Van Horn, TX 79855(Culberson County)

The ranch is fenced and cross fenced into five main pastures with traps centrally located near a set of holding/shipping pens. Vegetation and native grasses are typical of this part of the Chihuahuan Desert. Grasses are a little sparse on portions of the ranch and in good overall condition in other areas, especially in the overflow draws, which have a dense stand of sacaton. Soils are typically shallow and fairly gravelly and rocky in places. Principal brush is greasewood, mesquite and yucca with good browse, including chamisa. Approximately 2,500 acres are included within the boundaries of the ranch, not owned by TPLT. This land is not fenced out and is grazed and used like the rest of the ranch. This 2,500 acres are free-use and in addition to the deeded acreage. This is a rural semi-arid area of West Texas, receiving approximately 12 of rainfall per year.

Conservation Easement

In 1999 a Conservation Easement was placed on the ranch. As stated in the easement, the property possesses significant natural, scientific, ecological, scenic, habitat, and open space values. The purpose, as stated in the easement document is as follows: to assure that the Property will be retained forever predominantly in its natural, scenic, historic, and open space condition (including habitat for Wild Turkey, Big Horn Sheep, Prong Horn Antelope, and Mule Deer), and to prevent any use of the Property that will significantly impair or interfere with the Conservation Values of the Property, including wildlife preservation and management, and the preservation of all native plants, grasses, trees, and other vegetation. Grantor intends that this Easement will confine the use of the Property to such activities, including, without limitation, those involving ranching, as are consistent with the purpose of this Easement.

Rights of the grantee include: (paraphrase) To have visual access to and view the Property in its natural, scenic and open condition; To preserve and protect the Conservation Values of the Property; To enter upon the Property at reasonable times in order (1) to monitor Grantors compliance with the Easement and otherwise enforce the terms of this Easement; (2) to view the Property in its natural scenic condition; and (3) with the Grantors written permission, to observe and study nature and make scientific and educational observations and studies of all plants, vegetation and wildlife; To prevent any activity on or use of the Property that is inconsistent with the purpose of this Easement and to require the restoration of such areas or features of the Property that may be damaged by any inconsistent activity or use.

Prohibited: (paraphrase) The excavation, mining or removal of soil, sand, gravel, rock, peat, or sod. Mining or production of subsurface minerals such as oil and gas is not prohibited; the placement of any signs or billboards on the Property; no residence, barn or other building shall exceed thirty (30) feet in height; the Property shall not be subdivided into tracts of less than 500 acres.

LEASE

In 2019 the grazing was leased for a period of five years. This lease for grazing of cattle or goats is based on a rental rate of 35 per deeded acre. This lease does have an early termination clause enabling the seller to terminate with 30 days notice.

Water Features

The ranch is considered to be adequately watered for livestock and wildlife. There are several water wells tied to an extensive pipeline system throughout the ranch. The waterline supplies multiple large water storage reservoirs and drinking troughs.

Hunting, Wildlife and Recreation

Mule deer are present in this area along with quail and migratory dove.

Improvements

The ranch has a set of livestock pens centrally located near a county road.

Resources

Approximately 4,800 acres of the ranch have state classified minerals. This means the state owns the minerals, but the surface owner is granted the right to lease the minerals on behalf of the state and receive 1/2 of any bonus or royalty income. Currently there is no oil/gas production on the ranch. There is a pipeline that runs through the southern portion of the property for a distance of about 1.25 miles. An overhead powerline traverses the central part of the ranch from north to south. All water, solar and wind energy rights convey with the property.

Price and Remarks

Van Horn is the County Seat of Culberson County. This is a rural semi-arid area of West Texas, receiving approximately 12 of rainfall per year.

This working ranch is competitively priced at $450 per acre.