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HomeMy WebLinkAbout13 Venessa Garza 16I would like to help the Brazos Greenways Council protect and main- tain greenways and open space in the Brazos County area. Enclosed is my contribution: Annual membership Student, senior Individual Family Sponsor Corporate Benefactor Patron Conservator $10 D $15 D $25 D $100 D $300 D $500 D $1000 D $5000 D Address ________ _ Phone, e-mail (optional) ___ _ I'd like to receive more infomzation on: Volunteering with the BGC -- . Granting a conservation easement toBGC -- Making a gift of land to BGC __ Including the BGC in my estate plans __ Please send this form to: BraZos Greenways Council 117 Pershing College Station, Texas 77840 Phone:409-696-6379 E-mail: greenway@snaefell.tamu.edu ;,::l (.) § 0 u Brazos Green ways Council Working to establish and maintain a network of greenways and open space in the Brazos County area What is the B~os Greenways Council? The Brazos Greenways Council (BGC) was founded in 1997 by a group of concerned citizens. Our purpose is to establish and maintain a network of greenways and open spaces that will enhance the lives of all ~ho live in the Brazos County area . By working in concert with landowners, developers , conservationists, city governments and residents , we endeavor to protect critical areas of open space for the public benefit. Floodplains represent a significant portion of the open space in the Brazos County area What is our vision for the BGC? Our vision is to -establish a network of open spaces, trails and linkages for recreation and trans- portation; -promote responsibl e floodplain man- agement while maintaining high quality surf ace and ground water; -preserve disappearing habitat for our diverse native flora, fauna and migratory birds; -encourage desirabl e economic dev el- opment and nature-based tourism; -protect the agricultural heritage and rural beauty of our unique "Heart of Texas" landscape. rn Floodplains/open ~space How does the BGC accomplish its goals? The BGC works with landowners and other interested parties to obtain conservation easements or to purchase land that is critical in providing linkages for public greenways, or whose value as open space benefits the ge neral public . H ow can you help the BGC? By donating to the Brazos Greenways Council you can assist us in furthering our goal of protecting our natural heritage, for the benefit of future generations. If you are a landowner, we would be happy to discuss conservatio n options with you. Printed on recycled paper Brazos Greenwa s Council Fact Sheet No . 1 l1/JhAt is A OreenWA!f? A Greenway is a corridor of open space in its largely natural state. Greenways can be less expensive to develop and maintain than parks , yet offer as much or more to the community. They can provide recreational opportunities because they are accessible to people of all ages. They can bring neighborhoods together by linking them with each other and the city center. l1/JhAt Al'e the ~eoefits of OreeoWA!f S? Greenways serve as the lungs and kidneys of our cities, cleansing the air and water that we drink and breathe. Greenways offer recreational opportunities , which because of their linear nature, are directly accessible to more people than traditional parks. Greenways also provide car-free transportation routes for cyclists and walkers. Potential Benefits of Greenways: • Economy: Greenways and open space pay for themselves by inviting tourism, increasing property values, attracting new businesses and providing a mechanism for responsible floodplain management. • Recreation: Greenways provide recreational opportunities for all age groups, including walking, biking, skating, socializing and nature study. • Environment: Greenways and open space preserve disappearing habitat for our diverse native flora and fauna. • Flooding and Erosion: Greenways along waterways provide natural storage areas for flood water, minimizing the impacts to nearby neighborhoods from rising waters during flood events. • Transportation: Greenways provide safe and direct transportation alternatives, by allowing biking and walking between home , work, school , sports facilities and neighborhoods. • Culture: Open space preservation will conserve the agricultural heritage and rural beauty of our unique "Heart of Texas" landscape. lt17hnt is the ~QC: s ~isioo? The Brazos Greenways Council envisions Bryan and College Station as having a mosaic of open spaces of various types and sizes , some small and more developed , others more rural. For example , watershed areas like Bee Creek and Wolf Pen Creek already link neighborhoods , and greenways along them would attract small businesses such as restaurants and specialty shops. The floodways of Carter Creek , Lick Creek , and White Creek would serve people on a more regional scale by remaining mostly undeveloped and by being used as walking and nature trails by families and schoolgroups . tJubl ieAtioos to ~ook for: Greenwaysfor America, by Charles Little. (Johns Hopkins Press , 1990) Greenway s: A Guide to Planning, Construction and Maintenan ce, by Charles Flink and Robert M. Seams. (Island Press , 1992) Th e Ecology of Gree nways , by Daniel S. Smith and Paul A. Hellmund . (University of Minnesota