On April 9, 2021, the Houston Regional Group and Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club (Sierra Club) wrote the U.S. Forest Service (FS) about roads and their effect on the management future of Sam Houston National Forest (SHNF).
The letter said, “The Sierra Club has been watching the development of roads in SHNF for over 40 years. These roads include FS roads (FR roads), utility roads, private roads, county/city roads, state roads, and U.S. roads. The very future of SHNF is at stake as roads are developed and expanded in Montgomery, San Jacinto, and Walker Counties over the next 20 years.”
The letter pointed out that currently roads fragment important recreation and ecological areas, cause considerable wildlife roadkill, degrade Little Lake Creek Wilderness Area, interfere with prescribed burning, make Red-cockaded Woodpecker (RCW) management more difficult, make riskier the safety of hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, motorcycle, and all-terrain vehicle use on permanently maintained trails, and allow more illegal use due to increased access.
The Sierra Club expressed concern about population growth around SHNF and demands from private landowners, road building agencies, political subdivisions, and other interests to mold SHNF into an over accessed, mobility driven, roadway haven instead of a natural and important national forest near the Nation’s fourth largest city. More and bigger roads will degrade wildlife and endangered species habitats, recreational areas and trails, water quality, and the scenic beauty in SHNF and the surrounding area.
The Sierra Club mentioned that if the FS does not stay strong and protect SHNF from this road push that it may create a “Faustian Bargain” on roads like FR South Red Road (FR 221), Possum Walk Road (FR 215), FM 1725, FM 149, FM 2025, FM 1375, FM 1374, FM 1097 (FR 211), SH 105, U.S. 190, I-45, and I-69 which will lead to more damage and a loss of FS management decision, control, and choice.
The FS should “call to the table” all interested persons and groups who want to see SHNF protected. The FS must plan how it will meet the unique problems that being on the urbanizing fringe brings.
The Sierra Club pledged to meet with the FS and others to determine how we keep SHNF a natural wonder and still serve the public in a compatible, sustainable, and thoughtful manner.
The Sierra Club also submitted a letter that it wrote to the FS 24 years ago about this same issue. Little has been done since that time, but much has changed!
The Sierra Club is concerned that “time is running out”. SHNF must be protected for future generations. The Sierra Club will discuss this important issue with the FS, in the near future.
If you are concerned write or email: Jason Roesner, District Ranger, SHNF, 394 FM 1375 West, New Waverly, Texas 77358 or jason.roesner@usda.gov and tell him you want the FS to prepare a public plan that will protect SHNF from future excessive road building.
For more information contact Brandt Mannchen at 281-570-7212 or brandt_mannchen@comcast.net.