed in 1985. Under this legislation the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Water Development Board were directed to jointly establish and maintain a continuous data collection and analytical study program to determine bay conditions needed to support a sound ecological environment.

Purpose:
These studies establish and maintain a continuous data collection and analytical study program to determine bay conditions needed to support a sound ecological environment.

Agency program:
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) had its beginnings in 1879. In 1879, the 16th Legislature authorized the Governor to appoint a fish commissioner to ensure compliance with an Act for the preservation of fish, and to build fish ways and fish ladders (Chapter 92, 16th Legislature, Regular Session). In 1881, the Office of the Fish Commissioner was established (Chapter 78, 17th Legislature, Regular Session). It was created for the "propagation and preservation of fish and to build fish-ways and fish-ladders…," existing through 1885. The commissioner was appointed to a two year term by the Governor, with the approval of the Senate.

In 1895, the Office of the Fish and Oyster Commissioner was created by House Bill 55, 24th Legislature, Regular Session, with the commissioner appointed by the Governor as before. The duties included the protection of fish, turtles and terrapin of the bays and coastal waters of the state, protection of natural oyster beds and reefs, and the protection of the location of private beds. The Commissioner had the authority to appoint Deputy Commissioners to assist in carrying out the duties of the office. In 1907, protection of wild birds and wild game was added to the responsibilities of that office, which became the Office of the Game, Fish and Oyster Commissioner (House Bill 379, 30th Legislature, Regular Session). This Commissioner appointed Deputy Game Commissioners to assist in carrying out the duties of the office.

The single commissioner was replaced by a six-member commission in 1929 and the agency became the Game, Fish, and Oyster Commission (Senate Bill 83, 41st Legislature, Regular Session). Duties of the commission included administering the state's laws relating to game and fish; preventing pollution of streams; issuing hunting, trapping, and fishing licenses; collecting fees, taxes, and fines; conducting research; and proclaiming and enforcing open seasons and bag limits on game and fish. The commission also operated fish hatcheries and sanctuaries, administered game and hunting preserves, supervised oyster beds in the state, controlled and exterminated predatory animals and fish, and educated the public in the preservation of wildlife and fish and game resources of the state. It had the authority to create rules and regulations as necessary to carry out their duties.

In 1963, the State Parks Board and the Game and Fish Commission were merged to form the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife (House Bill 21, 58th Legislature, Regular Session). The Parks and Wildlife Department is governed by the Parks and Wildlife Commission, initially composed of three members, currently nine members, appointed by the Governor with approval of the Senate. Members serve six-year overlapping terms. The Commission chairperson is appointed biennially by the Governor. The Commission meets quarterly or more often as needed. Its chief responsibility is to adopt policies and rules to carry out the programs of the Parks and Wildlife Department.

The Parks and Wildlife Department is responsible for the management and conservation of the state's wildlife and fish resources; provision of outdoor recreational opportunities to the public; acquisition, development, and operation of wildlife management areas, fish hatcheries, state parks, historic sites, and other public lands; conservation education and outreach; cultural and historical interpretation; and the regulation of fishing, hunting, and boating activities. The Department is composed of ten major divisions which carry out the functions and duties of the agency: Wildlife, State Parks, Coastal Fisheries, Inland Fisheries, Resource Protection, Communications, Law Enforcement, Infrastructure, Administrative Resources, and Human Resources. Administration of the agency is by an executive director.

The Resource Protection Division protects fish, wildlife, plant and mineral resources from degradation or depletion. It investigates environmental contamination which may cause the loss of fish or wildlife. It also provides information and recommendations to other government agencies and participates in administrative and judicial proceedings concerning pollution incidents, development projects, and other actions which may affect fish and wildlife. The Division also reviews permits proposed for wastewater discharge and hazardous waste disposal by the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission and the Railroad Commission. The division also investigates fish kills, attempts to determine responsibility for the kill, and recovers the economic value of the fish and other lost aquatic life from the polluter. The division also assesses injury to fish and wildlife resources from oil and hazardous chemical releases and seeks restoration from the responsible party. The division represents the department in the Interagency Council for Oil Spill Response Planning and the Coastal Coordinating Council, a multi-agency body that reviews and coordinates state and federal laws and actions affecting the Texas coast. The division works with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to protect wetland areas and to dispose of dredge material from Texas bays; and it works to protect sensitive ecological habitats and rare, threatened, or endangered plants and animals.

The Resource Protection Division contains two units which report to it, but function as cross-divisional units in support of all TPWD divisions--the Education Branch and the Geographic Information Systems Laboratory. The Education Branch supports education throughout the agency and administers many of the agency's education initiatives and events, and cooperative and outreach efforts, including Outdoor Kids, the mandatory hunter education program, mandatory boater education and water safety, etc. The Geographic Information Systems Laboratory provides specialized training and spatial analysis as part of its support of agency-wide efforts to develop, manage, and archive digital maps and natural and cultural databases which allow biologists and resource managers to more effectively manage state resources.

V.T.C.A., Parks and Wildlife Code, Title 2

Arrangement: Alphabetical by name of bay or estuary

Access constraints: None

Use constraints: None

Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access? No

Problems: None

Known related records in other agencies:
Similar series and copies of reports are present at the Texas Water Development Board.

Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the Parks and Wildlife Department and none were found for this series or for equivalent or related series.

Publications based on records:
Freshwater Inflow Recommendations for the Guadalupe Estuary of Texas, December, 1998;
Freshwater Inflows to Texas Bays and Estuaries: Ecological Relationships and Methods for Determination of Needs, 1994.