Press , 1993) Trail s for the Twe nty -First Century, by Charles A. Flink , Peter Lagerwey , Diane Balmori , and Robert M . Searns. (Island Press, 1993) For more information: Brazos Greenway Co uncil 117 Pershing College Station, TX 778 40 409-696-6379 Thi s in fo rmation was prepared with th e assi stan ce of the Nat ional Park Serv ice Ri vers, Trail s, and Conservation Ass istan ce Prog ram Brazos Greenwa s Council Fact Sheet No. 2 One of the most common concerns of landowners along a proposed trail route is the effect of the trail on the safety of the neighborhood. People fear that the trail will serve as a criminal access route to their homes. In fact, though this fear is understandable, it is unwarranted: crime rates on and adjacent to trails are lower than average crime rates across the country. Why? By prohibiting auto access on the trail, and encouraging neighborhood watch over the community from all sides, a carefully designed trail can increase safety. According to the Rails to Trails Conservancy, "Lawful trail users serve as th e eyes and ears of the community"l . ~trikio9l!J J,ow Crime ~Ates on OZ\ustio ~ike Aod J6ike 7rAils The Austin Police Department recently compiled data regarding the location of crimes since 19952 . Police officers use a premise code to describe locations of crimes. One code is for hike and bike trails and Town Lake. Similarly, there is also a code for parks and playgrounds. In 1995, a total of 38 crimes occurred on hike and bike trails out of 42,586 reported within the city limits of Austin . For the first 6 months of 1996, a total of 7 crimes out of 20,564 crimes occurred on hike and bike trails. For this time period, the majority of crimes reported were non-violent, with 65% of all crimes on hike and bike trails being thefts. T he Austin Police D e partment found that hike a nd b i ke trails are statistic ally s afer tha n parks and playgrounds, w ith 7% of a ll crimes o cc u rring i n parks a nd playgrounds, and less than .1 % o f a ll crim es o cc urring on hike a nd b i ke trail s. I've been listening to the press coverage of the Austin trails issue. The one point I keep hearing is that property awners do not want to see an increase in trails in and around Austin because it will increase crime. Apparently, any trails that connect Austin with suburbs will prompt crimina l youth or adults to launch off, on foot, on a suburban crime spree. Which prompts me to ask the question -why would anyone walk ten miles to rob my house when he can just hop in a car, get on a public highway, and drive over ? Austin resident, Austin American Statesman, November 27, 1996. OZ\cross tbe Couotr!J , QreeoWA!JS Are J,ow Crime OZ\reAs Austin is not an anomaly in its level of trail safety . Other areas have studied the affect of trails and greenways on safety. Despite the numerous types of trails, from urban areas to rural counties, rail trails to waterfront walkways, the figures are surprisingly similar. Greenways are one of the lowest crime areas in the country! Pinellas, Florida In 1992, only twelve of the 10,000 crimes reported for the town of Dunedin were on the Pinellas trail, a rate of only .1%3. Burlington, Vermont For the last two years, police calls on the trail have consisted of .0013% of all calls, making the trail one of the safest places in Burlington. Due to concerns about the possibility of sexual assaults occurring on the trail, this issue was researched. It was found that there had been 0 reports of this type of crime on the path. Overall, the Chief of Police says, "my position is that the Bike Paths proposed for Chittenden County communities provide a healthy way of linking neighborhoods and are likely to have a positive affect on the overall safety of the public"4 • Raleigh and Charlotte, North Carolina In a survey given to 261 trail users in Charlotte, and 320 persons in Raleigh, trail users were asked to rate their security and fear of crime on the greenways. In Raleigh: (Urban greenways) In Charlotte: (Suburban greenways) 59% no problem 75% no problem 26% a minor problem 19% a minor problem 11 % serious problem 5% serious problem 5% very serious problem 1 % very serious problem This survey focused on perception of crime, for Raleigh and Charlotte greenways. Actual crime rates for the City of Raleigh are significantly lower. According to Raleigh's Chief Park Ranger, there were 30 incidents of crime in a 4 .5 year period, on 25 miles of greenway trails. Denver, Colorado A study of public safety issues was undertaken by the Colorado State Trails Program and The Conservation Fund6 in 1994 to determine if trails had an effect on quality of life or public safety for single family homeowners or renters along trails. Of those surveyed: none of the residents have had a trail user steal from their property, and only one respondent attributed vandalism of his property to the existence of the trail. By adding lighting, the vandalism problem was resolved. Despite this, the family did not feel threatened by the incident, or that the trail should be closed. Of those interviewed, 72% believed that the trail had increased quality of life in their neighborhood. Only 7% felt it had decreased quality of life, 14% believed the trail has had no effect, and 7% were undecided. None of those surveyed felt that problems on the trail were serious enough for it to be closed. Denver area police officers who worked on these trails were interviewed regarding their knowledge of trail safety . One comment made by the officers is that trails are unlikely to be used to access homes for break ins. "People like their cars and are more likely to depend on them, rather than a bicycle or foot, if they were to commit a crime". For more information: Brazos Greenways Council 117 Pershing College Station, TX 77840 409-696-6379 1 Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. 