Sabine National Forest timber money to improve Sabine, Shelby county roads

HEMPHILL, Texas ( KETK ) – The Texas A&M Forest Service has announced that Sabine and Shelby County roads will be improved with money made from Sabine National Forest timber sales.

In 2019, the Texas A&M Forest Service partnered with the USDA Forest Service’s Good Neighbor Authority in order to help manage the Sabine National Forest. One of their management practices is “selective forest thinning” which cuts only certain trees, reportedly maintains the forest and has made $657,492 in timber sales for Sabine and Shelby County road improvements.

“Selective forest thinning is conducted when trees reach a size where they are competing against each other for nutrients, water and sunlight,” said Jordan Herrin, the Texas A&M Forest Service regional operations chief. “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.”

The money made from the thinning will be directed to Shelby and Sabine counties specifically because of the forest’s location within the counties.

“The Good Neighbor funds allowed Sabine County to purchase road material for shared Forest Service roads,” said Sabine County Judge Daryl Melton. “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.”

The USDA Forest Service said the practices used in Sabine National Forest are an example of collaboration between forest sustainability efforts, closely monitored forest health, systematic timber harvesting, utilization of wood and profits.

“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 $657,492 was made by harvesting 43,625 tons of timber from across 500 acres of the Sabine National Forest from October 2019 to Dec. 15, 2023. Similar sales are taking place in the nearby Davy Crockett and Sam Houston National Forests.

To learn more, visit the Texas A&M Forest Service online .

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