Grayson County CAD Request
Landowner: I saw your web page and interested in finding out more.
My county, Grayson County, seems to be requiring me to provide, as they state, “a formal recommendation from a regulatory wildlife biologist” and provide signature at the end of the 1-d-1 form from the wildlife consultant preparing the plan. Are you considered a “regulatory wildlife biologist?” and can you provide the formal recommendation.
I assume it is included in the management plan that you provide as well as a signature on the completed 1-d-1 form? I have about 35 acres in Grayson County that was recently purchased (late last year) and has been agriculture exempt for many years.
The property has 5 acres that are currently in hay production, which I plan to continue haying. Another 2 acres of the property are residential use. The rest is thickly wooded with a small creek, small pond, and fenced all around the perimeter. The fence is a a combination of barbed wire and field fence.
I believe the wooded areas were grazed at one time, but I want to use them for habitat for deer and other wildlife. I am planning to meet with the tax appraiser next week. I would like to find out if you can provide their requested items in time for me to submit the 1-d-1 by April 30. Thanks.
Wildlife Management Use in Grayson County
WildlifeExemption.com: A county appraisal district (CAD), including the Grayson County CAD, can request a “formal recommendation from a regulatory biologist.” However, a formal recommendation is not legally required in Texas. Based on the wildlife management use rules for maintaining an ag tax valuation, only a management plan and application is required.
In addition, a landowner actually has the right to prepare and submit a management plan themselves. Admittedly, however, this is more than some property owners are willing to undertake.
The Grayson County Appraisal District can ask for the “recommendation,” but they should not legally deny your plan if you do not submit a recommendation with your management plan. Of course, this is assuming the management plan meets all requirements and your application is in order.
Regulatory biologists work for either state or federal agencies. These biologists make hunting, fishing, and environmental regulations. In short, Grayson County CAD likely wants you to contact Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). Then, you can get a statement from them stating that the management practices that you implement on your property are sound.
We and other consultants are biologists by education and regularly interact with regulatory biologists that work for state and federal agencies. We can also provide you with a management plan that meets the requirements of the wildlife appraisal region.
In Texas, a property owner is not required to specifically contact a state or federal regulatory wildlife biologist prior to developing a wildlife exemption management plan. The appraisal districts is requesting that you take an unnecessary step, albeit one that may benefit some landowners.
Texas Wildlife Exemption
We develop management plans for the wildlife management use valuation for private property owners throughout Texas. We charge the lowest rate for customized wildlife management plans that allow a property to qualify for wildlife use and maintain an ag tax appraisal.
We provide the most economical wildlife exemption plans in Texas, but it is important to note that we do not represent property owners to the appraisal district. In addition, we do not file your management plan for you. Other companies will charge you for these services, but we provide our customers with simple filing instructions.