Maxxam Tree Climbers Arrest Tree-Sitter on Traverse

North Coast Earth First!

For Immediate Release April 21, 2003
Contact: Naomi Wagner

Maxxam Tree Climbers Arrest Tree-Sitter on Traverse
Heavy Rains Do Not Keep Maxxam Climbers Out of Trees

On Monday, during a drenching downpour, Maxxam/PL climber, Eric Schatz, ascended a "traverse line" to extract yet another tree sitter from one of the few old growth redwood trees still standing in the Freshwater watershed near Eureka. An intense struggle to save the last giants has been going nonstop here for the past month. 41 people, including many tree sitters and supporters, have been arrested so far in the growing protests against Maxxam/PL's destruction of the ancient trees. The timber harvest plan, which calls for clear cutting on very steep slopes, has virtually leveled the landscape and spares no ancient trees.

Luigi had harnessed himself to the traverse, a rope connecting two old growth redwoods, in a last ditch attempt to save them from Maxxam's saws. After setting up and going out on a second traverse line, Schatz apprehended Luigi and restrained him in pain compliance holds as the activist dangled 100 feet above the ground and hauled him back to the tree where two other climbers were waiting. He was then lowered to the ground and arrested by the Humboldt County Sheriff. Maxxam fallers immediately cut five more old growth trees.

"The tree sitter's hands and feet were bound and he was put into some sort of a sling and lowered to the ground," said Kathie Bunnell, a local resident, witnessing a tree sitter being extracted for the first time. " I was deeply moved and have great respect for the courageous and dignified way Luigi handled himself, even when the climbers were cutting large branches above him in the tree."

Local residents and activists have been holding daily vigils along Greenwood Heights Rd. since March 17, to witness the extraction of tree sitters and protest the cutting of the last old growth trees along the road. Although Maxxam/PL had initially closed the road,
claiming they had a permit, local law enforcement and government officials determined the closure was illegal and Greenwood Heights Road has stayed open ever since.

Ignoring both public outcry and scientific analysis showing impacts to the watershed so severe it called for the cessation of logging there, the Regional Water Quality Control Board recently approved a waste discharge requirement waiver for Maxxam/PL. The ruling gave a green light to the company's previously illegal logging, and allowed Maxxam/PL to continue their controversial accelerated rate of cut. The elevated rate of cut, in fact, is the basis of fraud charges in the recent lawsuit filed by District Attorney, Paul Gallegos. The suit claims Maxxam/PL concealed and suppressed critical information about the impacts of cutting on steep slopes, thereby reaping millions in illegal profits.

Maxxam/PL has hired a public relations firm to orchestrate a smear campaign of T.V. and print media ads against the activists, attacking their unbroken record of nonviolent civil disobedience.
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April 22, 2003 led to another tree-sit eviction. At least one defender has been arrested at the time of this posting. The tree named Marvelous was attacked by Eric Schatz and Maxxam's loggers.

The struggle to protect the anceint forests continues.................