Big Thicket Reporter - 2004/05/27

TEN MOST ENDANGERED PARKS -- BIG THICKET LISTED AGAIN!

In 2003 and 2004 National Parks Conservation Association included Big Thicket National Preserve in its list of America’s Ten Most Endangered Parks. NPCA identified fragmentation, development, oil and gas drilling, water projects and lack of adequate funding as continuing threats.

The NPCA release comments on the natural buffer once offered by timber company land -- now on the market for sale. Craig Obey, NPCA Vice-President of Government Affairs says, "Lands next to the preserve are suddenly and seriously vulnerable to clearcutting and sprawling development ... Big Thicket’s future depends on responsible stewardship by those who sell and purchase these lands, and even more aggressive action by national lawmakers who have been working so hard to protect this unique and special place." The release continues: "One company with an existing drilling agreement intends to slant drill under the Jack Gore Baygall Unit of the Preserve," Obey said, "something made easier by a reinterpretation of the regulations that historically have required those exercising private mineral rights to demonstrate that drilling will not significantly affect a national park. That company plans to drill at lease nine new wells just outside Big Thicket and another company plans to drill up to six wells inside the Preserve’s Turkey Creek Unit. Other seismic and drill projects are also planned, possibly without sufficient environmental review that is essential to determine the effects to the Preserve."

Other "Ten Most" parks: Biscayne NP (FL), Everglades NP (FL), Joshua Tree National Park (CA), Great Smoky Mountains NP (TN and NC) Organ Pipe Cactus NM (AZ), Shenandoah NP (VA), Underground Railroad Network to Freedom (26 states and DC), Wrangell-St. Elias NP and Preserve (AL), and Yellowstone NP (WY, ID and Montana).

PARKS IN TRIAGE

On January 16, Americans for National Parks, a coalition of 350+ organizations (including BTA), called on President Bush to fulfill his campaign pledge to "restore and renew" America’s national parks by providing an additional $240 million to the NPS FY05 operating budget.  The FY04 budget included a $55 million increase for park operations that barely covers cost of living increases.  Blake Selzer, ANP campaign director, said, "our national parks are in triage." Studies show that the annual shortfall for operating funds is in excess of $600 million.  The news release points to reductions in educational opportunities for visitors, dwindling wildlife species, deterioration of historic structures and archeological sites.

BUDGET CONTAINS $4.5 MILLION FOR BIG THICKET

The Bush Administration budget for FY 05 contains $4.5 million for Big Thicket land acquisition.  With the $3 million in FY 03 and the $3.5 million in FY 04, we are making some progress, but there may still be a need for more funds in FY 06.  Meanwhile, the fact that it's in the budget doesn't mean the funds will reach their intended target --  Congresspersons with national parks in their own districts can reach in there and grab if they have the clout.  Thank the Administration for allocating the money.  Appeal to Turner, Hutchinson, and Cornyn to keep it there -- or better yet, increase it.  Last year, the Conservation Fund and the NPCA testified for $10 million to finish acquisition of the 1993 Addition Act.

REDISTRICTING

Texas new Congressional districts have mangled the old Districts 2 and 8. Rep. Nick Lampson filed for re-election in District 9.  Big Thicket area Rep. Jim Turner withdrew after the Supreme Court decision. Turner stated that the new plan left him with "no realistic opportunity to seek re-election." Reportedly, Turner may run for Governor of Texas or Senator in 2006.

All of us should let Turner know how much we appreciate his efforts in behalf of Big Thicket. In the next year he can still accomplish a great deal -- introduce legislation to expand the Preserve and work for increased appropriations.

BTNP News

Things are "moving" at headquarters. Because of a building with major problems, the interpreters are moving to the Visitor Center, Law Enforcement is already in a mobile unit there, and the Exotic Management Team will occupy the former offices of Resources Education. Supt. Art Hutchinson is working with GSA to find quarters for the administrative staff and resources management. 

The vacancy for Resource Management Chief has been filled by Curtis Hoagland who will be arriving soon. Interim Chief Mike George stayed around long enough that he will be missed when he goes. 

BTA NEWS

The Board of Directors met Saturday, January 17 at the Field Research Station in Saratoga. 