Series data from agency schedule:
The agency will be listing this series - Program files - on the schedule three times, once for each of the main program areas - Resource Conservation Branch, Freshwater Conservation Branch, and Coastal Conservation Branch. All the series will be appraised separately.
Title: Resource Protection program files (Coastal Conservation Branch)
Series item number: none
Agency item number: R.01.0.10
Archival code: none
Retention: AC+5

Archival holdings:
None in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission.

Texas Documents Collection holdings:
The titles provided by the agency were not located in the catalog of the Texas Documents Collection.

Gaps: None, the program began in 1985.

Appraisal decision:
The records in this series fulfill a legislatively mandated function which is used to determine bay conditions needed to support a sound ecological environment. There is long-term value in such studies, which can be referred to over time to see how freshwater inflows conditions changed and the effects the changes have had in the bays and estuaries. The agency does publish some reports based on their studies and investigations which they said were distributed and deposited in the Publications Depository Program. Only two titles were provided, and neither was located in the Texas Documents Collection. It is possible that reports published by the Water Development Board, which jointly conducts these studies, would provide sufficient summary coverage of this function, but the records of that agency have not yet been appraised, so it is not known how much duplication exists, if any, and whether reports done by the Water Development Board provided sufficient summary coverage of these studies and results. Because of the evidential value of these studies and the long-term value of studying and analyzing the freshwater and coastal water systems of Texas, this series has been appraised to be archival. Add an archival code of "A". Send copies of the reports done thus far and any others produced to the Publications Depository Program of the Library and Archives Commission. If the agency produces reports which provided sufficient summary coverage of these studies for all the areas studied, then sending copies of those reports to the Publications Depository Program will fulfill the archival mandate. In this case, add a note to the Remarks column of the schedule - "Copies of reports sent to the Publications Depository Program of the Library and Archives Commission fulfill the archival requirement."

If only scattered reports are produced, then the agency needs to transfer records which have fulfilled their retention period, if any, to the Archives and Information Services Commission now, with regular transfers made on a yearly basis.

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Records Series Review
Series Title: Resource Conservation Branch project files

Agency: Parks and Wildlife Department
Resource Protection Division, Resource Conservation Branch Wetlands Program

Obsolete record series? No

Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: about 15 cubic ft.

Agency holdings:
According to the retention schedule, these are retained for 1 year after completion. The agency states these are retained permanently. Current holdings of the agency are 1970-[ongoing], consisting of 125 cubic ft. of paper records in offsite storage, and 1 cubic ft. of microfiche at the agency headquarters.

Description:
This series consists of documents, permits, environmental assessments, and reviews and comments on federal projects which may have adverse environmental impacts on fish and wildlife habitat. Dates covered are 1970-[ongoing]. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (16 U.S. Code Ann., Section 661 et seg.) mandates that state fish and game agencies be included in any comments on projects that may affect the water of the United States. Documents are sent from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Grants in Aid, Program Grants, Coastal Coordination Council and others to TPWD for comments on a variety of projects, including those affecting coastal waters, wetlands, river basins, Gulf Intracoastal Waterways, sand, shell and gravel permits, etc. The review documents may include maps of the areas, project diagrams, and other supporting data. Upon receipt the documents are date stamped and logged into a database (M204) for tracking purposes. The reviews are coordinated through the Resource Conservation Branch, Resource Protection Division. Projects are reviewed and site visits made by Upper and Lower Coast Wetlands team members and coordinated with other departmental divisions when necessary. Comments are prepared in the form of a letter or a no impact statement. Letters are coordinated through the Resource Conservation Branch and signed by the Assistant Director, Resource Protection Division. Responses are sent to the Corps of Engineers and the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission for use in their determinations under their regulatory authority.

Purpose:
These files document the comments and reviews by the agency on projects under the regulatory authority of the Corps of Engineers or TNRCC which may have an adverse impact on the environment.

Agency program:
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) had its beginnings in 1879. In 1879, the 16th Legislature authorized the Governor to appoint a fish commissioner to ensure compliance with an Act for the preservation of fish, and to build fish ways and fish ladders (Chapter 92, 16th Legislature, Regular Session). In 1881, the Office of the Fish Commissioner was established (Chapter 78, 17th Legislature, Regular Session). It was created for the "propagation and preservation of fish and to build fish-ways and fish-ladders…," existing through 1885. The commissioner was appointed to a two year term by the Governor, with the approval of the Senate.

In 1895, the Office of the Fish and Oyster Commissioner was created by House Bill 55, 24th Legislature, Regular Session, with the commissioner appointed by the Governor as before. The duties included the protection of fish, turtles and terrapin of the bays and coastal waters of the state, protection of natural oyster beds and reefs, and the protection of the location of private beds. The Commissioner had the authority to appoint Deputy Commissioners to assist in carrying out the duties of the office. In 1907, protection of wild birds and wild game was added to the responsibilities of that office, which became the Office of the Game, Fish and Oyster Commissioner (House Bill 379, 30th Legislature, Regular Session). This Commissioner appointed Deputy Game Commissioners to assist in carrying out the duties of the office.

The single commissioner was replaced by a six-member commission in 1929 and the agency became the Game, Fish, and Oyster Commission (Senate Bill 83, 41st Legislature, Regular Session). Duties of the commission included administering the state's laws relating to game and fish; preventing pollution of streams; issuing hunting, trapping, and fishing licenses; collecting fees, taxes, and fines; conducting research; and proclaiming and enforcing open seasons and bag limits on game and fish. The commission also operated fish hatcheries and sanctuaries, administered game and hunting preserves, supervised oyster beds in the state, controlled and exterminated predatory animals and fish, and educated the public in the preservation of wildlife and fish and game resources of the state. It had the authority to create rules and regulations as necessary to carry out their duties.

