Here’s a quick update since last week’s headlines:

On Tuesday, August 22, 2023, attorney Blake Beckham spoke on behalf of developer Todd Interests in a press conference video posted on Vimeo.

Following familiar talking points, Beckham called for the resignation of Texas Parks & Wildlife (TPW) Commission Chair, Arch “Beaver” Aplin, III.

In his plea to Governor Greg Abbott, Beckham said, “It’s time to put a new commissioner in charge. Not one who interferes in private transactions and then orchestrates a coverup to shield from public disclosure he ineptness of his office.”

Attorney Beckham also asked for investigations into TPW’s actions by both House and Senate Investigative Committees and by the Texas Attorney General.

The remarks were presumably made in anticipation of TPW Commission’s scheduled Workshop and Regular Meeting set for August 23rd thru 24th, as well as their Annual Public Hearing.

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An estimated 150 citizens attended the Annual Public Hearing of TPW Commission on Wednesday afternoon, August 23rd. Each person was given two minutes to speak on any topic concerning Texas Parks & Wildlife.

Several voiced concerns about TPW’s efforts to preserve Fairfield Lake State Park. According to an attendee, most of the speakers for this topic strongly supported the use of eminent domain.

Audio of the Public Hearing may be accessed here.

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On Thursday, August 24th, TPW Commission adopted a policy limiting its use of eminent domain.

The policy limits the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department from taking private property for park sites except under exceptional and unusual circumstances, mainly property previously dedicated to public use as a park.

“The policy is clear,” said Chairman Aplin. “TPWD will not use eminent domain to condemn residences, farms or ranches.”

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Closing the week, Governor Abbott named Jeff Hildebrand Chair of the TPW Commission and appointed William “Leslie” Doggett as a commission member. Both appointments are effective Aug. 31, with Doggett’s term set to expire Feb. 1, 2029.

Outgoing Chair Aplin was thanked for his service by Governor Abbott and TPWD Executive Director David Yoskowitz, Ph.D as they presented him a framed cover of the July 2023 issue of Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine.

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In Freestone County, on Thursday, August 24th, a Hearing for Temporary Injunction was held in the 77th Judicial Court with the Honorable David Brabham presiding.

This court proceeding marks the next phase of the eminent domain process, following Todd Interests rejection of TPW’s final offer to purchase the Fairfield Lake property.

According to reports, Judge Brabham granted temporary injunction to allow the State to conduct a Linear Survey of the entire 5,000-acre property (including the use of drones), and a Phase 1 Environmental Survey.

The State of Texas was represented by attorney Charles McFarland of Houston.

Representing FLG (Freestone Lake & Golf) Owner, LLC was attorney Eddie Vassallo of Dallas.

Judge Brabham had been appointed for this special hearing, as 77th District Patrick H. Simmons and 87th District Judge Amy Thomas Ward both recused themselves from the case.