Texas Parks and Wildlife Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Texas Parks and Wildlife - Research Paper Example Currently, the Texas parks and wildlife department has several responsibilities. These include managing and conserving states natural resources and providing the public with opportunities and access to fish and wildlife habitats. Background information and history The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) was created in 1983, following the merger between the State Parks Board and the Game and Fish commission. However, its formation can be traced back to 1879 when fish commissioner’s officer was first established as a state agency in 1879. In 1983, the department was authorized to oversee all the resources both fish and the wildlife in all counties of Texas. The authority was given after the Wildlife Conservation Act was approved by the Texas legislature. Several historic sites that were under the management of Texas Parks and Wildlife earlier were reassigned to the Texas historical commission on 1st January 2008. In 1879, the governor was authorized to appoint a fish comm issioner by the 16th legislature of Texas. The governor appointed the commissioner to a term of two years after being approved by the senate. This appointment was to ensure that the Act for fish preservation was carefully complied with. In addition, it was meant to ensure that fish ladders and fish ways were constructed. The Fish Commissioner’s office came to being in 1881. ... The commissioner was also given powers to appoint his deputy commissioners. In 1907, the responsibilities of Commissioner’s Office were expanded. It also covered protection of wild birds and wild game. Therefore, commissioner was renamed Game, Fish, and Oyster commissioner. Fish and Oyster Commissioner’s Office was made up of three members. In 1972, the number doubled to six members. By 1983, the commission was made up of nine members who were appointed by the governor and approved by the senate. The commission members are office bearers for overlapping six-year terms. The governor appoints the chairperson of the commission biennially. The meetings of the commission are normally quarterly. However, when required they meet on a regular basis. The major responsibility of the commission is to acquire the appropriate rules and policies that play a significant role in conducting the various parks and wildlife department programs. Location and management of the Texas parks an d wildlife department TPWD headquarters is located at 4200 Smith School Road in Austin, Texas. Both the regional and field offices are established in different parts throughout the state. Those who are not working with the headquarters in Austin are known to be seventy-six percent of the total department staff. The management and coordination of all the policies and programs that concerns personnel is done in the Austin headquarters, Human Resource Division. A commission that comprises of nine members governs TPWD. The governor appoints the commission. The major responsibility of the commission is to adopt appropriate rules and regulations. This will be used in various