The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has voted to use eminent domain to seize the property that Fairfield Lake State Park sits on in an effort to save the park. The land was purchased in February by a developer who plans to build a gated community.
State Park Police Officer Kyle Ware makes the rounds at Fairfield Lake State Park in Fairfield in February., The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news.
“I think we have a clear duty to act for the greater good for all Texans. While we have the power of eminent domain, that power should be used sparingly and reluctantly. In fact it’s been nearly four decades since we’ve last used it,” said Jeffery Hildebrand, a Texas Parks and Wildlife commissioner, just before the commission voted to condemn the property.say Texas can seize the private land, even if the developer doesn’t want to sell.
The state had leased the park at no charge from Vistra Corp. since the 1970’s. When the energy company closed a coal power plant on the property they looked to sell the land. The state hoped to just buy the 1,820-acres of Fairfield Lake State Park, but Vistra didn’t want to sell piecemeal. According to the energy company, the state did not offer to buy the entire property.
“We do regret that this matter has come to this point and there was not the ability to resolve this issue before these steps were necessary,” said Kevin Good, the president of Texans for State Parks. “The agency should be proactive about trying to avoid these situations in the future.” The letter said the company has begun executing its development plan and investing millions of dollars in related contracts.
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