In 1963, the State Parks Board and the Game and Fish Commission were merged to form the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife (House Bill 21, 58th Legislature, Regular Session). The Parks and Wildlife Department is governed by the Parks and Wildlife Commission, initially composed of three members, currently nine members, appointed by the Governor with approval of the Senate. Members serve six-year overlapping terms. The Commission chairperson is appointed biennially by the Governor. The Commission meets quarterly or more often as needed. Its chief responsibility is to adopt policies and rules to carry out the programs of the Parks and Wildlife Department.

The Parks and Wildlife Department is responsible for the management and conservation of the state's wildlife and fish resources; provision of outdoor recreational opportunities to the public; acquisition, development, and operation of wildlife management areas, fish hatcheries, state parks, historic sites, and other public lands; conservation education and outreach; cultural and historical interpretation; and the regulation of fishing, hunting, and boating activities. The Department is composed of ten major divisions which carry out the functions and duties of the agency: Wildlife, State Parks, Coastal Fisheries, Inland Fisheries, Resource Protection, Communications, Law Enforcement, Infrastructure, Administrative Resources, and Human Resources. Administration of the agency is by an executive director.

The Resource Protection Division protects fish, wildlife, plant and mineral resources from degradation or depletion. It investigates environmental contamination which may cause the loss of fish or wildlife. It also provides information and recommendations to other government agencies and participates in administrative and judicial proceedings concerning pollution incidents, development projects, and other actions which may affect fish and wildlife. The Division also reviews permits proposed for wastewater discharge and hazardous waste disposal by the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission and the Railroad Commission. The division also investigates fish kills, attempts to determine responsibility for the kill, and recovers the economic value of the fish and other lost aquatic life from the polluter. The division also assesses injury to fish and wildlife resources from oil and hazardous chemical releases and seeks restoration from the responsible party. The division represents the department in the Interagency Council for Oil Spill Response Planning and the Coastal Coordinating Council, a multi-agency body that reviews and coordinates state and federal laws and actions affecting the Texas coast. The division works with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to protect wetland areas and to dispose of dredge material from Texas bays; and it works to protect sensitive ecological habitats and rare, threatened, or endangered plants and animals.

The Resource Protection Division contains two units which report to it, but function as cross-divisional units in support of all TPWD divisions--the Education Branch and the Geographic Information Systems Laboratory. The Education Branch supports education throughout the agency and administers many of the agency's education initiatives and events, and cooperative and outreach efforts, including Outdoor Kids, the mandatory hunter education program, mandatory boater education and water safety, etc. The Geographic Information Systems Laboratory provides specialized training and spatial analysis as part of its support of agency-wide efforts to develop, manage, and archive digital maps and natural and cultural databases which allow biologists and resource managers to more effectively manage state resources.

V.T.C.A., Parks and Wildlife Code, Title 2

Arrangement: Numerically by permit application number and date

Access constraints: None

Use constraints:
Files will need to be checked through the Wetlands Program Administrator. Microfiche reader is required for older files.

Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access?
M204 Database and word processing programs are maintained by the Wetlands Team of the Resource Conservation Branch, listing reviews by permit application number, date received, due date, project title, project location, assigned to, disposition, and reply date.

Problems: None

Known related records in other agencies:
Materials concerning reviews are also present at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission.

Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the Parks and Wildlife Department and none were found for this series or for equivalent or related series.

Publications based on records:
None by TPWD based on these records. The production of reports by other agencies based on these records is unknown.

Series data from agency schedule:
The agency will be listing this series - Project files - on the schedule two times, once each for two of the main program areas - Resource Conservation Branch and Freshwater Conservation Branch. Each series will be appraised separately.
Title: Project files (Resource Conservation Branch)
Series item number: none
Agency item number: R.01.0.11
Archival code: none
Retention: AC+1

Archival holdings:
None in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission.

Gaps: None according to the agency.

Appraisal decision:
These files document reviews done by the agency for environmental impact of projects under the regulatory authority of the Corps of Engineers and the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TRNCC). The responses of TPWD are a valuable component in the review process and need to be maintained. Since we do not know what type of documentation TNRCC maintains regarding this review process, this series has been appraised to be archival. Add an archival code of A. Transfer records which have fulfilled their retention period to the Archives and Information Services Division. Future transfers can be done annually, as their retention period expires.

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Records Series Review
Series Title: Freshwater Conservation Branch project files

Agency: Parks and Wildlife Department
Resource Protection Division, Freshwater Conservation Branch

Obsolete record series? No

Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: varies

Agency holdings:
Retained by the agency for 1 year after closed according to the retention schedule. Current holdings are 1997-[ongoing], comprising several cubic ft. These are maintained at the agency headquarters in Austin.

Description:
This series consists of correspondence, budget reports, contracts, and other documents not specified. Dates covered are 1997-[ongoing]. The files cover a variety of subjects concerning the activities of this branch, centering around maintenance and projects within freshwater habitats, such as fish kills or oil spills and other environmental concerns.

Purpose:
These files record work done by the Freshwater Conservation Branch on a variety of projects which may have environmental impacts to freshwater areas.

Agency program:
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) had its beginnings in 1879. In 1879, the 16th Legislature authorized the Governor to appoint a fish commissioner to ensure compliance with an Act for the preservation of fish, and to build fish ways and fish ladders (Chapter 92, 16th Legislature, Regular Session). In 1881, the Office of the Fish Commissioner was established (Chapter 78, 17th Legislature, Regular Session). It was created for the "propagation and preservation of fish and to build fish-ways and fish-ladders…," existing through 1885. The commissioner was appointed to a two year term by the Governor, with the approval of the Senate.

