Big Thicket Reporter - 2005/07/31

SPECIAL NOTICE :

  BIG THICKET ASSOCIATION WORKSHOP ON ISSUES

  The BTA periodically holds workshops on issues 
  to acquaint members with problems and challenges 
  facing the Big Thicket National Preserve and other 
  preservation agencies including state parks, 
  wildlife refuges, land trust properties, etc.  
  Issues will be presented by different individuals, 
  and a board member will be assigned to each topic 
  to write a brief policy statement for later review 
  by the board of directors.

  BTA arranged to use the Village Creek State Park 
  Recreation Hall for Saturday and Saturday night.  
  Members are encouraged to camp around the Recreation 
  Hall or to bring their sleeping bags and sleep 
  inside the Hall. The closest motel is Pinewood Inn 
  (409-385-5593) in Silsbee.  The Super 8 Motel in 
  Kountze (409-246-8680) is about 15 minutes from 
  Village Creek State Park.

  July 9, 2005, 10:00-4:30
  Village Creek State Park Recreation Hall
  Lumberton, Texas

  10:00 Board of Directors Meeting 
          (members and guests welcome)
  11:00 Big Thicket National Preserve Status    

  12:00 Lunch

  ISSUES AND PROBLEMS - Dr. Bruce Drury, moderating

  1:00-1:10  Status of Dormant/Continuing Issues
  1:10-1:30  Air and Water 
  1:30-1:45  Fire Management Program 
  1:45-2:00  Non-native Species / Bear Reintro., etc. 
  2:00-2:15 Water Planning / Proposed Dams / 
            Middle Neches Refuges / Flooding     

  2:30-2:45 Coffee Break

  2:45-3:00  Preserve Integrity:  Oil and Gas / U.S. 69 
  3:00-3:15  Fragmentation / Land Acquisition   
  3:15-3:30  Visitor Use / Ecotourism 
  3:30-3:45  Alliances and Networks 
  3:45-4:00  Summary and Conclusions

  6:00-7:00 Dinner at the Red Onion in Lumberton

  7:30 Evening Program

  REGISTRATION FORM 
  (please copy and paste to word processor and print;
   Mail to BIG THICKET ASSOCIATION
           P.O. Box 198
           Saratoga, TX 77585-0198)

  Name _______________________________________________

  Address ____________________________________________

          ____________________________________________

  ____ Member of Big Thicket Association   
         ( ___ new member ___  NPCA member)

  ____ Member of group / agency (Title) ______________

  ____ Individual interested in preservation of natural 
       and cultural resources in the Big Thicket Region

  INTEREST SURVEY

  List below topics you would like to discuss beyond 
  those included on the schedule.

  1.__________________________________________________

  2. _________________________________________________

  3. _________________________________________________

  Would you like to participate in a hike early on 
  Sunday morning to one of the units of the Big Thicket 
  National Preserve?    _____  Yes      _____ No

BIG THICKET FUNDING- ACTION NEEDED!

The Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee will markup the FY 2006 Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations bill on Tuesday, May 24th.

Originally, markup was scheduled in June, but there seems to be a strong interest to start the appropriations process earlier this year to avoid having to lump many of the appropriations bills into an omnibus bill. Because the House zeroed funds for federal LWCF projects and proposed deep cuts in the Forest Legacy Program, it is critical that funds are included in the Senate bill.

The $8 million in LWCF funds allocated to the Big Thicket National Preserve for land acquisition are still in the Senate budget, as is $2 million dedicated to the Forest Legacy Project adjacent to the Big Thicket on private lands.

If the subcommittee follows past practice, the subcommittee will approve the chairman's markup without much discussion / debate before sending the bill to the full committee. In general, the full committee marks up the bill within a few days. At that point, the bill would be publicly available. It is likely that the full Committee would approve the bill during the week before the Memorial Day recess.

To ensure that BTNP remains in the LWCF budget, please contact Senator Hutchison to express thanks for her past support and encourage her to continue that support. She can be reached at senator@hutchison.senate.gov; fax 202-224-5922 (U.S. Senate, 703 Hart Office Building, Washington, DC 20510).

The House is scheduled to take up the Interior bill next week. At that point, there may be an effort to add stateside LWCF funding to the House bill.

The Conservation Fund

Thanks to previous appropriations, mitigation funds, and a lot of fund-raising efforts by The Conservation Fund, the Fund has five contracts pending for purchase of 4,400 Village Creek acres from Temple-Inland. Given all the land on the market right now that could be added to the Preserve, mega-bucks are needed. If you have relatives, friends, acquaintances with deep pockets and concern about the welfare of Big Thicket in particular and East Texas in general, your help could make a big difference.

7,740 ACRES AUCTIONED

Schrader-Westchester of Texas, Inc. auctioned 7,740 acres in 84 tracts on May 10 at Holiday Inn Atrium Plaza in Beaumont. The bidding lasted from 1:00-6:30 p.m., and the total for all tracts was $5,357,000, or an average $692 per acre. Since some landowners paid more than that for the land, many of the bids may not be accepted and the land withdrawn.

