CONNECT

  • NEWSROOM: SABINE NATIONAL FOREST TIMBER SALES INVESTED IN SABINE AND SHELBY COUNTIES

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    July 26, 2024

    Sabine National Forest timber sales invested in Sabine and Shelby counties

    HEMPHILL, Texas—Sabine and Shelby counties received $657,492 for county road improvement projects from timber sale profits on the Sabine National Forest through the Good Neighbor Authority partnership.

    The Good Neighbor Authority, a USDA Forest Service program fostering partnerships with state forestry agencies for forest stewardship practices, allowed Texas A&M Forest Service foresters to conduct forest management practices on the Sabine National Forest—ultimately producing this timber sale. This partnership began in 2019.

    Jordan Herrin, Texas A&M Forest Service Regional Operations Chief, explained that Texas A&M Forest Service foresters utilized selective forest thinning practices on the national forest, which is a recommended method by both forest services compared to other methods like clear-cutting.

    “Selective forest thinning is conducted when trees reach a size where they are competing against each other for nutrients, water and sunlight,” said Herrin. “Forest thinning gives way for more nutrients and resources to be directed to the healthiest trees remaining. The thinning improves forest health and lessens the likelihood and impacts of destructive insects across the landscape.”

    Funds from the profit of timber sales through this partnership have been directed to Sabine and Shelby counties, due to the national forest’s location in these counties, for approved road improvements.

    "The Good Neighbor funds allowed Sabine County to purchase road material for shared Forest Service roads,” said Daryl Melton, Sabine County Judge. “Currently, Sabine County helps maintain over 100 miles of Forest Service roads. These roads are a vital part of our county. We are so thankful for this program.”

    Leaders from Sabine and Shelby counties expressed that their relationship was strengthened through this partnership, and it will continue as more timber sales occur.

    "Shelby County appreciates the Good Neighbor Authority program for awarding funds to assist in maintaining the Forest Service roads located in the county,” said Allison Harbison, Shelby County Judge. “We appreciate the partnership between USDA Forest Service and Shelby County and look forward to future projects to benefit the Sabine National Forest and the citizens of Shelby County.”

    State and national forests are owned and operated by state and federal forestry agencies respectively, and they are utilized as experimentation and demonstration models for the public and other foresters and researchers.

    "The partnership between Sabine County, Shelby County, Texas A&M Forest Service and USDA Forest Service is a great example of government working together for the betterment of the public,” said Kimpton Cooper, USDA Forest Service Forest Supervisor. “The use of Good Neighbor Authority has proven to be a winning situation for our local communities and for maintaining healthy forests and for what those forests provide.”

    The forest management practices used in this collaboration effort also emphasize forest sustainability efforts with strategic stand planting, closely monitored forest health, systematic timber harvesting and the utilization of wood and profits after harvesting.

    “By using sustainable forest management methods on state and federal forest lands, it is our goal to demonstrate innovative practices to landowners and forest managers across the state and region,” said Herrin. “Improving the forest health on the National Forest has positive impacts on both public and private forestlands across East Texas.”

    The funds presented are from the timber harvested from two stands consisting of 500 acres in the Sabine National Forest. Harvesting these 43,625 tons of timber began in October 2019 and was completed Dec. 15, 2023.

    Another Good Neighbor Authority timber sale on the Sam Houston National Forest is ongoing. A Good Neighbor Authority timber sale on the Davey Crockett National Forest is being prepared with an anticipated sale in October 2024.


    ###

    Contacts:

    Texas A&M Forest Service Communications, (979) 458-6606, newsmedia@tfs.tamu.edu

    Jordan Herrin, Texas A&M Forest Service Regional Operations Chief, (979) 450-4859, jherrin@tfs.tamu.edu

    Mandy Chumley, USDA Forest Service Public Affairs Specialist, (936) 240-5733, mandy.chumley@usda.gov
  • RELATED INFORMATION