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Reestablish an Administration Facility
Big Thicket National Preserve » Reestablish an Administration Facility » Document List
Dear Interested Party:
Big Thicket National Preserve proposes to reestablish an administration facility (headquarters). The former administration facility was a leased building situated in Beaumont, Texas, which incurred substantial damage from Hurricane Rita in September of 2005, causing the space to be temporarily unusable for Preserve operations. Shortly after the hurricane, in November 2005, the lease for this building expired and it was not renewed.
Without a central administration facility, Preserve employees that would normally be working within proximity of each other are currently working in a variety of locations, some as far apart as different towns. The current proposal is needed to reestablish a permanent administration facility and to consolidate Preserve staff and administrative functions in one location.
The Preferred Alternative is to expand the existing maintenance facility which is situated in the visitor center complex, located approximately seven miles north of Kountze at the junction of U.S. 69 and FM 420. The newly expanded facility would serve as a combined administration and maintenance facility. Public scoping was conducted from March 17-April 21, 2006, and the majority of commenters supported the proposed action to establish an administration facility near the existing visitor center.
An Environmental Assessment (EA) has been prepared in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to provide the decision-making framework that 1) explores a reasonable range of alternatives to meet project objectives, 2) evaluates potential issues and impacts to park resources and values, and 3) identifies mitigation measures to lessen the degree or extent of these impacts.
The Environmental Assessment is now available for public review until June 15, 2006 (see "Document List"). The National Park Service encourages public participation throughout the NEPA process. I invite you to review the EA and to voice your ideas, comments, or concerns about this proposal. These comments will be considered during preparation of the decision. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Todd Brindle
Superintendent
Big Thicket National Preserve
Executive Assistant
Big Thicket National Preserve
Kountze, Texas
Tel: (409) 951-6802
Big Thicket National Preserve proposes to reestablish an administration facility (headquarters). The former administration facility was a leased building situated in Beaumont, Texas, which incurred substantial damage from Hurricane Rita in September of 2005, causing the space to be temporarily unusable for Preserve operations. Shortly after the hurricane, in November 2005, the lease for this building expired and it was not renewed.
Without a central administration facility, Preserve employees that would normally be working within proximity of each other are currently working in a variety of locations, some as far apart as different towns. The current proposal is needed to reestablish a permanent administration facility and to consolidate Preserve staff and administrative functions in one location.
The Preferred Alternative is to expand the existing maintenance facility which is situated in the visitor center complex, located approximately seven miles north of Kountze at the junction of U.S. 69 and FM 420. The newly expanded facility would serve as a combined administration and maintenance facility. Public scoping was conducted from March 17-April 21, 2006, and the majority of commenters supported the proposed action to establish an administration facility near the existing visitor center.
An Environmental Assessment (EA) has been prepared in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to provide the decision-making framework that 1) explores a reasonable range of alternatives to meet project objectives, 2) evaluates potential issues and impacts to park resources and values, and 3) identifies mitigation measures to lessen the degree or extent of these impacts.
The Environmental Assessment is now available for public review until June 15, 2006 (see "Document List"). The National Park Service encourages public participation throughout the NEPA process. I invite you to review the EA and to voice your ideas, comments, or concerns about this proposal. These comments will be considered during preparation of the decision. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Todd Brindle
Superintendent
Big Thicket National Preserve
Contact Information
Chris PeapenburgExecutive Assistant
Big Thicket National Preserve
Kountze, Texas
Tel: (409) 951-6802