The NFS and volunteers from the Texas Trails Coaltion travelled the entire length of the LSHT and other trails and identified dead and dangerous trees within 100 feet of either side of the trail. After that was done, the NFS released a list of trals to be opened. LSHT was not on it. In fact, only trails and campsites that require a fee to use were on it.

There was a meeting of the Coalition. A report from the LSHT Yahoo Group:


Trails Coalition Meeting

Posted by: "BeagleOwner" [email protected] txpop

Sat May 5, 2012 2:05 pm (PDT)


The Trails Coalition meeting was very informative about many topics, but was lively about the trail closures. Cathy has specific numbers. Forest Service personnel in attendance was Warren Oja, District Ranger of the Sam Houston National Forest, Jason Morton (Multi-Use Trail Coor) and another who was part of the team responding to this emergency.

Those of you who sent in letters, e-mails, and other comments I think it made a difference.

A comment was made early about how the LSHT was left off the priority list of trails to get back open. Warren Oja said that was an oversight. (To say the least) Again, the FS is not a good communicator.

Later in the meeting, it was explained that the FS re-evaluated trails originally classified as Low Risk and now many of those miles are now Moderate Risk as they found more dead trees.

Now the Good News,

1) the FS has cut down dead trees at every LSHT Parking Lot, except #4, which they will get to next week. (Cathy has specific numbers)

2) Trails marked as Low Risk will be opened in about a week, as they will not cut down trees on low risk trails.

3) The FS has no money to cut down trees on Moderate and High Risk areas of trails. Thus, the FS is waiting for the paperwork to be signed by a higher office for a "Stewardship Proposal". The FS will have salvage timber sales and instead of the money being sent to the treasury, the money from the timber sale can be used to pay outside companies to cut the dead trees down. This has advantages since the longer a dead tree stands the more dangerous it is to cut it down. The FS does not have the staff, money, or equipment to cut all these trees down safely. These private companies, who are professionals, will take on that risk.

I asked Warren if trail maintenance activities could resume since most of us who do trail maintenance are experienced at looking for snags and dangerous trees along the trail. Answer was, NO. Not until a section of trail is re-opened.

There were 2431 dead trees at Trailheads, Campsites, Hunters Camps and 1536 of those trees have been cut down so far.

Much more was discussed and I would encourage you to read the minutes when Cathy post them on the Sam Houston Trails Coalition yahoo page. I would also encourage you to join the Sam Houston Trails Coalition, because it will be only if the all the trail groups work together, will we be able to maintain and fund improvements for the trails. It was stated, if the FS had its way, it would abandon all trails on the Sam Houston because there is no money in their budget for recreation.
IF YOU want the LSHT to remain on the Sam Houston You need to help maintain it, help with fundraisers, and be an advocate for it.

Allen Pape