News
Release
U.S. Forest Service
415 S. First St., Ste. 110
Lufkin, Texas 75901-3801
Sept. 23, 2008
For Immediate Release Public Affairs Officer - Gay Ippolito
Public Affairs Specialist - Ernie Murray
1650-1 Contact: Gay Ippolito 936-639-8569 or
Ernie Murray 936-639-8562
Status of the National Forests in Texas
following Hurricane Ike
The four National Forests in Texas sustained varying degrees of damage from Hurricane Ike. Here is the status of the Angelina, Sabine, Davy Crockett and Sam Houston National Forests.
The Angelina National Forest, including the Bannister Wildlife Management Area, is open although some recreation areas remain closed. Bayou Boat Ramp, Bouton Lake and Sandy Creek are open. The other Angelina National Forest recreation areas are closed, but should open by early October.
In the Sabine National Forest, all campgrounds operated and maintained by the Sabine River Authority of Texas on Toledo Bend Reservoir are open as is the Moore Plantation Wildlife Management Area. The Trail Between the Lakes Hiking Trail is closed, and Red Hills Lake Recreation Area is seasonally closed. Boles Field is closed, but should open by early October.
In the Davy Crockett National Forest, the Alabama Creek Wildlife Management Area as well as some hunter camps, will open Saturday, Sept. 27, the opening day of bow season. A map showing the open areas will be available Sept. 25 at the Ranger's Office in Ratcliff and on the website at:
www.fs.fed.us/r8/texas/. Other areas of the forest including Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area remain closed while chainsaw crews remove hazardous trees.
The Sam Houston National Forest was hardest hit by Hurricane Ike and remains closed to the public. Crews are working to open the forest by Nov. 1, in time for the general gun season for white-tailed deer. Sam Houston National Forest and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department employees are also working to have an area of the forest open in time for a special youth hunt for white-tailed deer scheduled for Oct. 25-26.
The U.S. Forest Service and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department plan to issue antlerless permits in October as usual.
The Caddo National Grasslands and Lyndon B. Johnson National Grasslands in north Texas were unaffected by the storm and are open.
For the most up-to-date information, visit the NFGT website:
www.fs.fed.us/r8/texas/
or call the District Ranger's Office. Phone numbers for the district offices are: Angelina, 936-897-1068; Davy Crockett, 936-655-2299; Sam Houston, 936-344-6205; and Sabine, 409-625-1940.
