Environmental assessment: Construct visitor center and administrative headquarters: Big Thicket National Preserve, Texas

Conrod, William

Construction of a headquarters complex is proposed on a 15-acre tract that was purchased in 1984 for development. The site is 32 miles northwest of the existing leased headquarters building in Beaumont, on highway U.S. 69/287. Facilities would consist of a 20,000 sqaure food visitor center, a 15,000 square foot administrative and central maintenance shop building, storage space, utilities, and paved roads, walks, and parking covering about 5.5 acres. About 50 percent of the tract would be disturbed for construction and landscaping. Existing vegetation is upland pine-hardwood forest that has partially regrown after past logging. No significant impacts would occur on wildlife or habitat protected in the Preserve units, and no significant impacts on local wildlife populations is expected. The site was surveyed for cultural resources and no historic structures or archeological resources were found. The public would benefit from improved interpretation facilities that are centrally located to the Preserve units. Operational efficiency would be improved by centrally located administrative facilities.