THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- A grassroots group called Save Jones State Forest Park is gaining momentum in its efforts to stop Senate Bill 1964 before it can take root.

The bill, introduced by Senator Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe), relates to the use of land in Jones State Forest Park for academic and economic purposes.

The 1,173-acre forest in Montgomery County is owned and administered by the Texas A&M University System.

The exact wording of the bill, which can can be found here, states " … the board may use or lease land in Jones States Forest for the construction of buildings or improvements for multipurpose uses, including academic, research and private commercial uses, when in its judgment is advantageous to the state to do so."

The words "private commercial uses" particularly alarm the members of Save Jones State Forest Park.

According to a March 28 press release, the verbiage of "commercial" is also concerning to Senator Creighton.

"I am hearing the constituents loud and clear," reads a quote from Senator Creighton. "I agree the requested A&M language is drafted too broadly and I plan to remove the 'commercial' language from the bill."

Mark Bowen, committee member of Save Jones State Forest Park, said they would prefer the bill be pulled instead of amended.

"Once the bill goes through in whatever form, it becomes pretty easy for state reps and senators to amend the daylights out of it later on," Bowen said. "There are better ways to start a conversation than to just file a bill without first talking to your constituents."

In an April 4 letter replying to constituents' inquiries, Creighton stated the bill was filed at the request of Texas A&M University System to require a public conversation on whether the University has local support for the construction of a forest center and educational facility in Jones State Forest.

"I filed this piece of legislation to assure that the people of Montgomery County will have a voice in what Texas A&M proposes to do with the forest that we all cherish," the letter states. "While Texas A&M has owned Jones State Forest since the 1920's, it is a valued part of Montgomery County and I intend to make sure that it remains in its current state unless local sentiment requests a change."

Bowen said the Senator has yet to sit down in person with anyone to discuss the bill.

"We have heard from more than one municipality that they have not been willing to sit down," Bowen said. "It's obvious Texas A&M and Senator Creighton got a little ahead of themselves by making those decisions without consulting their constituents. Now they're dealing with the unintended consequences.

"We think the only way to fix this is to pull the bill and start over. Sit down with elected leaders and other major stakeholders. There needs to be good conversation, and hopefully a consensus will emerge."

The bill has been referred to the Senate Higher Education committee, but a date for the hearing has yet to be determined. The progress of SB 1964 can be followed here.

Meanwhile, the community is invited to a meeting slated for Sunday April 9 in Conroe.

More information

Want to go?

What: Save Jones State Forest Park community meeting

When: 2 p.m. Sunday April 9

Where: Knights of Columbus, 2655 FM 1488, Conroe, 77384