TX-99 Extension Threatens Peach Creek Bird Sanctuary

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

**Grand Parkway Extension Threatens Future of Prized Peach Creek Woods Bird Sanctuary**

**SPLENDORA, TX – [Current Date]** – A critical 71-acre nature preserve in Montgomery County, the Peach Creek Woods Sanctuary, faces an existential threat from a proposed extension of the Grand Parkway (TX-99). The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has identified “alternative 3” for Segment H of the roadway, a route that would bisect 58 acres of the sanctuary, ultimately requiring the acquisition of the entire property.

The sanctuary, located about 40 miles north of downtown Houston near Splendora, has been owned and managed by Houston Audubon since 1974. It represents a vital tract of bottomland hardwood forest, interspersed with mature pines and wetlands within the Peach Creek floodplain. This unique ecosystem serves as an indispensable stopover and breeding ground for neotropical migratory birds along the Gulf Coast flyway, earning it recognition as an “Important Bird Area” by the National Audubon Society.

For decades, the sanctuary has been a hub for significant avian research. Dr. Charles Stinnett initiated long-term bird banding studies here, with over 12,000 birds banded to date. This research has documented an astonishing diversity of species, including 35 species of warblers—such as cerulean, prothonotary, and northern parulas—seven species of woodpeckers, and the elusive Bachman’s sparrow. The loss of Peach Creek Woods would not only devastate a unique local habitat but also eliminate a crucial data point for understanding migratory patterns and population health across the Americas.

“Peach Creek Woods Sanctuary is more than just 71 acres; it’s an irreplaceable piece of Texas’ natural heritage and a critical lifeline for countless migratory birds,” said Helen Streeter, Executive Director of Houston Audubon. “These bottomland hardwood forests are increasingly rare, and this sanctuary has been meticulously managed and studied for fifty years. To lose it to a highway would be a profound and permanent blow to conservation efforts in our region.”

Segment H is the final unbuilt section of the Grand Parkway intended to connect I-45 to I-69 (US 59), a project TxDOT states is necessary to accommodate the rapid growth and increasing traffic congestion in Montgomery County and the broader Houston metropolitan area. While an earlier TxDOT proposal, “alternative 1,” ran parallel to the sanctuary’s north side, their current preferred “alternative 3” slices directly through the preserve’s heart.

Houston Audubon, alongside a coalition of environmental groups and concerned citizens, is strongly advocating for “Route 4.” This alternative proposes utilizing existing utility easements located to the east of the sanctuary, a solution that would completely bypass the preserve and preserve its ecological integrity. Consultants have estimated the economic impact of TxDOT’s preferred route on the sanctuary to be approximately $5.6 million, a figure reflecting the property’s valuation and the costs associated with its acquisition. However, conservationists argue that the ecological and scientific value of the sanctuary is immeasurable.

“The Grand Parkway is a vital piece of infrastructure for our growing region, and TxDOT is committed to finding the most efficient and responsible routing solutions,” stated a TxDOT spokesperson, emphasizing the department’s comprehensive evaluation process which considers environmental, social, and economic factors. “We appreciate all public feedback received during the comment period and are carefully reviewing every submission to help inform our final decision.”

The public comment period for the proposed Segment H closed recently on July 24, 2023. TxDOT is now reviewing the submitted feedback and is expected to release a final environmental impact statement and a record of decision in the coming months. This forthcoming decision will determine the fate of the Peach Creek Woods Sanctuary and set a precedent for how critical natural resources are balanced against infrastructure development in one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions.

For more information on the Peach Creek Woods Sanctuary and Houston Audubon’s efforts, visit [https://houstonaudubon.org/](https://houstonaudubon.org/). Details on the Grand Parkway Segment H project can be found on TxDOT’s project page at [www.txdot.gov/projects/grand-parkway-segment-h](https://www.txdot.gov/projects/grand-parkway-segment-h) (placeholder URL).

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