CHAPTER 28. TEXAS TRAILS SYSTEM - Texas Statutes

PARKS AND WILDLIFE CODE

TITLE 3. PARKS

CHAPTER 28. TEXAS TRAILS SYSTEM

Sec. 28.001. ESTABLISHMENT. The Texas Trails System is

established under the administration of the department. The

purposes of the system are to provide high-quality outdoor

recreational, scenic, historic, and expedition trails and to

promote the use and encourage the development of trails within

the system.

Added by Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 5165, ch. 937, Sec. 1, eff.

Aug. 29, 1983. Renumbered from Sec. 25.001 by Acts 1987, 70th

Leg., ch. 167, Sec. 5.01(a)(37), eff. Sept. 1, 1987.

Sec. 28.002. SYSTEM ADMINISTRATION. (a) The department may:

(1) develop a trails master plan for the orderly development of

trails;

(2) designate qualifying trails within the state park system or

on state lands as components of the trail system;

(3) enter into negotiations with federal, state, regional,

local, and private agencies that administer trails to allow their

trails to be included in the system;

(4) designate federal, state, regional, local, and private

trails as components of the system after obtaining the consent of

the owner or administering agency;

(5) remove trails from the system at the request of the owner or

administering agency or to maintain the quality of the system;

(6) develop criteria and standards for trails in the system;

(7) classify trails in the system as recreational, scenic,

historic, or expedition trails;

(8) provide a standardized terminology for trails within the

system;

(9) provide a uniform marker for the trails within the system;

(10) provide technical assistance in planning or building trails

to potential trail administrators; and

(11) publish information about the system to ensure public

knowledge of the existence of the system and to encourage its

use.

(b) The commission may adopt rules or take any other action

necessary to implement this chapter.

Added by Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 5165, ch. 937, Sec. 1, eff.

Aug. 29, 1983. Renumbered from Sec. 25.002 by Acts 1987, 70th

Leg., ch. 167, Sec. 5.01(a)(37), eff. Sept. 1, 1987.

Sec. 28.004. CLASSIFICATION. (a) The department shall classify

trails in the system according to the classifications established

in this section. A trail may have more than one classification or

may be composed of several trails with different classifications.

A trail may not include the main travelway portions of highways,

roads, or streets that are provided primarily for motor vehicle

traffic or motor vehicle travel routes that exist or may be

established on such travelways.

(b) A recreational trail is a trail that:

(1) is in or near an urban area; and

(2) is primarily used for recreational or health benefits.

(c) A scenic trail is a trail that:

(1) is in a rural or urban area;

(2) is in an area containing natural and scenic qualities of at

least regional significance; and

(3) is primarily used for enjoyment of its scenic qualities and

vistas, such as travel through or to a natural environment.

(d) A historic trail is a trail that:

(1) is in a rural or urban area;

(2) provides access to or between historic sites, structures, or

monuments of regional or statewide significance; and

(3) is used primarily for its historic connotations, such as the

significance of a historic structure or the presentation of a

historic episode.

(e) An expedition trail is a trail that:

(1) is in a rural area;

(2) provides extended travel through scenic and natural areas of

regional or statewide significance; and

(3) may require some travel preparation.

Added by Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 5165, ch. 937, Sec. 1, eff.

Aug. 29, 1983. Renumbered from Sec. 25.004 by Acts 1987, 70th

Leg., ch. 167, Sec. 5.01(a)(37), eff. Sept. 1, 1987.