Sec. 13.001. CONTROL BY DEPARTMENT. (a) Except as otherwise provided by law, the following are under the department's control and custody:

(1) all recreational and natural areas designated as state parks; and

(2) all historical sites under the jurisdiction of the department.

(b) The commission shall establish a classification system for state parks and wildlife management areas that categorizes wildlife management areas, parks, or a portion of parks as wildlife management areas, recreational areas, natural areas, or historical sites. The commission may not classify a historical site as a historical park.

(c) The commission shall adopt rules governing the acquisition and development of recreational areas, natural areas, or historical sites.

(d) The commission shall establish as a priority the acquisition of land necessary for parks that are established by this code and that comply with the classification system and rules adopted by the commission as required by this section.

(e) The commission shall have the exclusive authority to determine sound biological management practices for all lands under its control.

Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1405, ch. 545, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1975. Amended by Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 267, art. 1, Sec. 37, eff. Sept. 1, 1985; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 217, Sec. 1, eff. May 18, 1993; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1256, Sec. 16, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 968, Sec. 31, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.

Amended by:

Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1245 (S.B. 1518), Sec. 8, eff. June 17, 2011.