Draft
Big T hicket National P r eser ve W ate r Cor r ido r s Managemen t Ass ess men t
Pr epared by
Dr P u H mbe Pr n c a Inve r . a . ar co st at l A , i ip l ig o Pr fess r De artment ofEc and Evolultionai B o o , p ology y iology Ri c e University
' G enda a awa Co -Pnn ci al In est at r l C ll y, p v ig o Princ a Ekist c s r rat n ip l , i Co po io
Under Cooper ative Agreement With N ational Par k Service Big Thicket N ational Pres erve " " R char d Pete Peters n Su erintendent i o , p
28 Febr uary 1 997
Drafi
Big T hicket National P r eser ve W ater C or r idor s Man agem en t Assess men t
Prepared by
Dr Pau Harcombe Pr nc a In est at r . l A . , i ip l v ig o Pr fess r De artment ofEc and Evolultionar B o o , p ology y iology Rice University
' G enda a awa Co-Pn nci al In est at r l C ll y, p v ig o Pr nc a Ekist cs r rat n i ip l , i Co p o io
Under Cooperative Agreement With National Par k S ervice Big Thicket National Preserve " " R chard Pete Peters n Su er ntendent i o , p i
28 Februar y 1 997
T abl e of Con tents
Introduction Description ofthe Preserve and Mission Statement Role/Function of the Water Corridor s in the Preserve Purpo se ofthe Water Corridor Management Assessment The Concept of Critical Resources The Identification of Critical Resources of the Water Corridors
r m . Wate (quality , quantity and ti ing) Woody in-stream substrate (snags) m Str ea banks . r Floodplain fo est . Management to Protect Critical Resources
Resour ce Protection Authority Background Biodiversity Impacts to water corridor resources Recommended management actions Considerations for NP S resear ch Endangered Species Impacts to water corridor resources Recommended management actions Considerations fo r NPS research Exotic Species Impact to water corridor resour ces Recommended management actions Considerations fo r NP S research Water Quality Impact to water corridor resources Recommended management actions Considerations fo r NPS r esearch r : m m r R Wate Flow I pound ents, Dive sions, eleases Impact to water corridor resources Recommended management actions Considerations for NPS research Woody In- str eam Substrate (Snags) Impact on water corridor resources Recommended management actions Considerations for NP S research Str eam Banks (Erosion and River Meander) Impact to water corridor resources Recommended management actions Considerations for NPS research Floodplain Forest Habitat Impact on water corridor resources Recormn ended management actions Considerations for NPS resear ch Aesthetic/Scenic Qualities Impacts to water corridor resources Recommended management actions Considerations for NPS resear ch Archeological and Cultural Resources Impacts to water corridor resources Recommended management actions Considerations for NP S resear ch
Public Use ofthe Preserve Impact to water corridor resources Recommended management actions Considerations for NPS research Hunting and Trapping Background Possible general guidelines Recommended general guideline Recommended management actions Fishing Background Possible alternatives Recommended general guideline Recommended management actions Boating Background Possible alternatives Recommended general guideline Recommended management actions Swimming and Picnicking Authority Background Recommended management actions Cammng Authority Background Possible alternatives Reco rrun ended general guidelines Recommended management actions Houseboats in the BTNP Background Impacts to water corridor resources Considerations for NPS research plan Recommended management actions Mineral Extraction and Tr ansport Impacts to water corridor resources Considerations for NPS research plan Recommended management actions Trash and Waste Disposal Authority Background Possible alternatives Recormn ended general guidelines Recommended management actions River Access Background Possible alternatives Recommended general guidelines Recommended management actions ri m a m Litte ng, Du ping and V ndalis Authority Background Possible alternatives Recommended general guideline Recommended management actions Illegal Collection ofPlants Impact to water corridor resources Recommended management actions Considerations for NPS r esearch
Partner ship Chal lenges Air Quality/Fire Management Impacts to water corridor resources Recommended management actions Considerations for NPS research plan N eighboring Land Use s Impact to water corridor resources Recommended management actions Considerations for NP S resear ch Public Use ofPrivate Lands/Trespassing Impact on water corridor resources Recommended management actions Considerations for NPS resear ch Salt Water Barriers on the Neches River and Little Pine Island Bayou Impact to water corridor resources Recommended management actions Considerations for NPS resear ch plan Stream Diversions/Water Rights : Tr ans- Texas Water Progr am Impact to water corridor resources Recommended management actions Considerations for NPS research plan State and Federal Law Enforcement Inconsistencies Impact to water corridor resources Recommended management actions Considerations for NP S research Unauthorized Commercial Use of Preserve Impact to water corridor resources Recommended management actions Considerations for NPS Research Economic Development and Tourism Impact to water corridor resources Recommended management actions Considerations for NP S Resear ch
Summary and Conclusion Summary of Actions for Managing Critical Resources ofthe Water Corridors Implications for Preserve Management Inform ation Needed to Protect Critical Resources Administrative Records Research Needs Staff and Funding Resources Needed Legislative or Administrative Action Needed Conclusion Intr od u ction
Descr iption of the Pr eser ve and Mission Statemen t
E s w r N r r BTNP or Situated in the a t Texas Piney oods egion, the Big Thicket ational P ese ve (
r r rt of r r ff r r Or r the P ese ve) includes pa s Ha din, Jaspe , Je e son, Libe ty, ange, Polk and Tyle
r r m of fift r 1 993 and Counties . The P ese ve is ade up een units, including th ee added in , has a
r r 1 BTNP M a . ri r a of . total autho zed a e ac es (See Figu e , Location p ) The widely
" disper sed land units and the water corridor units were intended to assure the preser vation of
numerous repr esentative ar eas typical ofthe Big Thicket region and protect and preserve the
' " r m b r r H 93 natu al values which ake this iological c oss oads unique in the United States ( R .
676 N m r 29 r r t N r r NP S m , ove be , Cong ess has di ec ed the ational Pa k Se vice ( ) to anage
the units of the Pr eserve in a manner which will assure their natural and ecological integrity
r f r m PL 93 -43 9 O r 1 1 1 9 74 88 o and . in pe petuity and to allow public use enjoy ent ( , ctobe , ;
Stat .
The Preserve is located in an area whose economy has been dominated by the timber and oil
ri ri r r r m r r and gas indust es and ag cultu e . While the P ese ve is close to the ajo population cente s
of r m r r r Ora and m the Golden T iangle (Beau ont, Po t A thu and nge) Houston, it contains so e of
" " m r m k r m M al the ost e ote bac woods e aining in the state . ost of the loc population could be
" characterized as having the very independent rural attitude associated with American
r m f r r o m r mi e a. pionee s . So e the local population aintains lifestyles e niscent of the pionee
m m r r r r m r r At the sa e ti e, the a ea is slowly being enc oached upon by g owth f o the nea by u ban
r r r r r cente s . The tensions c eated by esistance to u banization as well as tensions c eated by a
federal presence in an area where many are accustomed to unfettered access to common
r rt r r r are w r r of p ope y esou ces (whethe they in fact publically o ned) , coupled with the p essu es
environmentalists to preserve the unique biological heritage embodied in the Preserve in the
face of increasing public use and decreasing public fi mds make a lively mix of challenges
f NPS m n BTNP r ma r aced by the in a aging the . The issues encounte ed in naging the wate
corridors of the Preserve are a good example of the types of considerations encountered
thr oughout the BTNP .
Rol e/F unction of the W ater C or r id ors in the Pr eser ve
E of BTNP i r rr r ight the un ts, including the newly autho ized Big Sandy Co ido Unit and the
r rri r n are ri r r rr r i Village C eek Co do U it, ve , c eek and bayou co ido s . These eight un ts, which
f r r w r fo r m m m : lie along ou wate ays, we e studied this anage ent assess ent
N eches River Upper Neches River Corridor Unit
Neches Bottom and Jack Gore Baygall Unit
Lower Neches River Corridor Unit Beaumont Unit
Little Pine Island - Pine Island Bayou Corridor Unit
Menar d Creek Corridor Unit .
Village Creek Big Sandy Corridor Unit
Village Creek Corr idor Unit
The corri dor units along these low- gradient coastal plain str eams are intended to preserve
ri to r n rr f r c tical aquatic habitat and se ve as a li kage between su ounding floodplain o ests,
r r f r r f p oviding some continuity to the otherwise dispe sed units o the P ese ve . The value o a corridor unit as a preserve is determ ined by the degr ee to which that unit represents and will continue to represent a functioning community such as would originally have been present at that location prior to land use changes associated with European colonization (Har combe et al
r rri r ma r f rr r f ma The wate co do units y se ve as wildli e co ido s, although this unction y
m n rr rri r r m are be di i ished by the na ow land area of most ofthe co do units . The st ea s also
r m r f r h o and . used by the public, p i a ily boating fis ing
Pu r p ose of the W ater C or r id or Ma n agemen t Asses sment
The purpose of the Water Corridor Management As sessment is to provide a baseline of inform ation and action options for the NPS to accomplish the seven objectives it has established for the water corridor s ofthe BTNP :
m r rri r r for BTNP 1 . To anage wate co do use consistent with the pu poses which was
established and in accordance with the missions and policies of the NPS .
To manage the waterways to preserve the natural setting and r estor e as much as of r m r rt r r to ri possible the p esettle ent scene, p eventing fu he deg adation c tical
Q r r r r f r rr r o . esou ces, wate quality, and ecological integ ity the wate co ido s
To implement an economically efiicient system of management that will provide fair r for r r r of r r and equitable oppo tunity the public to enjoy the wate esou ces the P ese ve .
T o m r r for ri r aintain and enhance dive se Oppo tunities expe encing natu e, solitude, r r r and ec eational pu suits .
' r r to r r rt To enhance the visito s oppo tunity lea n about , unde stand , and pa icipate in the f r r f r r r of r r protection o the natu al and histo ic setting o the wate esou ces the P ese ve .
T o r m of f ri r r r p o ote the acceptance sa ety, health and c tical esou ce p otection r equirements by all water corridor users and by those outside the Pr eserve that r potentially impact the corrido s .
To implement a scientific monitoring progr am on key aspects ofthe riparian and m f m r rri r m o to . aquatic ecosyste and hu an use , and i pacts , the wate co do This will allow management to establish and recognize threshold levels of adver se impacts m m r r m m and i ple ent app op iate anage ent actions .
The management assessment is organized around the concept of protecting the critical
" r r f r r esou ces o the P ese ve .
T he C on cept of C r itical Resour ces
For purposes of the Water Corridor Management Assessment for Big Thicket National
r rv BTNP or r r r l r r are those r esour ces that ar e P ese e ( the P ese ve), c itica esou ces defined as
essential to main taining ecosystem integ rity and that ar e p ar ticul ar ly sensitive to advers e
v imp act by e xter n al acti ities an d decisions . Ecosystem integrity is defined here as the state
of m r ral m m of r a syste in which the e exists the natu co ple ent species, thei habitats, and
r ri r ff ma cha acte stic p ocesses, substantially una ected by hu n activity .
ri r r m : 1 are m r r m C tical esou ces, then, have two ele ents ) they i po tant natu al co ponents of the
BTNP m and 2 r i ma r m ecosyste ) thei continued ex stence y be th eatened by hu an activity .
ar e r r are m ri o fm m . m These the esou ces that ost c tically in need anage ent In any cases, the
of r al r r f rm of m m identification c itic esou ces also points to the o needed anage ent actions . T he Iden tifica tion of C r itical Resou r ces of the W ater C o r r id ors
The first step in identifying critical resources of the water corridors of the Preserve was to
r r r r m : r cha acte ize the biota and natu al p ocesses ofthe ecosyste , including wate quality and
flow trends; fish and aquatic invertebrates; vegetation; and thr eatened and endangered
" m are ri m r r r a f species . These ele ents desc bed in o e detail in Cha acte iz tion o the Biological
R r of r rr r of N l r r Harcombe et al esou ces the Wate Co ido Units the Big Thicket ationa P ese ve ( ,
" 1 996) and Water Quality Characterization of the Water Corridors of the Big Thicket
" N r r r r r ri r r ational P ese ve (Hall and B uce, The natu al cha acte stics of the P ese ve and
" " rr r mmari Cover/Land Ma al et al 1 994 su ounding lands we e su zed in a Land Use p (H l , ) as
f ri r depicted in Figure 2 . The next step was to identi y and catego ze potential th eats to the natur al elements by impacts associated with : 1 ) alteration o f natural processes; 2 ) public use
f r r in ra n /int r- l r Two r r o the Prese ve; o 3) te ge cy e institutiona elations . epo ts detailed these
" " " : of in N t m H 1 994 issues A Case Study Flooding the eches Bot o Study Site ( all, ) and Issues
" for r rri r of N al r r Wate Co do s the Big Thicket ation P ese ve (Callaway,
’ A matrix was then constructed to summarize the relationships between the Preserve s natur al r r m m m m m ri r esou ces and those hu an activities that ight i pact the . Initially, two at ces we e
one r i r r i m m ri envisioned , b eak ng down esou ce use activ ties into i pacts, and a linked at x
ff m n r r r r showing the e ects of these i pacts o P eserve r esou ces . This app oach was late simplified and the two matrices were combined into a single Critical Resources Matrix (see
Figure The matrix indicates whether an issue affects a r esource o r a r esource
n r r X i fluences a given issue o whether influences operate in both di ections ( ) . The single m r f rm m r nf rm m r at ix o at was selected as being less duplicative and o e i o ative . This at ix is a way of linking activities to impacts on the resources ofBTNP in terms of measurable
ri f r r m ri r r t r characte stics o those esou ces . The at x also suggests a eas in which cha ac e ization
nf rm r r for m l m i o ation, pa ticula ly quantitative data, is needed , as , exa ple, when potentia i pacts
are identified to species resources for which trend data are not yet available .
The Critical Resources Matrix presents management issues on the vertical axis and
" "
r r m r o n r . esou ces , stated in a way that can be onito ed , the ho izontal axis The issues
r r r of nf rm on ep esent widely va ying levels and scopes activities, so quantitative i o ation the
r of m or ri r of i nn r fr m m ri ri r deg ee i pact p o ity a g ven issue ca ot be d awn o this at x . P o
assessments based on char acterization documents cited above indicate that for the water
rr r r r are m m rt for r : 1 wa ter ua lit co ido s, esou ces that ost i po ant thei habitat value include ) (q y,
quantity and timing) ; 2) woody in -s tr ea m s ubs tr a te (snag s) ; 3) s tr eam banks ; and 4)
ood la in or es t amount and inte r it r m ar r fl p f ( g y) . Intact st ea banks e pa t icularly important to the
' and al of r r r rr r scenic aesthetic values as well as the ecological v ues the P ese ve s wate co ido s .
The matrix can be used to identify those natural r esour ce characteristics that are affected by
r m r of r to m a r o r the g eatest nu be issues elating ecosyste lte ation, public use, institutional
r m are r actions . This is one way of indicating which natu al ele ents th eatened .
W r u l i uan tit an d imin r r m m ate (q a ty, q y t g) . Wate is clea ly the ost i portant r esource within
r rri r are m r f r the wate co do s . Both quality and flow i po tant aspects o the wate resource for
m r r f r fr m r . a f habitat , species and hu an use The e is abund nt local ain all, anging o an ave age o
3 6 inches annually in the northwest (well north of the Preserve) to 55 inches annual ly in the
r of N ANRA 1 992 LNVA N R r southeast pa t the eches Basin ( , The eches ive and its
r r R r r r of r m LNVA t ibuta ies, including the Angelina ive , d ain an a ea about squa e iles (
M r r m ri r of r r R r r m ( ena d C eek is a s all t buta y the lowe T inity ive , which sha es any
r ri N r a m irm of r cha acte stics with the eches wate shed . ) Substanti l i pa ent eithe quality or
of r rri r or m r r mi of quantity wate in the co do s, ajo alte ations in the ti ng flows, will significantly
affect the ability ofthe Preserve to maintain its current ecosystem firnction and exhibit its
rr r cu ent biological dive sity .
On a r r r al m h the whole, w te quality in the P ese ve is good , though sa pling as indicated some
m rm H r 1 994 r r t m localized i pai ents ( all and B uce, ) It appea s that whe e quali y is di inished , it
ma r r m i r m r il y be elated to nea by hu an activ ties, such as esidential develop ents o o and gas
r of N R r r r f p oduction . Flow the eches ive has been alte ed by the Ope ation o S am Rayburn
Reservoir on the Angelina River just above the confluence ofthe Angelina and Neches Rivers
" nh a Dam o r ff D m o n N a . a R r and L ke B . A Stei agen (also c lled B Town Blu ) the eches ive
r f r rv Eff dam r on f just upst eam o the P ese e . ects of ope ations the floodplain orest have been H r r of r r r for noted ( all, The t aditional att action the wate esou ce the public has
i r continued to the present . Boating and fish ng in the wate corridors represents o ne ofthe m r r r ost p evalent public uses ofthe P ese ve (Callaway,
n - r m r n R r r r r r W ood y i st ea subst ate (s ags) . ive bank e osion and natu al t ee g owth cycles r r r r r esult in the fall of dead t ees and b anches into the wate cou ses . Snags in the river or stream
' r r for r for r r i p ovide cove fish and also se ve as a stable habitat inve teb ate populations, wh ch provide food fo r fish (Hall and Lambou 1 990 in Harcombe et al The importance of submerged snags is illustrated by a study conducted for the Satilla River (Benke et al 1 979 in
Harcombe et al It was estimated that removal of all the snags in the Satilla River
m r m 40% for would eli inate app oxi ately of the insect population, with insects accounting
ri r e m n m about 80% of the animals that are in d ft in the st eam. Sinc a y fish depend al ost
r on f drifiin r r u r r m enti ely a ood base of g inve teb ates, the a tho s conclude that snag e oval in the
r r Satilla would be likely to esult in a significant eduction in the fish population . They
m m r m few esti ate that in so e species, the population could d op as uch as and a species
m r m r f f r r would be eli inated enti ely . Co pa ison o the habitat value o aquatic inverteb ates of
" snags relative to sandy or muddy str eam bottoms indicates that snags support greater biomass and a more diverse group ofmacroinvertebrates than the stream bottom (Benke et al 1 984 in
Harco mbe et al
r m or r r r r of m r F o a species habitat esou ce pe spective, the p esence sub e ged snags is
r r m m r ma unequivocally beneficial . Howeve , f o a hu an use pe spective, snags y be a
R of r r BTNP r ri r hindrance . esidents a eas nea st eams point to deb s collected in and a ound
o of r al r are m m m r snags as a p ssible cause inc eased flooding . F len t ees so eti es sub e ged
r r r or rt r r r s a . wholly pa ially and p esent obstacles that boate s inte p et as afety haz ds Boate s,
ar f r m r n m r r rri r including p k law en o ce ent pe son el who ust pat ol the wate co do s, have sugg ested that some snags be removed in the interest of boating safety (personal
ff f r r m mi of communication with NPS sta ) . The need o use safety and ini zation legal liability must be evaluated within the need to protect the ecological integrity of the BTNP water corridors by preserving submerged snags (Callaway r am a nks r r r r St e b . Intact st eam banks a e particularly c itical to the ability of the BTNP wate
rri r r T r m co do s to function as a showcase of a natu al setting . o the extent st ea banks have been al r m r m ri -r to r streambank te ed by hu an activities such as t ash du ping, p apping p event
r - m f or r man-m ru r m i e osion, ill placed septic syste out alls, othe ade st ctu es, they have di in shed
m r ri f - r r r capacity to provide the sce c o aesthetic expe ence o a back count y boating o canoe t ip .
The destruction ofvegetation on the stream banks may also have habitat and species r r ff for r m r ff r esou ces e ects, possibly eptiles and a phibians, and it ce tainly has an e ect on futu e
S treambank r r l m streambank r . e osion e osion, in tu n, deposits additiona sedi ent into the
r m ff r . st ea , a ecting wate quality
Fl o l ain fo r r mm r m rri r r rm r odp est. The floodplain fo est co unities in the st ea co do s pe fo th ee primary roles : 1 ) habitat/refugium for bottomland hardwood forest species; 2) population disper sal conduits within the landscape; and 3 ) buffer s for the protection of the aquatic co mmunity in the streams (Harcombe et al Characteristics of a functioning bottomland hardwood forest have been identified as :
1 ) a mature forest canopy o f predominantly mast- pr oducing species;
2 ofbuttrot r ) abundance , bole, and b anch cavities;
3 ) periodic flooding with the deposition of rich alluvium;
4) large- sized tracts so as to maintain viable populations of interior species;
5) natur al transition zones between bottomland hardwood forest and adjacent uplands;
6) large enough area so as to sustain the dynamics of natural disturbance processes :
r r windth ow, insect outb eaks, etc .