Of particular interest to Big Thicket advocates were tracts 6-10 and 20-22 (contain Addition Act land on Village/Big Sandy Creek Corridor Units). The Conservation Fund has these tracts under contract

Sales of three Ghost Road tracts (58, 59 and 64) were also monitored. Again, low bids may delay sales.

GHOST ROAD DEDICATION, JUNE 4

Ghost aficionados (true believers and wannabes) will commemorate Ghost Road history on Saturday, June 4, 2005, at 10:00 AM. The Road, a.k.a., Bragg Road, runs arrow-straight for eight miles through a green tunnel of trees from FM 787 on the south to FM 1293 at the north end.

Folks will gather at the south end of the road northwest of Saratoga to install a Texas Historical Commission historical marker and to have an official dedication of the Ghost Road Scenic Drive County Park. Everyone is welcome; come and bring your own chair!

"The Official Texas Historical Marker program helps bring attention to community treasures and the importance of their preservation," said Larry Oaks, executive director of the THC. "Awareness and education are among the best ways to guarantee the preservation of the history of our state. This designation is a tool that will increase public awareness of important cultural resources," Oaks said.

Commissioner Ken Pelt will emcee the event. Harold Willis, former chair of HCHC, will unveil the THC historical marker and County Judge Caraway will formally dedicate the Ghost Road Scenic Drive County Park. Dr. H. A. Hooks, Chair of the Hardin County Historical Commission, said, "The Road offers superb opportunities for the elderly, the handicapped, and lazy folks to enjoy nature and history comfortably on this scenic drive."

Texas Folklore Dean Headlines Event

Speaker for the event is Dr. F. E. Abernethy, Dean of Texas Folklore, former professor at Stephen F. Austin State University and former editor of the Texas Folklore Society. Abernethy's books include Tales from the Big Thicket (1966), How the Critters Created Texas (1982), and Singin' Texas (1983) as well as editing over 25 annual TFS collections of folklore. Ellen Buchanan, President, Big Thicket Association, will introduce Abernethy.

Following the program, everyone is invited to tour Ghost Road. Interpreters will be available at wayside exhibits to provide information on the road’s history, ecology, and folklore. After the tour, attendees should drop by the Big Thicket National Preserve's Field Research Station in Saratoga for refreshments, where displays will feature the multimedia Ghost Road projects of Kountze Middle School students.

Funds for the project came from the Texas Historical Commission's Forest Heritage Tourism Program, the Pineywoods Foundation, and the Saratoga Timber Company, Ltd. Hardin County Commissioners constructed four pull-offs to accommodate wayside exhibits and parking.

Big Thicket Association administered grants in cooperation with partners including the Hardin County Historical Commission, the Kountze Chamber of Commerce, and the Kountze Independent School District. A BTA committee, including Mary Catherine Johnston and Maxine Johnston, prepared the text and gathered photographs for the wayside exhibits. John Radovich of Dallas located rails for use with signs, which were donated by the Dallas Terminal Railway.

Ghost Road has been widely publicized by newspapers, magazines and books, and has brought visitors to Hardin County for many years. National Geographic published a picture in 1974, and in addition to Abernethy's book, other titles include Legends of the Pineys, by J. F. Combs; Big Thicket - Its Heritage, by Aline House; Transparent Tales, by Allan Turner and Richard Stewart; In the Big Thicket, by Robb Riggs; and numerous Texas guidebooks. Jim King wrote a definitive history from primary sources that was published in Clearance Card. A recent textbook, American Journey - the Quest for Liberty Since 1865, includes a section on Ghost Road, ensuring that school children in Texas will be familiar with the Road and its legends.

BTA NEWS

Pineywoods Foundation awarded BTA a grant for $3,550 to help cover costs of wayside exhibits for the Ghost Road Scenic Drive County Park. Executive Director of the Foundation is Bob Bowman, who has written a thing or three about the Road and other area sites of historical interest. The grant supplements an award from the Texas Historical Commission Heritage Tourism Program in the amount of $4,400.

Bob and Doris's latest book is More Historic Murders of East Texas (www.bob-bowman.com/books.htm). Among the murders covered is the Yocum "murder farm" (1830-42) and the attempt to murder Major Dark on Batson Prairie (1861).

MORE GHOST ROAD NEWS

Kountze Middle School students did a trash pickup on Ghost Road Friday May 13th led by Ma Thicket herself, Cathy Johnston. Not to worry! Ghosts shun daylight! We're proud that KISD keeps on supporting all manner of Big Thicket projects. If you get a chance - join us in thanking them!

Ghost Road Planning Session: Cmmissioner Ken Pelt, Harold Willis, MaThicket (a.k.a., Cathy Johnston) and friends Maxine Johnston, Rufus Duncan, Bruce Drury on Ghost Road.

Meanwhile in Austin on June 11, Rob Riggs, author of In the Big Thicket, is having a Texas Ghost Lights Conference, and will bring some of his speakers to Ghost Road on June 12.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Big Thicket National Preserve Volunteers Needed: Rose Ann Jordan, Volunteer Coordinator (and BTA board member), is filling slots for varied Preserve chores. If you would like to volunteer for helping with exhibits at events, hunter registration, and special projects, give her or Lee LeJeune a call. Lee can be reached at office 409-951-6810 or cell 409-651-0651.

