Mattole Forest Defenders Under Siege in Humboldt

Thursday, April 5, 2001

Carl Anderson, Pacific Lumber/Maxxam head of security, and 11 sheriffs have invaded the Mattole Free State. They were observed driving though Monument gate at approximately 8:45 AM on the way to the free state where approximately 15 non-violent Forest Defenders are blocking the logging road at the junction of Rainbow Ridge and Long Ridge in defense of 3000 acres of old growth Douglas Fir, the largest lowland stand of old growth Douglas Fir remaining in California.

As of 11:00 AM, one forest defender had been removed from the Dragon car lockdown and arrested. Reportedly two defenders remain locked down in the junked car. Word from the free state is that mechanized equipment is being used to dismantle the car and a jackhammer is being used to smash concrete under the car that a forest defender is locked down into. Sheriffs are chasing activist trying to arrest anyone trespassing in the area. At this time, the status of two other blockades in the free state is unknown.

Earlier in the week on Tuesday, April 3, 13 police and PL security entered the freestate, videoed the blockades, confiscated tools and personal gear such as sleeping bags and trashed the kitchen area. As of today, April 5, no loggers have entered the area.

At stake in the Mattole is 3000 acres of old growth and many thousands of acres of 2nd growth Douglas Fir. Residents and friends of the Mattole believe timber harvest plans in the Mattole are illegal. Ironically, Habitat Conservation Plans (HCP's) were issued to PL as a condition of the infamous Headwaters deal which put several hundred million dollars in PL/Maxxam's pockets for protection of approximately 7000 acres of old growth redwood. These HCP's effectively override selective EPA rules protecting the habitat in the Mattole Watershed and other forest areas of the region. The residents of the Mattole feel their watershed is being sacrificed as a condition of the Headwaters deal. Forest defenders hope to delay logging until a pending lawsuit is heard in court.

When more details of the continuing Mattole Free State raids are known, an update will be published.