If r r ar e m m i rit of the above ecological cha acte istics di inished by hu an activ ty, the integ y the bottomland hardwood forest and the associated aquatic communities decline (Harcombe et al 1 996)
Fragmentation resulting fr om different activities such as land clearing or barrier construction
ri r r r r associated with ag cultu e and silvicultu e, oad , pipeline and utility const uction and m r m r l . r r esidential develop ent has va ying ecologica i pacts Howeve , in gene al , habitat fragmentation has two major interr elated consequences fo r biological diversity: 1 ) population
and r ff 2 r of isolation dec ease in e ective population size, and ) c eation edge habitat and its efi ff are r of ects . Both population isolation and edge e ects elated to the size and shape the fragmented forest ar ea (Harcombe et al Because the edge-to- interior ratios for the
r rri r BTNP are r me ff of of rim r wate co do units of ext e ly high, the e ect edges is p e conce n in limiting the role of the units as functional bottomland hardwood forest preserves (Harcombe et al Edge- to-interior ratios (computed as the ratio of land/water area within one quarter mile of a boundary to the land/water area that is one- quart er mile or more fiom a
F r r r rri r r r i . o m bounda y) within the wate co do s of the P ese ve can be h gh exa ple, Little Pine
Island Bayou Unit is all edge Lower N eches River Unit is high as is the
r N R r n r of r r r fi' o m Uppe eches ive U it In cont ast , the land units the P ese ve ange
l f (Hickory Cr eek Unit) to (Big Sandy Unit) . A though likely consequences o high edge
- ri r r ff of r m on of to inte o atios have been identified , the e ects f ag entation the ecology bottoml and har dwood forests have been virtually unstudied (Harris 1 988a in Harcombe et al 1 996)
Very little is kn own about the effectiveness of the corridors fo r the movement of birds and m mm on l of BTNP r rr r k m r r r a als within landscapes the sca e , whe e co ido s extend ilo ete s athe
r r rri r r ri f fi' m r m m r . o o than ete s In gene al , wide co do s dec ease the sk invasion fe al ani als and
r r N rr rr r r m f n the eby reduce p edation . a ow co ido s have the p oble o being o e long continuous
r f m rri r m . r o edge zone This edge inc eases the exposu e ani als in the co do to hu an contact,
i m r r facilitating poach ng and invasion by do estic and exotic species . Little esea ch has been
m m r done to establish ini um widths for corridors to facilitate use by animals . Bi ds use migration corri dor s in other parts of theworld (Saunders and de Rebeira 1 99 1 in Harcombe et al H r k n r rri r are r fo r oweve , it is not now to what extent the wate co do s used by bi ds movement between units ofBTNP (Harcombe et al No studies ofBTNP corridor use by reptiles or arn phians have been conducted (Har combe et al
Managemen t to P r otect C r itical Resour ces
Critical resources are those characteristic natural r esource components ofthe ecosystem that ma r m m m r m y be th eatened by hu an activity . The anage ent topics p esented in this docu ent reflect this focus on critical resources of the BTNP; the topics fall into thr ee basic categories
1 ) those directly involving natural r esources of the Pr eserve; 2) those involving member s of the public using the Preserve; and 3) those involving the wider institutional and
f r organizational context o the Prese ve . R esour ce Pr otection
As r r r m m m m m an ove all goal , the P ese ve should be anaged to aintain to the axi u extent
r f m possible the integ ity O its ecosystem co ponents . This goal is consistent with the mission
r r and authority Of the P ese ve .
u h r i for r r r f r r A t o ty. The enabling legislation the P ese ve clea ly assigns the task O esou ce
" r NP rv r m r r p otection to the S . The Se ice is di ected to anage the units Of the P ese ve in a
" r r r ri r P 9 -4 m r L . 3 3 9 anne which will assu e thei natu al and ecological integ ty in pe petuity ( ,
O r 1 1 1 974 88 . ctobe , ; Stat
ack r o un d BTNP r r r r r r mn m B g . was c eated to p ese ve ep esentative e ants Of an ecosyste that is
r m r m m m m th eatened with ode n develop ent . At the sa e ti e, hu an activities that have existed in the ar ea fo r many years were specifically mentioned and provided for in the enabling
As r Of r m ma v ma legislation . a esult , the Option totally p ohibiting so e hu n acti ities that y
m r r r r N r r r r f . O i pact the natu al esou ces is not p esent eve theless, the natu al esou ces the
r r m m n r m m m r rv the P ese ve should be anaged in a an e that , to the axi u extent possible, p ese es n i f m m i tegr ty O its ecosyste co ponents .
Biod iver s ity
h r h r r r r The Big T icket was set aside in ecognition Of its igh biodive sity . Fu the ecognition is
" " evidenced by its designation as a Man and the Biospher e Reserve by the United N ations in
1 98 1 US r m Of r m r m Of ( Depa t ent State, Because Of the la ge nu be Of species, so e which are listed as thr eatened or endangered (Harcombe et al protection Of this
rn r m r r r r r . t r t biodive sity is Of special conce Fu he o e, species dive si y within the P ese ve is an important indicator Of ecosystem integrity; the presence Of thr eatened or endangered species
r r m indicates an impo tant responsibility to maintaining worldwide biodive sity. Assess ents Of diversity Of major species groups (see references in Harcombe et al 1 996) sugg est r egional
m r m r r r r re io nwide declines in fish and so e st ea inve teb ate g oups, p obably owing to g
f rw F r r f rm . r m O . o r odifications wate ays othe g oups, less specific in o ation is available The e are broadscal e trends in the southeastern United States suggesting that declining biodiversity
r is a conce n .
For m m m r are to ri exa ple, any a phibian species wo ldwide believed be expe encing population
ra r d and t 1 990 Harcombe et al decline, nge e uction, possible ex inction (Blaustein and Wake in
1 996 Of rw r rri r ) at least partly because habitat decline and wate ay acidification . Wate co do s in general may have a special role in facilitating amphibian r ecolonization be cause their life cycles are dependent upon water (Blaustein et al 1 992 in Har combe et al Although no amphibian population studies have been carried out in the Preserve (Harcombe et al the potential Ofthe Preserve to contribute to maintaining worldwide biodiversity suggests that studies should be conducted to document habitat requirements and population trends Of
i r r amph bian species within the P ese ve .
m r m r Of r m r r m r Si ila ly, the nu be s neot opical ig ant bi ds have di inished . It is not known whethe
i m r r Of r fr m Of r r th s is o e the esult habitat dest uction and ag entation b eeding g ounds in the US . or fr om defor estation Ofwintering grounds in the tropics (Terborgh 1 9 89 in Harcombe et al
' It is known that the extinction Of one neotropical migr ant that formerly bred in the Big
Thicket region was coincident with the loss Ofbottoml and forest and the increase Of Open
fields in the Southeastern coastal plains (Harris 1 988b in Harcombe et al The degree to which the stream corridors serve as migr ation r outes between BTNP units or between Other
areas is not known .
m a t o wat r co r r i r r ur r I p c s t e d o eso c es . Biodive sity is affected by both habitat resources and species resources ofthe BTNP (see Figure The reciprocal is also true: declining
r r r r r f r ff biodive sity educes species esou ces, and the e o e by definition negatively a ects
ecosystem integrity .
Recomm n d d man a m n t actio n . TO r Of n r e e ge e s add ess the issue decli ing biodive sity, the NPS should
1 ) continue to support the mission Of maintaining ecological integrity Ofthe Preserve;
1 4
f Canis r u zs BTNP r Harcombe wol ( fi ) , which once existed in the a ea is now believed extinct ( et al The endangered Louisiana black bear (Ur s us amer icanus Iuteol us) has not lived
BTNP r a for m r " r for r r in the a e any yea s, but the a ea is being actively studied a eint oduction r f m f r p ogr am by the Texas Parks and Wildli e Depart ent and the US . Fish and Wildli e Se vice .
BTNP f r ma r for ral r r floodplain o ests y se ve as habitat seve th eatened , endange ed , and
' Louisiana ine Pituo his candidate reptile and amphibian species . These include the p snake ( p melano leucus r uthvem r r Thamno his s ir ta lis annec tens ) , the Texas ga te snake ( p ) , and the
ta l us hor r idus Two n r r ar f timber or canebreak rattlesnake (Cr o ) . enda ge ed tu tles e ound in the
BTNP : the alligator snapping turtle (Macr oclemys temminicki) and the Texas diamondback
a Iittor a lis t r terrapin Ma laclemys terr p in ) . Although the ex ent to which a wo ldwide decline in amphibian populations is shared by the Preserve has not been documented; the importance
Of riparian habitat to these species suggests that amphibian populations ar e an import ant
r m r rr r r r conside ation in anaging wate co ido esou ces .
The Paddlefish (Polyodon sp a thula) is listed as endangered by the State Of Texas (Harcombe
" et al T”he water s Ofthe corridor units are both habitat and migration routes for this Of i r r N R r r 1 9 94 species fish, wh ch have been Obse ved in the Lowe eches ive (Seidensticke and Bounds et al 1 98 1 in Harcombe et al NPS is Oooperating with the Texas Parks and
Wildlife Department (TPWD) to restore paddlefish populations to a level that will sustain r r m 1 992 a Harcombe et al O N Ri r TPWD ec eational fishing (Pit an in n the eches ve ,
l fi h r h r r m plans to annually stock padd e s downst eam Of Stein agen Darn . Ifthe p og a is successfii l n r ri r m r r d m. r , fish spaw e in the uppe ve will eventually ig ate downst ea As a esult
Of addlefish r r r m Of and trarnmel r or the p estocking p og a , the use gill , hoop , nets by spo t
mm r r rmi TPWD o n N R r co e cial licensees is no longe pe tted by the eches ive .
' m r or r r m Bar toma texa na A ong th eatened endange ed plants, the Texas sc ewste ( ) , Texas least
' l um sill um v texa num N r S ir anthes a r ks ir r m Tr il i u ar . t illiu ( p ) , avasota ladies t esses ( p p ) ; and
' r rri r N r Scarlet catchfly (Silene s ubcilia ta) are found in the wate co do s . avasota ladies t esses
r r r ar and Scarlet catchfly are federal ly listed as endange ed . Seve al othe plants that e extremely r are or imperiled in Texas occur in habitats such as the water corridor s : Lady cress
Armor acia la cus tr is h firewheel Ga illar dia a es tiva lis var winkIer z Ra r ( ) ; W ite ( . ) ; ttlesnake oot
(Prenanthes barbata); Bog buttons (La chnoca ullon digynum) ; Small-headed pipewort
num an rim r (Er ioca ul on ko rnickia ) ; d Harvest lice (Ag onia incisa) . The Texas t ailing phlox
v texensis r f r (Phlox ni a lis var . ) which is listed as endange ed at both the state and the ede al
rr r r r r r . levels occu s within the P ese ve, but not in the wate co ido s
r r r E r ff Impacts to water cor r id o esou ces . ndange ed species issues a ect both Habitat
Resources and Species Resources Of the BTNP (see Figure
i R ecommen d ed m a n agemen t act ons .
0 Consider impacts Of human uses Of the Preserve on resident thr eatened and endangered
species .
0 Continue to support protection Ofthr eatened and endangered species by cooperating with
f r r f r m the US . Fish and Wildli e Se vice and the Texas Pa ks and Wildli e Depa t ent and by
implementing USFWS recovery plan criteria fo r thr eatened and endangered species known
r r r to occu in the P ese ve .
on id er a io n fo r NPS r a r c r r r hr r C s t s ese h . Specific esea ch needs elated to t eatened o endangered species include
1 ) mapping potential habitats Of thr eatened and endangered and candidate species;
2) conducting field surveys Of populations;
ri r 3 ) monito ng species known to inhabit the P eserve .
E xotic Species
The negative effects Of non- native species invasion have been documented in a number Of
M mm l r B TNP r f r f r do f r cases . a a species int oduced to include the nut ia, e al cat , e al g and e al hog (Harcombe et al These animals dir ectly compete with native species for food and
r r f r ma m r habitat . The e is a conce n that e al hogs y be da aging plants by wallowing nea and foraging on bottomland mast -producing tree species (comments Of BTNP Resource M n m ff a age ent sta ,
r rr r ma m r r r Within the wate co ido s, exotic species that y beco e a conce n include the g ass ca p ,
r m - i r r f r . O zeb a ussels, non native aquatic vegetation and the Ch nese Tallow t ee In othe a eas
r c r r r r r r southeast Texas, g ass a p (int oduced to cont ol vegetation in ponds and ese voi s) have
m n m n Of da aged native aquatic vegetatio , di i ishing the habitat aquatic species and encouraging bank erosion (Chilton The spread Of"ebra mussels across waterways in
US " r m m r for the , with the eb a ussels outco peting native aquatic species, has been a conce n
M Kinn TPWD r al r mm rr c e . state Offici s (pe sonal co unication with La y y, ) The wate hyacinth
ifi ll l w-fl win r r S . for m r r n rol ca o o U. out has any yea s g ow p y in g southe n wate s, choking native species and degr ading water quality by lowering dissolved oxygen levels (Johnson
The Chinese Tallow is proliferating in many native bottomland hardwood ar eas
r 1 99 5 r (Came on et al a; Bruce et a] in p ess) .
r rr r i for no n- N All Of the wate co ido un ts have the potential native species invasion . The eches
River and its tributaries within the Preserve may be susceptible to the introduction Of exotic
’ aquatic species such as the grass carp and zebra mussel because Of their connection to the
f r s r r m r r Gul Int acoa tal Wate way . The fie ce co petitive natu e Of these int oduced species may r r r r r r esult in lowe ed natu al biodive sity in the P ese ve .
m ac to wat r cor r id or r ur es r f I p t e es o c . The int oduction O exotic species to the water c rr r BTNP ff R r R r o ido s Of the a ects both Habitat esou ces and Species esou ces . Specific
c r ri c ff c : m r c streambank m r habitat ha acte sti s a e ted include sub e ged aquati habitat , (e e gent)
r r r rr ff . S vegetation, and wate quality pecies esou ces cu ently a ected include aquatic
m f r invertebrates and botto land hardwood o ests .
m n m n m n i M n Of r Recom e d ed a age e t act o ns . a y the actions needed to cont ol introduction Of
BTNP ar w rv Of NPS NPS r ff f exotic species to e not ithin the pu iew the . can suppo t the e ort s O
f f m US . rv r art US . the Texas Pa ks and Wildli e Dep ent , Fish and Wildli e Se ice, and the
Natural Resources Conservation Service to prevent introduction Of and to control the spread Of exotic species .
on i r i n for NP r r h f rm r C s d e at o s S esea c . In o ation needed to add ess the introduction Of exotic species include :
1 u Of r ff t BTNP ) st dies dist ibution, invasiveness, and e ec s Of exotics within ;
2 r r m Of r r t Of or r BTNP ) esea ch on eans p eventing int oduc ion cont olling exotics in the .
W ater Q uality
Figure 4 depicts stream segments designated by the Texas Natur al Resource Conservation
r BTNP r m r Commission for wate sheds around the . Wate quality onito ing data indicate that
ma r rn r are r for declining dissolved oxygen levels y be a egional conce , and ce tainly a conce n the Little Pine Island Bayou Corridor (Hall and Bruce The Pine Island Bayou watershed has the poorest water qual ity in the region; dissolved oxygen levels do not meet
m r f r lif rrn r O m . co o standa ds o e than the ti e Additionally, chlo ides and fecal levels, sulfate co ncentrations and total dissolved solids ar e high in the bayou (Hall and Bruce 1 996;
r et al O ri m i r r ff fr m ri f rm Kaise ilfield b nes, un cipal sewage discha ge, and uno o ce a ing
r are r r r E r to . and esidences p obable cont ibuto s these conditions levated levels Of chlo ides,
r r m ri are r fo r M r r r r m appa ently f o Oilfield b nes, also a conce n ena d C eek . Tu key C eek has so e
r m f f rm r N R r m r r p oble with ecal coli o , and the uppe eches ive sa pling sites egiste ed high in total dissolved solids (Hall and Emce Several studies have indicated that saltwater intrusion and industrial pollution carried into the Neches River impair the habitat value Ofthe
' lower r eaches Of the river fo r benthic communities (Harcombe et al An analysis Of trends from ten years Of data collected by BTNP suggests that there has been a reduction in brine-r elated pollution (Hall and Bruce
As r N m Evironmental r US . pa t Of the ational Bioaccu ulation Study, the P otection Agency
(EPA) found concentrations Of dioxin exceeding the accepted risk level in fish tissue samples fr om the lower Neches River downstream from Evadale (EPA The sampling site was approximately mile downstream fr om the Temple-Eastex paper mill discharge
a on EPA r m Of m can l . Based the findings, the Texas Depa t ent Health issued a fish consu ption J AS PER
LIBERT"
CHAMB ERS
LOWE R NECHES S TUD" AREA DES IGNATED S EGMENT WATERS HEDS advisory fo r the lower Neches River below Highway 96 (see Figur e More recent samples
r e r Of i i Harcombe et al r 1 994 66 show educ d concent ations th s tox n ( Du ing , fish
m r e r m r h mm r Of r sa ples we e collect d f o an a ea just below, but wit in swi ing ange , the p evious
m r m e for fii ll Of r r sa ple site and we e exa in d dioxin and a suite p io ity pollutants . Dioxin levels
r r ri PCB s we e below the acceptable isk level , but polychlo nated biphenyls ( ) in excess Of the
m r f r r m . on rt Of fede al sa ety standa d we e found in one sa ple Based that finding, the Depa ent
Health retained the advisory pending analysis Of additional samples (Texas Department Of
1 995 m r for l Health, In , six additional fish sa ples we e collected ana ysis (Lisa
m TDH m r 1 995 v r r m LNVA Willia s, , In Dece be , the ad iso y was e oved (
r s m Of r m r N r r Of r In a egional as ess ent st ea s in the lowe eches basin, ve y few a eas wate quality concern were identified (LNVA Table 1 provides a summary Ofthe water qual ity
r r r m f r r m BTNP m r conce ns (a evision Of p evious assess ents) listed o st ea s in the . Si ila data are not for M r r r ri i R r r available ena d C eek, which is in the lowe T n ty ive basin (pe sonal
mm D R r r ni A r . TR co unication with icha d B ow ng, ,
. l r l i n r n in h r h in Tab e 1 . W ate Q ua ty C o ce s t e Lowe Nec es Bas r : LNVA an R r r r m R m Of r 1 996 Sou ce Cle ive s P og a egional Assess ent Wate Quality,
Par ameter Cl assification
060 1 Neches River Tidal Fecal Coliform Possible Concern
0602 N eches River Cadmium Insufficient Data Copper Possible Concern Lead Insufficient Data Mercury NO Concern "inc N o Concern
0607 Pine Island Bayou Fecal Coliforr n Possible Concern
' Dissolved Oxygen Possible Concern Total Phosphorus N O Concern
0608 Village Cr eek Fecal Coliform Possible Concern pH N O Concern Aluminum NO Concern ' F I Q IAKG S . D i/ ARER T DH Fl IS o Ry NEC HES RIVER
O RANGE, J EFFERS O N, J AS PER, AND HARDIN COUNTIES
ADVIS OR" AREA
Th N h r Evada e to th e e es R ve r ll u s wa e s s u h f S . 9 6 Br d e ne ar e In c i and a contig ou t o t O the U. i g l te rs tate 1 0 Bridge ne ar Be a umont
TO ORANGE
BEAUMON
" TO HOUS TON
NECHES RIVER C HEMICAL O F C ONC ERN Dioxin
C O NS UMPTION ADVIC E The adv s r n ude s a ll s e ie s Offis h and re mme nds ns um n of no m re han o ne me al not i o y i cl p c co co ptio o t , to h W n f hild be a rin a e and hild re n s h uld n e e e d e i h un e s e a h m n . me O ot ns ume a n fis h xc g t o c , c o t o c g g c o co y fr m his a r a o t e .
r r r r r f rtm r hyd opowe gene ation at S am Raybu n . The Texas Pa ks and Wildli e Depa ent ope ates
M r Jr r r r r a tin Dies . State Pa k on the no theaste n sho e Ofthe Lake Steinhagen .
Changes in the duration and fr equency Of flOOds on the Neches River attributable to construction Of the Rayburn/Steinhagen dams have r esulted in changes in the species composition a nd distribution Of floodplain forest communities (Hall Hydropower
r aff m r 1 996- r ff i i gene ation ects the ti ing Of eleases (Gooch, Table howeve , no e ects w th n
r r r n l the water corridors have yet been documented . Ope ating est ictions o pOO elevations and
m r r E S rm r r U. on releases r elated to powe gene ation as easu ed by flow ates at vadale ( . A y
r E r 1 976 m m Of rt - rm N Co ps Of nginee s, ) ini ize the likelihood sho te fluctuations in the eches
r m BTNP River below Dam B that would be det i ental to aquatic biota Of .
One impact Of lake and dam Operations on the water corridor s is the use Of drawdowns and
" " to r ri r and flushing flows cont ol nuisance vegetation (such as hyd lla, wate hyacinth, lotus) in
n 1 994 BTNP r r m Lake Stei hagen . In , the egiste ed co plaints about the dead vegetation flushed into the Upper Neches Unit as a result Of this practice (Callaway
Diversion measures may alter flOOding frequency and duration by reducing (or incr easing) the amount Of water flowing thr ough stream channels (Pear lstine et al 1 9 85 in Hall An
' assessment carried out by the Lower Neches Valley Authority (LNVA) under the State s
Clean River s Progr am found that curr ently permitted withdrawals fr om the water corridors do not appear to have any significant effect o n water qual ity in the streams (LNVA Table
r r r LNVA m fo r 1 990 1 993 r 2 p ovides amounts Ofwate dive ted by the syste . Wate is also
f m f r m n r M Of r diverted by the City O Beau ont o u icipal pu poses . ost the dive sion is at the south end Of the Preserve and therefore does not substantially alter volume Of flows within the
r fr r r r rr r . are r rt wate co ido s Howeve , because the eshwate dive sion points nea the tidal po ion
r m r r r r m f ri . O the ve ( uch Ofwhich has been channelized) , saltwate int usion is a pe iodic p oble
The issues surrounding use Oftemporary saltwater barriers to combat saltwater intrusion are discussed below in section
2 4 Proposed futur e withdrawals or transfers that involve crossing any Ofthe water corridors may
m r have substantial i pacts on st eam flow . Potential changes that may affect flow and
r r r r ri r r ci culation include wate withd awals associated with egional ag cultu al , indust ial and municipal water use and water tr ansfer projects such as the interbasin tr ansfer s being studied
' under the state s Trans-Texas Water Progr am (Callaway which is discussed fii rther in section
Impact to water cor r id or r eso u r ces . Changes in the seasonality and peaking Of flows on
N R r al r r H M i Of the eches ive have te ed the floodplain fo est ( all , an pulation the lake water level to control the growth Of aquatic vegetation may r esult in negative effects to habitat r r r m fr m r r N R r rri r h esou ces downst ea o the da n on the Uppe eches ive Co do Unit . The flus ing
Of dead vegetation after the lake is r efilled may r esult in impairment Ofwater quality (lower
d DO r r m and m a Of dissolve oxygen ( ) levels, Odo p oble s) di inished qu lity scenic and aesthetic resources downstr eam on the Neches River; these probably ar e short-term impacts o n water ” r r n n m to m r n r r quality and nuisance to use s . The e is no k ow i pact i po ta t species esou ces . b
abl 2 otal d i ion LN A r m h h r n l T e . T vers s by V f o t e Nec es Rive a d Pine Is and Bayou r : n r r N R r r 1 4 m r 1 994 Sou ce De nis Becke , Lowe eches ive Autho ity, Septe be .
" ear Diver sio n (acr e feet/year )
1 990
1 99 1
1 992
1 993
Perm anent changes in the overall amounts and timing Of stream flows may affect the stream
rri r ff m r r . r r ma co do s Di ect e ects to habitat esou ces y include changes in channel o phology, r m r m r m m r ate Of eande ing, sedi entation and wate quality, and the a ount and type Of sub e ged
ff to r r ma r . o r m r and habitat Sec nda y e ects species esou ces y include changes in g owth, o tality regeneration Of vegetation along the riparian corridor (Hall Any Ofthese changes together with associated structures on the stream banks may affect the scenic and aesthetic
al f r rri r m Of r r r r qu ity O the wate co do s . Specific i pacts possible inte basin wate t ansfe s are m unknown at this ti e .
R mm n m n i n NP eco en d ed ma age e t act o s . The S should
1 ) continue to actively participate on the Technical Advisory Committee ofthe
Tr ans-Texas Water Progr am to ensure that avoidance Of impacts to BTNP remains a principal
rn NPS m r ai criterion for eval uating alte atives . should ake ce t n that location and design Of any
r r r r no m n r rri r fi mcti n p oposed ive c ossings have negative i pact o wate co do o s and values .
