U.S. Representative Kevin Brady has introduced HR 5891 in the U.S. Congress to expand the size of Big Thicket National Preserve (BTNP) from 97,000 acres to 197,000 acres.

HR 5891 is the product of 7 years of effort by environmentalists, including the Sierra Club, and other interested persons to address the massive landscape change that East Texas has experienced. From 2001 to 2007 the biggest landowners in East Texas, International Paper, Louisiana Pacific, and Temple-Inland, sold off all of their timberlands (about 4 million acres). Concern has risen that reduced landownership size is leading to commercial and residential development. The sub-urbanization of East Texas is advancing quickly.

HR 5891 will also require the construction, operation, and maintenance of canopy walks/elevated boardwalks/associated interpretation; canoe/kayaking trails guided by GPS waypoints; platforms for docking of kayaks/canoes; and an interpretive center that teaches children and young adults more about BTNP, wildlife, the environment, and the importance of protecting BTNP.

HR 5891 will expand existing units of BTNP; create new units of BTNP; connect units of BTNP together; and provide for more "Resilient Habitats" that are better able to combat the effects of climate change.

Send letters of support to your U.S. Congressperson at: 1. Sheila Jackson Lee, 1919 Smith, Suite 1180, Houston, Texas 77002 2. John Culberson, 10000 Memorial Dr., Suite 620, Houston, Texas 77002 3. Al Green, 3003 S. Loop West, Houston, Texas 77054 4. Gene Green, 256 N. Sam Houston Parkway, Houston, Texas 77060 5. Nick Lampson, 10701 Corporate Dr., Suite 118, Stafford, Texas 77477 6. Ted Poe, 20202 U.S. Hwy. 59 North, Suite 105, Humble, Texas 77338

Send letters urging your two U.S. Senators to introduce a similar bill in the U.S. Senate at: 1. Kay Bailey Hutchison, 1919 Smith, Suite 800, Houston, Texas 77002 2. John Cornyn, 5300 Memorial Dr., Suite 980, Houston, Texas 77007

Finally, send letters of thank you to Congressman Brady at: Kevin Brady, 200 Riverport Drive, Suite 304, Conroe, Texas 77304

For more information contact Brandt Mannchen at 713-664-5962 or brandtshnfbt@juno.com.

July 2008

Last updated:  06/08/2008.   Content © 1999-2008 by the Sierra Club.