In 1895, the Office of the Fish and Oyster Commissioner was created by House Bill 55, 24th Legislature, Regular Session, with the commissioner appointed by the Governor as before. The duties included the protection of fish, turtles and terrapin of the bays and coastal waters of the state, protection of natural oyster beds and reefs, and the protection of the location of private beds. The Commissioner had the authority to appoint Deputy Commissioners to assist in carrying out the duties of the office. In 1907, protection of wild birds and wild game was added to the responsibilities of that office, which became the Office of the Game, Fish and Oyster Commissioner (House Bill 379, 30th Legislature, Regular Session). This Commissioner appointed Deputy Game Commissioners to assist in carrying out the duties of the office.

The single commissioner was replaced by a six-member commission in 1929 and the agency became the Game, Fish, and Oyster Commission (Senate Bill 83, 41st Legislature, Regular Session). Duties of the commission included administering the state's laws relating to game and fish; preventing pollution of streams; issuing hunting, trapping, and fishing licenses; collecting fees, taxes, and fines; conducting research; and proclaiming and enforcing open seasons and bag limits on game and fish. The commission also operated fish hatcheries and sanctuaries, administered game and hunting preserves, supervised oyster beds in the state, controlled and exterminated predatory animals and fish, and educated the public in the preservation of wildlife and fish and game resources of the state. It had the authority to create rules and regulations as necessary to carry out their duties.

In 1963, the State Parks Board and the Game and Fish Commission were merged to form the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife (House Bill 21, 58th Legislature, Regular Session). The Parks and Wildlife Department is governed by the Parks and Wildlife Commission, initially composed of three members, currently nine members, appointed by the Governor with approval of the Senate. Members serve six-year overlapping terms. The Commission chairperson is appointed biennially by the Governor. The Commission meets quarterly or more often as needed. Its chief responsibility is to adopt policies and rules to carry out the programs of the Parks and Wildlife Department.

The Parks and Wildlife Department is responsible for the management and conservation of the state's wildlife and fish resources; provision of outdoor recreational opportunities to the public; acquisition, development, and operation of wildlife management areas, fish hatcheries, state parks, historic sites, and other public lands; conservation education and outreach; cultural and historical interpretation; and the regulation of fishing, hunting, and boating activities. The Department is composed of ten major divisions which carry out the functions and duties of the agency: Wildlife, State Parks, Coastal Fisheries, Inland Fisheries, Resource Protection, Communications, Law Enforcement, Infrastructure, Administrative Resources, and Human Resources. Administration of the agency is by an executive director.

The Resource Protection Division protects fish, wildlife, plant and mineral resources from degradation or depletion. It investigates environmental contamination which may cause the loss of fish or wildlife. It also provides information and recommendations to other government agencies and participates in administrative and judicial proceedings concerning pollution incidents, development projects, and other actions which may affect fish and wildlife. The Division also reviews permits proposed for wastewater discharge and hazardous waste disposal by the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission and the Railroad Commission. The division also investigates fish kills, attempts to determine responsibility for the kill, and recovers the economic value of the fish and other lost aquatic life from the polluter. The division also assesses injury to fish and wildlife resources from oil and hazardous chemical releases and seeks restoration from the responsible party. The division represents the department in the Interagency Council for Oil Spill Response Planning and the Coastal Coordinating Council, a multi-agency body that reviews and coordinates state and federal laws and actions affecting the Texas coast. The division works with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to protect wetland areas and to dispose of dredge material from Texas bays; and it works to protect sensitive ecological habitats and rare, threatened, or endangered plants and animals.

The Resource Protection Division contains two units which report to it, but function as cross-divisional units in support of all TPWD divisions--the Education Branch and the Geographic Information Systems Laboratory. The Education Branch supports education throughout the agency and administers many of the agency's education initiatives and events, and cooperative and outreach efforts, including Outdoor Kids, the mandatory hunter education program, mandatory boater education and water safety, etc. The Geographic Information Systems Laboratory provides specialized training and spatial analysis as part of its support of agency-wide efforts to develop, manage, and archive digital maps and natural and cultural databases which allow biologists and resource managers to more effectively manage state resources.

V.T.C.A., Parks and Wildlife Code, Title 2

Arrangement: Alphabetical by project title

Access constraints:
If the information desired is part of an ongoing legal action, it may not be available until the action is completed.

Use constraints:
The information in these records should not be used for purposes beyond the design of the study or the data's quality limitations.

Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access? An index to subjects and titles is available.

Problems: None

Known related records in other agencies: None

Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the Parks and Wildlife Department and none were found for this series or for equivalent or related series.

Publications based on records: None

Series data from agency schedule:
The agency will be listing this series - Project files - on the schedule two times, once for two of the main program areas - Resource Conservation Branch and Freshwater Conservation Branch. Each series will be appraised separately.
Title: Resource Protection project files (Freshwater Conservation Branch)
Series item number: none
Agency item number: R.01.0.11
Archival code: none
Retention: AC+1

Archival holdings:
None in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission.

Gaps: No records present prior to 1997.

Appraisal decision:
This series contains some documentation on projects undertaken by the Freshwater Conservation Branch which may have environmental concerns with freshwater areas. The type of records present - correspondence, budget reports, and contracts do not provide enough information to warrant long-term retention. Also, the program files and reports and studies produced by this Branch cover these subjects and more, and both of those series have been appraised to be archival. The program files and reports provide sufficient coverage of this branch's activities. This series has been appraised to be non-archival. Since it did not originally have an archival code of "R", no changes need to be made to the schedule.

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Records Series Review
Series Title: Resource Conservation Branch planning records

Agency: Parks and Wildlife Department
Resource Protection Division, Resource Conservation Branch

Obsolete record series? No

Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: unknown

Agency holdings:
Retained by the agency until after annual review according to the retention schedule. Current holdings are 1993-[ongoing], comprising several cubic ft. These are housed at the agency's headquarters in Austin.