2) monitor the timing Of drawdown s and flushes and work with the C0 13 to influence the Operation Of the Steinhagen Dam (Dam B) so that any negative impacts on the water
rr r co ido s ar e avoided .
n i r i n f r NP r r h C o s d e at o s o S esea c .
1 ) Recent developments o n the Colorado River above the Gr and Canyon in Arizona indicate that it may be possible to affect the operation Of dams that impact NPS water r r R i li i r esouces . esear ch into these po ss b t es is highly desi able .
" 2 TO m fr m Dam NP S ) deal with the potential i pacts Of flushing flows o B , the needs the following information : a) water quality data for Upper and Lower Neches River; water quality surveys OfUpper Neches during periods Of flushing; and b) record Of BTNP
r ri f r r r r r r r user reactions du ing pe ods O flushing eithe epo ts to ange s o special su veys .
3 ) The NP S needs to kn ow the potential impacts Of any stream crossings proposed
- r by the Tr ans Texas Water Program or other wate supply plans .
W ood y I n -str ea m S ubstr ate (Snags)
River bank erosion and natural tree growth cycles result in dead trees and branches falling to
r r r are m m s m r r Obstacles/haz ards the wate cou ses . The fallen t ees so eti e sub e ged and p esent to r r r m r m ri r f r m boate s who would like to have the t ees e oved f o the ve way . Law en o ce ent
r o m r r r pe s nnel also ust contend with these Obstacles in pat olling the wate ways . Fallen t ees”are r B R m r part Of the natu al habitat Of aquatic species in TNP . e oval Of snags (o desnagging )
r R m al Of a r t m r dest oys that habitat . e ov snags also allows w te o flow o e quickly and may
r r nk r cont ibute to st eamba e osion .
Of ff N Ri r a The fate snags is an issue a ecting the eches ve , Pine Island B you , and Village
r rr r i n r E . C eek . ach Of these wate co ido s has sign fica t boat and canoe usage
r r r i r r r r m an m n m r Impact o n wate co d o esou ces . Snag e oval has subst tial i pact o sub e ged
rt r r r Of r rr r aquatic habitat and fish and inve eb ate species esou ces the wate co ido s . The presence Of snags in the reaches Ofthe streams that are used for boating can affect human use
r rn f r Ofthe Preserve th ough a conce o boating safety.
R comm n d d mana m n ac io n . TO r NPS e e e ge e t t s add ess the issue Of snags, should
1 ) Review incident reports relative to boating safety to determine if there is a
r m f rri r significant th eat to hu an use O the water co do s .
2 ) Increase boater education about the presence Of snags and their importance for
habitat .
3 ) Consider identifying some areas as boating zones within which some snags will
m f r r be re oved o safety easons .
4) Incorporate inform ation o n the importance Of snags for aquatic habitat into
r r gene al educational activities with ar ea esidents .
n i r ation for NP r e r h f ih - r m r Co s d e s S sea c . The importance O woody st ea subst ate (snags) has
m r a m r r r on m r Of been docu ented in othe loc les . Si ila esea ch the i po tance snags as habitat to
m species in the water corridor s would be helpfii l in supporting manage ent decisions .
Str eam B anks (Er osion and River Mean d er )
Intact str eam banks are important to a high-quality scenic or aesthetic experience on the ’ r r r r r m R r are r m r v an d . m r P ese e s ive s st ea s ive s dyna ic entities, e oding so e a eas and acc eting
r r r r r N R r Er are othe s . This cha acte istic is pa ticula ly notable in the eches ive . oding banks subject to firrther alteration as property owners neighboring the Preserve attempt to stem the
r m r n r r r o r al o . e osion by placing ocks, conc ete, othe ate i s the banks In addition to being
r Of r m ma ff on unsightly, the dest uction vegetation On the st ea banks y have a negative e ect
r l f r man and m . O habitat species such as epti es and a phibians The loss vegetation, whethe
s or r r r r m cau ed natu al , esults in additional e osion and an inc eased sedi ent load within the
r m Th r m r r r r r r st ea . is natu al eande p ocess also p oduces sand ba s and banks in acc eting a eas i which are popular for recreational activ ties .
Because Of the narrowness Of the boundaries Of the water corridor units and potential impact
Of ri r m r r Of N R r are ve eande , bounda ies the eches ive units designated in the enabling
f r r r r am r ri fo r - - Fe legislation o the P ese ve by st e g adient bounda es bank to bank inclusion ( d .
7 r h R v l 52 1 7 1 9 5 . r m N R r m r fr e . o . Mar . t O as m g , , , Pa II) ve ti e the eches ive eande ed o the
ri r m r r r f r r r o ginal cou se existing at the ti e p operties we e acqui ed o the wate corrido s .
r are fr m reco nnaisance r r ff ri r Additionally, the e indications o field and P ese ve sta that the ve
r ma e r r m r m . m cou se in specific locations y have b en pu posely alte ed by hu an activity (Pe s co ,
M H h BTNP NP c u S . D . g , , )
m a o wat r cor r id or r r r ri r m r rri I p ct t e esou ces . Natu al ve eande is occu ng within the
r rv r m m m r rri r m P ese e . Howeve , ini al i pact to the wate co do s has been docu ented . Field
Observations have indicated substantial visual impacts in specific locales resulting fr om m ar r rt r m to r r odifications to banks by ne by p ope y owne s in an atte pt cont ol e osion .
R com m n d d m an a m n t ac ion NPS r e e e ge e t s . The should conside the following options
1 r rri r o r N R r rri r ) continue legally defining wate co do s, at least the eches ive co do
i rm Of r m- r - r fo r - - r r un ts, in te s st ea g adient bounda y bank to bank inclusion in the P ese ve;
2) identify areas in which river meander has the potential to create boundary problems and determine if management conflicts with neighbor s are likely to arise;
3 r r r N R r rri r i r r ) acqui e additional lands bo de ing the eches ive co do un ts, pa ticula ly
2 8 r of r r m r streambanks h r r m m a eas active e osion, to b ing o e wit in P ese ve anage ent .
i n f r r r h Consid er at o s o NPS esea c .
1 ) The extent to which streambank modification has affected habitat for important
r r species within the P ese ve has not been adequately studied.
2) Information on alternative methods Of stabilizing streambanks in areas with high r s r r r m m nf rm r m are ate Of e osion, and educational p og a s that ight i o neighbo s Of these ethods,
r needed to produce less intrusive bank stabilization p actices .
3 ) Information needs relating to river meander include : a) assessment Of rates Of stream channel changes with maps Ofwater corridors and stream paths over time; and b)
i f rm m r rri property ownersh p in o ation in areas in which eande is occu ng .
Fl ood pl ain F or est Hab itat
The water corridor units consist Of two distinct biological communities : the bottoml and hardwood for est community located on the floodplain terr ace adjacent to the waterway and
mm r the aquatic co unity p esent within the active channels and connected oxbows . While
mm i are r m r e these co un ties fai ly distinct , an i po tant cotone exists between these two
mm i streambank Harcombe et al ri one co un ties, the ( The biological integ ty Of Ofthese,
mm h l m r the aquatic co unity, is igh y dependent upon the extent Of botto land ha dwood
h r f r r r r and t e r r . rri r ha dwood fo ests both inside outside P ese ve The e o e, the integ ity Ofthe co do units is strongly challenged by the fr agmentation as sociated with land use practices within and to rr r n r r r m r rv r adjacent the co ido u it . Pipelines, oads, ag icultu e, ti be ha ests, and esidential
m r r r r r r to r develop ents all occu in the vicinity Of the P ese ve, c eating p essu es educe the total amount Of bottomland hardwood forests and contributing to fragmentation Ofthe floodplain f r o est habitat .
m n wa er or r i r r ur c i m I pact o t c d o eso es . The princ pal ecological i pacts Of habitat fr m a are 1 and r ff r ag ent tion ) population isolation a dec ease in e ective population size, esulting
" " m 2 r a Of e ff in the possible loss Of so e species, and ) the c e tion dge habitat and edge e ects
m r m r r r r such as change in ic ocli atic conditions, inc eased p edation and oadkills in Open a eas, r m and inc eased hu an access .
Recommen d ed man agement action s
1 M r ai NPS m m fr m r r ) ake ce t n that facilities ini ize ag entation within the P ese ve .
2 r a for r r ) Pa ticipate in public pl nning activities, such as those oad const uction, to
r r m m fr m ri p event avoidable f ag entation and negative habitat i pacts o neighbo ng uses .
3 ) Continue working with the Oil and gas and pipeline companies in accordance with the Oil and Gas Management Plan to minimize the impact Of their activities within or near the
r r n P ese ve o habitat .
4) Encourage neighbor s to adopt management practices and land uses that minimize
r additional fr agmentation Of bottomland hardwood fo ests .
n i n P r r r m r C o s d er atio s for N S esea c h . The e are any questions unanswe ed about habitat
ff ffr B TNP Am m ar quality and the e ects O agmentation on the . ong the e
1 ) How does aquatic diversity r espond to increased width Of the forest strip in the corridor s"
2 are m ri m n on r ) What the specific i pacts Of neighbo ng hu a land uses wate quality, species diver sity and corridor integrity"
3 rr r r m r r r ) In the co ido units, what is the elative i po tance Of quality Ofwate as it ente s the corridor s versus characteristics Ofthe forested buffer zone in contributing to ln-stream habitat quality"
Aes thetic/S cen ic Q ualities
r - BTNP r The e have been no landscape level studies Of the . Studies Of a chaeological and
r l r r no r r mm or cultu a esou ces (see below) have identified specific sites, but la ge co unities
r ar n rri r m r f cultu al landscapes e k own to exist in the co do units . The ajo public uses O the
' r r h i r m reflect an r P ese ve (fis ing, boating, hunting, hik ng, backcount y ca ping) all app eciation
- f i for r r . r r O undeveloped , backcount y type expe iences Pa tly as a esult th s, scenic quality is an m streambanks a r rri r r r i portant condition Of long the wate co do s . Village C eek is a popula
r r f N stream fo r canoists because Of its pastoral qualities . The e are long eaches O the eches
3 0
m n m r rv r Oil Since that ti e, o ly s all a ea su eys associated with specific p ojects such as and gas
pipeline construction have been added .
r r et al . ar o r BTNP ri m Shafe found twelve cheological sites within nea the bounda es, ostly
" on f rm r m rr r mn and n elevated land o s such as abandoned st ea levees, te ace e ants upla d
" mi f r r r r ri r l M r t e r O m o . r s featu es located in h p oxi ty la ge st ea s ve s (Shafe et a . ost ites
r 2 00 r r r r r m B C . o One we e placed in the ea ly ce a ic pe iod (about ) late . site also showed
r n r m m E r m r E l . l evidence Of ea ly u opean i fluence, pe haps a s a l settle ent The Final nvi on enta
m for E m N r r State ent stablish ent Of the Big Thicket ational P ese ve, Texas indicates that seven
r withinP reserve r n Of r et al . o e the sites Shafe identified we e bounda ies, and only Of those was
" " possibly a significant site the De Gave site in or near the Lance Rosier Unit (NP S
' r f f r r t r An inte esting aspect O Sha e et al . s wo k was an ex ensive analysis Of the facto s that
" " m ri r are mm ri ight explain the paucity Of abo ginal sites Obse ved . These su a zed as :
1 r r m m m rm . P oposed bounda ies include ostly botto land and swa p elevated landfo s r m rr r whe e habitation ight be expected occu ed outside the bounda ies .
2 u r m rial ma ri r m . C ltu al ate y be bu ed so deeply unde soil and hu us that evidence cann ot
be detected on the surface . This explanation was advanced particularly for the N R r eches ive .
3 a r re m . L ndowne denial Of access p vented inspection Of so e areas .
r al ma Bi r 4 . Abo igin populations y have used the g Thicket area fo hunting or water r r for r l r r t anspo tation, but these activities leave little the a chaeologica eco d .
5 m r r Of r N R r r f . The eande patte n the lowe eches ive has esulted in the loss O ar al cheologic sites .
n r r et al r mm r r r f o . O Based thei findings, Shafe eco ended a tho ough su vey upon pu chase the
BTNP B Of r individual r r i r . u a r lands ecause the config ation Of p ese ve un ts, a wate shed pp oach
r ri r mm the to su veying, including both public and p vate lands, was eco ended (although author s on sever al occasions noted the difficulty Of gaining land owner access to many Of
d ar e r Of uartemar r those lands) . Also sugg este a desc iption the Q y geology Ofthe a ea and a
r BTNP mm i r et al . a . r pollen analysis Of the peat bogs in and ne the In su a zing, Shafe point Out
3 2 that the BTNP was established because Of its unique botanical r esour ces and that while
" r r r are r rr ri r for r r a cheological esou ces p esent , they do not wa ant a p o ity inte p etative
" m r t al develop ent (Shafe e .
' Dett fi r r r r r r r 1 975 Dethloff r and T eat su veyed histo ical esou ces of the P ese ve in ( and T eat ,
m r or r t r in r r r or At that ti e, no histo ic sites st uc u es Ha din, Jaspe , Libe ty Polk counties were listed in the Natig nal Rggister fg r Historig Places or were suggested by the Texas
R r Dett ff and r r Historical Commission for inclusion in the egiste . T eat included in thei
" r r r ral n i m su vey buildings, sites and st uctu es in the gene vici ity Ofthe Un ts, although in so e
i " instances these locations were 1 0-20 m les away fr om the Pr eserve boundaries Much Of
" their r eport emphasizes the general history Of southeast Texas to provide a gener al historical
" ri f r M m for BTNP r o entation O the Big Thicket . The Gene al anage ent Plan the lists th ee
" " r r or r two Of are r rri r st uctu es sites as wo thy Of notation , which in wate co do units
R r r m theTurke r icha dson house, a pionee ho e in y C eek Unit
m r m Of m- r m r mill m Voth ill, e ains a stea powe ed lu be in the Beau ont Unit
O " ff rr N B ottom/Jack r ld ellow Blu fe y site in the eches Go e Baygall Unit .
" " The Dett ff and Treat team concluded that it described practically all structures within the
r r m r r or f rm r r r o r f rr P ese ve, but sugg est that additional un a ked bu ial plots o e ive landings e y
r ma f m nOf r r ma a c ossings y yet be ound . The i plicatio thei study is that the e y be high potenti l for future historical study and development Of interpretive material s within the Preserve in an
m ri r r n r N R r rri r exa ination Of ve landings o fe y c ossings within the eches ive co do units . An
' " NPS r r r Ne R r rr i N r r epo t titled Discove y Of a ches ive Fe yboat, Big Th cket ational P ese ve,
" r m m E r f r 1 992 f r r . . o Tyle County, Texas by Ja es B ad o d ( ) was not available eview at this ti e
A project-specific survey within the Beaumont Unit in 1 994 discovered no additional
r o r r M r r a cheological cultu al sites ( oo e and A onow,
m acts to a r co r r i or r es our c r I p w te d es . The two cultu al sites that have been identified within the water corridors are not developed to encourage visitation and accordingly have little
m n r r r rri r i pact o the natu al esou ces Ofthe co do s . m n m m n i n r Recom e d ed a n age e t act o s . Conside ation should be given to improved public presentation (printed materials and displays) Of archeological and cultural information already
f h NP in the possession O t e S .
r h h l i l r r C o n sid er ation s for NPS r esea c . N O arc eo og cal/cu tu al esear ch needs have been
r rr r identified within the wate co ido s .
3 4 P ublic Use of the Pr eser ve
Public use issues are those that occur within the BTNP boundaries and fr equently involve m m 1 9 1 6 NP r 1 6 1 r e bers Of the public . The S o ganic act ( USO ) p ovides the basic mission Of national parks and preserves as providing for public use and enjoyment while leaving the r r m r for r r NPS M m 1 9 8 8 esou ce uni pai ed futu e gene ations ( anage ent Policies, Although
BTNP ri 1 974 r r .T O m the was autho zed in , it is a elatively young pa k facility date, unlike any
r m r - n r r r not r r m Olde , o e well know national pa ks, the P ese ve is gene ally faced with p oble s Of
r O fr i for ffi overuse by park visito s . ne explanation equently g ven this is the di culty in
r r For m identifying the 1 5 widely dispe sed units as a visito destination . uch Of the general
r f rm r r BTNP public, the Visito In o ation Station at the Tu key C eek Unit is the .
Monthly counts Of visitor s to BTNP units are made by Park Rangers and compiled by the
Of r r al r r t 87 m Division Inte p etation (C laway, Howeve , the enti e leng h ( iles) Ofthe
Neches River is tr eated as one facility and Lakeview Beach (sandbar) is treated as another in
r N m f r M r r O are o r . r i visito counts . counts ade ena d C eek It is unce ta n whethe Little Pine
Island B ayou/Pine Island Bayou Corridor visitation is included within counts for the Lance
R r a 3 r v r f 1 9 8 r . r osie Unit T ble p o ides available visito counts by acility since 2 . P ese ve
O r n visitation peaks in ctobe a nually, coinciding with hunting season (Callaway A
r i f r R r F r m r o N . o seconda y peak is expe enced in July the eches ive all units, the onth Of lowest
r r visitation is Feb ua y.
r 1 992 2% m m Of r to r r r n rm Du ing , a sa ming was ade visito s the Tu key C eek Visito I fo ation
r r r m Station . Data collected indicated that the vast majority Of visito s surveyed we e f o
r n r r r for r m Texas, we e A glo and we e visiting the P ese ve the fi st ti e (Callaway
It is not pr obable that these first-time visitors have the same profile as boater s and
r who r c rri r who are r h to r r fishe s use the wate o do s, gene ally thoug t be esidents Ofthe egion
r r to BTNP r r r and epeat visito s the . Fishing is epo ted by the Texas Pa ks and Wildlife
Department to be more important than walking fo r r ecreation in the Deep East Texas region that includes much Of the BTNP (TPWD 1 990 in Callaway m N oma m oa m ema N o m ma o m m c o N a c m m m c o m c n o c m m o m m m a m m o m m m m N m a m c N m a m a a a m m N N o N oa c N o c c m m ma m m o o m m o m c o o m e o o o m o m a e m o m o a o m o m o N N q N N m o N c o N a a a a m oma N o oma m o c ao m m o ma o m a m o c m o m m m o m c o c m N m o N o c N N m o c N o m m N m o o m m m m a a c m m N N m cam na o ma o 0 a m 0 a m m a N o e m o o m m c m m a N m m c m m m m m m m N a N c o m m m a a N a
o ma c o ae o o m N m a c c o o m c m m o m e m a om m o m o c m o N m m o N a q a m c a a m m mm oa o o Na m o a m m m N a o o m m o N a m o m o m m m m m m m a m a N o m o o m m q N m c N a a m a a m o o oa m m m m o m m m N m N m m o o a a m o m q c o e n o c o m m m m m N N o e a a N o N
m m m m m m o o o m o m m c o m m m m c o m m m o m o m N m m o o e m o o N a c N a o m a o c m a a
am ma m ma o ma c o m o m o o m o N m c m m m N c m c a a
m c o o m N m a m m o a o o m m m m m N N m a oN A recent survey Of sever al conservation and r ecreation groups who were expected to be more
a r Of BTNP 95% r knowledgeable th n the gene al public the , found that Of espondents had
- r r visited o ne or more units Ofthe Preserve . Seventy th ee pe cent had visited the Inform ation
r and r r 85% e r r rri r Cente Tu key C eek Unit, while had visit d Village C eek, a wate co do unit
(Callaway This level Ofuse found among an attractive target population indicates that
i r for out m a BTNP a supportive audience ex sts within the egion getting the ess ge Ofthe .
As m r r r r e r r part Of its ission to p ovide natu al esou ce ducation, the Division Of Inte p etation works actively with area schools and exploits other opportunities to reach beyond the curr ent
r m r r r l r audience . App oxi ately schoolchild en visit the P ese ve annua ly as pa t Of cooperative programs between BTNP and ar ea school districts and an additional are
ih - r mm R r r al . al eached th ough school visits (Pe son co unication with V en and L . Dubay,
BTN P NP v are r r r o n r rr r r S . , ) While these acti ities a ely cente ed the wate co ido s, they aise
' general appr eciation Ofthe intrinsic worth Ofthe Pr eserve s resources and they introduce m m r f x f B N ew r r m e be s O a new audience to e istence O the TNP . p og a s have been initiated to r r r r r r r r r and each pa ticula g oups, such as boate s, with both esou ce inte p etive safety
f rm in o ation .
Of r r rr u r r aff rr The issue esou ce ca ying capacity has been disc ssed by P ese ve st , but the cu ent
no m r m r n Of f level Of public use has t ade it an u gent issue . The i po ta ce identi ying baseline conditions and building data bases that will support futur e mangement decisions has been r rm r r i n . on r ecog ized Additional info ation public use, as well as natu al esou ces, w thin the
r rr r m r rri r wate co ido s will be needed to anage the wate co do s .
m act to wat r cor r id or r ur rr Of r I p e es o ces . The cu ent level public use does not appea to have
m r rr r r r for to ff t negatively i pacted wate co ido esou ces . The potential specific activities a ec specific r esources or for some public uses to conflict with other public uses has been
r discussed in p eceeding sections . R comm n d d m n m n i n m r m f n e e e a age e t act o s . Place o e e phasis on collection O data o visitation (such as visitor counts) and add sites as appropriate to better describe visitation
r rri r within the wate co do s .
n P r h m r ri ri r C o sid er ation s for N S r esea c . Develop a survey to be ad iniste ed pe odically at ve
r n rm r r rri r access points to develop bette i fo ation about use s Of the wate co do s .
H unting an d Tr apping
i m r r r m Hunting and trapping are r ecogn zed as legiti ate usesOf a park unde ce tain ci cu stances .
" NP S M m NPS 1 9 88a an d r f anage ent Policies ( , state that hunting t apping wildli e will be
r NP ar r d . S allowed only in p ks whe e such use is specifically autho ize In such cases, the will
" m f to r ri f r m still seek to perpetuate native ani al li e and p otect the integ ty O natu al ecosyste s .
" r r m m r r m r r ff r Fu the , anage ent p og a s will be conducted th ough coope ative e o ts with
r f r individual states under memo anda O understanding . Hunting and t apping
will be conducted in accordance with feder al law and applicable laws Of the state or r r r N r rv ma states whe e the pa k is located . Howeve , the ational Pa k se ice y establish r egulations or closur es that are more restrictive than applicable state regulations r r are r fo r r r based upon a finding that such est ictions necessa y public safety, esou ce r r r m r r r r r ri are o . o p otection, visito enjoy ent Befo e egulations othe est ctions m m r r r r r r r i ple ented by the Pa k Se vice , ep esentatives Of app op iate state and fede al An r r r agencies will be consulted . y such egulations or othe rest ictions will be m developed with public involve ent .
