In a 14 page decision, Judge John Golden has issued a halt to all of Maxxam/PL's logging operations on August 29, 2002. The decision was a shock to EPIC and the Sierra Club who filed the lawsuit in 1999. The Kaiser Steelworkers assisted in initiating the lawsuit while on strike. At issue is the so-called "Sustained Yield Plan"(SYP). Apparently, the state agencies and PL had been dragging their feet turning over information regarding the "Headwaters Deal" and claimed attorney client privilege on the documents. The Judge felt it is in the public's interest to halt these operations until he's had a chance to review the totality of the situation.

The order isn't exactly clear as to what the judge has stayed after further review. It does appear that something is to be halted, but to what extent and whether it is just the current process for THP's in the hopper, is not known. It appears clarification will be required from the court, as PL continued operations as usual the following day after the ruling came out. EPIC's appears to believe that all of the permits obtained under the guise of the HCP and SYP are stayed. EPIC's press release More 1 2 3 Audio interview with EPIC

Meanwhile, Maxxam/PL claims in their latest press release to be following the law and labels non violent protesters as terrorist. This latest injuction indicates otherwise. Judge Golden's injunction debunks all the claims PL put forward in that press release regarding their operations being legal.

On Sep. 18 & 19, 2002, EPIC & the Steelworkers were back in court on the order. The judge stated he meant for his order to cover ALL logging operations which fall under the HCP and SYP. This is in addition to the CDF administrative processes which are stayed currently. PL has refused to obey the court order and continues to log THP's even though all of their operations fall under the SYP and the HCP. Residents have contacted the Sheriff's office, but they've claimed no knowledge regarding the stay. There have been 16 arrests of non-violent protesters since the order was issued and some of the protesters have had copies of the stay on them at time of arrest. Residents have also posted the order on the gates leading into the active harvest plans. Judge Golden is going to issue a written ruling on whether to extend the stay until the trial on the merits of these matters is heard in January of 2003 and it is expected to be filed with the court sometime during the week of Sep. 23-27th, 2002.