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Provide Administrative Campsites and Recreational Vehicle (RV) Sites at the Field Research Station

Big Thicket National Preserve » Provide Administrative Campsites and Recreational Vehicle (RV) Sites at the Field Research Station » Document List

Dear Friend of Big Thicket National Preserve,

The National Park Service (NPS) is preparing an Environmental Assessment (EA) to provide a camping area and Recreational Vehicle (RV) sites for volunteer and administrative use at the Big Thicket National Preserve (Preserve) Field Research Station in Saratoga, Hardin County, Texas.

The Field Research Station (FRS) was established in 2000 to encourage study of the Big Thicket by visiting scientists. The FRS sleeps 20, and has space for cooking, showers, meeting rooms, and a research lab. However, volunteer interest at the Preserve has grown, and on some occasions the NPS has turned away student groups and volunteers because the FRS is booked. The Preserve does not maintain any public campgrounds, and there are limited private campgrounds in the area. This project would provide researchers, student groups, and general volunteers with 1) a designated camping area, and 2) RV sites with electrical and water hook-ups while they are doing work for the Preserve. The project would also increase the attractiveness of the Preserve to potential volunteers interested in seasonal internships.

The FRS occupies a former school cafeteria building and grounds that were sold to the Big Thicket Association in 1966, and donated to the NPS in 1993. Foundations, debris, and other remnants of the brick schoolhouse, gymnasium (a Works Progress Administration building), and other minor structures are still present on the 6.4 acre property. These remnants of demolished structures, plus RV sites from the 1970s that are non-functional, would be removed in this project.

An Environmental Assessment will be 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 NPS encourages public participation throughout the NEPA process during which the public has two opportunities to comment on this project; once during initial project scoping and again following release of the EA. We are currently in the scoping phase of this project, and I invite you to voice your ideas, comments, or concerns about this effort. These comments will be considered during preparation of the EA. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Todd W. Brindle
Superintendent, Big Thicket National Preserve

Contact Information

David Roemer
Chief of Resources Management
Big Thicket National Preserve
6044 FM 420
Kountze, Texas 77625
(409) 951-6820 phone
(409) 951-6714 fax
dave_roemer@nps.gov