Description:
This series consists of correspondence, memoranda, grant requests, development plans and supporting documentation, reviews and comments, notes, maps, etc., of the Resource Conservation Branch concerning the agency's environmental policy, wetlands conservation planning and coastal preserve management planning. Dates covered are 1993-[ongoing]. Also present are the Environmental Policy of the agency, and copies of several plans prepared by the division - Texas Wetlands Conservation Plan, Armand Bayou Coastal Preserve Management Plan, and the Christmas Bay Coastal Preserve Management Plan. Copies of these three plans and related materials are also present in the planning records of the Coastal Conservation Branch of the division, see the series Coastal Conservation Branch planning records.

The Texas Wetlands Conservation Plan was funded through a Wetlands Protection State development grant made by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region VI. Coordination and plan development was performed by the Resource Conservation Branch Wetlands Planner. Files contain grant funding documentation, correspondence and minutes of development meetings held by a statewide coordination group and regional advisory groups (listed in the acknowledgements of the Plan). The Plan was developed as a means to conserve Texas wetlands that are the state's most biologically diverse ecosystems. It will provide a non-regulatory and incentive-based approach to wetlands management. Governor George W. Bush endorsed the Plan on July 31, 1997 and it was published September 1997 and sent to the Publications Depository Program in accordance with state law.

Coastal Preserve Management Plans were funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, December 1996. Armand Bayou Coastal Preserve (Harris County) and Christmas Bay Coastal Preserve (Galveston Bay) were established through federal and state actions pursuant to the Water Quality Act, 1987 and the Texas Legislature's Unique Coastal Lands Declaration, respectively in cooperation with the Galveston Bay National Estuary Program and Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission. The principal purpose for the preserves is to protect and preserve the unique natural area and further its natural benefits by public actions necessary to initiate the management of the areas. Contents of the planning documents provide background information, location and access maps, description, administration and operation, management and protection guidelines of the preserves.

Purpose:
These records document planning activities undertaken by the Resource Conservation Branch of the Resource Protection Division to preserve Texas wetlands and coastal preserves through application of the environmental policy of the agency and plans developed therein.

Agency program:
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) had its beginnings in 1879. In 1879, the 16th Legislature authorized the Governor to appoint a fish commissioner to ensure compliance with an Act for the preservation of fish, and to build fish ways and fish ladders (Chapter 92, 16th Legislature, Regular Session). In 1881, the Office of the Fish Commissioner was established (Chapter 78, 17th Legislature, Regular Session). It was created for the "propagation and preservation of fish and to build fish-ways and fish-ladders…," existing through 1885. The commissioner was appointed to a two year term by the Governor, with the approval of the Senate.

In 1895, the Office of the Fish and Oyster Commissioner was created by House Bill 55, 24th Legislature, Regular Session, with the commissioner appointed by the Governor as before. The duties included the protection of fish, turtles and terrapin of the bays and coastal waters of the state, protection of natural oyster beds and reefs, and the protection of the location of private beds. The Commissioner had the authority to appoint Deputy Commissioners to assist in carrying out the duties of the office. In 1907, protection of wild birds and wild game was added to the responsibilities of that office, which became the Office of the Game, Fish and Oyster Commissioner (House Bill 379, 30th Legislature, Regular Session). This Commissioner appointed Deputy Game Commissioners to assist in carrying out the duties of the office.

The single commissioner was replaced by a six-member commission in 1929 and the agency became the Game, Fish, and Oyster Commission (Senate Bill 83, 41st Legislature, Regular Session). Duties of the commission included administering the state's laws relating to game and fish; preventing pollution of streams; issuing hunting, trapping, and fishing licenses; collecting fees, taxes, and fines; conducting research; and proclaiming and enforcing open seasons and bag limits on game and fish. The commission also operated fish hatcheries and sanctuaries, administered game and hunting preserves, supervised oyster beds in the state, controlled and exterminated predatory animals and fish, and educated the public in the preservation of wildlife and fish and game resources of the state. It had the authority to create rules and regulations as necessary to carry out their duties.

In 1963, the State Parks Board and the Game and Fish Commission were merged to form the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife (House Bill 21, 58th Legislature, Regular Session). The Parks and Wildlife Department is governed by the Parks and Wildlife Commission, initially composed of three members, currently nine members, appointed by the Governor with approval of the Senate. Members serve six-year overlapping terms. The Commission chairperson is appointed biennially by the Governor. The Commission meets quarterly or more often as needed. Its chief responsibility is to adopt policies and rules to carry out the programs of the Parks and Wildlife Department.

The Parks and Wildlife Department is responsible for the management and conservation of the state's wildlife and fish resources; provision of outdoor recreational opportunities to the public; acquisition, development, and operation of wildlife management areas, fish hatcheries, state parks, historic sites, and other public lands; conservation education and outreach; cultural and historical interpretation; and the regulation of fishing, hunting, and boating activities. The Department is composed of ten major divisions which carry out the functions and duties of the agency: Wildlife, State Parks, Coastal Fisheries, Inland Fisheries, Resource Protection, Communications, Law Enforcement, Infrastructure, Administrative Resources, and Human Resources. Administration of the agency is by an executive director.

The Resource Protection Division protects fish, wildlife, plant and mineral resources from degradation or depletion. It investigates environmental contamination which may cause the loss of fish or wildlife. It also provides information and recommendations to other government agencies and participates in administrative and judicial proceedings concerning pollution incidents, development projects, and other actions which may affect fish and wildlife. The Division also reviews permits proposed for wastewater discharge and hazardous waste disposal by the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission and the Railroad Commission. The division also investigates fish kills, attempts to determine responsibility for the kill, and recovers the economic value of the fish and other lost aquatic life from the polluter. The division also assesses injury to fish and wildlife resources from oil and hazardous chemical releases and seeks restoration from the responsible party. The division represents the department in the Interagency Council for Oil Spill Response Planning and the Coastal Coordinating Council, a multi-agency body that reviews and coordinates state and federal laws and actions affecting the Texas coast. The division works with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to protect wetland areas and to dispose of dredge material from Texas bays; and it works to protect sensitive ecological habitats and rare, threatened, or endangered plants and animals.

