Pacific Lumber Poised to Log Ancient Redwoods Adjacent to Avenue of the Giants

For immediate release Nov. 2, 2004

Contact: Bay Area Coalition for Headwaters (510) 548-3113

Pacific Lumber Poised to Log Ancient Redwoods Adjacent to Avenue of the Giants

Logging Plan Borders Humboldt Redwoods State Park, Highway 101

Humboldt County, CA - Signs dotting Northern California's stretch of
Highway 101 near the town of Red Crest declare the scenic passage the
"Redwood Highway", named for ancient redwoods that tower over its
flanks. Passing through Humboldt Redwoods State Park, which contains
one of the largest remaining contiguous stands of ancient coast
redwoods in the world, lengths of the famous thoroughfare are just a
stone's throw to ancient forest owned by Maxxam/Pacific
Lumber-redwoods they plan to cut down in the coming weeks.

The 65-acre Timber Harvest Plan (1-04-220 HUM) is habitat for the
endangered marbled murrelet and contains many giant redwoods,
including some over 10 feet in diameter. Due to its close proximity
to the park, the plan has drawn criticism from the Department of
Parks and Recreation (DPR), which sent a dissenting "letter of
non-concurrence" to the California Department of Forestry (CDF), the
agency responsible for approving the plan. The denuded hillside would
create a visual blight to passengers on Hwy 101, as well as those on
Avenue of the Giants within the State Park.

DPR also cited a procedural oversight in which they were excluded
from an inspection that evaluated visual impacts of the logging
operation. It was only through a personal communication with a CDF
staff forester and related documents that DPR learned of the
inspection. In this location, the removal of old growth redwoods
cannot be visually mitigated.

Humboldt Redwoods State Park has suffered environmental damage in
recent years, including giant redwoods that toppled when erosion from
upstream logging on PL property undercut the banks of Bear Creek.
Bear Creek lies just a quarter mile from the proposed harvest area.

Further criticism of the logging plan came from the Regional Water
Quality Control Board. After reviewing the proposed logging plan, and
the "impaired condition of the water courses in the plan area, the
Water Board "determined that additional protection is needed to
comply with water protection laws. The Regional Water Board staff
has the responsibility and expertise to protect "beneficial uses of
water", but they say the plan falls short

Approval of the plan would also expose visitors to Humboldt Redwoods
State Park to the noise pollution of a full-scale industrial logging
operation of ancient redwood forest. The explosive sound of a 1,500
year-old tree hitting the ground would damper a peaceful autumn hike
through the woods. The resulting aftermath from the cutting of new
roads on steep slopes holds great erosion threats to the Parkland and
watershed as well.

The deadline for public comment to CDF in Santa Rosa is midnight on November 5.
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Bay Area Coalition for Headwaters (BACH)

2530 San Pablo Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94702
phone: 510 548 3113
email: bach [at] headwaterspreserve.org

http://www.HeadwatersPreserve.org