1994. "Rail Trail Opponents: The Twelve Most Frequently Asked Questions ." 2 City of Austin Police Department. August 1996. "Crime Comparison on Hike and Bike Trails ". 3 Eastman, Susan. "Opponents Fear a Trail of Crime". St. Petersburg Times. December 6, 1993 . 4 Searles, Brian R. Letter to Herb Durfee, staff planner. July 23 , 1991 . 5 Furuseth, Owen J. and Altman, Robert E. "Greenway Use and Users: An Examination of Raleigh and Charlotte Greenways." Carolina Planning, Fall , 1990. 6 Conservation Fund and Colorado State Trails Program. March 1995 . "The Effect ofGreenways on Property Values and Public Saftety". This information was prepared with the assistance of the National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program . • Brazos Greenways Council I Fact Sheet No . 3 I economic J6eoefits of OreeoWA!JS 7 ourism Greenways are often maj or touri st attractions which generate expenditures on lodging , food , and recreation -oriented se rv ices. A poll conducted by the President's Commission on Americans Outdoors found that natural beauty was the single most important criterion for tourists in selecting outdoor recreation sites (Scenic America , 1987). The Heritage trail in rural Iowa has 135 ,000 visitors a year that generate $1.2 million dollars a year in direct revenue . C,orporAte Ao-t JAmil!J ~elocAtioo Evidence shows that the quality of life of a community is an in creasingly important fa ctor in corporate relocation decisions . Moreover , greenway s are often cited as important contributors to quality of life and help improve the overall appeal of a community to prospective new residents. An annual survey of chief executive officers conducted by Cushman and Wakefield in 1989 found that quality of life for employees was the third most important factor in lo cating a business. (NPS , 1990). The Joint Economic Committee of the U.S . Congress reports that city's quality of life is more important than purely business-related factors when it comes to attracting new businesses , particularly in the high-tech and service industries. (Scenic America , 1987). A study of 800 homebuyers in Texas, California , North Carolina , Florida , and Georgia in 1994 found that bike paths , hiking trails , and "outdoor living rooms" are among the amenities that Americans look for -and are willing to pay a premium for -when buying a home (Washington Post , January 1995). ~eAl 'fJropel't!J -VAlues Many studies demonstrate that parks , greenway s and trail s in c rease nearby property values . In turn , increa sed property values can increase local tax revenues and help offset greenway acquisition costs. A greenbelt in Boulder , Colorado increased aggregate property values for one neighborhood by $5.4 million , resulting in $500 ,000 of additional annual property tax revenues. The tax alone could recover the initial cost of the $1.5 million greenbelt in three years. (Cornell , Lillydahl , and Singe!, 1978). In the vicinity of Philadelphia's 1300 acre Pennypack Park, property values correlate significantly with proximity to the park. In 1974, the park accounted for 333 of the value of land 40 feet away from the park, 93 when located 1,000 feet away, and 4 .23 at a distance of 2500 feet. (Hammer , Coughlin and Horn, 1974). A 1994 study in the Denver area found that trails are an amenity to the neighborhoods around them . Of the real estate agents interviewed, 73 3 believed a home adjacent to a trail would be easier to sell and 553 agreed the home would sell for more than a comparable home in a different neighborhood. 1Jublic Cost ~e-tuctioo The conservation of rivers, trails , and greenways can help lo ca l governments and other public agencies reduce costs resulting from flooding and other natural haz.ard s . In Boulder , Colorado , the 1988 public cost for maintaining developed areas was estimated to be over $2500 per acre. The cost for maintaining open space in the city was only $75 per acre, or less than three percent the cost of non-open space. (Crain, 1988). ~eo-titures b' ~esi-teots When residents have desired recreational opportunities close to home, they spend more recreational time in their local communities. Dollars that would otherwise have been spent on recreation-oriented serv ices in a vacation destination far from home , are now kept in the local economy. Residents are increasingly spending vacations closer to home, thus spending increasing amounts of vacation dollars within the boundaries of the state (NPS, 1990). In 1988, recreation and leisure was the third largest ind ustry in California. More than $30 billion is spent each year by Californians on recreation and leisure in their state . (California Department of Parks and Recreation , 1988 ). For more information: Brazos Greenways Council 117 Pershing College Station, TX 778 40 409-696-6379 Thi s information was prepared with the assistan ce of the National Park Service Rivers , Trails , and Conse rvation Assistance Program Brazos Greenways Council I Fact Sh eet No . 