Wallisville Lake Project

Welcome to the Wallisville Lake Project of the US Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District.  Check out all the portions of our site for information about the Project and for links to our partners and other useful sites.  

Leases/Licenses/Permits:

What are leases, licenses, and permits?  A lease is a Corps of Engineers real estate instrument that allows the leasee certain rights and privileges to use government property.  On the Wallisville Lake Project leases are mostly used by people who want to graze cattle on Project lands.  Interested parties can bid on parcels in varying sizes and locations.  Grazing leases usually run for 5 years.  Rents are charged on an annual basis and vary in amount depending on the size of the leased area and the quality of range.  Grazing leasees are responsible for their animals and the fences around and within their leased area.  A license is a Corps of Engineers real estate instrument that allows the licensee certain rights and privileges for an activity on government property.  Licenses can be for things like mowing a pipeline right-of way, pumping natural gas and/or oil from wells in the Lost Lake Oilfield, and landing helicopters for National Guard training missions.  Licenses run for varying lengths of time and can be very specific as to usage.  License fees vary.  There are several types of permits for several different reasons.  Regulatory permits are processed by the Regulatory Branch in the Galveston District Office and mostly have to do with use of the waters of the US, building something alongside of or out into the waters of the US, wetlands, and building something into/onto wetlands.  Shoreline Use Permits are processed by personnel at the Wallisville Lake Project Office.  Shoreline Use Permits can be issued for things like seasonal duck blinds, mowing an area of government property adjacent to private property, boat docks, boat ramps, and erosion control.  Permits run for varying lengths of time depending on the use specified on the permit.  Fees for Shoreline Use Permits vary.  Special Use Permits are processed by personnel at the Wallisville Lake Project Office and are issued for a one time event.  Special Use Permits can be issued for things like the use of a pavilion for a family gathering, a scout campout, a fishing tournament, or a bike race.  Fees for Special Use Permits vary.

Who needs one?  Grazing leases are needed by persons who desire to run cattle on government property.  Licenses are needed by persons, companies, or organizations that have major ongoing activities on government property.  Regulatory Permits are needed by persons who desire to use or build alongside or out into waters and/or wetlands.  Shoreline Use Permits are needed by neighboring property owners who desire to care for adjacent government property and by duck hunters who desire a seasonal duck blind.  Special Use Permits are needed by persons sponsoring events on government property.

How do I get one if I need it?  For more information on leasing an area on the Wallisville Project contact Don Hester at 409-766-3811 in the Real Estate Branch at the Galveston District Office.  Mr. Hester can also provide information on obtaining licenses on the Project.  For information on Regulatory Permits, please call the Regulatory Branch at 409-766-3934.  For information about how to get a Shoreline Use Permit and/or a Special Use Permit, contact a Park Ranger at 409-389-2285.

Wallisville Lake Project
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
P.O. Box 293
Wallisville, TX 77597
Phone: (409) 389-2285