Land Commission approves Texoma study

<br>OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ The Oklahoma School Land Commission voted Tuesday to pay a Texas company to study the feasibility of private development of the state-owned Lake Texoma Lodge and Resort. <br><br>``The

Wednesday, January 14th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ The Oklahoma School Land Commission voted Tuesday to pay a Texas company to study the feasibility of private development of the state-owned Lake Texoma Lodge and Resort.

``The Land Commission, Tourism Department and I have been working for many months to bring this feasibility study to fruition,'' said Lt. Gov. Mary Fallin, a member of the school land panel and chairwoman of the tourism board.

``This will be the first step in rebuilding Lake Texoma as a premier vacation destination in Oklahoma,'' Fallin said of the study by Integra Realty of San Antonio.

She said Integra will focus on the ``highest and best use'' of the tourist attraction in far southeastern Oklahoma.

The study will begin in January and will be conducted over three weeks. The cost will be $39,500.

``Coupling this feasibility study with the possible action by the Tourism Commission to enter into an interagency agreement with the Land Commission opens the doors for a private sector-public sector partnership in the development of Texoma Lodge and Resort,'' Fallin said.