Joe Liggio was nominated and appointed to fill a board vacancy. Liggio served many years on the board of the Big Thicket Conservation Association. Joe and wife Ann are authors of Wild Orchids of Texas.  The Expansion subcommittee chaired by Liggio met after lunch to discuss a pending meeting with Temple-Inland foresters. 

The board selected Judy Aronow, Mary Catherine Johnston and Bob Valen to serve as the Nominating Committee for 2005 officers and directors. Members may submit suggestions to the Committee.   

The Publications Committee reported a gift of 93 copies of Big Thicket Legacy from Dr. Grover and wife Carol Loughmiller. The board voted to confer life memberships to recognize their generosity. According to the Committee, Dr. James Cozine’s book, Saving the Big Thicket; from Exploration to Preservation, 1685-2003, is scheduled for July publication at University of North Texas Press.  Professor Pete Gunter, UNT, wrote the foreword and afterword. 

Through Canyonlands to Round Lake Plus Status of the Addition Act

Twelve Golden Triangle Sierran "intrepids" assembled Saturday March 6 for a Canyonlands hike, then after reaching the floodplain decided to continue the walk to Round Lake where they had "lunch with a view."   The hike began at 10:00 and concluded at 4:00. The Canyonlands Unit was authorized for addition to the Big Thicket National Preserve in the 1993 Addition Act.  The "Canyonlands" comprise the ancient bluffline of the Neches River, a complex network of deeply dissected ravines with steep slopes where beeches cling tenaciously.  A spring-fed streamlet flows through the larger canyons as well as some of the side canyons.  An old road through the floodplains offered scenic swampy vistas and large bottomland hardwoods.  Round Lake is in the Upper Neches River Corridor Unit,  a picturesque cutoff cypress lake. Trees and shrubs were budding but retained their winter grey aspect.  Trillium was just beginning to emerge and coral root orchids were blooming.

Status of Addition Act Acquisition

The 1993 Addition Act land authorized acquisition of 10,766 acres in three units:  Village Creek Corridor Unit, Big Sandy Creek Corridor Unit, and the Canyonlands Unit.  Prospects are improving for purchase of the areas and soon.  The enabling legislation required acquistion by exchanges between the USFS and the timber companies, which predictably failed.   Language in the legislation requires "exchanges," and has been interpreted to allow "exchanges" with land trusts.  Thanks to Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) and Representative Jim Turner (D-Texas), the Congress appropriated $3 million for land acquisition in FY 2003 and $3.5 million in FY 2004. The President's budget contains $4.5 million for FY 2005, but Senator Hutchison and Congressman Turner will have to make sure that it STAYS in the budget by working closely with their colleagues and the appropriation committees in both houses. NPS has already surveyed and marked boundaries for the units.  Acquisition has been complicated and delayed by timber company divestitures.  Both Louisiana-Pacific and International Paper (Champion) divested over 1.5 million acres including Addition Act lands, thus increasing costs per acre with resales.

DETCOG Study Proposes Hardwood Mill/Kiln

Deep East Texas Council of Governments and Economic Development District funded a $250,000 study by Jack H. Jennings and Richard F. Tozer that proposes a hardwood sawmill and drying kiln in Southeast Texas at a cost of between $10-$15 million. The consultants predict that the industry could be worth $200 million and generate hundreds of new jobs.

The 12-county area contains the "greatest concentration of hardwood ... as well as the highest areas of unemployment," according to Jennings and Tozer. They report "20 percent of the East Texas forest is hardwood and that much of it is in bottomland that is inaccessible during rainy periods."

"The region sends 25 million board feet of hardwood saw logs into Louisiana, Arkansas or Central Texas because the region lacks drying kilns," according to Jennings. About 90 percent of the area’s lumber production is confined to making crossties and pallets, the study reports.  The study recommends for the long-term consideration of the potential economic use of "biomass," the remnants of cut hardwood saw logs left on the forest floor.