3 6 CPR gives the superintendent authority to local ly issue limits on activity within parks
r r m r f f r r r 3 6 PR 2 2 O C . c to fu the a nu be Objectives (public sa ety, esou ce p otection ( ) provides that the superintendent will consult with appropriate State agencies before invoking the authority given in section except in cases Of emergency or areas Of exclusive federal
6 PR r f r 2 2 b ri 3 C . ju sdiction . add esses wildli e p otection and section ( ) specifically
r r add esses hunting and tapping .
r m 1 9 74 PL93 -43 9 4 r N r E . c The Big Thicket ational P ese ve stablish ent Act Of [ , Sec ( )] di ects
n n n r e rm The n en was to a r ect the c n ua n of that hu ti g a d t apping b pe itted. i t t llow (p ot ) o tin tio
ack r n r 7 rm n r B g ou d . Public hunting and t apping was initiated in 1 9 9 by pe it o ly afie consultation with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (NPS 1 9 88b; NPS All hunting and tr apping is done in accordance with State regulations as directed by Preserve
NP r to r authorization and S policies cited above . Adhe ence State hunting and t apping r BTNP mi m nf m f r m egulations within ni izes co usion and conflict , and it si plifies en o ce ent .
rm h - r r r rr rf State laws pe it hunting Ofw ite tailed dee , abbits, fe al hogs, squi els, and wate owl
m f r TPWD n rm r r m ox . and t apping Of accoons, possu s, ink, , and nut ia i fo ation suggests that
r r r r . hunting use is inc easing only slowly The e is a st ong hunting t adition in Texas, but it has
ff i t r Of culture/leisure so r m r r been O set by chang ng pat e ns activities, a d a atic inc ease in hunte pressure is not expected (Callaway
mi 1 990 -96 r r 20 r r are n . Fewe than t apping pe ts issued an ually In the pe iod , about
r rm r to m Of rm rm r hunte pe its we e issued each year ; the policy is set a li it pe its . Pe its a e
fir - m fir - r m r r r issued on a st co e st se ved basis at scheduled sites and ti es . Hunte s and t appe s
r r r r r l w m ar e s to m r r . o r a ked etu n ga e ha vest ca ds Though the initial etu n ate was , the nu be Of r r r fii ture emrits r m on r r r r etu ns inc eased when p we e ade conditional etu n Of ha vest ca ds . The
rm r m r r m r r r pe it p ocess is i po tant in p o oting hunte safety and adhe ence to egulations .
r m m o n r Howeve , it akes heavy seasonal de ands pe sonnel (Callaway
r af for r r i 500 Visito s ety, especially boate s, is dealt with by the p oh bition Of hunting within
Of r and r r r f r feet oads wate cou ses and the p ohibition O loaded guns in boats . Du ing hunting
r ar to r m and nf r r u r season, the need to pat ol hunting eas p o ote safety e o ce eg lations se iously
m f r r r m r m li its the ability O Range s to espond to boate e e gencies in a ti ely fashion . While there have not yet been any incidents in which inability OfRangers to respond to an
m r r r r m e e gency has been an issue, the e is a potential conflict between the hunting p og a and
r r ri r rri r visito p otection in ve co do units .
TPWD wildlife population monitoring programs (Harcombe et al 1 996) suggest that game populations in BTNP and surrounding ar eas are sustainable at current levels Of hunting and r r r rr r r r b f r m t apping p essu e with cu ent egulations . Howeve , field Obse vations y en o ce ent and
4 0 resource management personnel suggest that illegal taking Of game has reduced populations
m - m t r fr m m Ofboth ga e and non ga e species to an ex ent that det acts o public enjoy ent . An implication Of these Observations is that additional inform ation o n levels Of animal
populations may be necessary.
There ar e no specific wildlife protection issues in the N eches Bottom or Beaumont Units that are known to r equire additional restrictions to hunting or trapping that are more restrictive m r r r . a r r r than the gene al hunting and t apping egulations Inste d , the ajo issue epo ted by field per sonnel is related to the illegal (rather than pemritted) taking Of game without regard to
r m f r r to r rm m o O . season, bag li it, ode taking These p actices appea be a cultu al no within
f r 1 967 r v m l l some communities O the Big Thicket . (Abe nathy p o ides exa ples Of the co orfir
r f h r cultu e O the Big T icket egion . )
The N eches Bottom Unit presents specific law enforcement difficulties because Of its
r m r m ffi r inaccessibility . Fi st , li ited public oad access akes it di cult to pat ol except by boat .
Of r m r r m r for r Second , low visibility bounda y a ke s akes it ha d hunte s to know exactly when
i r r r they are in the un t . An additional issue is that Fede al laws egar ding the t ansport Of guns in
ar e m r r ric 3 6 FR 2 4 r C . b rr boats o e est tive than State laws . ( ( ) p ohibits ca ying a loaded gun in a motor vehicle or vessel unl ess the vessel is being used as a shooting platform in accordance
r r rr u . r with fede al law; Texas law does not p ohibit ca ying loaded g ns in boats ) Finally, the e is a problem with hunters using the river as an access route for unauthorized hunting on private
n N rri r la ds that abut the eches Co do units .
o ibl e en r al uid elin r r rri r P ss g e g es . With respect to hunting andt apping in the Wate Co do
rn ar Units, the following alte atives e identified
N m m r a . Allow hunting in the eches Botto and Beau ont Units in acco dance with existing
r u hunting eg lations .
N m r ri r r r b . Allow hunting in the eches Botto but est ct dates (beyond gene al est ictions) to
nf r m minimize visitor protection problems and e o ce ent costs .
r N m to for r Of r r c . Decla e the eches Botto closed hunting easons visito p otection and f r m ffi en o ce ent di culties .
n n r l ui lin an r Recomme d ed ge e a g d e e. Hunting d t apping should be allowed in the Neches
m m r Botto and Beau ont Unit in acco dance with established Hunting Policy, with any
r ri r to r and r additional est ctions necessa y sustain wildlife populations, visito safety, a st ong
land/water and resource protection ethic .
Recommen d ed management actions .
al am r r r Curtail illeg taking Of g e th ough field pat ols and contact with adjacent landowne s,
m r m n m r r . hunting clubs, and ti be co pa y hunting lease ad inist ato s
r m r and r rm Reduce p oble s caused by inconsistencies between Fede al State fi ea laws . This
can be accomplished in part by seeking the assistance Of TPWD in advising hunters about
m r o n r r r r u co pliance with Fede al laws while hunting Fede al p ese ves and ef ges .
Promote safety Of hunters in the Neches Bottom and Beaumont Units and visitors on
waterways or neighboring lands by continuing to provide educational materials along with
r r r r m f Of fire rm the hunte egist ation packet that p o ote sa e handling a s, good hunting
r r M . r r to etiquette, and a st ong conse vation ethic aps that clea ly delineate a eas Open
m r r r r E r o . hunting ust be p ovided to hunte s and othe visit s, as well nsu e that adequate
boundary and other orientation markings are established and maintained within the
N m eches Botto Unit .
E stablish a program fo r monitoring populations and harvest levels for game species within
r r R r r r r r r t m r the p ese ve . edesign Of the hunte and t appe ha vest epo ts o include o e
rm and Of r m ri info ation on size, weight , condition ha vested ga e can cont bute valuable
r f rm a for r r r r ancilla y in o ation . In addition to its v lue esou ce p otection, it p ovides a
scientifically credible basis for determining the number Of permits to issue and areas open
r to hunting and t apping .
4 2 F ishin g
n m r m NP M m Fishing is recog ized as a legiti ate park use under certain ci cu stances . S anage ent
NPS 1 988a r r r will r Policies ( , p ovide that ec eational fishing be allowed in pa ks when
i r ri e or r . to autho z d , not specifically p oh bited , by fede al law Fishing is be conducted in
r ral r Of r acco dance with fede laws, t eaties, and applicable laws the state in which the pa k is
N r er ma r r t to i Of located . The ational Pa k S vice y est ict fishing ac ivities ach eve Objectives the
' " r m mm r al r l park s r esou ce manage ent plan . Co e cial fishing is lowed only whe e specifica ly
" authorized by federal law or treaty right
Fishing may be restricted to meet a number Of Objectives as part Of a fisheries management
r r m For m r r ma r endandered p og a exa ple, est ictions y be put in place to p otect species; for r r n or r for scientific study, inte p etatio , othe public benefits; species population management; to protect the integrity Of aquatic areas in natural zones; or to maintain fish as a f r f r f r r r m ar m o . e ood sou ce native wildli e species In gene al , stocking p og a s li ited to native species
3 6 PR ri r to mi on C Sec . gives the supe ntendent autho ity locally issue li ts activity within
r to f rt r m r of s f r r r 3 6 CPR pa ks u he a nu be Objectives (public a ety, esou ce p otection
3 c r ri r r 2 . ( ) p ovides that the supe ntendent will consult with app op iate State agencies before invoking the authority given in section except in cases Of emergency or areas Of exclusive
r ri 36 PR 2 3 r r r C . a fede al ju sdiction . ( ) p ovides that fishing will occu in acco dance with state
" " nonconflictin are r Of r law, and g State laws adopted as a pa t these egulations
out r r i Sec . sets a list Of p ohibited fishing p actices, including fish ng in locations that m r mm ight conflict with Othe public uses such as swi ing and boating (Sec . Section
r ri use Of r i r and ri p osc bes the ce ta n weapons, t aps nets, and section desc bes the
r conditions unde which the taking Of r esear ch specimens is allowed .
4 P 9 -43 9 4 r N r rv E m 1 9 7 L 3 Sec . c Big Thicket ational P ese e stablish ent Act Of [ , ( )] di ects that
rm to r c r fishing be pe itted . The intent was allow (p otect) the ontinuation Oft aditional uses Of
4 3 ma r ri o r m for wild lands Of the Big Thicket . These activities y be est cted to certain ar eas ti es
r f mi r r r r or m . easons Of public sa ety, ad nist ation, esou ce p otection, public use and enjoy ent
" E in m r r ri ff aft r xcept e e gencies, fishing est ctions shall be put into e ect only e consultation
" r ri For BTNP r ri with the app op ate State agency . , the app op ate state agency is the Texas
m Parks and Wildlife Depart ent .
NP 1 980 47 r r r m BTNP r M m S . The Gene al anage ent Plan ( , p ) ecognizes the equi e ents Of
" PL93 -43 9 r NPS e for and di ects that the will stablish an action plan hunting, fishing, and
r r i r trapping management to provide for resou ce p otection and v sito safety . The Plan states
49 r m m rm (p . ) that the hunting, fishing, and t apping anage ent action plan will dete ine the
r rm intensity and yearly distribution Of hunte s and fishe en .
r f m r m NP 99 5 1 1 - 1 2 BTNP t fo M S 1 a . The Final D a State ent anage ent ( , pp ) states that fishing in the N eches River and Little Pine Island Bayou is under the jurisdiction Of the Texas Parks
" and f rtm NP S r d m r r m r Wildli e Depa ent , while the has ju is iction in the nu e ous st ea s, c eeks,
" m r r r P rr and Of . N S r oxbows, sloughs in the ajo ity the P ese ve units ( exe cises concu ent
ri TPWD n r rm m ju sdiction with o the navigable st eams . ) A lack Of data to dete ine the i pact Of r r r mm r r m m ec eational o co e cial fishing is noted . It states that a fishe ies anage ent plan is
r r being p epa ed .
' BTNPStandar d Operating Procedure 94-7 1 4 1 -02 (Superintendent s Orders) (NPS 1 994a)
n t m r ri i does o ention any est ctions pertain ng to fishing beyond those set by state law .
ack r oun d . i r f r B g Public fish ng is allowed in acco dance with State and ede al law, and enforcement is shared with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (NPS 1 9 88b; NPS
r r are TPWD r ar e m State egulations gove ning fishing published annually by . The e so e
ff r i r rm TPWD r f r NPS 1 99 5 a di e ences n p actices pe itted by and those allowed unde ede al law ( ,
ff r r 1 1 to r n fu . pp . These di e ences have the potential gene ate un ecessa y con sion
Adherence to a single set Of fishing regulations within all areas Of BTNP would minimiz e
n r m fu and m . con sion and conflict , would si plify e fo ce ent
4 4 Fishing is probably the source Ofmost visitor hours spent in the Preserve (Callaway
c for r r are - s ecific r f r rm o n State li enses ec eational fishing not place p ; the e o e, info ation fishing
r m mi i r r r r r r . ar m use Of the P ese ve is not obtainable f o ad n st ative eco ds Su vey data e li ited .
TPWD monitoring programs provide only limited information about gamefish populations
N R r Har combe et al r the eches ive ( Additional catch data would be desi able, particularly with regard to the impacts Of practices pemritted by State regulations that are
r r r r u o mm r p ohibited unde fede al eg lations c e cial fishing and the use Of nets) .
Ranger monitoring Offishing practice and enforcement Of regulations is done infr equently because Of limited staff
TPWD recently reintroduced the endangered Paddlefish into the Upper and Lower N eches
R r ma 1 99 1 ive (Pit n ,
There is a potential for user conflict between fishers and hunters in the units near the water
rri r r ri f r . t o r co do s Visito safe y du ng hunting seasons, especially boate s, is dealt with by the prohibition Of hunting within 500 feet Of roads and watercour ses and the prohibition Of loaded guns in boats
o ibl e al r n a i e . r r rri r i f P ss te t v s With espect to fishing in the Wate Co do Un ts, the ollowing alternatives ar e identified :
r i r . u a Allow fishing in acco dance with ex sting eg lations .
r m r r TPWD r mm r b . P o ulgate new egulations th ough to p ohibit co e cial activity and use
Of nets .
R mm n d d en r l i l r rri r eco e e g e a gu de i ne. Fishing should be allowed in the rive co do units in
r n r r r to acco da ce with established state law, with any additional est ictions necessa y sustain
h r f r land/water r r r . fish populations, visito sa ety, and a st ong and esou ce p otection et ic R mm n m n m n i n eco e d ed a age e t act o s .
Promote adherence to applicable fishing laws thr ough casual field interviews initiated by
r n r r Range s o outine pat ol .
r m r i Reduce p oble s caused by inconsistencies between Fede al and State fish ng laws . This
can be accomplished in part by seeking the assistance Of TPWD in advising fishermen
i F r r r about compliance with Federal laws while fish ng in ede al p eserves and efuges . A
complete solution will involve switching to a single set Of fishing laws thr ough
r legislative action at the Fede al level .
r m f r r m r P o ote sa ety Of fishe s by continuing to p ovide educational ate ials and signage .
Acquire the fish population data necessary to assure that fish r esources are adequately
r h ma m r r f r fr m r r p otected . T is y be acco plished th ough t ans e o othe agencies, cont act
’ r r m ri f r r n R r r o stafi O . r r o esea ch, onito ng populations Fishe ha vest epo ts based ange
r f rm o n r inte views, which include in o ation size, weight , and condition Of ha vested fish,
Of ff r m fi r m f rm for well as level e o t and ode Of shing , can p ovide so e in o ation this
r pu pose .
Prepare fishing action plan per the directive Of the General Management Plan
B oatin g
Provision in the NP S organic act for public use and enj oyment Of park facilities can be
r rm Of r r al NPS M m const ued as pe issive ec eation boating and associated activities . anage ent
NPS 1 988a r as al r r Policies ( , specifically ecognize boating lowed in pa ks when autho ized , or r r r not specifically p ohibited , by fede al law . Boating is to be conducted in acco dance with f r r r . ede al laws, t eaties, and applicable laws Of the state in which the pa k is located The
' National Par k Service may restrict boating activities to achieve Objectives Of the park s r r m m n r n . W NPS esou ce a age ent pla hen boating is allowed , the will p ovide facilities such as
" boat ramps and sewage pump-out stations as appropriate for safe visitor enjoyment Ofwater
4 6
1 r in r o r ri . ( ) ope ating a vessel excess Of designated size, length width est ctions
m f r r r o . O r 82 Sec . establishes noise li its boats pe ating a vessel at noise levels g eate than decibels measured at a distance Of 82 feet (2 5 meters) from the vessel is prohibited and testing
r r p ocedu es are established .
N r r E m 1 9 74 PL93 -43 9 r r n Big Thicket ational P ese ve stablish ent Act Of [ ] cites the p ese vatio ,
r r r r re n conse vation, and p otection Of the natu al , scenic, and ec atio al values Of a significant
" " portion Of the Big Thicket area in the State Of Texas and the enhancement and public
" ' " f r r r r 4 b r m r f r o . . enjoy ent the eo , as the eason the p ese ve s c eation Sec ( ) p ovides that in the
" interest Of maintaining ecological integrity Of the pr eserve construction Of facilities and the
r r e mi r use Of motorized wate vehicles (among othe uses) will b li ted and cont olled .
B ral M m N S 1 9 80 1 6 - 1 8 r r TNP P . The Gene anage ent Plan ( , pp ) establishes ec eation zones
f N within which uses such as boating are appropriate . Continued boating use O the eches
R r an r m 69 r US . ive and Little Pine Isl d Bayou downst ea Of the b idge was anticipated , and
r f upg ading Of existing access points and construction O new sites was planned (p . All
r m r t N R r n r m f 69 - st ea s (othe han the eches ive and Little Pine Isla d Bayou downst ea O US . p .
including the Menard Creek Corridor unit and the Little Pine Island Bayou unit upstream
" 69 ri mal r f - US . are nn or n Of the b dge pla ed to have s l wate access points ha d launched boats,
" m r n 5 f ot . . 4 53 et . and use Of oto s will exceed hp (p Table O the Plan (p . seq ) lists
r r M n r M m Inte p etive edia plan ed in co njunction with boat launch and othe sites . The anage ent
r no i r l r rri r Plan p ovides that hik ng t ails will be developed a ong wate co do s (p .
The General Management Plan reiterates the limits on recr eational development and
mm i m r f r co unicates the ph losophy that ost suppo t acilities will be located outside the p eserve .
r m r f r for r t m n r h The e is an i plied p e e ence p iva e develop ent and ow e s ip Ofthese facilities .
B r m f r M m NP 1 99 5 9 - 1 0 m TNP a ft o S a . The Fin l D a State ent anage ent ( , pp ) entions boating in
r r r r r a list Of current rec eational uses Ofwate s Of the P ese ve . It also notes that inc easing boat
N r m ar use has created a demand for boating related concessions . O boat a ps e discussed in the
4 8 f 24 ar r f rm acilities maintenance section (pp . Two sites e noted in the backg ound in o ation
' 41 r m M n n f N R r on . . c uee s o O facilities (p , p a a p at Q Landing the east side the eches ive
Dam r m n f N R r o . below B , and a a p at the co fluence the eches ive and Pine Island Bayou
' BTNP Standard Operating Procedure 94-7 1 41 -02 (Superintendent s Orders) (NPS l 994a)
S 3 20 not m r r r to r n ec . . a does ention any est ictions pe taining boating, othe tha ( ) which
r r n N R r p ovides that wate skiing is al lowed o the eches ive and Pine Island Bayou . Boating is
managed under general NPS regulations and those Ofthe State Of Texas .
State boat r egistration is enforced by Ranger s under a general MOU with the Texas Parks and
f m r NP S r 26 1 9 75 Wildli e Depart ent cove ing all a eas in Texas and initially signed June , , and r P 9 7 5 1 99 5 3 7 e ri 4 1 987 N S 1 . enew d Ap l , ( , , pp
ack r ound R r rr r two B g . ive co ido units fall into distinct types, those associated with the
N R r U r N R r rri r N m r eches ive ( ppe eches ive Co do Unit , eches Botto and Jack Go e Baygall
o r N N h R r rri r m U i and Unit , L we eches ec es ive Co do Unit , Beau ont n t , the Little Pine Island
rri r 69 ri wi r r Bayou Co do Unit below the US . b dge) and those associated th its t ibuta ies (Pine
B a i l 69 ri r Island you/L tt e Pine Island Bayou above the US . b dge and Village C eek) and
M ar r ri r Of ri R r a Of r m are en d C eek, a t buta y the T nity ive . Bec use these two type st ea s so
ff r r r c sar di e ent, they will be conside ed sepa ately as ne es y in this and following boating
subsections .
is r rri r r r and m r Public use allowed in the wate co do s Of the P ese ve, boating is a ajo use Ofthe m r r m r r m to r . P ese ve, in spite Of a li ited nu be Of boat a ps and access points the wate ways
Most Of the boat r amps are administer ed by entities Other than the NPS (Texas Department Of
r r r ri al 4 ur r T anspo tation, Ha din County, and p vate individu s) . (See Table and Fig e Pa tly
r Of Of Of f r as a esult this, the level use these acilities is unce tain (Callaway
M r n two BTNP r m r m r rm aintenance pe son el visit the a ps eve y onth, and pe fo close visual
r r m r inspections about once eve y th ee onths . If possible, they will Obse ve boat launches and o r r to rm an m are r r r c nve se with boate s dete ine if y aintenance actions equi ed . Acco ding to m a r r O -Confluence r m NPS ainten nce Obse vations, the Fou aks boat a p, which was built by , is
’ Mc ueen s r m r Old an . d heavily used The Q Landing boat a p , which is ve y accessed by a long
r m do not r r m r r m r r . a or . di t oad, is less heavily used The a ps equi e uch actual ep i aintenance
R ri r ff m r r r anger monito ng is const ained by sta levels . Because Of the ti e equi ed to cove
r r r m m distances between the launch sites, pat ol Of launch a eas is ext e ely li ited .
m r- r d r r for c an and . . r The e is a potential onflict between oto boate s ( jet skis) othe s (e g , fishe s,
- - mi b m mm r non m r r . swi e s, oto boate s) This can be tigated y establish ent Of zones which segr egate incompatible activities or minimize incompatibilities thr ough restrictions on boats horse hower m r - or r ( p li its) , boat Ope ation (such as the no wake zone at Lakeview) , othe
1 996 f w m r r i . to e activ ties Up , co plaints have been logged in the incident epo t files, and ,
N m fo r a r r r . r a except the L keview a ea, no safety incidents have been epo ted eve theless, it y be
r r r m It r to p udent to delineate additional zones befo e p oble s arise . is also desi able put appropriate mechanisms in place to allow monitoring Of public activity and early detection Of
m r r ri r r r conflicts that ay equi e delineation Of ve ec eation zones .
n r m al r r r ca r . Boating so poses potential th eats to esou ces . Wakes exace bate bank e osion So e
" r al N R r wake e osion has been noted at Pine Island Bayou , Cook s Lake and ong the eches ive
r al mm R BTNP NP 1 2 r . S (Pe son co unication with Appling, , , Ap il Deposition Of
m n r r r r m hu an feces o sandba s and into the wate can potential ly c eate contamination p oble s .
