In 1934, the governor of Texas approved a resolution known as the Texas Enabling Act, to urge the federal government to purchase land in this state for use as national forests.
At the invitation of the Texas Legislature, beginning in 1935, the federal government purchased the land, and on Oct. 13, 1936, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the proclamation creating the Davy Crockett, Sam Houston, Angelina and Sabine National Forests. More than 90 percent of the land was acquired from 11 land developers and lumber companies, and some of the first parcels sold for $12.50 an acre.
Andy Adams/The Lufkin Daily News |
The four national forests in Texas comprise 637,646 acres of federal forest land in 12 East Texas counties. There are 14 developed recreation areas, four hiking trails and many areas for hunting, camping, hiking, bird watching and photography on the forests.
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Much of the land was cut over, damaged by fire, scarred or abused. Early management efforts were directed toward replanting the forest, improving the tree density in existing young timber stands, erosion control, protection from fire and building recreation areas.
The Civilian Conservation Corps played a major role in the early development of the national forests in Texas. Working for $1 a day, these hard-working men brought the land back to life and were responsible for planting 15 million pine seedlings, building 300 miles of telephone lines, 500 miles of roads, construction of 125 miles of fence, timber stand improvement on 200,000 acres, building of six lakes, development of several public recreation areas, the quick suppression of forest fires and the erection of many forest fire lookout towers, cabins and other administrative improvements.
The value of the work done by the CCC on the national forests in Texas in the mid-1930s was estimated at $1.5 million.
L.L. Bishop served as the first forest supervisor of the national forests in Texas from 1934 to 1938, and his office was in Houston. In 1947, the supervisor and his staff moved offices to Lufkin.
Today, the four national forests in Texas comprise 637,646 acres of federal forest land in 12 East Texas counties. District rangers' offices for these national forests are located in Zavalla (Angelina National Forest), Ratcliff (Davy Crockett National Forest), Hemphill (Sabine National Forest) and New Waverly (Sam Houston National Forest).
On the four national forests in Texas, there are 14 developed recreation areas, four hiking trails and many areas for hunting, camping, hiking, bird watching and photography. Hikers may enjoy the trails year-round, but the weather is usually more pleasant during the spring and fall.
Wilderness areas were designated by the U.S. Congress in 1984 for Texas. These areas are set aside to allow Earth's natural process to shape and influence the area. Hunting, horseback riding and hiking are favorite activities in wilderness areas. Bicycles and other wheeled vehicles and mechanized and motorized equipment are not allowed.
Each of the four national forests in Texas has at least one wilderness area, totaling 37,000 acres.
A variety of lakes, large and small, make our national forests favorite places for those who enjoy water-oriented activities. The Sabine and Angelina National Forests are located on the shores of Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn Reservoirs. Lake Conroe and Lake Livingston offer water-related outdoor recreation opportunities on or near the Sam Houston National Forest. All four national forests in Texas have a CCC-constructed historic recreation area within the forest.
The mission of the national forests and grasslands in Texas employees is to care for the land and serve people using the best science and technology possible.
For more information about the national forests and grasslands in Texas, visit one of the offices or the Web site at www.fs.fed.us/r8/texas.
Gay Ippolito is the U.S. Forest Service public affairs officer for Texas.
