March 2017, the U.S. Forest Service (FS), begins a four-year process to revise the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas (NFGT) Forest Plan (FP).  FPs are revised every 10-15 years, however our FP is 21 years old!  We are overdue for a change and Sam Houston, Davy Crockett, Angelina, and Sabine National Forests (NFs) and LBJ and Caddo National Grasslands (NGs) deserve a revised FP that is better and more protective.

The revised FP will occur in three phases and include an assessment of existing information; revision of the FP; and monitoring that ensures the FP is implemented and does what it says it will do. 

The FP must use the best scientific information and contain desired conditions (a snapshot of what the forest will look like in the future with FP implementation); objectives that provide measurable progress using a reasonable budget; standards/guidelines to constrain projects or activities; suitability of lands for multiple use activities (wildlife, range, water, timber, and recreation); and goals which provide broad statements of intent. 

The first public meetings (all from 6-8 pm) for the FP revision will be held on:

1. March 20, 2017, Monday, Decatur Civic Center (Chisholm Suite), 2010 US 380, Decatur, Texas

2. March 22, 2017, Wednesday, San Augustine Chamber of Commerce, 611 W. Columbia St., San Augustine, Texas

3. March 27, 2017, Monday, North Montgomery County Community Center, 600 Gerald St., Willis, Texas

4. March 28, 2017, Tuesday, Sabine Ranger Station, 5050 Highway 21 East, Hemphill, Texas

5. April 5, 2017, Wednesday, Davy Crockett Ranger Station, 18551 State Highway 7 East, Kennard, Texas

6. April 6, 2017, Thursday, Pitser Garrison Convention Center, 601 North Second St., Lufkin, Texas

Some of the issues that you should bring-up at public meetings include:

1. Special Management Areas – Add additional scenic or special management areas along Henry Lake/Double Lake Branches, East Fork of the San Jacinto River, and blackland prairies/savannahs in Sam Houston NF and Piney Creek in the Davy Crockett NF. 

2. Red-cockaded Woodpecker Management – Continued expansion of the population along with corridors to connect and allow for migration.   

3. Reduction in Oil/Gas Development –  Reduce the amount and impacts of oil/gas development in the NFGT.

4. Climate Change Management – Adapt to climate change via protection of core areas, corridors, and buffers that allow plants and animals to migrate.

5. Trail Corridor Protection – All trails need a corridor which protects each trail and its scenery.

6. Prescribed Burning – We need to protect the use of prescribed fire as a management tool which protects RCWs and other wildlife and helps restore forest ecosystems.

7. Snags (standing dead trees)/Downed Trees – These important forest features are biological legacies that help restore forest ecosystems and should be maintained. 

8. Solitude, Quiet, and Natural Sounds – We must protect and enhance these important forest conditions.

9. Urban Effects – Our NFs/NGs are surrounded by urbanized areas.  We need collaborative measures methods that protect our NFs/NGs from these impacts.

10. Non-Native Species – Feral hogs, Chinese Tallows, and other non-native species compete with native wildlife and plants and must be controlled. 

Whether you can or cannot attend the public meetings, please use one or more of the 10 issues mentioned above to write a personal letter or email to the U.S. Forest Service which expresses your support for better protection of the NFGT.  Send your letter or email to:  Mr. Robert Potts, NFGT, 2221 North Raguet, Lufkin, Texas 75904 or robertpotts@fs.fed.us.

The Sierra Club wants people who love forests and want to get involved.  If you want to be a part of the Sierra Club team, visit and get to know Sam Houston National Forest, and provide input into the revised FP contact Brandt Mannchen at 713-664-5962 or brandtshnfbt@juno.com.  Our NFGT are too important not to speak up for wildlife, wilderness, water, landscapes, plants, and compatible recreation.  See you at the public meetings and in the forest!