Sitton at Lamar

Dr. Thad Sitton, professor, St.  Edwards University, and author of Backwoodsmen, was guest speaker for Lamar’s Center for Big Thicket Studies on January 21, at Lamar’s Gray Library. Sitton talked about stockmen and hunters in the Neches River Valley to an excellent crop of folks -- even some distant ones like Richard Donovan of Lufkin!

Lamar and Environmental Learning

On January 16, Dr. Richard Bothel, Executive Director of Continuing and Distance Education, Lamar University, called a planning meeting for a proposed new Environmental Learning Center.

The ELC would organize "classes, workshops, field activities, seminars and provide structured outdoor experiences and learning programs that not only develop outdoor skills, but also an appreciation of our environment, the use of technology and unlock important learning skills needed in today’s society."

The Center will partner with the National Park Service to operate a Big Thicket Field School beginning this year.  Approximately 25 attended representing a wide range of organizations. Andrea Van der Wel is coordinating the project (409-
880-7989).

Historical Commission

The Hardin County Historical Commission met February 6, 4:30 PM in the Red Room at the Courthouse.  Plans are in the works for dedicating historical markers for R. E. Jackson, "Father of the Big Thicket," and for the Silsbee United Methodist Church. Markers for Lance Rosier and for the Ghost Road are pending.  Cemetery surveys are also being conducted.

How did we miss Dr. H.A. Hooks program re-enacting the Kaiser (or Keyser?) Burnout? HCHC Chair Harold Willis says he will repeat the program next fall.

McAfee Nature Center

President Christine Moor Sanders reports that the McAfee "Big Thicket Experience" is on a fast track. The Center has 501-C-3 status and has raised about $20,000 in contributions. On Jan. 7 the group signed deeds for another 24-acre tract with a brick home that will become Center headquarters and museum.  The property adjoins the 70-acre natural area owned by Natural Area Preservation Association that has been leased for 99 years for $99.

Community and school involvement has increased with 80 members. Memberships are $5.  Address is P.O. Box 519, Woodville 75979; phone 409-283-2333.

25TH Wilderness Pow Wow

To Be Held April 16-18 The site of the Pow Wow this year is Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area in Davy Crockett National Forest.  There will be walks in Big Slough and a Neches River canoe trip in addition to birding, fungi, and reptile hikes with expert guides. To participate in the canoe trip sign up before March 12. Call 512-441- 1122 or e-mail tconr@texas.net.  The program Saturday afternoon begins at 4:00 PM, and the evening campfire at 8:00 PM.

Lunch With Lucy

The Enterprise featured Kirby-Hill House and "Lunch with Lucy" in an article by Jane McBride.  Lunches are served from 12:00- 2:00 Wednesdays and Fridays con- Issue #67, January/February 2004 sisting of soup, salad, cornbread and pie for $4.80. Meals are prepared and served by volunteers.  According to Nelda Overstreet, Curator, "this is just one of the ways we raise funds to operate the museum and keep it open." The Kirby-Hill House Players scheduled four performances of a Murder Mystery Dinner Drama entitled "Dead of Winter," for Feb.  27-28, and March 5-6. Tickets are $45 for the dinner and drama. The address is P.O. Box 592, Kountze 77625.

East Texas Historical Association Spring Conference

ETHA’s Spring Conference meets in historic San Augustine, February 20-21. Jo Ann Stiles, Judith Aronow, Robert J. Robertson, and Dr. Ralph Wooster are presiding at various sessions. Among the presenters are Dr. F. E. Abernethy, Bob Bowman, Dr. John Storey, Dr. Adrian Anderson, Ellen Rienstra, Judith Linsley, Ann Fears, Maxine Johnston and Charles Hunt.  A bus tour of historic sites departs at 10:00 AM on Friday, Feb.  20. The final luncheon program on Saturday features Dr. Abernethy and "East Texas Songs Historical."

Beaumont History Conference

The annual Beaumont History Conference was held January 10 at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church. A lot of nice folks showed up to hear Victoria Bynum talk about Warren Collins and Amilcar Shabazz discuss the desegregation of Lamar State College of Technology.  Others on the bill of fare included Dale Adams, Mark Hidalgo, Al Price, Dr. John Carroll, Dr. Joe Pratt, Dr. John Storey, Dr.  Adrian Anderson.