Property purchase to expand Tex Creek WMA
The Tex Creek Wildlife Management Area about 20 miles east of Idaho Falls will soon get a little larger.
The Idaho Fish and Game Commission has approved a deal to purchase two properties involving a total 1,552 acres of private land during its quarterly meeting. The properties consist of relatively natural habitat of sagebrush, riparian areas, forested slopes and aspen stands.
The purchase price of $1.96 million will be paid for using Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) mitigation funds. As part of a settlement agreement between the state and BPA, Idaho Fish and Game receives federal mitigation funding to offset impacts to fish and wildlife associated with the Columbia River Power System.
The mitigation funds purchase property from willing sellers. It is to be managed to protect and rehabilitate habitat for fish and wildlife and to provide public access.
The habitat on the new state properties supports numerous game and non-game species, including elk, mule deer and moose. Moose, in particular, wander through the property to winter habitats. Elk also winter there and aspen stands provide quality fawning habitat for mule deer.
In addition to the Tex Creek properties, the commission also approved the $350,000 purchase of range land near the Boise River Wildlife Management Area. That area, too, provides habitat for elk and mule deer. The state will use federal Pittman Robertson funds and the proceeds of a land sale to the Forest Service to cover $287,000 of the cost. The remaining $62,200 will come from proceeds from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses.
