On October 13, 2022 the Sierra Club visited Compartment 97 in southeastern Sam Houston National Forest (SHNF) to look at areas (stands of trees) that are slated for logging in the proposed U.S. Forest Service (FS) Nebletts Creek Project (NCP).  The Sierra Club is looking for areas that should be protected and placed off limits to logging for this proposed project.

The topography was either slightly rolling or had a slight slope to it until we came close to an area where the slope became steeper and more pronounced.  Then in a surprise, we found a “seepage stream” with Netted Chain Fern, Cinnamon Fern, probably Southern Lady Fern, American Holly, Sweetbay Magnolia, sphagnum moss, American Hornbeam, Tall Inkberry Holly (Gallberry Holly), Southern Magnolia, White Oak, Partridgeberry, Swamp Chestnut Oak, blueberry, Resurrection Fern, Red Maple, Red Bay, and Laurel Oak.

The lower slope along this “seepage stream” is called a “seepage slope” and there is a flowing, clear, stream, about 2 feet in width, that moves through the area.  This stream and its’ floodplain has “baygall” habitat along it and scattered Gallberry Hollies and Sweetbay Magnolias are found on the slopes away from the stream.

This indicates active groundwater movement along these slopes.  The “baygalls” found along this stream and its’ slopes are a new site that were not known to the Sierra Club. Baygalls are forested tree-shrub wetland forests and should be avoided and protected from logging associated with the proposed NCP.

The slopes of this “seepage stream” have many large hardwood trees with White Oak, Laurel Oak, Southern Magnolia, and Sweetbay Magnolia being the most prominent.  This area can be described as a White Oak-Southern Magnolia forest and the part that is nearest the “seepage stream” can be described as a Sweetbay-Swamp Tupelo-Red Maple forest.

We saw fish in the “seepage stream” along with whirly-gig beetles and Lizard’s Tail, which is an obligate wetland plant.  We also saw mosses/liverworts along the stream banks.  The stream is very windy and appears to be in a “bowl” with the slopes as the sides of the bowl.  It was impressive that despite the drought and the continued lack of rain during August-October that this “seepage stream” was flowing.  This “seepage stream” eventually flows into Winters Bayou.

We ate lunch at the “seepage stream” (what a fantastic natural venue) and walked back to our car.  The Sierra Club recommended to the U.S. Forest Service (FS) that if the proposed NCP is approved the following occur:

1. The Black Hickory; Laurel Oak/Sweetgum; and White Oak inclusions (small stands of trees) should be protected from logging activities, other Stands should be searched for hardwood inclusions, and that inclusions should also be protected.

2. The “seepage stream” and its’ associated hardwood slopes should be protected from logging activities.  This means a much wider streamside management zone or inclusion protective buffer than is normally marked should be created.

3. The FS should consider re-forest typing the area near the “seepage stream” since the current forest type is inaccurate and doesn’t reflect what exists on-the-ground.

4. Japanese Climbing Fern should be treated before any logging activities take place to prevent the spread of this non-native invasive plant.

5. Culverts should be replaced on FS roads.

6.  Groundwater plays a major role in a large part of Compartment 97, not just limited to small buffers along streams.  The FS should use this information to ensure protection of groundwater and vegetation that indicates its presence like Sweetbay Magnolia, wetland fern species, and “baygall” habitats.

Article and photos by Brandt Mannchen.