The Lone Star Coastal National Recreation Area would include sites spanning four coastal counties: Matagorda, Brazoria, Galveston, and Jefferson. This region boasts natural areas, outdoor recreation opportunities, and historical sites. The proposed area would be built around a core of existing sites through coordinated management by public, private, and nonprofit landowners.

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Proposed Lone Star Coastal NRA Resources

View the related maps and documents. Read what others are saying about the project. Learn more about the rich cultural heritage, the outstanding wildlife diversity, and the recreation opportunities of…

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A National Recreation Area is a designation given by Congress to land and water with significant outdoor recreation potential. National Recreation Areas enjoy an enhanced stature among the universe of recreational designations. They are chosen because of unique recreational potential and are recognized and valued by tourists from around the world. Parks designated as National Recreation Areas are an especially good fit for Texas because they allow for significant local control.

A National Recreation Area for the Upper Texas Coast would include only those public and private land owners who voluntarily chose to participate. It is envisioned as a non-contiguous cluster of lands, historic sites and structures within Matagorda, Brazoria, Galveston and Jefferson counties, to be managed under a custom-built partnership agreement between these participating land owners and the National Park Service, which provides a coordinating presence for visitor services and tourism marketing.

Report

Opportunity Knocks

Hurricane Ike tore through the upper Texas Gulf coast in 2008, unleashing devastation on communities and economies. Yet portions of the region fared better, showing that undeveloped lands along the…

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A steering committee comprising a diverse group of national, state and local community leaders have helped shape the concept and garner support from the broad array of decision makers necessary to realize a national recreation area. The steering committee is chaired by local business leader John L. Nau, III and former Secretary of State James A. Baker, III. A Partners Coalition of participating public and private landowners within the project area have collaborated to develop recommendations regarding the composition and function of a joint governing body for the Recreation Area. They also work together to educate and engage citizens, businesses and organizations throughout the region. Read more about the coalition.

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