SHOW ME THE MONEY

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is a pretty big outfit. At last count, the Austin-based state agency employed a workforce of around 3,000 people including full-time, parttime and seasonal employees. It’s the eighth largest of Texas’ 11 state agencies.

While many employees report daily to the department headquarters at 4200 Smith School Rd., most of the agency’s staff are stationed at various field offices, or at one of 89 state parks/historic sites, dozens of wildlife management areas and eight fish hatcheries that are included in the 1.4 million acres managed by the state in name of recreation and conservation.

It’s not a bad place to hang a hat if you don’t mind navigating the bureaucratic tight rope from time to time. Six-digit salaries are common among TPWD’s top brass.

In November 2023, the TPW Commission approved a $21,541 annual pay raise for the agency’s newest executive director, David Yoskowitz. He officially took over the reins from former executive director Carter Smith in January 2023 following Smith’s retirement after nearly 15 years.

Yoskowitz’s annual salary is $236,953.

A Hefty Annual Budget: $592.5 million

Many readers may not be aware of the department’s vast infrastructure, how it operates and what their responsibilities are. Some may not even care.

But you should. Constituent money generated from the sale of hunting/ fishing licenses, stamp endorsements, permits, state park entrance/facility use fees, boat registration/titling and other services help fund a significant chunk of TPWD’s annual operating budget.

The revenue goes towards paying for salaries, benefits, law enforcement, maintenance, vehicles as well the management of fisheries, wildlife, parks and other operational costs.

Like everything else, the cost of doing business at TPWD has escalated over time. The agency’s annual budget has increased along with it. To wit: In fiscal year 2015, TPWD had an operating/capital budget of $371.3 million. The department’s fiscal year 2024 budget is $592.5 million, excluding a $1 billion appropriation for the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund approved by Texas voters in 2023 and $361 million of unexpended balances from prior fiscal years, according to Reggie Pegues, TPWD’s chief financial officer.

A high percentage of the operating budget growth is attributed to the fact the department now receives the full constitutional dedication of sporting goods sales taxes, according to Craig Bonds, TPWD’s chief operating officer. Federal funding available to the state under the the Pittman-Robertson Act of 1937 has also increased, Bonds said.

Pittman-Robertson funds collected from federal excise taxes paid by manufacturers on sporting rifles, shotguns, ammunition, archery equipment and handguns are distributed to states based on number of hunters and land area. Texas receives the maximum distribution allowable under the program.

Bonds added that the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund is comprised from a portion of state budget surplus and creates a dedicated funding stream for acquiring and developing new state parks.

It’s worth noting that fees levied on most recreational hunting/ fishing licenses and permits have not increased since a five percent hike was implemented ahead of fiscal year 2009-10.

Manning the Ship

TPWD is a big ship that goes in lots of directions. It calls for plenty of organization and teamwork among administration and multiple divisions to keep things afloat with the end goal of fulfilling the agency’s mission statement: To manage and conserve the natural and cultural resources of Texas and to provide hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation opportunities for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

What follows is a rundown of the department’s administration and divisions, along with their primary responsibilities as described by TPWD: TPW COMMISSION: Consists of nine members appointed by the Governor. The chief responsibility is the adoption of policies and rules to carry out all programs of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). The Commission approves the annual operating budget and the biennial appropriations request for submission to the Legislature, sets TPWD policy as required by statute, and appoints an Executive Director charged with the implementation of the daily administration and operations of TPWD.

Members of the Commission serve without pay but are entitled to reimbursement for their actual expenses incurred in attending meetings and to compensatory per diem as provided in the General Appropriations Act.

* EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Acts as the liaison between the Commission and Departmental staff in accordance with established policies and is responsible for the overall operation of the department.

* WILDLIFE DIVISION: Manages the taking of state wildlife, coordinates wildlife management on all public lands, administers the public hunt program; conducts surveys and research studies; issues scientific permits; and provides wildlife management assistance to private landowners.

