18 historic sites may go to THC

Eighteen state historic sites, which include the Caddoan Mounds and Mission Tejas, may soon be transferred from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to the Texas Historical Commission. The House Culture, Recreation and Tourism Committee recently passed a measure recommending the transfer and the full legislature is scheduled to take up the issue soon.

Under the bill, 12 historic sites would remain with TPWD.

Proponents of the transfer say the Historical Commission is better equipped to manage the sites by maximizing state funds to market and develop the sites.

Opponents say the measure is purely political and will not benefit the state.

Committee Chairman Harvey Hilderbran (R-Kerrville) said he is willing to remove historic sites from the list of 18 due to opposition. He also proposed using a portion of the sporting goods tax revenue to create a fund that would go specifically to those sites.