Picnicking on beaches accessible only by boat can result in deposition Oftrash that is difficult f r NP r fr m r f r o S to . are o collect Sand ba s visited in equently by aintenance pe sonnel cleanup,
ar u r r r o mm Ra M r BTNP NPS . p tic la ly in the winte season (Pe sonal c unication with y a tinez, , )
h al ma r r m are m or W ile all these potenti ly y have esou ce i pacts, they ostly nuisances
i ni i rr Of r r T r r r m d sarne t es . O r at cu ent levels ive use p event esou ce issues f o developing, and
m i m t Of r r r also to ainta n the a eni y value clean wate ways and sandba s, egulations need to be posted and widely communicated and sanitary facilities need to be provided at key locations m to promote appropriate disposal oftrash and hu an wastes .
5 0 Table 4 : List ofBoat Ramps and water access points
r 3 Ma Of ram Figu e . p boat ps r r The e is a potential safety issue elated to existence Of snags, abandoned Oil wells and
ral r r r r et al pipelines . Seve st uctu es we e noted in field Obse vations (Callaway Lighted
m r r M / r r warning ake s have been suggested as one safety featu e . aps and o wa nings could be
r r r r n BTNP included as pa t Of gene al b ochu es o boating in .
Of r rr r n ri r out Of Public use the wate co ido s is i fluenced by canoe live es Ope ating Houston,
m a x r r m Beau ont , Kountze, and Silsbee (C llaway These e isting live ies p o ote public use
r r m m mi m r Of Of the P ese ve; at the sa e ti e they li t use, since the nu be canoes available is
m Gi m mb r BTNP ff for m r r li ited . ( ven the s all nu e Of sta available onito ing use, a ough estimate Of canoe pressure could be gained by having volunteers count car s/boats on Village
r H 327 4 1 8 or r r m r i / out C eek at ighways , A fo eseeable p oble is pa k ng at put in take locations some degradation Of habitat has been Observed around the bridges over Village
r r r rr r m r rv C eek in the p oposed Village C eek Co ido . Li ited pa king space also se es as a
r r r n m r f rri r h m p actical est iction o the nu be O boats and canoes in the co do s . T is is itigated in
r Of r r i r r m of 2 r pa t by use the Village C eek State Pa k lot , wh ch equi es pay ent a $ state pa k
r fee r al mm i N O r r m r R r BTNP ent y (Pe son co un cation with elda ve st eet, Ti be idge Tou s) .
l mi r r rmi for ri r r r or who run could i t use by equi ing pe ts live es, tou ope ato s, guides fee
r wi r r rm r as h r Ope ations thin the p ese ve . Pe itting could also se ve a ve icle to assu e that livery operators have appropriate liability coverage and pay attention to regulations that promote
r r r r visito safety and esou ce p otection .
o ibl alter n a i . r r rri r P ss e t ves With espect to boating in the Wate Co do Units, the following alternatives ar e identified :
1 r r r m r r ) Actively discou age public boating use th ough p o ulgation Of est ictive policies .
2) Actively encourage public boating use thr ough construction Of additional boat r amps and other facilities at access points where appropriate and consistent with use zones Ofthe
corridor s .
3 M i ) ainta n the status quo .
R mm n d n r al ui l in r BTNP r eco e ed ge e g d e e. The gene al policy Of with espect to boating use
5 2 OfWater Corridor Units should be to promulgate such policies and regulations that promote s ri r Of r r afe, enjoyable boating expe ences consistent with p otection esou ces and Of quality Of
r ri the outdoo expe ence .
n n m n i n Recomme d ed ma age e t act o s .
Promote adherence to boat registration and boating safety laws thr ough field interviews
Ra r on routine/casual r r r initiated by nge s a basis, as well as outine pat ols at st ategic places
m and ti es .
Initiate monitoring progr ams to track visitor satisfaction and resource quality to provided
f r i r r al rr rr r a basis o identify ng the ec eation ca ying capacity Of the co ido s .
Produce and distribute additional information brochur es identifying Opportunities for safe
r r - m r r r r r and esou ce co patible ec eational use . Conside dist ibution to ta geted audiences
mm r ri r such as those found at co e cial outlets cate ng to boate s .
Acquire the data necessary to assure that biotic r esources are not impaired by boating
m m fr m . a r r r r r r r uses This y be acco plished th ough t ansfe o othe agencies, cont act esea ch,
or ff m r Of sta onito ing populations and bank conditions .
r for r v Add ess the use Ofboats hunting, t apping and fishing acti ities in the hunting,
trapping and fishing action plan to be prepared as dir ected by the General Management
Plan .
Maintain NPS boat r amps in safe condition with suitable facilities for trash and human
waste disposal .
Swimming and Picn icking
u h r i 1 9 6 r r f r m A t o ty. The 1 NPS o ganic act ( 1 6 USC 1) p ovision o public use and enjoy ent
n r rri r can be construed as permissive Of swimming and picknicki g activities in the wate co do s . NPS M m NPS 1 9 88 r n mmi and n anage ent Policies ( , , specifically ecog ize swi ng pic icking
r r acitiv- al r r or r i as ec eational ities lowed in pa ks when autho ized , not specifically p oh bited , by f ral R r are to r r ede law . ec eational activities be conducted in acco dance with fede al laws, r Of r N r t eaties, and applicable laws the state in which the pa k is located and the ational Pa k
’ Service may r estrict recr eational activities to achieve Objectives Of the park s resource
management plan .
NPS Management Policies state that a river management plan will be developed for
r r f r R r r r o o . each pa k having significant levels Of ive use, the potential such use ive
r m on r r E management plans are intended to p event unacceptable i pacts aquatic esou ces . ach
r f r f m plan is requir ed to add ess the disposal O e use and hu an waste .
3 6 FR ri r m on C Sec . gives the supe ntendent autho ity to locally issue li its activity within
r to r r m r Of r r r 3 6 CPR pa ks fu the a nu be Objectives (public safety, esou ce p otection
r r are r l 1 4 USC 3 3 CPR 46 CPR 49 CPR p ovides that wate use activities gove ned by Tit e , , and as well as NPS regulations and those Of the State; the superintendent is authorized to act as
" " Of r f r captain the port unde ede al laws .
3 6 CPR pr ovides a list Of prohibited boating operations that includes : (d) and (e) operating a vessel in excess Of 5 mph or creating a wake in designated areas Ofwithin 1 00
mm r or 500 w mm : feet Of swi e s, within feet Of a s i ing beach
r r r Sec . p ovides that picnicking is allowed , except in designated a eas closed unde Sec .
The superintendent may establish conditions for picnicking and the violation Of those
r i conditions in p oh bited .
ri r mm . ma Sec . details p ohibited activities associated with swi ing The supe ntendent y
r estrict activities at designated swimming beaches (Sec .
Bi N r r E b hm Act 1 974 PL93 -439 c r r g Thicket ational P ese ve sta lis ent Of [ ] ites the p ese vation,
5 4
r fr . r r (p Alcoholic beve ages are p ohibited om all Ofthe designated r ecreational a eas (p .
ack r oun d r rr r r r mm B g . Public use is allowed in the wate co ido s Of the P ese ve, and swi ing and
f f rm n rr f f picnicking ar e traditional uses O the area . In o ation o the cu ent level O use O the r ecr eational ar eas is inadequate to determine carrying capacity Of the river corridors (Callaway
l i l r in h water or r id o r cl o d d ur in h f r kn Tab e 5 . Recr eat ona use a eas t e c s se g ours o d a ess hour after sun set un til ho ur befor e s un r ise
Beaumont Unit ' v r i mm r Of r of Lake iew Sandba (Lakev ew Beach) swi ing a ea, west Booth s Bayou (pa t Tract 1 94-0 1 )
Pine Island B ayou/Little Pine Island Bayou Corridor Unit Edgewater Day Use Ar ea (part Of Tract 1 89 - 1 9)
l 6 R c r ea ional use ar a in th w er c r r id or s o en for u i Tab e . e t e s e at o p p bl c use m m l e m a. . to p . . ; c os d pm . to a. .
Neches B ottom/Jack Gore Baygal l Unit Fr anklin Lake r ecreational use ar ea m r R r r a r N R r Ti be Slough oad ec e tional use a ea, at eches ive
Lower Neches River Corridor Unit Hi h 96 r r r E ri g way ec eational use a ea, vadale B dge
Beaumont Unit n r r l r m r r r O R R Co fluence ec eationa use and boat a p pa king a ea, Fou aks anch oad F r Oa R R r cr r r a F r Oa R R ou ks anch oad e eational use and pa king a e , ou ks anch oad
5 6 Pine Island Bayou/Little Pine Island Bayou Corridor Unit ' Cook s Lake Road recreational use and par king area
Menard Creek Conidor Unit Holly Gr ove recreational use and parking area Whoop-N -Holler recreational use ar ea R r m i r r ff m r r r ange on to ing is const ained by sta levels . Because Of the ti e equi ed to cove m r r r r r r tr m . distances between the ec eational sites, pat ol Of ec eational a eas is ex e ely li ited
There is a potential for conflict between r ecreational users Of the Pr eserve and neighbors near
F r r m f r r a r . o O r are f r o . the ec e tional a eas this eason, ost the a eas designated day use (See
Tables 5 and 6 and Figure There is also a potential for conflict among users Ofthe
' r- r r w mm r r r r r : m . . r r P ese ve s wate esou ces oto boate s (and jet skis) and othe s (e g , fishe s, s i e s,
-m r- r m m h r non oto boate s) . This can be itigated by establish ent Of zones w ich seg egate incompatible uses or minimize incompatibilities thr ough restrictions on boats (horsepower
n - T 1 996 m m or r o . O li its) boat Ope ation (such as the wake zone at Lakeview) , few co plaints or r r and safety incidents have been logged in the incident epo t files, those which have been
i ma r r ri m m filed occur mostly at Lakev ew . It y be p udent to put app op ate echanis s in place to allow monitoring Of public activities and early detection Of conflicts that may require
r r r r a delineation Of ive ec e tion zones .
mmi and r r r m r m Swi ng picnicking can be a th eat to esou ces . Hu an and othe waste ust be
f r r i on n n r r disposed O p ope ly . Picnick ng beaches accessible o ly by boat ca esult in t ash
m r r m r . a a e m deposition While all these potentially y have esou ce i pacts, they ostly nuisances or disarnenities rr f r r S O to r r r fr m at cu ent levels O ive use . as p event esou ce issues o
and to m i m n r r developing, also a ntain the a enity value Of clea wate ways and sandba s, regulations need to be posted and sanitary facilities need to be provided to promote
r ri f r m app op ate disposal O t ash and hu an wastes .
W r mm i o ibl a r na i . r rr r P ss e lte t ves ith espect to swi ing and picn cking in the Wate Co ido Units, the following alternatives are identified :
r r r m f r ri Actively discou age public use th ough p o ulgation O est ctive policies .
Actively encourage public use through construction Of additional facilities as curr ently
designated day use sites and designate additional sites . M aintain the status quo .
5 8
R mm n n r l uid lin r f B mmi eco e d ed ge e a g e e. The gene al policy O TNP with respect to swi ng and picnicking use Of the Water Corridor Units should be to promulgate such policies and r r m r r r r Of egulations that p o ote safe, enjoyable ec eational expe iences consistent with p otection r r f f r ri esou ces and O quality O the outdoo expe ence .
R n n i n ecommend ed ma ageme t act o s .
Promote adherence to Preserve visitor use and safety regulations thr ough casual field
rvi i R r r r r u r r r inte ews in tiated by ange s on outine pat ol , as well as by eg la pat ols at st ategic
places and times .
I m r r r m r r f r r nitiate onito ing p og a s to t ack visito satis action and esou ce quality, so as to
rr f rri r identify tthe recreational ca ying capacity O the co do s .
Produce additional information brochures identifying opportunities for safe and resource
m r r al co patible ec eation use .
C am ping
u ho r it . m r m r r r r m A t y Ca ping is ecognized as a legiti ate pa k use unde ce tain ci cu stances .
NP S M m NPS l 988a r r r m anage ent Policies ( , p ovide that ec eational ca ping will be a r ri or not ec ca r b b federal m llowed in pa ks when autho zed , sp ifi lly p ohi ited , y law . Ca ping ma r ri N r rv r r r r r for y be est cted by the ational Pa k Se ice to p otect pa k esou ces, p ovide public
m r m s m im r r enjoy ent , p o ote public afety, and in ize conflicts with othe visito activities and
" par k uses
NPS M m r r mi r f anage ent Policies define backcount y as p i tive, undeveloped po tions O
m r r . r s s f pa ks Within these a ea the nu be and types Of facilitie , including sanitation acilities, to support visitor use are to be very limited A backcountry management plan must incorporate management strategies to prevent unacceptable impacts Of visitor use The
Policies provide that NPS will : ( 1 ) identify acceptable limits Of impacts; (2) monitor backcountry use levels and resource conditions; and (3) take prompt corr ective action when
6 0 unacceptable impacts occur Backcountry campsites may be permitted within acceptable limits Of use
' m r m NPS M m r for r m r In so e ci cu stances, anage ent Policies p ovide boate s ca pg ounds in
" parks with waters used for recr eational boating These campgrounds are to be considered only after considering : the type Ofwater body; the availability and resiliency Of
a m tlhe r i m m r potenti l ca psites; feasibility Of p ov ding and aintaining docking, beaching, oo ing,
m and s r f m on r ral r r r ca ping, anita y acilities; and potential i pacts pa k natu and cultu al esou ces
3 6 CPR ri r m Sec . gives the supe ntendent autho ity to locally issue li its on activity within
r f r r m r f r r r 2 0 to O . 1 a pa ks u the a nu be Objectives (public safety, esou ce p otection Sec . ( )
al r ri ma r r rm or r specific ly p ovides that the supe ntendent y equi e pe its, designate sites a eas, and
establish conditions for camping .
Prohibited acitivities include :
( 1 ) digg ing or leveling the gr ound at a campsite; 2 m m r or refir se ft r r fr m ( ) leaving ca ping equip ent, site alte ations, a e depa ting o the campsite; 3 m i 2 5 Of r r or m r or 1 00 Of ( ) ca ping w thin feet a wate hyd ant ain oad, within feet a r m ri r or r n flowing st ea , ve body Ofwate , except as desig ated; 4 r or r m m a. . ( ) c eating sustaining un easonable noise between the p . and (5) installing permanent camping facilities; 6 f r or r r m r f ( ) displaying wildli e ca casses othe e ains, except as p ovided in Sec . wildli e protection; 7 n to m ( ) con ecting a utility syste , except as designated; 8 f rm r r r d ( ) ailing to Obtain a pe it , whe e equi e ; (9) violating conditions established by the superintendent; 1 0 m f ( ) ca ping outside O designated sites or areas .
Bi h N r r E m Of 1 9 74 PL93 -43 9 1 a g T icket ational P ese ve stablish ent Act [ , Sec ( )] states that
Of r Of r rv r r r r Of one the pu poses the P ese e is to p otect natu al , scenic, and ec eational values the
r and r f r m m f a ea to p ovide o enhance ent and public enjoy ent O the Big Thicket . Public use ma r r c r r s or m for r m m n r y be est icted to e tain a ea ti es easons Of hu an safety, ad i ist ation, r rc r or m esou e p otection, public use and enjoy ent . BTNP r M m NPS 1 980 50 r m for The Gene al anage ent Plan ( , p . ) states that gene al develop ent
" n r rim m n of camping is ot planned . Backcount y p itive ca ping is allowed in designated u its
r r r rr r N B ottom/Jack r the P ese ve within the wate co ido s, only the eches Go e Baygall Unit
m r r m m r i was named as a backcountry ca ping a ea . A p i itive ca ping a ea is identified with n that
- area; a self contained toilet is the onl y facility envisioned (p .
The BTNP Final Draft Statement for Management (NPS 1 99 5a) does not mention camping in
f r rv its discussion Of public use O the P ese e .
' r r r 94-7 1 4 1 -02 r Or r NPS 1 994a BTNP Standard Ope ating P ocedu e (Supe intendent s de s) ( ) Sec .
m r to r m m r rt to . pe ains ca ping A eas open backcount y ca ping include, a ong Othe s, the
m N B ottom/Jack r r N R r Beau ont Unit , eches Go e Baygall Unit; sandba s along the eches ive
r N R r m within the Preserve bounda y; and islands within the eches ive (p . Ca ping is prohibited on thr ee sandbars which are designated for more intensive day use : Lakeview
r s r Or r r fr m r sandba , the andba in ange County di ectly ac oss o Lakeview, and the sandba
r m r R r ri located at the easte n end Of Ti be Slough oad in Ha din County (p . Du ng hunting season (October 1 thr ough January 1 5) all Of the Neches B ottom/Jack Gore Baygall Unit is closed to camping; portions Of the Beaumont Unit and all Of the Neches River units are open
-r to camping year ound (p .
rm ar e r re for r am rm Pe its equi d in advance backcount y c ping (p Pe its, with
m n for use are r l to m m r rt or acco pa ying conditions , issued in pe son on y a e be Of the pa y , to the
r Of mm r r ri holde a Co e cial Use License exp essly autho zing this activity (p .
ack r o un d . O r m a h BTNP B g nly backcount y ca ping is llowed wit in the . This is consistent
r Of r r r r r n f r with the pu poses establishing the pa k as a natu al p ese ve . The Gene al Pla calls o minimal development within the par k Through participation with state and local
r r m r r a r r for g oups dealing with tou is and ec e tion, such as the Southeast Texas Pa tne ship
ri m R r E r nm NP S r m Of Tou s , ec eation and the nvi o ent , the has encou aged the develop ent
rt r b ri r r 1 994 suppo ing se vices outside the ounda es Of the P ese ve (Callaway ,
6 2
mm n m n m n i n Reco e d ed a age e t act o s .
Promote adherence to applicable backcountry camping r egulations thr ough casual field
r n r r interviews initiated by Range s o outine pat ols .
r m Of m r r m r P o ote safety ca pe s by continuing to p ovide educational ate ials and signage,
particularly at river access points .
Acquire the data necessary to assur e that resources in visitor use areas are adequately
r s r f rm r r 1 r Of p otected . The neces a y in o ation can be acqui ed th ough ( ) annual eview
r ecords and incident reports; (2) annual visual assessment oftrash loads and camper
impact on sandbar vegetation and bank conditions; and (3 ) water quality monitoring at
sites near camping areas .
Adopt formal name for the two unnamed sandbars on which backcountry camping is
r r mm n p ohibited to bette co u icate with the public .
Review and update the Backcountry Cammng Management Plan periodically at least
r r once eve y five yea s .
H ouseb oa ts in the BTNP
ack r oun d. are Of r r B g Houseboats a special case boating use Of the P ese ve . Houseboats
6 1 853 0 6 rm Re . . 2 5 1 99 m r . . N (Fed g Vol , P , June , ) have been pe anently oo ed on the eches
R r ri ri r r ri r nr f r ive and its t buta es within P ese ve bounda es, elatively u egulated , since be o e
r Of r r m ri Of n r B c eation the P ese ve . The ajo ty houseboat ow e s have been identified by TNP
al r R r m r Of r r ff . r sta as loc esidents epo tedly, the nu be houseboats has inc eased in ecent yea s;
' r m m r ar e howeve , syste atically collected data to docu ent that t end not available .
r r or m or r Until ecently, specific egulations policies to li it cont ol houseboat activities in the
r r x r r as rt i P ese ve did not e ist . Howeve , boating egulations such those pe aining to san tation
6 4 refir se fire r r o n r a and , extinguishe s, and pe sonal flotation devices boa d lso apply to
r e r r r r houseboats . It has been p opos d that all houseboats within the P ese ve be equi ed to Obtain
r r r fi' om r NP 1 994 1 99 rm S a . 5 a pe it and post a decal visible to P ese ve pe sonnel the wate ( ) In , regulations for houseboats in the Preserve were proposed in order to strengthen the Preserve
NE r r f r r ff to m m of . o and sta s ability anage i pacts houseboats PA p ocedu es analysis, eview
mm r r r a r 5 1 996 co ent we e initiated and p oposed egul tions we e published in the June , issue of
6 1 e r l R r . . the F de a egiste (Vol , p
m r i r r r of r I pacts to water co r d o r esou c es . The p esence houseboats th eatens habitat r M r r r m rr esources in several ways . oo ing and access p actices esult in da age to su ounding
r r of m r . and vegetation and in bank e osion Wate pollution (discha ge sewage, ani al fish
m f r r a o m r . are r of e ins, and poaching fish and ga e have been epo ted Houseboats a sou ce noise pollution in backcountry areas and many are aesthetically displeasing to other Preserve
r rm m - rm m r r . or r r visito s By pe anent se i pe anent oo ing, the houseboats p event othe visito s
to m r of r r s r . a r r access so e pa ts the P ese ve Houseboats can be a afety h za d to othe boate s, and m are r f r m r n any unsafe to thei occupants . Law en o ce ent pe so nel have voiced concerns about the suspected use of houseboats as a platform or vehicle fo r activities which may include
h al d r l c r use an f t . poac ing, illeg fishing, illegal d ug othe un aw ul a tivi y
on id er ation fo r NPS r ar ch l an . To r m of NPS C s s ese p deal with the p oble houseboats, needs : 1 ) a field survey to confirm houseboat presence in tributaries to as well as the main channel ofthe Neches River; and 2) documentation of negative impacts of houseboats (water qual ity samples; photos of damaged shoreline vegetation; law enforcement incidents reports) to r r m suppo t enfo ce ent activities .
R com m end d man a m en i n ral ma NP r e e ge t act o s . Seve actions y help the S add ess the houseboat issue
Work with TNRCC and LNV A on water quality sampling to determine impacts of
houseboats .
Increase Ranger presence to document impacts ofhouseboats and discourage unlawful activities .
r Work with State and Federal law enfo cement agencies re possible drug activities .
r r r m t r rv Rigo ously enforce egulations to cont ol i pac s within the P ese e .
Issue no permits for houseboats not curr ently located within the Preserve and do not allow
f r eplacement o existing houseboats .
Min er al E xtr action and Tr anspor t
The Big Thicket area historically has been the scene of Oil and gas extraction and tr ansport
ri al r r r r activities . These histo c uses we e ecognized in the legislation autho izing c eation of the
r r m r of or a oil are r P ese ve . A nu be active ab ndoned wells and and gas pipelines p esent within
r rv al of 3 2 r r the P ese e . A tot pipelines have been identified within the P ese ve, with an aditional seven within o ne mile ofthe boundaries of the BTNP (NP S Some ofthese
rr r facilities are in or near the water co ido s .
