Humboldt Co. tree-sitter ascends tree in Sacramento Capitol lawn!

For Immediate Release
February 5, 2004
Contact: Sunset (707) 834-2369

Shunka (707) 268-5613


TREE-SITTER COMES TO SACRAMENTO–
A TREESIT TO SUPPORT SB 754, SHELVED BY THE NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE

Sacramento, CA – A man named Bear climbed a tree outside the California state capitol today to raise awareness for SB 754, the Heritage Tree Act, which has been held up by the State Assembly’s Natural Resources Committee. This bill would protect trees on non-federal lands that were standing in 1850, the year of California’s statehood. Bear plans to stay in the tree until the State Assembly passes the bill.

The Heritage Tree Act was first introduced by Senator Perata in February, 2003. It was amended and passed by the Appropriations committee then the Senate, but two more votes are needed to get it through the Natural Resources Committee.

In Freshwater, where Bear is currently residing, irresponsible and unsustainable logging practices carried out by the Maxxam/Pacific Lumber Company are causing irreparable damage to the community, watersheds, the logging and eco-tourism economy, and endangered species habitat. Communities all over California are plagued by this and similar problems of forest mismanagement. Over 97% of California’s old growth forests have been devastated, creating hillside erosion, flooding, a drop in air quality, and a loss of jobs. “Everything from the water we drink to the air we breathe is affected by the loss of these irreplaceable forests,” said Bear. Legislation is desperately needed to protect these trees that are such a valuable part of California’s history, heritage, and natural environment.

Please show your support of this important bill by calling the members of the Natural Resources Committee and encouraging them to pass this SB 754 on to the Assembly floor.

Assemblymember Wolk - 916-319-2008
Assemblymember Montanez - 916-319-2039
Assemblymember Lowenthal - 916-319-2054
Assemblymember Koretz - 916-319-2042
Assemblymember Jackson (Chair) - 916-319-2035
Assemblymember Hancock - 916-319-2014
Assemblymember Laird - 916-319-2027
Assemblymember Lieber - 916-319-2022