Source: The New York Times
April 11, 2008

A rugged tract of state-owned land known as the Christmas Mountains is now open to hikers and campers visiting Big Bend National Park. Jerry Patterson, the Texas land commissioner, granted an easement that allows public access to the state land via a mile-long boundary with Big Bend. Mr. Patterson said that the access was the same that would be allowed if the National Park Service owned the tract. He was alluding to a debate between his office and conservationists over who should control the property. Mr. Patterson has sought a private bidder for the land, but conservationists want it to go to the National Park Service. He has been reluctant to turn the property over to the Park Service in part because federal parks are generally off-limits for hunting.