4 I Jloo.ts/ Jloo.tplnios no.t .Jolks A National Parle. Service --River.J, TraiU and Conservation Aul.Jtance Program Publication , J 996 "The nation is now moving into a new phase of watershed management in which the task is optimal adjustment to flood h azard along with integrated u se of land f or water quality, wildlife, crop production, recreation, and other u rb an uses" --Gilbert White Communities all across the United States are reconsidering traditional practices and are seeking innovative solutions to reduce flood losses . It is a new "era" of community based flood loss reduction . Each of the examples below describes a multi-objective stream planning process where communities chose the creation of greenways as the primary method to mitigate flooding hazards . ColorA-to ~iverfront , QrAo-t duoetioo, ColorA-to Goals The Colorado Riverfront project is a multi-disciplinary development plan in which the design strategy focuses on flood reduction , hazardous material removal , scenic access and restoration of natural habitats. The project goals are to improve the image of the city entrances; develop a high quality industrial park to stimulate economic development and encourage the clean up and use of the Colorado River. Milestones • Licensing by the Lake county Forest Preserve District to conduct research on its land with the agreement that the district will maintain created wetlands . • Construction of eight experimental wetland areas resulting in substantial changes to the landscape vegetation, wildlife and including and increased population of shore birds . • Visibility of the river -once obscured by a wall of weedy vegetation -through a rehabilitated oak grove and wetland-dependent flora and fauna • Ground water recharge and increased base flow . • Inhabitation and use of the site by three state designated bird species and 36 different fish species -up from onl y 20 species before the restoration work. ~un9eness ~iver QreeoWAfl , l117Ashin9ton Goals Multi-objective goals of flood reduction, pollution prevention and correction, fish and wildlife habitat restoration , and water conservation are being achieved through education , landowner outreach , technical assistance and restoration . These efforts are being manifested through a variety of venues , each building the other, coordinated through a network of partnerships with common, watershed-based goals . Milestones • With a grant from the Washington State Department of Natural resources , Clall am county employment of five displaced timber workers to stabilize over 3,000 feet of river bank using vegetation, Jogs , geotextile fabric and willow stakes. One and half miles of stream have also been rehabilitated including pool and riffie construction , bioengineered banks , re-establishing meanders and placement of large woody debris . • Publication of the Dungeness River Information and Action Guide, a 35 page booklet introducing land owners to some basic tools , techniques and sources of assistance for greenway corridors . .,L;AekAWAOOA ~iver OreenWA!f , tJenns!flVAOiA Goals The primary goal is the creation of a greenway plan that addresses water resource and environmental problems and the development of a linear corridor linking various historical , cultural, natural , and economic resources along the river and through its watershed Milestones • Publication of the Lackawarma Citizens Master Plan , which offered over 200 recommendations on restoring and managing the resources of the Lackawarma River. • EPA funding award directed towards combined sewer overflow and mine drainage remediation projects . • Grants received to acquire and develop rails-to-trails projects on abandoned rail lines, creating 26 miles of trails. 7rioit!f ~iver Common ~ision 1Jro9rAm , 7exAs Goals The development of a plan to reduce the potential for flood damage , improve water quality, enhance the environment, and provide recreation opportunities through out the Upper Trinity River Corridor. Milestones • Completion of a detailed mapping project of the corridor and development of computer floodplain models • Adoption of the Corridor Development Certificate Process, a flood risk stabilization policy for the corridor that includes no loss of valley storage in the 100-year floodplain , a maximum allowable valley storage loss in the Standard Project floodplain of five percent, maximum allowable velocities, no allowable loss in conveyance , requirements for erosion and sediment controls and a "peer pressure" system of regional compliance . River and Stream corridor projects that take a multi-objective approach to management like the case studies mentioned above, not only achieve the intended flood loss reduction and flow control, but they provide even greater community enhancement through: • • • • • Natural Hazard Mitigation • Wetland Enhancement Recreation • Habitat Improvement Streambank Stabilization • Cultural Resource