By Brandt Mannchen
The U.S. Forest Service has begun a public process that could protect our forests, grasslands, water, air, endangered species, game and non-game wildlife, recreational activities, scenic areas, solitude, quiet, and wilderness in East Texas. “Speaking up” now we can “cool down” our “over heated” climate!
The Forest Service will prepare an oil/gas leasing environmental impact statement EIS (OGLEIS) for the 675,000-acre National Forests and Grasslands in Texas (NFGT). Roads, drill pads, pipelines, flares, compressors, seismic testing, drilling, and truck traffic, create air pollution, oil/chemical spills, fragmented/destroyed habitat, noise/light pollution, compacted/eroded soils, sediment run-off, and industrial accidents, like fires/explosions.
The Sierra Club recommends a “No Leasing Alternative” (keep it in the ground); climate change mitigation/adaptation measures; and the implementation of "best management practices" for oil/gas seismic, exploration, development, and transportation projects.
Public meetings will be held at 6-8 pm at:
1) Caddo/LBJ NGs, Tuesday, September 24th, Decatur Conference Center, Chisolm Suite, 2010 W. US 380, Decatur, Tx. 76234
2) Sam Houston NF, Thursday, September 26th, North Montgomery County Community Center, 600 Gerald, Willis Tx. 77378
3) Davy Crockett NF, Tuesday, October 1st, Ellen Trout Zoo, Jaguar Room, 402 Zoo Circle, Lufkin, Tx. 75904
4) Angelina/Sabine NF, Thursday, October 3rd, San Augustine Senior Center, 405 S. Bolivar Street, San Augustine, Tx. 75972
Bring your family and friends and “speak” on behalf of our climate, forests, grasslands, water, air, endangered species, game and non-game wildlife, recreational lands, scenic areas, solitude, quiet, and wilderness.
Send your comments by October 11, 2019 to: Mr. Robert Potts, Oil/Gas EIS Project, NFGT, 2221 N. Raguet St., Lufkin, Texas 75904. You can send electronic comments to: http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/texas/oil-and-gas or by fax to 936-639-8588.
For more information contact Brandt Mannchen, Houston Sierra Club, at 281-570-7212, brandtshnfbt@juno.com.