It’s National Wildlife Refuge Week

October 12, 2021

Helpl Needed In TX Pronghorn Poaching Case

October 14, 2021

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is seeking public input on the draft proposed rules impacting thermal refuge closure areas at a public meeting being held on Zoom Thursday, October 14 at 6 p.m. These rules allow the TPWD Executive Director to close thermal refuge areas during freeze events to protect marine resources as well as effect the criteria used to close and re-open these areas to angling.

During the Feb. 2021 freeze event on the Texas Coast, TPWD closed multiple areas to fishing for 48 hours. A hard freeze like the one seen in February can cause surviving fish to congregate in a few deeper water areas where they become sluggish and prone to capture. In an attempt to improve the effectiveness of these closures before the next freeze event, TPWD is reviewing the thermal refuge closure areas.

The scoping meeting is being held via Zoom webinar. The public is encouraged to attend and learn more about these proposed changes. The public may also comment via the TPWD online web portal until Nov. 3 if unable to attend the Zoom webinar.

PUBLIC MEETING

Date: Thurs. Oct. 14
Time: 6 p.m.
Location (via Zoom): Zoom URL: https://esc11.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_mKWwKm9dT_aVVD2zoVT8xA