Enhancement Restoration • Economic Revitalization Fisheries Improvement • Environmental Education and these multi-objective projects are also more likely to form lasting partnerships within the community! For more information: Brazos Greenways Council 117 Pershing Coll ege Station, TX 77840 409-696-6379 This information was prepared with the assistance of the National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program. Facts in Brief Outdoor Recreation and Trail Use 1. Most people participate in outdoor recreation activities close to home . According to The 1998 T exas A&M University Survey, 35% of Texans participate in outdoor recreation activities close to home on a regular basis (at least once a month). In contrast, only 11% of Texans participate in outdoor r ecreation activities away from home on a regular basis . 2 . Trail activities are among the most frequently pursued activities close to home. The 1998 Tex as A&M University Survey asked respondents to list three outdoor recreation activities in which they participated within their commuruties . Walking, hiking , bicycling, and running/jogging were among t he 12 most frequently pursued activities close to home. Most Frequently Pursued % of Texans Activities Close to Home Participating Fishing ......................................................................... 19 .3 Walking ........................................................................ 13.2 Going to the park ......................................................... 10.9 Hiking ............................................................................ 9.2 Camping ......................................................................... 7 .7 Hunting .......................................................................... 6.8 Bicycling ........................................................................ 6 .4 Boating .......................................................................... 6.1 Swimming ...................................................................... 5 .6 Picnicking ....................................................................... 5. 0 Running/jogging ............................................................. 3 . 9 Baseball .......................................................................... 3 .4 3 . Texans believe that trails are among the most important recreation facilities needed close to home. This finding comes from a study conducted at Texas A&M (Recreation in Texas: The 1993 Citizen Survey). Top Ten Recreation Areas and Facilities Needed in One's Community % Bicycle trails ................................................................. 31 .4 Walking/jogging trails ................................................... 28 .5 Nature trails ................................................................. 22.8 Swimming pools ........................................................... 21 .2 Playground areas .......................................................... 20.4 Hiking trails .................................................................. 20.0 Picnic tables/areas ........................................................ 17 .2 Developed campsites .................................................... 15 .7 Basketball Courts ......................................................... 15 . 4 Natural area parks ........................................................ 15.4 Brazos County: Early Accounts of Our Natural Resources These references are taken from the Master's Thesis of Elmer Grady Marshall, dated August 1937 at ITT. The title is "The History of Brazos County". W.B . Dewees, who came to a poinc within the presenc bound - aries of [Brazos] County on January 1, 1822, wrote to a friend in Ken- tucky on July 16 of that year in the following manner: "You , in Kentucky , cannot for a moment conceive of the beauty of one of ou r prairies in th e spring . Im agi ne for yourself a vast plain extending as far as the eye can reach, with nothing but the dee p blu e sky to bound the prospect, excepting on the east side where runs a broad red stream, with lofty trees rearin g themselves upon its banks, and you have our prairie . This is covered with a carpet of th e rich es t verdure, from the midst of which spring up wild flowers of every hue and shade, rendering the scene one of almost fairy-like beauty. Indeed it is impossi ble to step without crushing tliese fairest of nature's wo rks .... Here and there may be seen beautiful clumps of trees , and anon, a Linle thicket comes in view. The flowers of the prairie are certainly the most beautiful which I have ever beheld . Our ladies in Kentucky would feel themselves amply repaid for all the labor which they bestow upon their beautiful flower gardens, could they but afford one-half of the beauty of one of our prairies." W.B. Dewees , in writing of hi s experience in the territory which is now Brazos County said : "Our mode of living, particul arly for the women and children, has been a ro ugh one since our arrival here. About that tim e our bread stuff gave out , and we had no chance of obtaining more till we cou ld raise it, and we have been obliged to subsist entirely upon th e game which we take in the woods and prairies. We have no reason to fear suffering for