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BITH Fire Management Plan Environmental Assessment
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The National Park Service (NPS) is initiating the process to update the Fire Management Plan for Big Thicket National Preserve (BITH). Before this update occurs, the NPS plans to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) as part of the process to address changes in vegetative fuels that have occurred as a result of recent hurricanes, drought, and the need to continue ecological restoration activities in BITH.
BITH proposes to continue most of the activities included in the present Fire Management Plan, (2004, with updates), although the public is welcome to suggest changes for consideration. Fire terminology will be updated in line with national fire policy and interagency coordination. BITH plans to utilize the following goals to drive the Fire Management Plan: 1) Protection of life and safety related values, for both firefighters and the public, 2) Protection of private property, improvements, and facilities, 3) Preservation of NPS resources – natural, cultural, and NPS improvements, and 4) Continued ecological restoration and maintenance of NPS lands.
Even though BITH is a treasure trove of wildlife habitats and ecological diversity, many of the lands that compose BITH were significantly altered by human activities before BITH was established in 1974. Ecological restoration of these altered lands remains a core goal of Preserve management. Restored vegetation communities, many of which are fire dependent, are important to numerous species and are extremely resilient to disruptions such as drought, hurricanes, and climate change. A well-managed and focused fire management program is vital for restoration of BITH vegetation and habitats.
Internal scoping by NPS specialists and staff occurred on November 16th, 2011. They developed the following elements that should be considered when analyzing alternatives that will be developed in this EA process:
• Full suppression of wildfires,
• Ecological restoration of altered BITH lands,
• Prescribed burning and mechanical use as tools of ecological restoration and hazardous fuel reduction,
• Limited herbicide application to assist ecological restoration,
• Burned Area Emergency Rehabilitation(BAER) of wildfire areas, and
• Consider biomass utilization only as an aid to ecological restoration or hazardous fuel reduction.
The NPS is preparing this EA in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to provide the decision-making framework that 1) explores management alternatives to meet Preserve objectives, 2) evaluates potential impacts to park resources and values, and 3) identifies mitigation measures to minimize the degree of these impacts.
The NPS encourages public/neighbor comments and participation during this NEPA process. There are two formal opportunities to comment: during this initial project scoping and again following release of the EA. I invite you to influence this process by voicing your ideas, suggestions, comments, or concerns related to BITH fire management activities. These comments will be considered during preparation of the EA.
Sincerely,
Doug Neighbor
Superintendent, Big Thicket National Preserve
Big Thicket National Preserve
860 CR 1040,
Woodville, TX 75979
BITH proposes to continue most of the activities included in the present Fire Management Plan, (2004, with updates), although the public is welcome to suggest changes for consideration. Fire terminology will be updated in line with national fire policy and interagency coordination. BITH plans to utilize the following goals to drive the Fire Management Plan: 1) Protection of life and safety related values, for both firefighters and the public, 2) Protection of private property, improvements, and facilities, 3) Preservation of NPS resources – natural, cultural, and NPS improvements, and 4) Continued ecological restoration and maintenance of NPS lands.
Even though BITH is a treasure trove of wildlife habitats and ecological diversity, many of the lands that compose BITH were significantly altered by human activities before BITH was established in 1974. Ecological restoration of these altered lands remains a core goal of Preserve management. Restored vegetation communities, many of which are fire dependent, are important to numerous species and are extremely resilient to disruptions such as drought, hurricanes, and climate change. A well-managed and focused fire management program is vital for restoration of BITH vegetation and habitats.
Internal scoping by NPS specialists and staff occurred on November 16th, 2011. They developed the following elements that should be considered when analyzing alternatives that will be developed in this EA process:
• Full suppression of wildfires,
• Ecological restoration of altered BITH lands,
• Prescribed burning and mechanical use as tools of ecological restoration and hazardous fuel reduction,
• Limited herbicide application to assist ecological restoration,
• Burned Area Emergency Rehabilitation(BAER) of wildfire areas, and
• Consider biomass utilization only as an aid to ecological restoration or hazardous fuel reduction.
The NPS is preparing this EA in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to provide the decision-making framework that 1) explores management alternatives to meet Preserve objectives, 2) evaluates potential impacts to park resources and values, and 3) identifies mitigation measures to minimize the degree of these impacts.
The NPS encourages public/neighbor comments and participation during this NEPA process. There are two formal opportunities to comment: during this initial project scoping and again following release of the EA. I invite you to influence this process by voicing your ideas, suggestions, comments, or concerns related to BITH fire management activities. These comments will be considered during preparation of the EA.
Sincerely,
Doug Neighbor
Superintendent, Big Thicket National Preserve
Contact Information
Attention: Deanna BoenschBig Thicket National Preserve
860 CR 1040,
Woodville, TX 75979