The Resource Protection Division contains two units which report to it, but function as cross-divisional units in support of all TPWD divisions--the Education Branch and the Geographic Information Systems Laboratory. The Education Branch supports education throughout the agency and administers many of the agency's education initiatives and events, and cooperative and outreach efforts, including Outdoor Kids, the mandatory hunter education program, mandatory boater education and water safety, etc. The Geographic Information Systems Laboratory provides specialized training and spatial analysis as part of its support of agency-wide efforts to develop, manage, and archive digital maps and natural and cultural databases which allow biologists and resource managers to more effectively manage state resources.

V.T.C.A., Parks and Wildlife Code, Title 2

Arrangement: Alphabetical

Access constraints: None

Use constraints: None

Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access? No

Problems: None

Known related records in other agencies:
Coastal Preserve Management Plans require review and approval by the School Land Board and the General Land Office Commissioner. The General Land Office should have copies and approval records.

Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the Parks and Wildlife Department and none were found for this series or for equivalent or related series.

Publications based on records:
Texas Wetlands Conservation Plan,1997
Wetlands Assistance Guide for Landowners, 1995

Series data from agency schedule:
The agency will be listing this series - Planning files - on the schedule two times, once for each of two main program areas - Resource Conservation Branch and Coastal Conservation Branch. Each series will be appraised separately.
Title: Planning records (Resource Conservation Branch)
Series item number: 1.1.024
Agency item number: R.01.0.1
Archival code: R
Retention: AR

Archival holdings:
None in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission.

Texas Documents Collection holdings:
Texas Wetlands Conservation Plan, 1997
Wetlands Assistance Guide for Landowners, 1995

Gaps: None according to the agency.

Appraisal decision:
These records document the planning activities undertaken by the Resource Conservation Branch in its efforts to develop efficient plans for the preservation of Texas wetlands and coastal preserves. This is an important function of this division, as the future of these areas is affected by planning done now. Because of the evidential and information value in these records in documenting these important planning activities, this series has been appraised to be archival. The agency has published plans which provide a great amount of detail about the planning process and the decisions reached. But this series also contains reviews and comments on those plans and the environmental policy. The published materials are a good summary device but not sufficient documentation - we feel the reviews, comments, maps, etc. provide enough additional information to warrant their retention. Change the archival code to "A". Transfer records which have fulfilled their retention period to the Archives and Information Services Division, including the environmental policy and its reviews, and the published plans. Future publications can be sent directly to the Publications Depository Program.

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Records Series Review
Series Title: Coastal Conservation Branch planning records

Agency: Parks and Wildlife Department
Resource Protection Division, Coastal Conservation Branch

Obsolete record series? No

Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: 1 cubic ft.

Agency holdings:
Retained by the agency until after annual review according to the retention schedule. Current holdings are 1993-[ongoing], comprising about 10 cubic ft. These are housed at the agency's headquarters in Austin.

Description:
This series consists of meeting agenda, minutes, planning notes, letters, and memoranda of the Coastal Conservation Branch concerning wetlands conservation planning and coastal preserve management planning. Dates covered are 1993-[ongoing]. Also present are copies of three plans prepared by the division - Texas Wetlands Conservation Plan, Armand Bayou Coastal Preserve Management Plan, and the Christmas Bay Coastal Preserve Management Plan. Copies of these three plans and related materials are also present in the planning records of the Resource Conservation Branch of the division, see the series Resource Conservation Branch planning records.

The Texas Wetlands Conservation Plan was funded through a Wetlands Protection State development grant made by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region VI. Coordination and plan development was performed by the Resource Conservation Branch Wetlands Planner. Files contain grant funding documentation, correspondence and minutes of development meetings held by a statewide coordination group and regional advisory groups (listed in the acknowledgements of the Plan). The Plan was developed as a means to conserve Texas wetlands that are the state's most biologically diverse ecosystems. It will provide a non-regulatory and incentive-based approach to wetlands management. Governor George W. Bush endorsed the Plan on July 31, 1997 and it was published September 1997 and sent to the Publications Depository Program in accordance with state law.

Coastal Preserve Management Plans were funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, December 1996. Armand Bayou Coastal Preserve (Harris County) and Christmas Bay Coastal Preserve (Galveston Bay) were established through federal and state actions pursuant to the Water Quality Act, 1987 and the Texas Legislature's Unique Coastal Lands Declaration, respectively in cooperation with the Galveston Bay National Estuary Program and Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission. The principal purpose for the preserves is to protect and preserve the unique natural area and further its natural benefits by public actions necessary to initiate the management of the areas. Contents of the planning documents provide background information, location and access maps, description, administration and operation, management and protection guidelines of the preserves.

Purpose:
These records document planning activities undertaken by the Coastal Conservation Branch of the Resource Protection Division to preserve Texas wetlands and coastal preserves.

Agency program:
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) had its beginnings in 1879. In 1879, the 16th Legislature authorized the Governor to appoint a fish commissioner to ensure compliance with an Act for the preservation of fish, and to build fish ways and fish ladders (Chapter 92, 16th Legislature, Regular Session). In 1881, the Office of the Fish Commissioner was established (Chapter 78, 17th Legislature, Regular Session). It was created for the "propagation and preservation of fish and to build fish-ways and fish-ladders…," existing through 1885. The commissioner was appointed to a two year term by the Governor, with the approval of the Senate.