* INLAND FISHERIES DIVISION: Responsible for the protection, enhancement and regulation of the state’s freshwater resources. Activities include fisheries management and research; ecosystem and habitat assessment; instream flow and river studies; fish production; fish kill assessments; natural resource damage recovery; wetlands conservation; permitting; angler education and information; andfishing access.

Five of the eight fish hatcheries operated by TPWD produce freshwater fish.

* COASTAL FISHERIES DIVISION: Responsible for protecting, managing and ensuring the long-term sustainability of Texas’ marine resources. Major activities and programs include assessments for marine resource management; stock identificationand research; fisheries enhancement; the Artificial Reef program; and habitat conservation and restoration activities. The Coastal Fisheries Division operates three marine fish hatcheries.

* LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION: Works closely with other divisions to enforce state laws and department rules and regulations, to prevent violations through education and communication, and to investigate pollution incidents and other environmental crimes.

* STATE PARKS DIVISION: It is the largest of the agency’s divisions, both organizationally and financially. Responsible for the management and operation of all state parks, natural areas, historic sites and park regional offices, and state parks peace officers responsible for ensuring the overall safety, security and protection of state parks, visitors and resources. The division is also responsible for the administration of the department’s local parks grants program.

* INFRASTRUCTURE DIVISION: Manages the capital construction program for TPWD facilities statewide. Division functions include planning; budgeting; construction; preparation of master plans for preservation and use of TPWD lands; and architectural, surveying and other technical assistance to field locations.

The division also administers the TPWD energy conservation, risk management, fleet management and radio management programs and provides support services for the TPWD headquarters complex.

* INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DIVISION: Oversees information technology services in support of all TPWD divisions. Responsibilities include the development of policies and procedures, telecommunications and network operations, application development and maintenance, and hardware and software customer support.

* COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION: It is the marketing and public information arm of the department. Rresponsible for administering outreach and education programs and disseminating conservation-related information to the public through both internal and external media.

* HUMAN RESOURCES DIVISION: Maintains all personnel records and develops personnel related policy and procedures; determines training needs and priorities; houses the safety program; and provides day-to-day services in employee recruitment, benefits and relations.

* ADMINISTRATIVE RESOURCES DIVISION: provides supportservices, including financial management, accounts payable/payroll, purchasing/contracting, and budget and planning, to the entire department. Boat registration and licensing functions are also included in this division.

* LEGAL DIVISION: Provides legal assistance and advice to the TPW Commission and TPWD staff; represents the department in administrative legal proceedings; assists the Attorney General’s office in litigation involving TPWD; and coordinates responses to requests for information under the Texas Public Information Act.

Pay Checks: What Our TPWD Leaders Make David Yoskowitz, Executive Director, $236,953 Chad Jones, Director of Law Enforcement, $190,067.76 Craig Bonds, Chief Operating Officer, $184,800 Allison Winney, Chief of Staff, $152,250 James Murphy, Legal Division Director, $152,249.88 Brandy Meeks. Internal Audit, $122,850 David Buggs Director of Engagement and Inclusion, $126,000 David Eichler, Government Relations, $126,000 Jamie McClanahan, Direction of Information and Technology, $148,050 John Silovsky, Wildlife Division Director, $153,300 Michael Durand, Major Game Warden, $142,758 Mischelle Diaz, Director of Communications, $148,050 Patricia David, Human Resources Director, $143,850 Reginold Pegues, Chief Financial Officer, $167,999.88 Robin Riechers, Director of Coastal Fisheries, $153,300 Rodney Franklin, State Parks Director, $167,999.88 Scott Stover, Support Resources Director, $137,550 Andrea Lofye, Director of Infrastructure, $154,350 Timothy Birdsong, Inland Fisheries Director, $148,050 Matt Williams is a freelance writer based in Nacogdoches. He can be reached by e-mail, mattwillwrite4u@yahoo.com.