The Texas General Land Office has purchased more than 353,000 acres of private ranches in the sprawling Big Bend region of West Texas. listed for sale More than $245.6 million.

GLO confirmed the news to Marfa Public Radio on Tuesday. first reported By The Land Report magazine.

Brewster Farm – A sprawling collection of more than 28 small parcels of land in some of the state’s most rugged and remote areas near the Rio Grande – put up for sale with Tennessee billionaire Brad Kelley in 2019.

Kelley before the sale Texas’ largest landowner.

King Land & Water, the real estate company that mediated the sale, described the farm on his own list “It is one of the most ecologically important, pristine properties on the market today.”

State officials did not disclose the final sale price.

James King, a real estate agent involved in the deal, told Marfa Public Radio that it amounts to “one of the most significant land acquisitions in Texas history.”

The size of the deal naturally raises questions about what Texas plans to do with the ranch, especially given the ranch’s unique, pristine location in a corner of the state that’s home to Big Bend National Park and a wealth of state-owned public lands. The fact that the farm is purchased by the state does not necessarily mean that it will be open to the public.

Texas General Land Office manages millions of acres of land across the state, Leasing land for commercial use, from agriculture to oil and gas and other projects. Proceeds help fund the state’s public school system.

Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham said in a statement that she was “proud to purchase this beautiful property for the State of Texas.”

Buckingham also referenced Texas Republicans. growing concerns Something state lawmakers have done in recent years about companies with ties to foreign countries, primarily China, buying land in Texas tried to prevent In recent legislative sessions.

“By securing this vast tract of land along our southern border, GLO not only prevents foreign adversaries from purchasing this land, but also ensures that this mineral-rich property will generate income for Texas schoolchildren,” he said.

GLO did not comment specifically on whether such “foreign adversaries” were trying to purchase Brewster Farm, but did say that “there is another party interested in purchasing this land.”

No clear plan for the land

Asked about the agency’s plans for the land, Buckingham said via email that in addition to the “conservation benefits” of purchasing, “many types of leasing options are available, including but not limited to hunting, agriculture, mining, and soil carbon sequestration.” .”

King said he has been involved in discussions with GLO about many possibilities for the land.

“The staff told me they wanted to do something special here,” he said. “They want to look at farming, they want to look at restoration, they want to look at opportunities like hunting lodges or VRBO, hiking, camping.”

King said the history of expanding ranching for West Texas in recent years is a significant regression from what conservationists say is a statewide trend of dividing land parcels into smaller parcels. negatively affects wildlife and ecosystems.

“Most of Texas is threatened by disintegration, but this is an anti-fractionation story,” he said.

A large portion of Brewster Farm, owned by Brad Kelly, has been leased to farmers, and King said he expects that to continue, at least in the short term.

News of Tuesday’s acquisition came as Buckingham announced the agency’s decision. Purchasing a separate ranch in South Texas It will be used for the new 1.5 kilometer border wall.

land commissioner He said on social media on Tuesday He said GLO allowed wall construction to begin there within 24 hours of purchasing the land.

Only a relatively small portion of Brewster Ranch extends to the actual US-Mexico border – it is extremely remote and federally protected Known section of the Rio Grande “Lower Canyons” It is marked by steep canyon walls along the river.

“I am always proud to intervene when needed to secure our southern border, and I will use every tool at my disposal at the General Land Office to do so,” Buckingham told Marfa Public Radio. “If it comes to my attention that there is a need for this on this property, I will be happy to ensure that Texans are protected from the ongoing threat of this border crisis.”

In conversations with GLO staff, King said he “hasn’t heard a word” about the possibility of a border wall in that area of ​​the ranch.

“There’s already a wall there,” he said, referring to the rugged terrain. “This is not the domain of border walls.”

Other parts of the ranch share a border with Big Bend National Park and the nearby Black Gap Wildlife Management Area, operated by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Service.

A TPWD spokesman said the agency was not involved in the final purchase of the farm.

According to the Land Report, Brewster Farm totaled more than 431,000 acres, with three sections of the larger farm having been sold separately in recent years.

King said once the deal is finalized, his advice to the state or any organization considering the future of the lands would be to establish an advisory board of agricultural groups, conservation interests and state agencies to determine a path forward. Such an effort would require a “massive inventory” of the farm’s natural resources.

“It really needs a solid, science-based inventory so you can really try to make good decisions,” he said.

Editor’s note: King Land & Water is a financial supporter of Marfa Public Radio.