There are a couple of major projects needing volunteers at this time. One project involves entry of the hunter harvest data. This project's completion deadline is May 27, 2005. The compilation of this harvest data is printed and provided to the public and hunters beginning at Hunter Registration.

The second project is the digitizing of the Land Files. Volunteers John and Kay Tiff completed about 40% of the project and someone needs to pick up where they left off. This project requires only basic knowledge of how to use a copy machine and computer. The Tiff's left complete concise instructions on how-to continue the work. Esther Scypion the new Administrative Technician worked with the Tiff's to become familiar with the process. Scypion will take the lead in assisting and teaching volunteers willing to continue the important project.

CONSERVATION OUTLOOK

NECHES RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposes to establish the Neches River National Wildlife Refuge in Anderson and Cherokee Counties, Texas. The proposed refuge could include up to 25,281 acres. Habitats would be protected by acquiring lands in fee title or in conservation / access / management easements at fair market value from willing sellers and donors.

Their proposal, environmental assessment, conceptual management plan, and land protection plan project description were discussed at public meetings on May 10 in Jacksonville and May 11 in Palestine. Word comes from Jacksonville that the Cherokee County Commissioners passed a resolution AGAINST the NWR, only to find that their constituents were FOR the NWR. The resolution may be rescinded.

The purposes of the proposed Neches River National Wildlife Refuge would be:

1) to protect nesting, wintering and habitat for migratory birds of the Central Flyway,

2) to protect the bottomland hardwood forests for their diverse biological values and wetland functions of water quality improvement and flood control assistance, and

3) to provide for compatible wildlife dependent recreation.

Threats to the refuge include an unneeded reservoir, Fastrill, that would flood virtually all of it. The reservoir would also impact the Big Thicket National Preserve and other natural areas downstream and flood part of the Texas State Historical Railroad.

It's not too late to write Tom Baca, USFWS, P.O. Box 1306, Albuquerque NM 87103. Support Alternative B that would protect 25,281 acres.

EAST TEXAS MISCELLANY

Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center Groundbreaking April 22: Shangri La Gardens were a showplace in the 1940s, then a freeze in 1958 damaged the gardens and owner H.J. Lutcher Stark closed the gardens to the public for 45 years. Now, the Stark Foundation is investing millions in a colossal project for exhibit halls, outdoor classrooms, boardwalks, a theater, café, and small gardens.

Director of the project is Mike Hoke, who says plans include environmentally friendly construction using recycled materials, energy from solar panels, and water cleaned by plants. West Orange-Cove students will use to park free. Visitors will pay a small charge. There will be boat rides up Adams Bayou to three outposts and follow boardwalks through grasslands, swamps, and forests. Beavers, alligators, and river otters live in the park. Picturesque lakes with large egret populations exist within sight of Orange Streets.

Black Gold to Blue Grass: The publication of Fred B. McKinley and Greg Riley's new book, Black Gold to Bluegrass; produced a "gusher" of activity in Beaumont May 13-15. The subtitle elaborates: from the Oil Fields of Texas to Spindletop Farm of Kentucky (Eakin Press, $34.95). The festivities began with a bash at the Texas Energy Museum Friday evening 6:00-10:00 with exhibits of memorabilia and slide shows on the lives of Frank and Pansy Yount. On Saturday, there were tours of the Mildred Complex at 1415 Calder, and Sunday Barnes and Noble hosted an autograph party from 2:00-4:00.

Oil Patch Festival, June 3-5: Batson's Oil Patch Festival usually attracts a big crowd and this year will not be an exception. Booths are set up Friday evening by exhibitors, crafts and food vendors. There's a parade, a carnival, "tall tales," domino tournament, quilt contest, and a barbecue cook off. The Oil Patch Museum will be open A Civil War group will be encamped and will perform. There will be live music for the street dance on Saturday evening, and gospel music on Sunday.

Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge Friends Group observed Earth Day one day late on April 23 with an event on Champion Lake. The Friends have opened a new trail and butterfly garden. From 11:00-2:00 participants enjoyed boat trips, dip-netting, barbecue and palaver.

Champion Lake - Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge

EVENTS

• May 27-30, Sabine River Canoe Trip, Big Thicket Voyagers annual three-day event; Tera Adler @ 409-727-8334
• May 28-29, NAPA Retreat at Ivy's Wildlife Refuge, near Elkhart, 512-804-1981
• June 4, Ghost Road Historical Marker and Scenic Drive County Park Dedication, south end at FM 787 northwest of Saratoga; Maxine Johnston @ 936-262-8522
• June 4, Mushroom Walk, Village Creek State Park, Dave & Pat Lewis; Wendy Mires @409-883-2619
• June 3-4, 37th Annual Alabama-Coushatta Pow Wow, 3:00-7:00 PM
• June 3-5, Oil Patch Festival, Batson, Call 936-262-8244

BTA BOARD MEETINGS - Members and guests welcome

• July 9-10, Village Creek State Park Weekend Workshop
• Oct. 8, Big Thicket Day / General membership meeting (site pending)