In 1895, the Office of the Fish and Oyster Commissioner was created by House Bill 55, 24th Legislature, Regular Session, with the commissioner appointed by the Governor as before. The duties included the protection of fish, turtles and terrapin of the bays and coastal waters of the state, protection of natural oyster beds and reefs, and the protection of the location of private beds. The Commissioner had the authority to appoint Deputy Commissioners to assist in carrying out the duties of the office. In 1907, protection of wild birds and wild game was added to the responsibilities of that office, which became the Office of the Game, Fish and Oyster Commissioner (House Bill 379, 30th Legislature, Regular Session). This Commissioner appointed Deputy Game Commissioners to assist in carrying out the duties of the office.

The single commissioner was replaced by a six-member commission in 1929 and the agency became the Game, Fish, and Oyster Commission (Senate Bill 83, 41st Legislature, Regular Session). Duties of the commission included administering the state's laws relating to game and fish; preventing pollution of streams; issuing hunting, trapping, and fishing licenses; collecting fees, taxes, and fines; conducting research; and proclaiming and enforcing open seasons and bag limits on game and fish. The commission also operated fish hatcheries and sanctuaries, administered game and hunting preserves, supervised oyster beds in the state, controlled and exterminated predatory animals and fish, and educated the public in the preservation of wildlife and fish and game resources of the state. It had the authority to create rules and regulations as necessary to carry out their duties.

In 1963, the State Parks Board and the Game and Fish Commission were merged to form the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife (House Bill 21, 58th Legislature, Regular Session). The Parks and Wildlife Department is governed by the Parks and Wildlife Commission, initially composed of three members, currently nine members, appointed by the Governor with approval of the Senate. Members serve six-year overlapping terms. The Commission chairperson is appointed biennially by the Governor. The Commission meets quarterly or more often as needed. Its chief responsibility is to adopt policies and rules to carry out the programs of the Parks and Wildlife Department.

The Parks and Wildlife Department is responsible for the management and conservation of the state's wildlife and fish resources; provision of outdoor recreational opportunities to the public; acquisition, development, and operation of wildlife management areas, fish hatcheries, state parks, historic sites, and other public lands; conservation education and outreach; cultural and historical interpretation; and the regulation of fishing, hunting, and boating activities. The Department is composed of ten major divisions which carry out the functions and duties of the agency: Wildlife, State Parks, Coastal Fisheries, Inland Fisheries, Resource Protection, Communications, Law Enforcement, Infrastructure, Administrative Resources, and Human Resources. Administration of the agency is by an executive director.

The Resource Protection Division protects fish, wildlife, plant and mineral resources from degradation or depletion. It investigates environmental contamination which may cause the loss of fish or wildlife. It also provides information and recommendations to other government agencies and participates in administrative and judicial proceedings concerning pollution incidents, development projects, and other actions which may affect fish and wildlife. The Division also reviews permits proposed for wastewater discharge and hazardous waste disposal by the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission and the Railroad Commission. The division also investigates fish kills, attempts to determine responsibility for the kill, and recovers the economic value of the fish and other lost aquatic life from the polluter. The division also assesses injury to fish and wildlife resources from oil and hazardous chemical releases and seeks restoration from the responsible party. The division represents the department in the Interagency Council for Oil Spill Response Planning and the Coastal Coordinating Council, a multi-agency body that reviews and coordinates state and federal laws and actions affecting the Texas coast. The division works with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to protect wetland areas and to dispose of dredge material from Texas bays; and it works to protect sensitive ecological habitats and rare, threatened, or endangered plants and animals.

The Resource Protection Division contains two units which report to it, but function as cross-divisional units in support of all TPWD divisions--the Education Branch and the Geographic Information Systems Laboratory. The Education Branch supports education throughout the agency and administers many of the agency's education initiatives and events, and cooperative and outreach efforts, including Outdoor Kids, the mandatory hunter education program, mandatory boater education and water safety, etc. The Geographic Information Systems Laboratory provides specialized training and spatial analysis as part of its support of agency-wide efforts to develop, manage, and archive digital maps and natural and cultural databases which allow biologists and resource managers to more effectively manage state resources.

V.T.C.A., Parks and Wildlife Code, Title 2

Arrangement: Alphabetical by plan name, then chronological by date

Access constraints: None

Use constraints: Files would need to be checked out through Wetlands Program Administrator.

Indexes or finding aids required for/or an aid to access? No

Problems: None

Known related records in other agencies:
Coastal Preserve Management Plans require review and approval by the School Land Board and the General Land Office Commissioner. The General Land Office should have copies and approval records.

Previous destructions:
Destruction requests on file in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission were checked for the Parks and Wildlife Department and none were found for this series or for equivalent or related series.

Publications based on records:
Texas Wetlands Conservation Plan,1997
Wetlands Assistance Guide for Landowners, 1995

Series data from agency schedule:
The agency will be listing this series - Planning files - on the schedule two times, once for each of two main program areas - Resource Conservation Branch and Coastal Conservation Branch. Each series will be appraised separately.
Title: Planning records (Coastal Conservation Branch)
Series item number: 1.1.024
Agency item number: R.01.0.1
Archival code: R
Retention: AR

Archival holdings:
None in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission.

Texas Documents Collection holdings:
Texas Wetlands Conservation Plan, 1997
Wetlands Assistance Guide for Landowners, 1995

Gaps: None according to the agency.

Appraisal decision:
These records document the planning activities undertaken by the Coastal Conservation Branch in its efforts to develop efficient plans for the preservation of Texas wetlands and coastal preserves. This is an important function of this division, as the future of these areas is affected by planning done now. The agency has published plans which provide a great amount of detail about the planning process and the decisions reached. However, the materials present in this series are very similar to the series of planning records maintained by the Resource Conservation Branch, but do not appear to have much in the way of review materials and the scope of the coverage is limited to wetlands and the coastal preserves. Since the plans produced are covered in the preceding series - Resource Conservation Branch planning records, we do not need to obtain the same plans here as well. For now, this series has been appraised to be non-archival. Replace the archival code of "R" with the archival exemption code of "E" and a note to the Remarks column for this series - "Archival review code removed subsequent to appraisal by the Archives and Information Services Division, Library and Archives Commission, October 18, 1999." If this branch begins adding materials to this series which are not duplicated in the Resource Conservation Branch planning records, then we will re-appraise.

