SYP ruling implementation compromises decision

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U P D A T E and A L E R T from the
BAY AREA COALITION FOR HEADWATERS
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1 - SYP ruling implementation compromises decision
2 - Tree-sits continue on Gypsy Mt.; activists lobby for acquisition
3 - Headwaters Preserve management plan released
4 - Upcoming events of interest to forest activists

JUDGE'S RULING IN EPIC'S SYP CASE ALLOWS LOGGING IN MOST TIMBER HARVEST PLANS

High hopes held by forest advocates were dashed on Sept. 26 when the judge presiding over the case challenging PL's Sustained Yield Plan decided NOT to enjoin PL's logging plans that were filed prior to July 22, 2003. That opens the door for chainsaws to rush in on plans that relied on permits found by the court to be inadequate or non-existant when Judge Golden ruled in EPIC's favor in July. That ruling brought resolution to a much delayed case brought by EPIC, the Sierra Club and United Steelworkers of America, challenging permits issued PL as part of the Headwaters Deal in 1999--specificaly the SYP, Incidental Take Permits, allowing destruction of endangered species, and streambed alteration permits. While Golden found that PL's logging had indeed degraded water quality, caused flooding and
damaged fish populations, and that the SYP was not only inadequate but non-existant in the form required by law, his implementation ruling was based on adverse economic impacts. The permits are still
invalidated, however, and PL has not revealed whether they will appeal that ruling, or put together a new SYP.

Unfortunately, the judge did not see the greater irreparable harm that would be done to watersheds, imperiled species and hammered forests by continued logging by PL methods as outweighing harm done to PL's bottom line. Aside from the company's profit margin, far greater harm has been done to local jobs and the local economy by the
irresponsible overcutting carried out by PL, where sustainable logging was once possible. A copy of the decision can be viewed at the BACH office or BACH's next public meeting (see below).


ACTIVISTS LOBBY STATE FOR ACQUISITION AS TREE SITS CONTINUE

In the Grizzly Creek area of PL holdings, tree sits continue on Gypsy Mt., where David Gypsy Chain was killed by an angry logger in 1998. The 5th anniversary of his tragic death was commemorated in a
gathering and vigil on the site on Sept. 17, while strategy was devised at an action camp in nearby Grizzly Creek State Park in Humboldt county. Logging crews went into the area Sept. 16, but did
not dismantle the tree-sits and logging was curtailed by the presence of activists in the forest. Crews returned on Sept. 19, when several locked-down people were arrested. Meanwhile, Humboldt activist Shunka released a proposal for purchase of acreage in the disputed area as an addition to Grizzly Creek State Park system.

LONG-AWAITED MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR HEADWATERS PRESERVE RELEASED ON OCTOBER 10

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will release the final mangement plan for the portion of Headwaters Forest purchased through the Headwaters Deal in October. The plan will be subject to a 30 day public comment period, which BACH will be very involved with. Come to our upcoming meeting and tune in to our alerts for updates. We will
have a copy of the plan at the BACH office.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Sat. Oct. 11
Environmentalists Against the War Teach-In and Activist Convergence
9:30 am to 8 pm at St. Boniface Church, 133 Golden Gate Ave. (at Leavenworth), San Francisco
Keynote speakers include Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Father Louis Vitale and Wilson Riles Jr., and Workshops include The Environmental and Social Justice Impact of War at ome, Effects of Oil Addiction and Strategies for Sustainable Energy, Erosion of Civil Liberties, the Social, Health and Environmental Costs of War and Break Out organizing sessions on the Arms Race, Campus Organizing, Activist
Skills with many stellar speakers and activists facilitating these sessions.
Info: (510) 654-6346, x2 or see http://www.envirosagainstwar.org

Sat. Oct. 11
Indigenous People's Day Pow Wow and Indian Market, Martin Luther King Jr. Park, downtown Berkeley

Tuesday Oct.14
7 pm meeting of the Bay Area Coalition for Headwaters
Rockridge Library, 5366 College Ave., Oakland, 5 blocks south of Rockridge BART

Nov. 30
Believe it or not, the 10 th birthday of the Bay Area Coalition for Headwaters is upon us! If you can help us plan a wonderful celebration with campaign displays, a silent auction and music program, please call our office: 510-548-3113.

TOMORROW Oct. 3
Demonstrate for Canada's endangered forests at the Canadian Consulate in San Francisco (555 Montgomery St.) at noon with Forest Ethics Wood Campaign!
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Bay Area Coalition for Headwaters (BACH)
Ecology Center
2530 San Pablo Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94702
phone: 510 548 3113
email: bach at igc.org
http://www.HeadwatersPreserve.org