food, as the country is literally alive with all kinds of game. We have only to go oot for a few miles into a swamp between the Big and Uttle Braws, to find as many wild cattle as one could wish . If we desire buffalo meat, we are able to go oot, lood oor horses and return the same day. Beats are very plenty, but we are obliged to use great care in hunting for them, lest the havelena.s (meaning the peccary) [par- enthetical remark in original text] kill our dogs. The only cows we have are a few which were brought out by Cherokee John Williams . This of course will pr()'{e a good stock country, for the prairies are teeming with wild horses and cattle . There are vast quantities of bee trees about here, so that we have no want of honey; one might almost give this same description as was anciently given of Caanan 'a land flowing with milk and honey', but we are rather short off for the milk just now . Upo n the whol e we spend our time very pleasantly; when we get tired ofl ying about camp we mend up our moccasi ns , and start up the Brazos hunt - ing buffal o, more for the past time than anything else. We frequ ently are gon e out two or three weeks; we generally go as high as we dare go on account of the Whaco Indians . You would scarcely believe me were I to tell you of the vast herds of buffalo which abound here ; I have frequently seen a thousand in a day between this place and the mouth of the Little Brazos. Numerous herds of deer are seen everywhere ." In an August 7, 1932 interview with Mrs. RL Weddington , a citi- zen of th e county since 1850, she said : "There were many wolves, bear, panthers, and wildcats in the county. Deer ran in herds through the woods . My brother frequently went into the woods before sun-up and returned with three or four wild turkeys . The woods were literally alive with coveys of quail and prairie chickens. Many bear were killed in the bottoms ." Wildlife was so ab undant in the county that people from the older settlements went there to hunt, especially for bear and turkeys . One man in Washington County often referred to Brazos County as his poultry yard . From "Brazos County History: Rich Past-Bright Future", 1986 by th e Family History Foundation in association with the Brazos County Heritage and History Council : Richard Carter, College Station 's earliest settler, arrived in the Brazos Valley from Alabama during the fall of 1831 and settled with his family along the Salin e Creek bottom , no known as Carter Creek . His original grant of one league ( 4428 acres) from th e Mexican government covers most of wh at is College Station today . His daughter, Evaline, described those early years as isolated except for a few friendly Indians . The family lived "exclusively on wild meats and honey, with buner and cheese, etc., without any bread, except that made out of turkey breasts ." The Carters lived on Carter Creek until about 1836 when they moved to Robertson County and resided at Tmninville -where the Old San Anto- nio Rood and Navasota River meet. It was mer e mat Harvey Mitchell, another early settler, resi ded with the Carters in 1839 and 1840. By the following year , 1841, the Carters had moved back to Carter Creek in Brazos County wher e they invited Mitchell to spend the Christmas holi - days with them . Mitchell described the Carter Creek bottom as "an unbroken canebreak, infes ted with bear, panth ers, wild cats, and other enemies of hogs and cattle, as well as of men ... " [It goes on -but one thing to note, Carter owned 22 slaves (val- ued at $800 each). When he died in 1863, he divided the slave families among his children . The Carters fell upon hard times when the slaves were freed after the Civil War .] A few other notes , althoogh fm just scratching the surface here: 'The presence of Paleoindians in Braws County [older man 10,!XX> years] is also indicated by the remains of a butchered mammoth at the Duewall-Newberry site on the Brazos River." [There were also archaic peq>les -10,!XX> years ago to historic times .] "The historic Indians of Brazos County are not well-known . Two groups reported by the Spanish explorers probably spent some time here. The Bidai were related to the Indians of southeast Texas, includ- ing the Houston-Galveston area. The Bidai may have grown maize and other crops , but th e ethnographic data on them are very poor. Their lifestyle was evidently nomadic and involved hunting and gathering in addition to the possibility of limited cultivation . The other group often cited as present in Braws County is the Tonkawa, but we know even less about them . The earliest Spanish accounts suggest that the Tonkawa represent the remnants of several different Indian groups who had been displaced by Spanish and Anglo-American settlement. It is entirely pos- sible that the Tonkawa as a tribe never existed. Groups related to the Apache or the Comanche may have ranged as far east as Brazos County in search of bison. Relations between the first Brazos County settlers and the Indians were not always dangerous. The Carter family traded for foodstuffs with the Indians when they arrived in the early 1830s . Unfortunately, there appears to be little in the way of historic accoun ts describing the lifestyles of the last Indians in Braws County."