Feature Archives

Richard Wilson says so, and he should know. Wilson headed the California Department of Forestry in 1999, when State and Federal governments signed away $480 million in taxpayer money to the Texas corporation in exchange for 7,500 acres of redwood forest. Unfortunately, without asking us, they also signed away the rest of Maxxam's timberlands - sentencing the remaining trees to be quickly turned into cash regardless of the loss of water quality, the damage to near-by residents, or the killing of endangered Coho salmon. It was the infamous Headwaters "Deal."

Maxxam's Pacific Lumber submitted bogus landslide data to CDF in order to obtain a higher rate of cut, claiming the increased rate would not result in increased landslides. The day before the March 1, 1999 deal was signed, the corrected data was submitted to a branch office in Fortuna, CA, avoiding notice from the agencies as well as comment from the public.

After Maxxam/Pacific Lumber fired "Climber Dan" in 1998 or 1999, they retained wife beater Eric Schatz, of Schatz Tree Service, to extract tree-sitters, providing him with side work to enhance his tree butchering business.

The video illustrates a tree-sit eviction in the old growth redwood named Allah by those who attempted to defend it from being cut-down. Allah was more than 800 years old and about 125 yards from Jerry, the tree occupied by Remedy for 361 days before she was forcibly removed three weeks earlier.

More

12/22/2003: In an effort to spread good cheer and consciousness this holiday season, SACRED went eco-caroling at MAXXAM.
Photos | Audio

MAXXAM Corporation is responsible for the careless logging of our nation's ancient California redwood forests. SACRED wants to spread the message that America's old-growth redwood forests are in danger of extinction, and that MAXXAM implements destructive logging practices on the large track of unprotected old-growth land they own. These destructive logging practices have placed several species of fish and birds on the endangered species list and continue to threaten the livelihood of citizens in Humboldt County, California.

9/26: Critical Mass, a phenomenon that began in San Francisco in the early 90s, celebrated its 11th birthday on 9/26. The ride, which is paralelled by bicyclists in nearly 300 cities worldwide every month, is mostly an "unorganized coincidence" of pollution-free, space-friendly, fun-loving traffic. Riders were asked to bring their bike, silly hats, noise/music makers, absurd/wicked cool bicycles, grandparents, children, good cheer. Details

9/27: 5-6,000 people rode through the streets of San Francisco celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Critical Mass during Friday's rush hour - while cars honked but remained motionless at dozens of intersections. A monthly grassroots event, Critical Mass is decentralized to the point that bicyclists spontaneously organize themselves into groups and ride off throughout the city with the purpose of reclaiming public space for bicycles. The Mass was split into several still-critical masses by traffic cops, only to reconverge in riotous music and merrymaking at City Hall and Dolores Park. The Bike for Colombia sound system called for global justice and an end to Bush's "Plan Colombia" oil war which is terrorizing that South American nation. SFPD reported 6-12 arrests and 3 injuries.

Though vilified by some motorists, Critical Mass bicyclists have for 10 years brought about positive social change in the form of bike-friendly laws -- and had fun while doing it. "I'm here to celebrate community coming together in civil disobedience, and to mess things up a little bit!," said Robin Honan of San Francisco, who wore a pink birthday cake on her head. Critical Mass, which began in San Francisco, takes place the last Friday of every month and is now celebrated in over 300 cities worldwide. The 10th anniversary celebration coincided with San Francisco's first annual Car-Free Day. Photos

Fri. 3/28 Evening: Thousands of cyclists took to the streets for a combined Critical Mass and Bikes Not Bombs.   Bikes left Justin Herman Plaza shortly after 6PM and after trying to get onto the Bay Bridge the ride broke into small contingents shutting down car traffic all over downtown San Francisco. Photos: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5
Posts calling for daily Bikes Not Bombs rides: 1 | 2

Dec. 03' - The Siskiyou National Forest proposes the LARGEST FOREST SERVICE LOGGING PROJECT IN MODERN HISTORY. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) "preferred alternative" proposes logging 518 million board feet of trees on 30,000 acres, or 46 square miles! That's enough trees to fill log trucks lined up end to end for nearly 900 miles!! In response to the massive logging proposal from the Forest Service, conservation groups have developed a common-sense restoration proposal called the Siskiyou Wild Rivers Conservation Alternative:

Post-fire logging will retard the recovery of the Biscuit area and could severely damage the environment. Any logging should be confined to Matrix forestlands where it is allowed under the Northwest Forest Plan. The Siskiyou Wild Rivers Conservation Alternative relies on guidelines from the "Beschta Report." It recommends there be no post-fire logging on unstable areas and trees over 20 inches in diameter be left standing.

More: KSWILD | Siskyiyou Project | Biscuit Fire Assessment | Biscuit Fire salvage deemed too costly | Wildfire and Poverty Report | CFA press release

Your letters needed by January 20th, 2004 - Deadline extended!