Selling Big Bend State Park

Tomorrow, the Texas State Parks and Wildlife Commission will consider whether or not to sell 45,000 acres of Big Bend Ranch State Park in Southwest Texas. The area under consideration is in a remote Northwest section of the park and would be sold to one Mr. Poindexter, a land developer based in Houston, TX. The proposed rate is $45 an acre, the proposal was submitted on August 15th, just nine days before the annual meeting of the Commission. There has been little public debate about this matter in large measure because the proposal was made so close to the time when the Commission meets. The Commission held its annual public hearing today, during which time anyone can briefly speak to the Commission about whatever they like. I went with a friend, and, having never gone to a public hearing of any sort, planned on not speaking. Before entering, everyone must fill out a form with a box to check whether or not they would like to address the Commission. I checked no, but they still called my name. Since they seemed determined to get my opinion, I thought they should have a chance to hear it. So I asked them to consider whether selling so much land was really in everyone's best interest. At $45 an acre, I might like to buy some of that land. How can it be so cheap? Wish I had photos, but I forgot the camera.