Memorandum of Understanding between El Paso Climbers Club and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Philosophy

Hueco Tanks State Historical Park possesses valuable natural, cultural and geological resources of statewide significance. The preservation, long-term stewardship, and interpretation of these features is a primary goal of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Many recreational activities, including rock climbing and bouldering, are also compatible uses. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department recognizes the need to establish a process which provides for safe, resource compatible, quality rock climbing consistent with the Department's primary mission.

Purpose

This document will provide for the replacement of old or unsafe fixed protection at Hueco Tanks State Historical Park; establish a procedure that will provide for controlled, resource compatible development of new climbing routes requiring fixed protection; and will provide a process for interaction, cooperation, and resolution of resource issues involving climbing/bouldering at Hueco Tanks State Historical Park.

Scope

The El Paso Climbers Club will provide volunteer assistance to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in the following areas:
  1. Replacement of unsafe fixed protection;
  2. Screen and review nominations for new routes requiring fixed protection as detailed in Appendix I, Route Application;
  3. Networking through the climbing community to advise climbers of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's climbing protocols, including stewardship philosophy and reporting noncompliance to the park management;
  4. Maintaining all climbing/bouldering areas and routes free of trash or abandoned equipment;
  5. Removal of excess gymnastic chalk from routes;
  6. Work jointly with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to develop a comprehensive climbing and bouldering management program and advise Texas Parks and Wildlife Department of any new development which may affect recreational rock climbing, and which may require review or consultation at Hueco Tanks State Historical Park;
  7. Work in partnership with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to assure that cultural and natural resource protection are given the highest priority where conflict resolution may be required for resource protection;
  8. Provide documentation of new and replacement fixed protection;
  9. Other technical climbing and conservation related projects as mutually agreed.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will provide to the El Paso Climbers Club:
  1. Site specific resource criteria and guidelines which the El Paso Climbers Club will incorporate into their review procedure;
  2. A standing resource committee to interact with the El Paso Climbers Club on climbing issues, to approve nominated routes requiring fixed protection, to expedite conflict resolution as may be required, and to direct resource conservation and restoration projects at Hueco Tanks State Historical Park;

Procedure

  1. A new route application and review procedure will be maintained by the El Paso Climbers Club and approved by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
  2. Proposal of any new route requiring placement of fixed protection first must be reviewed and nominated by the El Paso Climbers Club. The route is subject to approval or disapproval by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department advisory climbing committee.
  3. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will review each new route proposed for cultural, environmental and operational clearance and accept or reject it within 15 days.
  4. Mutual effort will be expended to assure that new and potential bouldering/climbing problems meet all resource protection and conservation requirements, and, in partnership with TPWD, assure that any activity having adverse impact on resources is mitigated.

Duration

This agreement will be in effect for three years and may be renewed by mutual consent. Either party may cancel this agreement at any time with 30 days written notice.

Release of Liability and Statement of Status

It is understood that all work will be under the direction of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Members of the El Paso Climbers Club will be required to execute a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department supplied waiver of liability and volunteer services agreement.
Original source for this document in Word for Windows 2.0 format.