The U.S. Forest Service (FS), Sam Houston National Forest (SHNF), has approved the Compartments 29, 36, and 37 Mulching Project (MP) on 2,790 acres (5-inch diameter or smaller pine/hardwood trees to be mulched).

On September 6, 2022, the Sierra Club met with the District Ranger of SHNF and some of his staff to discuss implementation of the proposal.  In an email from that date the Sierra Club stated:

“Thanks for meeting with me today about implementation of the Compartments 29, 36, and 37 Mulching Project (MP).  I believe we had a good discussion about implementation of the project and some of the issues/concerns that the Sierra Club has.”

“The Sierra Club looks forward to further collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service on the MP and the need to protect upland hardwood stands, reduce smoldering of prescribed fires, conduct old growth inventories, protect mixed species stands, protect the Lone Star Hiking Trail, protect streams, protect Compartment 37, Stand 12, and the need for more mulching mitigation measures.”

The Sierra Club also discussed with the District Ranger about setting a date to go into the field to flag, in Compartment 53, Stand 5, a Post Oak-Black Oak Forest Type, and a hardwood inclusion on the Lone Star Hiking Trail in Compartment 37 so they will not be mulched.

The Sierra Club provided to the District Ranger some photos of an illegally constructed road which goes around a gate at Forest Road 234B.  This is the site where dumping of construction debris has occurred.

If you have any questions or would like to assist in the “Forest Watch” activities of the Sierra Club in SHNF contact Brandt Mannchen at: brandt_mannchen@comcast.net.

Photos by Brandt Mannchen.