Meander of the N eches River has resulted in some abandoned wells originally located on the
r i f r r r r fo r are sho e now lying w thin the bounds o the ive . The st uctu es these wells now a
r m i r ma r to . r r r r haza d boate s Si ila ly, pipelines c ossing the ve y be a boating haza d when they
rf r r r r f lie near the su ace o above wate at the river banks . The eco ds floods O October 1 994 and the r elated pipeline spills and fire in the Houston ar ea under score the danger of pipeline
r r r m r r m ope ations in a flood haza d area . Pet oleu o pet oche ical spills in the waterways could
' r rm r r f do conside able ha to the a ea s wate quality, aquatic habitat , and aquatic li e, as well as
m r r l an of r rri r negatively i pacting public use Of the P ese ve . A though y the wate co do s could
ff e N R r of ma r r r r be a ect d , the eches ive , because its size, y ep esent the g eatest flood haza d to
as f and m ri of or fire r Oil and g acilities be ost at sk pipeline spill catast ophe .
Pipeline facilities may also have an impact because of clearing activities or fragmentation of
l r r r m r r rri r . habitat , a though this is possibly a g eate p oble in upland a eas than in the wate co do s
The effects of fragmentation o n floodplain forest habitat wer e discussed above in section
r r i r r m m of oil an d Impacts to water co d o es our ces . The ost likely i pact gas activities to
6 6 BTNP habitat resources is the fragmentation of habitat r esulting fr om the construction of
r r Oil ma m structures or land clearing elated to ope ations . and gas activities y i pact the habitat
m rm f r r m r f resources ofthe water corridors through i pai ent o wate quality f o spills . The isk o
r r fire associated with a spill also represents a thr eat to species esou ces .
m on and r r r In addition to potential i pacts habitat species esou ces, the p esence of pipeline
crossings and abandoned wells in the streams is an administrative issue because of human use
r ofthe Neches River and a co ncern fo r boate safety .
l n r C o nsid er ation s for NPS r esear ch p a . The e are no specific additional information needs
m identified at this ti e .
R mm n m i n r NP eco e d ed manage ent act o s. Seve al actions could aid the S in addressing the potential impacts of Oil and gas activities in the Preserve
Review BTNP Oil and Gas Management Plan for responsiveness to resource and
m r r ad inist ative conce ns .
Work with Oil and gas and pipeline companies to develop appropriate operating plans for
r BTNP thei activities in the .
Work with other agencies and Oil and gas industry to develop appropriate standards for
or r pipelines in sensitive haza dous locales .
T r ash a n d W aste Disposal
uth r it r NP r 1 1 f r A o y . P ovision in the S o ganic act ( 6 USC ) o public use and enjoyment can be
r rm r co nst ued as pe itting activities that are necessary fo public use in the water corridors .
" NPS M m NPS l 988a ri r m m anage ent Policies ( , state that a ve anage ent plan will be
f r i r r r d o r a of ri o fo . develope each pa k hav ng signific nt levels ve use, the potential such use
R r m m r r ive anagement plans are intended to prevent unacceptable i pacts on aquatic esou ces .
E a r r m ach pl n is r equi ed to add ess the disposal of refir se and hu an waste . 3 6 FR S r ri to c m n C ec . gives the supe intendent autho ty lo ally issue li its o activity within
m r f r r r to f r r o s r . pa ks u the a nu be objectives (public afety, esou ce p otection Sec
r i e r a r . p ovides that picnick ng is allowed , except in designat d a e s closed unde Sec The superintendent may establish conditionsfor picnicking and the violation of those conditions is
prohibited .
N r r E m of 1 974 PL93 -43 9 r r Big Thicket ational P ese ve stablish ent Act [ ] cites the p ese vation,
r r of r r r l of conse vation, and p otection the natu al , scenic, and ec eational va ues a significant
" " portion of the Big Thicket ar ea in the State of Texas and the enhancement and public
' " v r 4 r m r f r for r r . . b enjoy ent the eo , as the eason the p ese e s c eation Sec ( ) p ovides that in the
" inter est of maintaining ecological integrity ofthe preserve construction of facilities and the
r r mi r use of motorized wate vehicles (among othe uses) will be li ted and cont olled .
B r M m NP 1 80 1 6 - 8 TNP S 9 . 1 r r The Gene al anage ent Plan ( , pp ) establishes ec eation zones .
The Gener al Management Plan reiterates the limits on r ecr eational development and communicates the philosophy that as many support facilities will be located outside the
r r " r m r r f r ri m w p ese ve . The e is an i plied p efe ence o p vate develop ent and o nership ofthese
facilities .
ack r ound . r rr r of r r m B g Public use is allowed in the wate co ido s the P ese ve . Hu an and other
m of r r on r waste ust be disposed p ope ly . Picnicking beaches accessible only by boat can esult
r l ma r r m . a l in t ash deposition While these potentially y have esou ce i pacts, field reco nnaisance (Callaway et al 1 99 3 ) indicates that they are mostly nuisances or disarnenities
rr f ri r BTNP m n r n r rt r m at cu ent levels o ve use . ( aintena ce pe so nel epo that collections f o the entire Preserve amount to two four-cubic-yard dumpsters filled up each week; Personal
mm i Ra M r BTNP NP S To r r r t z . fr m co un cation with y a ine , , ) p event esou ce issues o
o m a m n of r and r developing, and als to aint in the a e ity value clean wate ways sandba s, regulations need to be posted and sanitary facilities need to be provided to promote
appropriate disposal oftrash and human wastes . B f r r f r r TNP Maintenance Division sta f outinely p ovide o t ash and waste collection . The dispersed nature ofthe Preserve units would make it difficult to contract privately for these
r ar r r al e . se vices . Dispos se vices cont acted when possible
l r n i r f r r re m Possibl e a te at ves . Alte natives o t ash and waste disposal a li ited .
R mm n n r l uid lin r ofBTNP r r eco e d ed ge e a g e es . The gene al policy with espect to t ash and human waste disposal should be to pr ovide only those facilities which ar e r equired to support
r r r l levels of use that will not pose a thr eat to natu al esou ces . Waste disposa should be carried
f r r m r T out in a manner that meets all state and ede al envi on ental egulations . o the extent
r for al m of r r e . p acticabl , facilities waste dispos should be sought outside the li its the P ese ve
R n m n ecommend ed ma age e t action s .
1 nf rm r m r ri of r m ) Post i o ation p o oting app op ate disposal t ash and hu an wastes .
2 r i r and m f ) P ov de t ash hu an waste disposal acilities at day use sites .
3 r r r m of ) P ovide egula cleaning and aintenance waste disposal facilities .
4 r for Off- r s r al of s s r ) Cont act P e e ve dispos wa te wheneve possible .
5 r r ri s to a r al ) Wo k with othe ju dictions develop lte native dispos sites .
River Acces s
ack r und r f B g o . A p ovision o the General Management Plan dictates that no linear trails will
r rr r m l m r f r i . c o st earns de be developed in the wate co ido s This, oupled with the s a l nu be sites
fo r m ar e n r r v n suitable develop ent as day use eas includ d withi the P ese e, co fines public
m of r rri r r h - - r rr enjoy ent the wate co do s p incipally to o the wate activities . Cu ent access to the
r rri r m r ri r r r m r and . m wate co do s is ainly at oad b dge c ossings A ve y few boat a ps, ost p ivately
n r f 4 r r r ow ed , p ovide launching acilities (see Table and Figu e A few day use a eas p ovide
i and m mmi r n see 5 6 r v ewing, in so e instances, swi ng oppo tu ities ( Tables and and Figu e
m f r This li itation o facilities fo access has both positive and negative aspects . On the positive
m m r of r c r i on m r of r side, li iting the nu be and size facilities se ves as a onst a nt the nu be visito s to the water co rridors and decreas es the pressure of human use on the natural resources . It
also mi nimizes the amount of habitat fragmentation caused by development of such facilities .
7 0
On rr mi on ma r r r r the negative side, cu ent li tations access y est ict use of the P ese ve
s ri r i of r r unneces a ly . It is possible that public use, and thus public ecogn tion the P ese ve, could be increased beyond curr ent levels without seriously impairing the quality of the natural
ll resource if facilities were carefii y developed .
i l l i Poss b e a ter nat ves .
1 ) Increase river access by developing sites within the Pr eserve for canoe and boat launch
or day use and/or Oooperatively advertising private launch ar eas .
r ri r r r m of for 2) Cont ol ve acc ess by est icting develop ent new sites public access .
r 3 ) NO change in current rive access .
R mm n n r l i line r m m r o f - eco e d ed ge e a gu d e s . P ovide a li ited nu be high quality day use and canoe and boat launch facilities to provide public access to the water corridor units while m m r r r ini izing distu bance to the natu al a ea .
R mm n m m n n eco e d ed an age e t actio s .
1 M or m r rr d for ) aintain i p ove cu ent facilities in con ition safe public use .
2) Review General Management Plan and curr ent circumstances to determine if any
f can r of r r additional acilities be developed consistent with p otection the esou ce .
i r in D m in n L tte g, u p g a d Vand alism
uth r it r 1 9 1 6 NPS r 1 6 S 1 f r A o y. P ovision in the o ganic act U C ) o public use and enjoyment
co nstnred m to m r r ur n fr of m can be as a andate aintain the P ese ve in a nat al conditio , ee hu an trash and litter that detract aesthetical ly or functionally fr om public use and enjoyment ofthe r r esou ce .
NP S Management Policies (NPS 1 9 88a) specifical ly addresses trash and litter management in
a number of ar eas .
Trash disposal and other Operational activities ar e to be operated out ofpublic view of cultural landscapes to the maximum extent feasible
7 2 Refiise ma not se of r r rr N O refirse y be dispo d in backcount y a eas; it is to be ca ied out. r ar r NP r ar l mi m of containe s e to be p ovided by the S in backcount y eas . A i ted a ount f r r burning of refuse in backcountry areas is allowed i app op iate .
Solid waste disposal on NPS lands is incompatible with the purpose for which the land r or m e r f r r ff r m was acqui ed is being anag d; the e o e, eve y e o t will be ade to dispose of solid f m r r i al waste outside o NPS anaged lands using app oved eg on landfills .
ri s r i r are Utilita an facilities such as olid waste disposal sites, if necessa y with n a pa k, to be sited in remote locations low in resource value
" NPS Management Policies state that a river management plan will be developed for " i of ri r or for R r a r v . e ch pa k ha ing sign ficant levels ve use, the potential such use ive r m on r r management plans are intended to p event unacceptable i pacts aquatic esou ces . r an m Each plan is required to address the disposal of efir se d hu an waste .
3 6 PR ri ri to m C Sec . gives the supe ntendent autho ty locally issue li its on activity within
r ur r m r r r r pa ks to f the a nu be of Objectives (public safety, esou ce p otection Sec . provides that the superintendent may issue permits to impose a public use limit or establish
f r conditions o activities that are restricted .
3 6 PR 2 1 4 a r C . ( ) p ohibits
1 Of r f r r r ( ) disposing e use in othe than efuse eceptacles . 2 r m r f s r or r refirse f for m ( ) Using gove n ent e u e eceptacles othe acilities du ping household , co mm r al or ri l r r fi' om ri or m i r r e ci , indust a efuse, b ought as such p vate un cipal p ope ty, r r except in acco dance with conditions established by the supe intendent . 3 r m r or of ( ) Depositing efuse in the plu bing fixtu es vaults a toilet facility . 6 or m ar ar r r r r ( ) Polluting conta inating p k ea wate s o wate cou ses . 7 of r m on or r 200 of or ( ) Disposing fish e ains land , in wate s within feet boat docks mm or r r designated swi ing beaches, within developed a eas , except as othe wise n desig ated .
Bi N r r E m of 1 974 PL93 -43 9 r r g Thicket ational P ese ve stablish ent Act [ ] cites the p ese vation ,
r r of r l i r r a of conse vation, and p otection the natu a , scen c, and ec eation l values a significant
" " portion of the Big Thicket area in the State of Texas and the enhancement and public
m ' 4 " r r . b r r fo r r r a . enjoy ent the eof, as the eason the p ese ve s c e tion Sec ( ) p ovides that in the
" interest of maintaining ecological integrity of the preserve construction offacilities (among r other u ses) will be limited and cont olled .
The BTNP General Management Plan (NPS 1 9 80) deals with refuse and sanitation facilities
as part of its general discussion of public use ar eas interpretive or recreational subzones .
The General Man agement Plan reiterates the limits o n recr eational development and communicates the philosophy that as many as possible support facilities will be located
r i im r f r fo r ri m and ' ownershi outside the preserve . The e s an plied p e e ence p vate develop ent p
of these facilities .
m f r M m NP 1 99 5 a 9 - 1 0 m BTNP al Drafi o S . The Fin State ent anage ent ( , pp ) cites the du ping of r and r r m ri wn r on ri appliances, ubbish othe undesi able ite s by p vate lando e s both p vate and
Preserve land in attempts to stabliz e banks as a detriment to aesthetic and scenic values and
f m f r possibly a heal th and safety hazard to users O the waterways . The State ent o
Management discusses flooding and its contribution of litter and nonpoint source pollution to
r rr r the wate co ido s (p .
' BTNP Standard Operating Procedure 94-7 1 41 -02 (Superintendent s Orders) (NPS 1 994a)
r r to r am rm e r append backcount y use egulations the backcount y c ping pe it . Th se egulations
a r r m dictate th t all t ash and ga bage ust be packed out.
B k r n m of r r r h - ac g ou d . The du ping solid waste in u al a eas has a long istory dating from
" " m O r f r county du ps that accepted household solid waste . ne esult o egulations designed to clean up county dumps in Texas was that many counties closed these facilities and
r ur e to for l of r r m f householde s t n d undesignated sites disposa thei t ash . The du ping o
r as firrnitur n r m r e . o household efuse such , appliances, etc e ote land pe sists in the Big Thicket
r r e i r m of r l t r a ea . This p es nts Obv ous p oble s aesthetics, wate qua i y deg adation, and habitat
r m r ra r r m r . f r dest uction Since t ash accu ulations att act additional t sh, apid e oval o litte and
r n r m r trash helps keep a littering problem from wo sening . O e p oble a ea has been identified in
' the BTNP an ar ea near Cook s Lake Road near the par k boundary where a culvert at Canal
r n o r m ff R r fr m l r r . oad discha ges o a esidentia a ea, t ash floats dow is du ped This a ects the
7 4 rr r m r Little Pine Island Bayou Co ido , with accu ulated t ash visible when vegetation is down
mm n Ra M NP n r r BTN P S . r r r r (Pe sonal co u ication with y a tinez, , ) A othe pa ticula conce n
r rri r of r m m r r r within the Wate Co do s is the disposal waste f o houseboats oo ed in the P ese ve, as discussed above in section
A related problem involves unauthorized dumping of building materials and other items to
- r r r a serve as rip rap in an attempt to stabilize eroding banks . This is pa ticula ly p ev lent along the N eches River in areas where there are homes along the bank (Callaway et al The impact of this practice on stream banks has been discussed in section
ri r r r r mm Litte ng is associated with public activities in the P ese ve, pa ticula ly swi ing and
rt r r r rr r r ft r picnicking . A pa icula issue with espect to the Wate Co ido s is litte le on sandba s and
a R r r al Of r m r are isl nds in the Neches ive . This p esents a speci kind p oble because these a eas n r r t rr ot d are r r ou . develope and ope ated unde backcount y ules pack it in, pack it At cu ent levels of r r - of R r r r m visito activity, voluntee clean ups such as that the state Clean ive s P og a
r i sponsor ed locally by the Lower Neches Valley Authority can p ov de substantial assistance .
o m n ff r NPS r r r l f In s e insta ces, e o ts by the to p ovide app op iate disposa acilities have been
r r m For m rim m r r thwa ted by pe sistent vandalis . exa ple , the designated p itive ca ping a ea nea
m r R - r r r Ti be Slough oad once included a self contained toilet and t ash eceptacles . These we e r m BTNP NP 1 2 s of m r mm i R . S e oved becau e vandalis (Pe sonal co un cation with Appling, , ,
April
o ibl al r na i . r to r m l m r P ss e te t ves With espect litte ing, du ping and vanda is in the Wate
rr r n f w r are : Co ido U its, the ollo ing alte natives identified
r r Actively discou age littering and dumping by prosecuting violato s .
Actively encourage appropriate disposal by increasing the number oftrash receptacles at
day use sites and working with local juri sdictions to improve opportunities for appropriate
al r rv dispos sites outside the P ese e . M aintain the status quo . Reco mm n n r l i lin r f BTNP m e d ed ge e a gu d e e. The gene al policy o should be to eli inate
t ri m i m r m r r r m lit e ng, du ping and vandal s p oble s which th eaten esou ces and di inish the quality of r ri r r r r r r the outdoo expe ence th ough p oviding facilities in app op iate a eas, and th ough
f r m f r education and en o ce ent o egulations .
Rec mm m n m n i n o end ed a age e t act o s .
Remediate existing trash dump sites by removing trash and restoring habitat whenever
possible .
Promote compliance with Pr eserve regulations by intensifying Ranger patrols at strategic
m places and ti es .
Encourage volunteer trash cleanup progr ams in the water corridors such as those under
the state Clean Rivers Progr am administered in the Big Thicket ar ea by the Lower
N r eches Valley Autho ity .
- r rm r nf rm r r Include anti litte info ation in visito i o ation b ochu es .
r i r r r r P ov de t ash eceptacles in app op iate areas .
Il legal C ollection of Plan ts
1 990 99 of r to 3 7 NP In , species native plants we e known have been illegally collected in S
i 1 99 1 88 r fr m 4 1 NPS r un ts nationwide; in , species we e taken o units . Although the p esence of r r t be r m for r r a e plants indicates that illegal collec ion could a potential p oble the P ese ve,
not r r m r conidor this is thought to be a se ious p oble in the Big Thick wate s .
m r r r i r r r f I pact to wate co d o es ou ces . Illegal collection o plants is a potential thr eat to
r r N o BTNP species esou ces . location in the has been identified as particularly vulnerable at
m n r . o r rri r t m m p esent I pact the wate co do s is thought o be ini al .
R mm n d d m n a m n i n eco e e a ge e t act o s .
h al firture r m so NPS can r r fo r r m m 1 T is is a potenti p oble , the p epa e futu e anage ent needs by ) reviewing preventive measures taken at other similar NPS facilities or other preserves; and 2)
7 6 monitoring plant resources and documenting evidence of any plant removal to signal a need
r m for firrthe manage ent actions .
i r r r h r C ons d er ation s fo NPS es ea c . The NP S needs baseline invento y information on its
a r r pl nt esou ces . Partners hip Challenges
rt r l r of BTNP r r Pa ne ship challenges dea with topics that involve the a eawide setting , its bo de s,
r r All NP S f r m m neighbo s and othe institutions . acilities have neighbo s with who they ust
rt of n ur BTNP r m r of r coexist; pa ly because its co fig ation, has a la ge nu be exte nal contacts that ar e necessary to accomplish Pr eserve objectives .
Air Q uality/Fir e M anagement
Studies by Egan and Gordy ( 1 9 8 1 ) and Gordy ( 1 9 86) of lichen in the BTNP found no
ff n r ri r r to air air negative e ects o populations o dist butions di ectly att ibutable quality . An quality monitoring station was established by the NP S in the Turkey Creek Unit in 1 9 85 to m r sulfirr x z r r m al onito dio ide and o one concent ations and elated cli atologic data, and has
r mm r m found that significant Ozone events occu during the su e onths .
Contr olled burn ing is reported to be an effective r esour ce management tool that may be less
r rr ir r r r rt of available unde cu ently developing a pollution cont ol egulations . A la ge pa the Big
" Thicket is located within an Air Quality Maintenance Ar ea subject to regulation under the f r Air Act m m r fire m m ede al Clean and its a end ents . As a esult, anage ent techniques that traditionally have been available for forest and range resource management have been curtailed by restrictions on outdoor burning promulgated by the Texas Natur al Resource
r mmi TNR E r m r CC and US . Conse vation Co ssion ( ) the nvi on ental P otection Agency .
Curr ent air pollution control r egulations incorpor ate a concept of limiting total emissions
i r R ri r rn to ff al m w thin an ai shed . est cting outdoo bu ing could be used o set addition e issions
m r ro m ri f r r t r fr o other sou ces . Pet che ical indust es and o est p oduc s indust ies in southeast
ar m r r of m air BTNP r Texas e ajo sou ces e issions that influence quality in the a ea .
The r estrictions on outdoor burning may have considerable impact on forest and r angelands
r ri rri r r r r o r to t bo de ng the co do wate ways . Cont olled bu ning is not c nside ed be ex ensive
i r co nidors m r ff fire with n the wate , thus the i pact of changes in egulations a ecting
rri r management is expected to be minimal Mthin the co do s .
7 8
effects exist or are expected in neighboring area
residential development (primary and secondary);
timbering operation (commercial and private);
industri al development (Oil and gas; forest products);
agriculture;
- f r r r m publicly owned acilities (e . g . wate dive sion, sewage t eat ent facilities) .
N ff as ri -ra r m r ff r m streambank egative e ects such p p, t ash du ping, and sewage uno f o
development have been Observed in field reconnaisance (Callaway et al Air and water
pollution and the introduction of domestic pets and exotic species to the natural environment
ri As r r also are possible consequences of neighbo ng uses . the southeast Texas a ea g ows and
m m r r a to fl r t r ff beco es o e u b n, it is likely that challenges avoid con icts ove ex e nal uses a ecting
rv r the Prese e also will g ow .
R m r of BTNP r r r r esidential develop ent in the a ea the would gene ally be called u al; howeve ,
r ar se r i r m r f r r t . e o a . the e ve al h ghe density subdivisions o e ypical subu b n a eas (e g Wildwood) .
Particularly when these developments are situated along the banks of the rivers and streams of
BTNP c al m , onflictingv ues can co e into play .