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Records Series Review
Series Title: Resource Conservation Branch reports and studies, final

Agency: Parks and Wildlife Department
Resource Protection Division, Resource Conservation Branch

Obsolete record series? No

Ongoing record series? Yes
Annual accumulation: fractional

Agency holdings:
Retained by the agency for 3 years according to the retention schedule. Current holdings, according to the agency, are 1991, 1994, and 1998, consisting of two published reports. It is unknown why there are three dates given for the two reports. These are housed at the agency headquarters in Austin.

Description:
This series contains hard copies of final reports and studies done for development of baseline information and management considerations for use toward environmental assessments and recommendations for alternative solutions to correct any adverse affects to fish and wildlife habitat, dating 1991, 1994, 1998. There are currently two reports in this series. The first was a case study done concerning the San Marcos River. That study was a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to develop specific information on the San Marcos River that would be used in support of the possible creation of a statewide rivers program that would help protect and manage this important wetland resource. The final report was The San Marcos River: A Case Study.

The second report was done via interagency contract with the Texas Water Development Board and was a survey for proposed reservoir sites and selected stream segments in Texas. The study was performed in order to provide better information on the important habitats, wildlife, fisheries and recreation of rivers and streams to assist in managing current water resources and planning for future water development. The final report was A Natural Resource Survey for Proposed Reservoir Sites and Selected Stream Segments in Texas.

Purpose:
These are studies done for development of baseline information and management considerations for use toward environmental assessments and recommendations for alternative solutions to correct any adverse affects to fish and wildlife habitat.

Agency program:
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) had its beginnings in 1879. In 1879, the 16th Legislature authorized the Governor to appoint a fish commissioner to ensure compliance with an Act for the preservation of fish, and to build fish ways and fish ladders (Chapter 92, 16th Legislature, Regular Session). In 1881, the Office of the Fish Commissioner was established (Chapter 78, 17th Legislature, Regular Session). It was created for the "propagation and preservation of fish and to build fish-ways and fish-ladders…," existing through 1885. The commissioner was appointed to a two year term by the Governor, with the approval of the Senate.

In 1895, the Office of the Fish and Oyster Commissioner was created by House Bill 55, 24th Legislature, Regular Session, with the commissioner appointed by the Governor as before. The duties included the protection of fish, turtles and terrapin of the bays and coastal waters of the state, protection of natural oyster beds and reefs, and the protection of the location of private beds. The Commissioner had the authority to appoint Deputy Commissioners to assist in carrying out the duties of the office. In 1907, protection of wild birds and wild game was added to the responsibilities of that office, which became the Office of the Game, Fish and Oyster Commissioner (House Bill 379, 30th Legislature, Regular Session). This Commissioner appointed Deputy Game Commissioners to assist in carrying out the duties of the office.

The single commissioner was replaced by a six-member commission in 1929 and the agency became the Game, Fish, and Oyster Commission (Senate Bill 83, 41st Legislature, Regular Session). Duties of the commission included administering the state's laws relating to game and fish; preventing pollution of streams; issuing hunting, trapping, and fishing licenses; collecting fees, taxes, and fines; conducting research; and proclaiming and enforcing open seasons and bag limits on game and fish. The commission also operated fish hatcheries and sanctuaries, administered game and hunting preserves, supervised oyster beds in the state, controlled and exterminated predatory animals and fish, and educated the public in the preservation of wildlife and fish and game resources of the state. It had the authority to create rules and regulations as necessary to carry out their duties.

The State Parks Board was created in 1923 (Senate Bill 73, 38th Legislature, First Called Session) to investigate prospective park sites in the state and report to the Legislature with recommendations, and to solicit and accept donations of land for state park purposes. The State Parks Board was initially composed of five members, appointed by the Governor with the approval of the Senate to six year terms, and they were to be state officers. The number of board members increased to six in 1937 (Senate Bill 484, 45th Legislature, Regular Session). This board was to begin locating sites for the establishment of the state parks system. It also directed and managed state parks created, except the historical parks which were managed by the Board of Control and/or several separate commissions. The Parks Board was also charged with locating, designating, and marking historic grounds, battlegrounds, and other historic sites in the state, and erecting markers and monuments at such sites. The board also had the authority to create rules and regulations as necessary to carry out its duties.

In 1963, the State Parks Board and the Game and Fish Commission were merged to form the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife (House Bill 21, 58th Legislature, Regular Session). The Parks and Wildlife Department is governed by the Parks and Wildlife Commission, initially composed of three members, currently nine members, appointed by the Governor with approval of the Senate. Members serve six-year overlapping terms. The Commission chairperson is appointed biennially by the Governor. The Commission meets quarterly or more often as needed. Its chief responsibility is to adopt policies and rules to carry out the programs of the Parks and Wildlife Department.

The Parks and Wildlife Department is responsible for the management and conservation of the state's wildlife and fish resources; provision of outdoor recreational opportunities to the public; acquisition, development, and operation of wildlife management areas, fish hatcheries, state parks, historic sites, and other public lands; conservation education and outreach; cultural and historical interpretation; and the regulation of fishing, hunting, and boating activities. The Department is composed of ten major divisions which carry out the functions and duties of the agency: Wildlife, State Parks, Coastal Fisheries, Inland Fisheries, Resource Protection, Communications,