Montgomery County is one of the fastest growing counties in the state partly due to it's proximity to the city of Houston and partly
due to its natural amenities supporting outdoor recreation. The 161 ,508 acre Sam Houston National Forest beginning in the northern
part of the county , the 21 ,000 acre Lake Conroe in the north central and the 1 ,725 acres in Jones State Forest in the south are key
attractions in the county along with the numerous wooded develop¬ments and acreage communities. However, it also contains some of the
most pristine streams and associated bottomland hardwood forests in the Houston area. Although little known, it also contains the
western extent of many of the habitats contained in the Big Thicket National Preserve.
The rapid development of the county is placing extreme pressure on the existing greenspace which in turn is placing pressure on water
quality, wildlife habitat and flood control.
The E. 1488 Association has recognized the value of this approach for the long term health of the county and area communities and is
evaluating the possibility of developing a Lake Creek Greenway similar to what is being developed along Spring Creek. The Montgomery
Trace and Woodforest preserves could act to anchor such a greenway.
Those of us who intend to remain in Montgomery County should seriously think about what we want to leave the next generation. The
historical approach is unsustainable and would leave us with limited recreational areas, increased flooding and water pollution. Given
the pace of development we don't have much time to begin identifying and pre¬serving those areas with the greatest recreational and
environmental services value. A number of experts have already identified the Lake Creek bottomland as a resource that should be
preserved and would be a tremendous asset to the businesses and communities in the area. There is little doubt of the value of a
Greenbelt.
-
Working with County, Houston Galveston Area Council, Bayou Land Conservancy and area land owners to protect Lake Creek waters
and develop a green belt available to area residents. Accomplishments as of August 2011 include:
• Obtained a resolution from Commissioners Court of county support for the Green Belt.
• Also obtained agreement of support in equipment and staff from Commissioner on as available basis.
• Surveyed a trail system (with Bayou Land Conservancy) on 64 acres of county property along Lake Creek as first step in
developing a County Park on Lake Creek. The Land Conservancy has approved the location of a trail system. Plan to begin
clearing this fall in cooler weather.
-
The East 1488 Community Association sponsored a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training class from March 4 until
April 22, 2010. CERT trainees receive instruction in disaster preparedness, disaster fire suppression, disaster medical
operations, light search and rescue, disaster psychology and team organization. The course ends with a disaster simulation;
participants receive CERT certification and emergency kit.
-
The East 1488 Community Association held a an Emergency Preparedness public forum in August of 2009. Residents heard reports
from county officials concerning the current status level of preparedness of the county to meet the future emergencies. Since
we are a rural community and the number of emergency personnel are limited, an emphasis was placed on the need for individuals
to be prepared to take care of themselves, possibly for long periods of time. They heard presentations, asked questions and
made suggestions about how to become better prepared to ensure the safety and well-being of their families and community during
emergency situations. As a result, a CERT training class was planned for early 2010.
Click on this link
Magnolia School Board presentation
to see a recent presentation to the Magnolia School Board titled "South Montgomery County Floodplains: National and Recreational Treasures" in Adobe Acrobat format.
Click on this link
Lake Creek Resolution
to see a copy of the resolution recently signed by local county commisioners regarding this project.
Click on this link
Choices for Growth
to open an interesting booklet about quality of life and the natural environment in Adobe Acrobat format.
Click on this link
Conroe Courier Article
to open an article from the Conroe Courier about the future of this are in terms of natural environment in Adobe Acrobat format.
If you do not have the free Adobe Acrobat Reader program, click here
to download and install it.