An extremely unusual meteorological event in October 1 994 resulted in massive flooding in
r a 3 00 m B O r Island/Li l the a e , including about ho es in the evil aks subdivision nea the Pine tt e
n r rri r c to cc r Pine Isla d Bayou Wate Co do . This flood was the se ond o u within a few years and
in f r Man of m ar e 1 00 - r the last a long sequence o less seve e flooding . y the ho es in the yea
' rm r fE r n flood plain . At least two US . A y Co ps o nginee s studies have been issued o the
of how al r r benefit/cost r ffi subject to leviate flooding in the a ea, neithe finding a atio su cient
r rm COE 1 9 7 5 m r ofB vil rr n US . e O to wa a t a p oject on the bayou ( A y , A nu be aks
m r r a r r r m rri ho eowne s believe that alte ations to the b you can p event futu e floods f o occu ng .
are r ar r r m l of am They pa ticul ly inte ested in the e ova snags, which they contend j flows and
r NPS 1 994b a as m r for cont ibute to flooding ( ) . Bec use snags i po tant habitat aquatic species
(see discussion in sections and and stream modifications to increase flood carrying
capacity might co nflict with the NPS mandate to maintain the resource in pro-European
8 0 m NPS m r r . r of m n r settle ent condition, has been unable to eet thei equests A g oup ho eow e s continues to discuss with NPS the possibility of altering the bayou as a way to alleviate
N rt N m r 1 996 of r - flooding . eve heless, in ove be , a few the esidents filed a class action lawsuit against the NP S and other agencies who operate in the ar ea requesting compensation for flood
for of r m r r r r damages . The potential this type conflict inc eases as o e t acts bo de ing the
Pr eserve are subdivided for suburban development .
rm f The timber industry is a major factor in the economy ofEast Texas . In te s o potential
m n r r r r m ri r m m r r i pact o P ese ve esou ces, ti be ng is p obably the ost i po tant land use in a eas
f ri m r for 95% of rr BTNP . su ounding the O neighbo ng land uses, ti be ing accounts about the
r ff m r r m m r land a ea . The e ects of ti be cultivation and ha vesting have been exa ined in a nu be
f 1 9 95 r 1 9 96 rr N rr o a r US . southe ste n settings (Shaw, , in Hall and B uce, ; Ca away and o is,
m al m Of h use are : 1 ri r A ong the potenti i pacts t is land ) land clea ng, esulting in
of of r f r for m invasion exotic species vegetation, dec eased ood and cove native ani als,
r r r d for r m r r ff inc eased e osion, dec ease shade st ea s, and inc eased uno pollution, including
m m ri and 2 r r r r che icals, sedi ent and deb s; ) oad and b idge const uction and use, esulting in
r r m r r a r ff to r m r e osion at st ea c ossings, inc e sed uno pollution st ea s, changes to d ainage
r r r r fr m of a r r t m a . o patte ns and st ea ci culation, and inc e sed ag entation h bitat Di ectly elevant
" " r co rr r of r r m m r c m n the wate ido s, a study fo est y best anage ent p actice o plia ce and effectiveness in East Texas found that 1 ) erosion associated with stream crossings of logging r m i r al r m r r l 1 992 et a . oads was the ost sign ficant wate qu ity p oble encounte ed (Lo d , cited in
1 99 5 r 1 996 2 of 1 62 m 88% r r of Shaw, , in Hall and B uce, ) and ) the sa ple sites, eceived atings f r or t r o n m m r ai bet e best anage ent p actices .
Additional issues related to timbering include unauthorized use of public land (encroachment
BTNP t o r r r m r r onto lands) , safe y c nce ns elative to hunting clubs on neighbo ing ti be indust y
f ri m r m r BTNP . land, and use by the public Of p vate ti be co pany oads to access acilities All
BTNP ni f h ri m r i co dor units appear to have a substantial amount o neig bo ng ti be ing activ ties .
The industrial base of southeast Texas is mostly concentr ated to the south and east ofthe BTNP r are rial m m r to m r r . The e indust develop ents, ostly elated the ti be indust y, at sites that ar r r r r r r r m E r r e nea o bo de the P ese ve . The pape ill located at vadale has aised conce ns about pollution of the Neches River (see discussion of water qual ity in sections and
Continued development of privately- owned lands abutting the water corridor s of the BTNP
BTNP r r t rr holds the potential to adversely affect esou ces . GIS capabili y is cu ently being
NP m r n r of ri r r developed by the S to onito uses and ow e ship lands neighbo ng the P ese ve .
m r r i r r r N ri ff I pact to water co d o esou ces . eighbo ng land uses have a significant local e ect
k r on r r r al t streamban . habitat esou ces (wate qu i y, condition, aesthetics) Potential futu e
m development may result in more widespr ead i pacts .
n m n i n r Recommen d ed ma age e t act o s . Because neighbo ing land uses are beyond the
f r ff r o r o NP S r a e . c nt ol the , coope ative e o ts needed
0 Education and partnership progr ams with ar ea residents and organizations should
nfinu co e .
nf r m m Law e o ce ent activities ay need to be expanded .
Special efforts to work cooperatively with timber companies in the area should be
to al r m of r ai r continued avoid potenti adve se i pacts this p ev ling neighbo ing use .
on id r a io n for NPS r es ar ch . To r m of ri C s e t s e add ess i pacts neighbo ng land uses, information on changes in curr ent land use and periodic documentation of any negative
ff r of r s f r e ects Of those uses is needed . The baseline invento y neighbo ing u es o the Neches
R r rr r m r rri r ive co ido should be aintained and expanded to othe co do s .
P ubl ic Use of Pr ivate L an d s/T r espassin g
BTNP r r r r of r r r n r The has ve y long bo de s elative to the size P ese ve ac eage . This co figu ation plus the backcountry nature of the Preserve makes it possible for visitors to BTNP to tr espass
n ri ri NP r nido rs r m n o S . co p vate lands neighbo ng the lands The wate , whe e in a y cases lands
r are r ar e art r to h c rr h abutting the wate s p ivately held , p icula ly subject t is o cu ence . T is
r m i all r r r of r er a r p oble , wh ch applies to bo de a eas the P es ve, has the potenti l to c eate conflicts
8 2 BTNP r with neighbo s .
rr of r m r of c m f r ar o e . r At cu ent levels pa k use, the nu be o plaints t espass few This p oblem
ma r r r y inc ease in seve ity as park use inc eases .
Im i r r e rr m pact on water cor r d or r esour ces . The e appea s to b no cu ent i pact on water
rri r co do s .
not rr ri r Recommend ed management actions. Although this is cu ently a se ous p oblem
r rri r ral r : within the wate co do s, seve p eventive actions can be taken
Increase and improve boundary markings in a way that does not detract from the
r r f r r r r f rm r m r m m r backcount y expe ience o P ese ve visito s . Uni o bounda y a kings ight be o e
r n BTNP eco g izable and would lend identity to lands .
E r ducate visito s about BTNP ar ea and boundaries .
r R r r Inc ease ange p esence .
on id er a i n f r NP r r h n f r C s t o s o S es ea c . Mo itor incident reports o any increasing occurrences
of r s so r ri a t espas incidents that app op ate actions can be t ken when needed .
Salt W ater Bar r iers on the Neches River and Little Pine Isl an d Bayou
" The Lo wer Neches Valley Authority has submitted an application for a Department ofthe
rm rm to m r r e al r ar r r A y pe it install te po a y st el sheet piling s t wate b ie s, when needed
r r r ri N R r rea r m m th oughout a th ee yea pe od , in the eches ive at an a located between st ea ile
and stream mile and in Pine Island Bayou at o r near str eam mile near Beaumont
" ff r E re BTNP m CO a . U. r S . in Je e son County, Texas ( A y , These sites within the
The sal twater barriers are needed to protect fresh water diversion points of the LNVA when water levels are low in Sam Rayburn Reservoir preventing releases offr esh water to combat
r m m m sal r m r r rri r are to r m upst ea ove ent Of twate . The te po a y ba e s intended be e oved when
r lake elevations inc ease . The need to prevent saltwater encroachment upstream is a r ecurring situation and temporary
rri r s for m n r r r 3 6 m 1 944 ba e s have been u ed a y yea s ( epo tedly ti es since in Pine Island Bayou, staying up for 3 days to 1 1 months) generating a considerable amount of negative public
- rm to r r r m sentiment and subsequent debate . A long te solution the saltwate int usion p oble
has r d rm al r rri r r o n N R r that been p opo se is a pe anent s twate ba e lowe the eches ive , below the
fl ri of BTNP LNVA con uence with Pine Island Bayou, and outside the bounda es the . estimates that the perm anent barn er would cost 20 times the average annual cost of using
m r rri r te po ar y ba e s .
ari r 1 993 LNVA mm ri r r At public he ng in Janua y , su a zed six issue a eas that had been aised public discussion :
r r m 1 ) Trapping fr esh wate fish downst ea .
2) Steel cables anchored to trees on shore damaging tr ees .
3 m r r m ) Failed dams beco e eyeso es when not e oved .
4 R are e r ff m ar e ) esidences being flood d by a backwate e ect when da s left in place .
5 m o r ffi ) Da s block b at t a c .
6 h ) Warn ing signs and hazard lig ting are needed .
na NPS has r s ofN al E ir m al NE Additio lly, the ai ed the issue ation nv on ent Policy Act ( PA)
r r p ocedu es .
LNVA h m BTNP r LNVA as negotiated an agree ent with NPS . has ag eed that will be
rm t d two stnrctures m m ri l of pe it e with itigating odifications, p ncipa ly the installation boat ram T in E h r f f . o CO as o o ri r to ps assist its planning, the equested studies boat use the ve
r m m m rm to LNVA justify building boat a ps as a itigation ele ent . The pe it will be issued for a
fiv - r ri rm r r e yea pe od while the pe an ent saltwate barrie is being studied .
r 1 996 m r r r r r out r Du ing a flood episode in , the te po a y st uctu es we e blown by flood wate s,
r to m r e to f r but not acco ding design specifications . The da s we e design d ail in the cente , so
r am f r an m . on that st e b ks would not be da aged In act , they held in the cente and washed out the ends so that a considerable amount of sco ur resulted in loss of land and vegetation on the
8 4 B rr r m banks of Little Pine Island ayou . The LNVA is cu ently trying to find a way to e edy the
r r l mm n r design failu e (Pe sona co u ication with T . Hebe t,
r r r r r r Impact to water cor r id or eso u ces. Saltwate barrie s p event saltwate intrusion to fresh
r and r m on r r wate habitat, as a esult will have beneficial i pacts species esou ces (fish and
w ll n r m r r r r e o al . r r inve teb ates, possible eptiles and bi ds) as as wate qu ity The te po a y saltwater baniers have negative impacts on shoreline vegetation and on the scenic and
f r v m sal r rri r m al o r . aesthetic qu ity the P ese e Without itigating facilities, twate ba e s also i pede
f r m r n of r rr r . boating use the wate co ido s, including use by law en o ce ent pe son el
n i n NP r Recommend ed manageme t act o s. The S should continue pa ticipating in the study and decision to build a permanent saltwater barrier lower on the Neches River to prevent
r rf ri r r of r rr r saltwate intrusion without inte e ng with boate and othe use the wate co ido s .
n i r i r r h l n E r C o s d e at o ns fo NPS r es ea c p a . The CO has equested a study of boating usage of
r N R r f rm a the Lowe eches ive and Pine Island Bayou . This in o ation lso would be valuable to
r r fB the inte p etive division o TNP .
Str eam Diversions/W ater Rights: Tr ans-Texas W ater Pr ogr am
" Studies are currently underway for a Trans-Texas Water Program that is considering among
r r f r r r Th f r r o e . e o r othe options, the t ansfe wate betwe n ive basins state Texas, ep esented by
r m r se r ri r r the Texas Wate Develop ent Boa d as lead agency, and ve al ve autho ities and cities
for firture rf r are r t ofm r looking su ace wate supplies, explo ing the possibili y eeting cent al and south Texas water needs by transporting water from basins with excess water (more water
m m ih - r for f N r N than the a ount needed to eet basin needs p ojected fi ty years) . eithe the eches
R r nor r R r r r of r for r r ive the T inity ive is being conside ed as a sou ce additional wate t ansfe , but
r r r r R r m r f R all p oposed t ansfe outes fr om the Sabine ive ust c oss both o these basins . outes
r N BTNP ac oss the eches will possibly pass thr ough the .
r ft r - r TTWP M 1 994 A d a Phase I eport for the Trans Texas Water Prog am ( ) was issued in arch . Sixteen possible routes are proposed for the transfer ofwater from Toledo Bend Reservoir on
r int Ri r r the Sabine Rive to the Houston area in the S an Jac o ve basin . These outes will be m r 5 1 0 m O s mi r n r . o e clo ely exa ned in late pla ning phases, which will take yea s to co plete f
r ra r r m to N c ar e m r r r these outes, t nsfe s f o the Sabine the e hes conte plated in the ve y no the n r n r of N m of each i to Lake B . A . Steinhagen, and at the southe n end the eches to ake use
LNVA al N to ri tr r r of existing can s . The eches T nity ansfe options include taking wate out
Steinhagen and moving it into the Trinity below Menard Creek (a B TNP water corridor unit) and o r r N rri r LNVA al r , in the s uth, c ossing the Lowe eches Co do Unit at the can s and th ough
r Devers and other canals to the Trinity below Libe ty .
Although avoiding impacts to BTNP has been one criterion for reviewing early routing
l r for r to r rri r r m r a te natives, the possibility exists dis uptions the wate co do s f o const uction, fr m r r r r f ag entation of habitat and/or alte ations in wate ci culation o quantity . As part o the
TTWP rm n s r rr r on r N R r , a pe a ent altwate ba ie the lowe eches ive is being evaluated by the
rm r fE r ri m ih - r US . o to A y Co ps nginee s, Galveston Dist ct , aug ent basin wate availability by
r a r r N e R r p eventing s lt wate intrusion to the lowe ches ive and Little Pine Island Bayou .
The Southeast Study Area Policy Management Committee of the TTWP has established a
Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) of about 50 members to r eview and comment o n work
a r t M m r e ral r pl ns and p oduc s . e be s include state and f de agencies, local and egional agencies,
r m al r r r r N r t . r envi on ent and public inte est g oups, and p ivate sec o inte ests The ational Pa k
r ic r r BTNP R r Ma m v on Se v e is ep esented by esou ce nage ent Di ision the TAC .
m act r r r i r r r m f r I p to wate co d o es ou ces . Specific i pacts o possible inte basin water transfers are k h m m f r fir ll use f rr r r un nown at t is ti e . The i pacts o futu e o cu ent wate ights (currently
rm r al ar kn pe itted dive sions) so e un own .
R commen d d m an a m nt a i n NP to e e ge e ct o s . S should continue actively participate on the
Technical Advisory Committee of the Trans-Texas Water Progr am to ensure that avoidance of m o BTNP o ri l ri ri for al r i pacts t c ntinues as a p ncipa c te on ev uating alte natives .
8 6
n i r i n f r NP r r h NP f C o s d e a t o s o S esea c . S should obtain in orm ation from TPWD on any
r r commercial fishing operations in the wate corrido s .
Unauthor ized Commer cial Use of Pr es er ve
BTNP has r r and r ft ar n of i are extensive bo de s is configu ed in fi een sep ate u its, eight wh ch
r rr r r r r of r a r r m ri wate co ido s . The u al natu e the a e , togethe with its g azing and ti be ng land
f r r m on r r r r i a ri to o . r uses, lso cont butes the potential enc oach ent P ese ve p ope ty Unautho zed use of BTNP property may result in degr adation of the natural habitat and the conversion of
ri public r esources to p vate gain .
r of r r r r Impact to water cor r id or r esour ces. Unautho ized use P ese ve esou ces has potential m m f m fi m n r r r i pacts to botto land hardwood orest and ay ag e t habitat . Clea ing o g azing would m m r E r m fr m m r i pact vegetation and ay int oduce exotic species . nc oach ents o ti be ing and gr azing activities may occur within the BTNP but have not been documented as a curr ent
r m r p oble for the wate co rridors .
R commend d man a men ac ion If f r m e e ge t t s . incidents o enc oach ent appear imminent based
ri NP S r m r r m r r on neighbo ng land use activities, the should inc ease and i p ove bounda y a ke s and r c f r m r n the p esen e o law enfo ce ent pe son el in the area .
on id r ation for NPS R ar ch . To r al r m on BTNP r C s e s ese add ess potenti enc oach ent a ea, the analysis of two types of information would be helpful :
1 ) information on type and location of neighboring land uses;
2 r rt n f r r ) incident epo s o unauthorized use o P eserve resou ces .
Eco n omic Devel o pmen t an d Tour ism
' The oil bust recession that hit Texas in the 1 9 80 s was particularly hard on the Beaumont -Port
r r r E E r a . r i A thu a e As a esult , the South ast Texas and Deep ast Texas egions, with n which
BTNP ar e m m E e . is located , actively seeking cono ic develop ent (South ast Texas and Deep
8 8 E are m of m - r ast Texas the na es designated ulti county state planning egions . ) The maximization of recreational and tourism amenities such as the BTNP is an important
m f ff r r m m m co ponent o this e o t . The Objective f o the econo ic develop ent point ofview is to
attract visitor s in large number s and to create jobs .
Government owner ship of land and habitat preservation measures are sometimes viewed
m m Off r negatively as Obstacles to econo ic develop ent . setting that view is a g owing r ealization that substantial benefits can be gained fr om the tourism industry and that natural
r r rm r BTNP ri Ron r areas ar e important tou ist att actions . Fo e Supe ntendent Switze was
m rm r r h for r m R r instru ental in fo ing the Southeast Texas Pa tne s ip Tou is , ec eation and
E r m E SETPTREE m an m r r r for nvi on ental ducation ( ) , which has beco e i po tant egional g oup
SETPTREE r both discussion and cooperative action . wo ks closely with the Texas
r m o f mm r ri m m m r of Depa t ent Co e ce Tou s Division and includes a e be ship cities, counties,
r a am r of mm r r r convention bu e us, ch be s co e ce, p ivate businesses, schools, pa ks and agency
r pe sonnel .
m act to wat r cor r id or r es our al m of m m I p e ces . The potenti i pact econo ic develop ent
r m t of m r on activities is ext e ely variable . The ex ent i pact depends p incipally the level and type of r ecr eational and tourist use ofwater corridors promoted and the management
t r m n r r r BTNP r techniques instituted o p event negative i pacts o natu al esou ces . pa ticipation economic development efforts benefits the Preserve generally through greater community
rt r f m suppo and awa eness o its ission .
R comm n d d mana m n i n e e e ge e t act o s .
1 t f SETP TREE ) Continue ac ive support o and participation with .
2) Continue and expand use of press releases and speaking opportunities to provide c mm t m f BTNP r i o uni y education aon economic i portance O to eg on .
m on id er a ion for NPS R ar ch . r l C s t s ese Data on the egiona , statewide and national econo ic importance of passive recreation as well as more traditional activities would help BTNP garn er support for preservation efforts .
Table S ummar y of Recommend ed M anagement Action s fo r E ach Man agement Topi c
Biod ivers ity Continue to support the mission of maintaining ecological integrity of the Preserve; Carry out and support an active research program to assess and manage for biodiversity; Encourage neighbors to adopt management practices and land r BTNP r uses that help p otect biodive sity.
E nd an ger ed Species Continue to support protection of thr eatened an d endangered r f species by coope ating with the US . Fish and Wildli e Service and the Texas Par ks and Wildlife Department and by implementing USFWS recovery plan criteria for thr eatened and endanger ed species known to occur in the r rv P ese e . Consider impacts Of human uses ofthe Preserve on resident r and n r th eatened enda ge ed species . Look for opportunities to support Species r eintroduction or m r r r r habitat enhance ent p og ams (e . g . phlox eint oduction in r r Tu key C eek Unit) .
E xotic cies r ff r of r f r m Spe Suppo t e o ts the Texas Pa ks and Wildli e Depa t ent , W r N r US . US . Fish and ildlife Se vice, and the atu al Resources Conservation Service to prevent introduction of r r f and to cont ol the sp ead o exotic species .
W ater Q ual ity The water qual ity monitoring progr am should be supported and coordinated with data collection efforts of other state and
federal agencies . Cooperative water quality sampling effort s with the Lower N r LNVA r eches Valley Autho ity ( ) should be pu sued . Water quality data should be collected under a quality assurance plan that is approved by the Texas Natur al Resource Conservation Commission to allow NPS data to be used in r f r m state and fede al en o ce ent actions .
W ater Fl ow Continue to actively participate o n the Technical Advisory m n m n - I pou d e ts, Committee of the Tr ans Texas Water Progr am to ensure Di r s io n R l f m B ve s , e eases that avoidance o i pacts to TNP remains a principal r r NP m criterion fo evaluating al te natives . S should ake certain that location and design Of any proposed river crossings have no negative impact on water corridor a functions and v lues .
9 2 Table S ummary of Recommend ed Management Action s for Each M an agement Topi c
Monitor the timing of drawdowns and flushes and work with the COE to influence the operation of the Steinhagen Dam (Dam B) so that any negative impacts on the water rri r r co do s a e avoided .
W oody I n -str eam Monitor incident reports relative to boating safety to S ubstr ate (Snags) determine ifthere is a significant thr eat to human use of r rr r the wate co ido s . Increase boater education about the presence of snags and their r importance fo habitat . Consider identifying some ar eas as boating zones within which m i r m for f r so e snags w ll be e oved sa ety easons . Incorporate inform ation on the importance of snags for aquatic habitat into general educational activities with ar ea
residents .
r rri r or Continue legally defining wate co do s, at least the N R r rr r rm of r m eches ive co ido units, in te s st ea gradient-boundary for bank-to-bank inclusion in the Preserve; Identify ar eas in which river meander has the potential to create boundary problems and seek management solutions with neighbors to any potential conflicts that are likely to arise; Acquire additional lands bordering the Neches River corridor rt r r s of r r m r units, pa icula ly in a ea active e osion, to b ing o e m r r m strea banks within P ese ve anagement .
Flood plain F or est Make certain that NP S facilities minimize fragmentation Hab itat r r within the P ese ve . rt n for r Pa icipate in public pla ning activities, such as those oad r to r r m const uction, p event avoidable f ag entation and m fr m negative habitat i pacts o neighboring uses . Continue wor king with the oil and gas and pipeline companies in accordance with the Miner als Management Plan to minimize the impact on habitat oftheir activities within o r
near the Pr eserve . Encourage neighbors to adopt management practices and land uses that minimize additional fragmentation ofbottomland r hardwood fo ests . Tabl e S ummary of Recommen d ed M an agement Actions for E ach M a n agemen t To pic
Aesthetic/S cen ic Work with neighbors in residences along river and stream Q ualities banks to pr eserve the scenic qual ity of the corridors and r r am a r discou age unsightly st e bank lte ations . Work with appropriate governmental units to prevent avoidable intrusions and minimize effects of r ri unavoidable facilities such as oads and b dges . Work with pipeline companies to minimize the visual r impacts of pipeline c ossings .
A r chaeol ogical an d Consider improved public presentation (printed materials and C ultur al R eso ur ces displays) of ar chaeological and cultural information r f NP al eady in the possession o the S .
Public Use of the Place more emphasis on collection of data on visitation Pr eser ve (such as visitor counts) and add sites as apprOpriate to r r r rri r bette desc ibe visitation within the wate co do s .
H un tin g an d Tr app ing Curtail illegal taking of game through field patrols and n r b contact with adjacent landow e s, hunting clu s, and tim r m m r r be co pany hunting lease ad inist ato s . Seek to eliminate problems caused by inconsistencies r r rm between Fede al and State fi ea laws . This can be accom p lished in part by securing the assistance of TPWD in advising hunter s about compliance with Feder al laws on r r r r while hunting Fede al p ese ves and efuges . Promote safety of hunters in the Neches Bottom and Beaumont Units and visitors on waterways or neighboring lands by continuing to provide educational materials al ong with the hunter registration packet that promote safe of fire rm r handling a s, good hunting etiquette, and a st ong r conse vation ethic . a) Promote safety by pr oviding maps that clearly delineate r r r r a eas Open to hunting to hunte s and to othe visito s,
as well .
r m r r b) To p o ote safety , ensu e that adequate bounda y and other orientation markings ar e established and m i N ni a ntained within the eches Bottom U t . Establish a progr am for monitoring populations and harvest for m s i r r levels ga e pecies w thin the p ese ve . Consider redesigning the hunter and trapper harvest reports m r nf rm to include o e i o ation on size, weight , and condition
9 4
Table S umm ar y of R ecommen d ed Managemen t Action s for Each M an agement To pic
r r r fr m r r r r o r th ough t ansfe o othe agencies, cont act esea ch,
staff monitoring of populations and bank conditions . 5 r of fo r r h ) Add ess the use boats hunting, t apping and fis ing r h activities in the hunting, t apping and fis ing action plan to be prepar ed as directed by the Gener al Management
Plan . 6) Maintain NP S boat ramps in safe condition with suitable fo r r m facilities t ash and hu an waste disposal .
Swimmin g an d 1 ) Promote adherence to Preserve visitor use and safety Picn ickin g r egulations thr ough casual field interviews initiated by R r on r r r r r ange s outine pat ol , as well as by egula pat ols at r m st ategic places and ti es . 2) Initiate monitoring programs to track visitor satisfaction and r r so r r rr esou ce quality , as to identify the ec eational ca ying of rri r capacity the co do s . 3 ) Pr oduce additional information brochures identifying opportunities fo r safe and resource- compatible r r ec eational use .
Campin g 1 ) Promote adherence to applicable backcountry camping r egulations thr ough casual field interviews initiated by R r on r r ange s outine pat ols . 2) Promote safety of campers by continuing to provide e m ri ar r ducational ate als and signage, p ticula ly at river
access points . 3 ) Acquire the data necessary to assure that r esources in visitor r are e r use a eas ad quately p otected . The necessary information can be acquired thr ough ( 1 ) annual review of r ecords and incident reports; (2) annual visual assessment of trash loads and camper impact on sandbar vegetation and bank co nditions; and (3 ) water quality monitoring at srtes ar m r ne ca ping a eas . 4 i ) Adopt formal name for the two unnamed sandbar s on wh ch backcountry camping is prohibited to better communicate
with the public . 5) Review and update the Backcountry Camping Management
r l r r Plan pe iodica ly at least once eve y five yea s .
9 6 Table S ummar y of Recommend ed Management Actions for Each Man agement Topic
H ouseb oats in the BTNP 1 ) Work with TNRCC and LNVA o n water quality sampling to nnin f dete e impacts o houseboats . 2) Incr ease Ranger presence to document impacts of houseboats r nl wfirl and discou age u a activities . 3 ) Work with State and Federal law enforcement agencies with r v r egard to possible d ug acti ities . 4) Rigorously enforce r egulations to control impacts within the r Prese ve . 5) Issue no permits for houseboats not currently located within the Pr eserve and do not allow r eplacement of existing
houseboats .
Miner al E xtr action 1 ) Review BTN P Oil and Gas Management Plan fo r an T r n r r r m r r d a spor t esponsiveness to esou ce and ad inist ative conce ns . 2) Work with oil and gas an d pipeline companies to develop operating plans for their activities in the BTNP that provide maximum biodiversity protection and minimum h i m visual/aest et c i pact . 3 ) Work with other agencies and oil and gas industry to develop standards fo r pipelines that are appropriate to sensitive or r hazard ous locales such as wate ways .
Tr ash an d W aste 1 ) Post information promoting appropriate disposal oftrash and Dis osal p human wastes . 2 ) Provide trash and human waste disposal facilities at all day
use sites . 3 ) Continue to provide r egular cleaning and maintenance of
waste disposal facilities . 4) Contract for Ofil Preserve disposal ofwastes whenever
possible . 5) Work with other jurisdictions to develop alternative disposal r s tes .
River Access 1 ) Maintain or improve curr ent facilities in condition for safe
public use . 2) Review General Management Plan and current circumstances to detemrine if any additional facilities can be developed f r r consistent with protection o the esou ce .
itter in D m i r L g, u p ng 1 ) Remediate existing trash dump sites by removing t ash and an d a n d al i m r ri r V s esto ng habitat wheneve possible .
9 7 Table S ummar y of Recommen d ed M an agement Actio n s fo r E ach M an agement Topic
2) Promote compliance with Pr eserve regulations by R r r r m intensifying ange pat ols at st ategic places and ti es . 3 ) Encourage volunteer trash cleanup programs in the water corridors such as those under the state Clean Rivers Progr am administer ed in the Big Thicket ar ea by the ri Lower Neches Val ley Autho ty. 4) Include anti-litter information in visitor information
brochures . 5 r r r r ri r ) P ovide t ash eceptacles in app op ate a eas .
r r m r f r 1 Il legal C ollectio n This is a potential firtu e p oble . Steps to p epar e o firture n w of Pla n ts management can be taken o . 1 ) Review preventive measures taken at other similar NPS r r v facilities or other p ese es . 2) Monitor plant resources and document evidence of any plant m f r rt r m m re oval to signal a need o fu he anage ent actions .
Air Q uality/ 1 ) Participate in regional and state air quality planning effort s so ir e M an a m n t NPS are k n to r r F ge e that views now egulato s . 2 ) Continue to collect sound scientific data to show that controlled burns are beneficial and that the impacts of
r cont olled burns are acceptable . 3 ) Pursue cooperative efforts with the timbering and agricultural mm s m r to r co unities, such as e ina s, p ovide scientific rm r u r info ation to the public and eg lato s . 4) Explore cooperative funding arrangements with TNRCC or USEPA to co ntinue or expand air quality monitoring to contribute to the scientific data base available to resolve of fire m m air l issues anage ent and qua ity .
Neighb o r in g Lan d Uses 1 ) Because neighboring land uses are beyond the dir ect control Of NPS o r ff r the , continue c ope ative e o ts such as education and partner ship progr ams with ar ea residents and
organizations . 2) Special efforts to work cooperatively with timber companies in the area should be continued to avoid potential adverse m of r r i pacts this p evailing neighbo ing use . 3 r m c ma ) Law enfo ce ent a tivities y need to be expanded .
P ublic Use of Pr ivate Although this is not currently known to be a serious problem Lan d s/T r es ass in r o rri r r p g within the wate c do s, p eventive actions can be taken .
9 8
R e ear ch N d are r fr m r r s ee s . These to be d awn o esea ch needs in topic areas .
Staff a n d F un d in g Reso ur ces Need ed
Legisl ative or Ad min istr ative Action Need ed
C on cl usio n
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Update 2 8 February 1 997
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1 0 0 Refer ences (C itation s)
967 f r TX E 1 . al o . . rn r . . Abe ethy, F ancis , ed T es the Big Thicket UT P ess, Austin,
r 1 9 1 6 N r rv r 1 6 USC f h . . Acts o t e US . Cong ess ational Pa k Se ice o ganic act (
R m of r N r 1 992 . l An r . gelina Neches Rive Autho ity egiona Assess ent Wate Quality, eches l 1 r r r Ri r r N e R r r Vo . . C ve Basin, Uppe ech s ive Basin Study A ea, P epa ed in oope ation with 1 992 mmi r r of R r O r 1 . the Texas Water Co ssion unde autho ization the Clean ive s Act; ctobe ,
r ni 994 r r Se temer 1 4 1 994 r f rm on r 1 . Becke , Den s . Lette to autho dated p , p oviding in o ation wate
diver sions of the Lower Neches Valley Authority systems .
l R r R V Arsdal . . r rri . . an . . . M . . C . . . Benke, A . , D Gillespie, F K Pa sh, T C , J Hunte , L Hen y 1 9 79 for m o f m : rt r . Biological basis assessing i pacts channel odification inve eb ate r m r f r r ft and f r r e . o p oduction, d i , fish eeding in a southeaste n blackwate st a Geo gia Institute
Technology, Atlanta, GA .
i 1 984 l r M . . rr . r r Ar sdal J . . . . Benke, A . C . T . C . Van , , D G llespie F K Pa ish Inve teb ate r r r r m r of f i r p oductivity in a subtropical blackwate ive : the i po tance habitat and li e h sto y . r -6 Ecological Monog aphs 3 .
R a 1 992 m : l Blaustein, A . . , D . B . W ke . . Declining A phibian Populations A Globa -204 Phenomenon" In : Trends in Ecology and Evolution .
R 994 m i a . 1 . : Blaustein A . . , D . B . Wake, W . P . Sous A phibian Decl nes Judging stability, r f x r pe sistence and susceptibility o populations to local and global e tinctions . Conse vation -7 1 Biology .
R L E r r 1 9 8 1 r rm R r as r r Bounds, . . , . P . Seidensticke , C . D . T avis . . Pe fo ance epo t equi ed by r l r r r F-3 0 -R-6 r M n m Fede a Aid in Fishe ies Act , Fede al Aid P oject , Statewide Fishe y a age ent R mm N R r Job : E R r r r m M n m eco endations, eches ive , A xisting ese voi and St ea a age ent T R mm N R r r f r m X . eco endations, eches ive . Texas Pa ks and Wildli e Depa t ent , Austin,
r r E 992 r Ri r rr i N m . . 1 f N . o B adfo d , Ja es Discove y a eches ve Fe yboat , Big Th cket ational r s rv r N r of r r of s . r P e e e, Tyle County, Texa ational Pa k Se vice, Division Anth opology, B anch R r M -02 NM ral m r r . n . Cultu esou ces anage ent , Pa k Pape s BITH Sa ta Fe,
m r r A N r H m e r . r m . arco b . B uce , Kathe ine . , G . . Ca e on, P . A In p ess Int oduction, i pact upon m m of r r sa ium native habitats, and anage ent a woody invade , the Chinese Tallow t ee, p s ebi er um L R N r r a r . f ( . ) oxb . atu l A eas Jou nal - ri Fi h r Sarnra Buflcins F . S . s S U. Cain, B an ( and Wildlife e vice) , Jones (Galveston Bay oundation) 7 1 996 m r of r Ga . . Che ical cont ol wate hyacinth, in lveston Bay Foundation, Soundings , Vol , 4 r 1 99 5 - 1 996 N O . . , Winte
f N r r 1 994 fo r r rri r o . l . . Ca laway, Glenda L Issues Wate Co do s the Big Thicket ational P ese ve N r r r r f r N r rv . P epa ed o the ational Pa k Se ice, Big Thicket ational P ese ve
i i r r 1 99 5 r for B N . G . . Callaway, lenda L Institutional Invento y the g Th cket ational P ese ve
r ar for N a r r i i N a r r . P ep ed the ation l Pa k Se v ce, Big Th cket ation l P ese ve
N r r f r 1 996 of r . r o al G . . C laway, lenda L Public Use the Big Thicket ational P ese ve P epa ed the
N l ar rv N r r . ationa P k Se ice, Big Thicket ational P ese ve
h 1 993 N i McHu . . L R . a . C llaway, Glenda , osine W Hall , Dav d g Field otes, Annotated
M r . Quad aps, Photog aphs
Harcombe R 1 995 r N ri . r . a. m . U. Ca e on, Guy ( Houston) , Kathe ne A B uce, Paul A ( ice V l 7 N 2 of o . O . Invasion the Chinese Tallow, in Galveston Bay Foundation, Soundings, , , mm r 1 99 5 Su e .
H m R r Br . arco b 1 995 r b . m Gu N . U. . e Ca e on, y ( Houston) , Kathe ine A uce, Paul A ( ice M m f 7 N 3 o al o . anage ent Chinese T low, in Galveston Bay Foundation, Soundings, Vol , , 1 995 Fall .
" r rri 99 m 1 6 . r r M m rr N . r Ca away, Bu l and John o s Volunta y Co pliance with Fo est y Best anage ent r t E R r m R 2 fBMP m n M r o . P ac ices in ast Texas , esults f o ound Co plia ce onito ing Texas r r c M r 1 99 6 Fo est Se vi e, a ch .
E r r m 1 995 s and ar . Gr ar . G Chilton, a l (Texa Pa ks Wildlife Dep t ent) ass c p in the alveston Bay m G Vol . 7 N 1 r 9 o . 1 9 5 Syste , in alveston Bay Foundation, Soundings, , , Sp ing .
mm r 1 979 f N F rr . . o al n Co ande , Da ell A Study the uisance looding ong Little Pine Isla d and Pine rv N T 20 1 9 7 n . r X u 9 Isla d Bayous Aquatic Se ices, Po t eches, , Aug st .
D hl ff nr 7 t o . and Vi r r 1 9 5 r m R e . . . r r ri r , He y C cto H T eat A P eli ina y epo t on The Histo cal Su vey f N r r A M n r o al s . & r r 1 975 The Big Thicket ation P e e ve Texas U ive sity, Feb ua y .
E R r 1 98 1 f mi li R . . . . r h n r . o c o c e gan, S and V Go dy Baseline study dist ibution in the Big N r r r to r f t r air Thicket ational P ese ve, Texas, in elation p esent and u u e pollution levels . r ofN r Om h m h NE PX7029 -0 -04 O . 2 5 Unive sity eb aska at a a, a a, .
r V l 40 N 52 M 1 7 7 r R o . o M r 1 9 5 . H m . art : r r r Fede al egiste , , , onday, a ch , P Depa t ent ofthe Inte io , N l r r i N al r r ari r ationa Pa k Se vice, Big Th cket ation P ese ve Bound es Desc iption .
1 05
N r rv tm of r r al R NPS/NRWRD/NRTR US . r r ational Pa k Se ice, Depa ent Inte io , Technic epo t 94/1 8 N m r 1 994 , ove be .
r N ri 1 992 R m of r r N Lowe eches Valley Autho ty . . egional Assess ent Wate Quality, Lowe eches - r r R r N r . n ive Basin and eches T inity Coastal Basin P epa ed with assist a ce of Alan A . mm r and r r mm r Plu e and Associates, Inc . in coope ation with the Texas Wate Co ission unde
authorization of the Clean River s Act; October 1 992 .
i 1 994 R al m of r r N r N al r . . Lowe eches V ley Autho ty egion Assess ent Wate Quality, Lowe eches - r r f l ri . n River Basin and Neches T nity Coastal Basin P epa ed with assistance o A a A . r N R r mm r . Plu e and Associates, Inc and in coope ation with the Texas ational esou ce mmi r r of R r O r 3 1 994 r . Conse vation Co ssion unde autho ization the Clean ive s Act; ctobe ,
r ri 1 996 R m of r a r N N l . . Lowe eches Va ley Autho ty egional Assess ent Wate Qu lity, Lowe eches - r i r . ar f a River Basin and Neches T inity Coastal Basin P ep ed w th assistance o Al n A . r N R r mm r and . Plu e Associates, Inc and in coope ation with the Texas ational esou ce mm r r of R r 1 996 r Conservation Co ission unde autho ization the Clean ive s Act; July (d aft) .
M r R 1 994 r m r and r . . r oo e, oge G . Saul A onow A cheological and Geo o phological Investigations f r m i m n f o m . o a P oposed Wee s Geophysical , Inc Seis ic Line with n the Beau ont U it the Big i N r r M r r r . Th cket ational P ese ve, Ha din County, Texas oo e A cheological Consulting,
Houston, Texas .
N R r . ntrix 1 99 5 m m r E . l B . r r n a ailon, obe t W ( ) G ass ca p a age ent and cont ol , in Ga veston y V l 7 1 ri 1 99 5 o . No . . Foundation, Soundings, , , Sp ng
N R Entrix r r . n N s of r ailon, obe t W ( ) and Leslie Sa de son ( ational A sociation Conse vation r 1 994 E m m r c . . o r on r Dist i ts) xotic species anage ent and c nt ol (ove view and focus nut ia) , in l 6 4 r 1 994- No . 1 995 r Vo . Galveston Bay Foundation, Soundings, , , Winte (o iginally d GulfWatch publishe in , August
N rv r S . r m f ri r 1 975 i r U t o . . N r ational Pa k Se ice, Depa ent Inte o Big Th cket ational P ese ve M m r n m of r i r f m 2 6 1 97 5 a r . e o a du Unde stand ng with Texas P ks and Wildli e Depa t ent , June ,
N r rv m f 976 E r m US . art o ri r 1 . a m f r . o ational Pa k Se ice , Dep ent Inte o Fin l nvi on ental State ent E l m f stab ish ent o the Big Thicket National Preserve Texas .
N l r r U m f ri r 1 9 80 r M m S . rt o I . . ationa Pa k Se vice, Depa ent nte o Gene al anage ent Plan, Big h N r r m 80 r 1 9 . T icket ational P ese ve, Septe be
N r l 9 88 m rv m f r . M US . rt o I a. r US . ational Pa k Se ice, Depa ent nte io anage ent Policies, m f r r r rt o N al r . Depa ent the Inte io , ation Pa k Se vice
1 07 1 988 r r ft N r r m f r r . b . N r l r US . o l ationa Pa k Se vice, Depa t ent Inte io Big Thicket ationa P ese ve D a m r M m State ent fo anage ent .
1 9 89 R r M m r r m f r r . . a O N r US . t o r ational Pa k Se vice, Depa ent Inte io ive Use nage ent Plan , za k R r Ma 1 989 National Scenic ive ways . y .
' N 4 r r r f I ri r l 99 a. O : r m o . rv US . r ational Pa k Se ice, Depa t ent nte o Supe intendent s de s Big N r r r Thicket ational PreserveStandar d Ope ating P ocedu es .
N r r 1 994 M f m r m . h. o O k r US . ational Park Se vice, Depa t ent of Inte io inutes eeting with Bevil a s r r homeowners in files ofBig Thicket National P ese ve .
1 99 5 N N r r m of ri r . a. r r r US . ational Pa k Se vice, Depa t ent Inte o Big Thicket ational P ese ve Final m Draft Statement for Manage ent .
95 r r 1 9 b . An N rv rtm of r . to l r US . ationa Pa k Se ice, Depa ent Inte io Int oduction Selected Laws N r r N r Important for Resources Management in the ational Pa k Se vice . By apie Shelton and a Fox N r R r R r NPS/NRPO/NRR Liss , atu al esou ces epo t
N r 996 P r l m/P lin m f ri . 1 . et o eu i e nf rm f r ar r US . r o e o ational P k Se vice, Depa t ent Inte o p I o ation N r r r r i r N l ar r Big Thicket ational P ese ve . Denve Se v ce Cente , ationa P k Se vice .
P r in L K ll 8 m f ea st e . . M e ar 1 9 5 . M r r r c . . o , , H , and W Kitchens odelling the i pacts a ive dive sion on ml r mm Riv fl l n n e ood ai r . E botto and fo est co u ities in the Santee r p , South Ca olina col . M -302 odelling .
Per sonal communications (cited) ofthe authors with M m r of aff f N r rv 1 993 1 996 o . e be s the st the Big Thicket ational P ese e, R rt NPS -BTNP 1 996 obe Appling, , . mm r r N r 996 o 1 . To y Hebe t, L we eches Valley Autho ity , v McHu h NPS -BTNP 1 993 Da id g , , . arr M Kinn m 1 995 c e ar art . L y y, Texas P ks and Wildlife Dep ent, f 1 995 a m ar m o H al . Lis Willia s, Texas Dep t ent e th, R r r r 996 r r R t 1 . icha d B owning, T inity ive Autho i y,
m n r 1 99 1 fP dlefi h r and M . o ad s iz Pit a , Vi ginia . Synopsis Biology and Thei Util ation M m f m ri l R r . s r r anage ent in Texas, Specia epo t Texa Pa ks and Wildli e Depa t ent , Fishe es and 70 ri r TX. Wildlife Division, Inland Fishe es B anch, Austin pp .
m n Vi inia M 1 992 l fi h R r R s r Padd e s o c r . Pit a , g . . Texas ec ve y Plan, Spe ial epo t Texa Pa ks and f ar m ri and f r r TX . Wildli e Dep t ent, Fishe es Wildli e Division, Inland Fishe ies B anch, Austin 3 0 pp . 93 -43 9 O r 1 1 1 9 74 88 1 254 et se 1 6 US E m . . C Public Law , ctobe , , Stat q ( stablish ent
legislation for Big Thicket National Preserve .
R ir 1 99 1 l f rr r v r ebe a. . o to a aian Saunde s, D . A . and C . P . de Va ues co ido s populations in a 2 R f r E fr m N r r : o rr . . . ag ented landscape . In atu e Conse vation The ose Co ido s dited by D A P m N N w r R rr t . r e . S Saunde s . J . Hobbs u ey Beatty Sons y Li ited o ton, South Wales, ral 22 1 -240 Aust ia . pp . .
S r 1 994 r rm n R r r re b d r r R r eidensticke , P . . Pe fo a ce epo t as equi d y Fe e al Aid in Fishe ies esto ation Act r r F-3 0-R-20 Job : E r r r r m m n m , Fede al Aid P oject , A xisting ese voi and st ea a age ent r r m r mm N Ri r r . r eco endations, eches ve , (in p epa ation) Texas Pa ks and Wildlife Depa t ent , TX Austin, .
m am r 7 rn . 1 9 5 r E ar . r . . rr . Shafe , Ha y J dw d P Baxte , Tho as B Stea s, J es Phill De ing An r R r Archeological assessment ofthe Big Thicket N ational Prese ve . eport by the Anth opology r r A&M r to Offi r R r r Labo ato y, Texas Unive sity the ce Of A cheological esou ces, Southweste n 1 7 5 N M . r 9 . R N al r r e . O egion, ation Pa k Se vic , Santa Fe, , ctobe
m r Eff r . and B 1 996 1 995 . r . Shaw, Chad . Ti be ects on Wate Quality Appendix D in Hall uce,
Terbor h 1 9 89 r H B r G " E o n r g , J . . Whe e ave All the i ds one ssays the Biology and Conse vation f r ri r ri : ri N M r o m . c J . o a t . Bi ds th t ig ate the A e can T opics P n eton P nceton, USA
m f 1 99 5 r s r o al a . . and Texa Depa t ent He th, Se food Safety Division Fish Adviso ies Bans .
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