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Pacific Lumber Poised to Log Ancient Redwoods Adjacent to Avenue of the Giants
Pacific Lumber Poised to Log Ancient Redwoods Adjacent to Avenue of the Giants
Logging Plan Borders Humboldt Redwoods State Park, Highway 101
Logging Plan Borders Humboldt Redwoods State Park, Highway 101
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.
###
--
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
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.
###
--
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
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By John Driscoll The Times-Standard
Friday, November 05, 2004 -
Parks officials are voicing strong opposition to the state and the Pacific Lumber Co. over plans to log big trees up to the border of Humboldt Redwoods State Park.
The Southern Humboldt County park has lodged complaints with the California Department of Forestry, which has assured that Palco's plan will get another look.
As it stands, Palco is looking to log 65 acres on a steep slope next to U.S. Highway 101 south of Bear Creek. The logging of both giant redwoods left from historic logging and other trees would abut the largest unbroken stand of old-growth redwood in the world, and the park is concerned it would drastically alter the view coming into the park.
"This one is right in our face," said park landscape architect and planner Roger Goddard. "It's going to be a real impact ecologically and visually."
The plan does not call for a true clearcut, but Goddard said the appearance is likely to be similar, and would add to the scene of heavy logging in the area. Goddard's recommendation was to find a way to leave the remaining old trees and reformat the plan.
The North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board has also weighed in with concerns about water quality from the proposed winter operations.
Called for a comment, Palco said only that it is working with the agencies on the plan.
Ron Pape, division chief of forest practices for CDF, said he's not sure the operation will be as visible as the park may think. He added that Palco will leave some big trees and other trees in a 200-foot buffer zone up from the road.
But Pape said CDF will be taking another look at the plan on the ground.
"This is nowhere close to being a done deal," Pape said. "We've got a way to go on that one."
Goddard said the park may issue a half dozen "non-concurrences," or complaints to CDF each year.
Friday, November 05, 2004 -
Parks officials are voicing strong opposition to the state and the Pacific Lumber Co. over plans to log big trees up to the border of Humboldt Redwoods State Park.
The Southern Humboldt County park has lodged complaints with the California Department of Forestry, which has assured that Palco's plan will get another look.
As it stands, Palco is looking to log 65 acres on a steep slope next to U.S. Highway 101 south of Bear Creek. The logging of both giant redwoods left from historic logging and other trees would abut the largest unbroken stand of old-growth redwood in the world, and the park is concerned it would drastically alter the view coming into the park.
"This one is right in our face," said park landscape architect and planner Roger Goddard. "It's going to be a real impact ecologically and visually."
The plan does not call for a true clearcut, but Goddard said the appearance is likely to be similar, and would add to the scene of heavy logging in the area. Goddard's recommendation was to find a way to leave the remaining old trees and reformat the plan.
The North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board has also weighed in with concerns about water quality from the proposed winter operations.
Called for a comment, Palco said only that it is working with the agencies on the plan.
Ron Pape, division chief of forest practices for CDF, said he's not sure the operation will be as visible as the park may think. He added that Palco will leave some big trees and other trees in a 200-foot buffer zone up from the road.
But Pape said CDF will be taking another look at the plan on the ground.
"This is nowhere close to being a done deal," Pape said. "We've got a way to go on that one."
Goddard said the park may issue a half dozen "non-concurrences," or complaints to CDF each year.
For more information:
http://www.times-standard.com
One of more than 60 ancient redwoods marked for cut in the 04-220 Timber Harvest Plan.
See the small watershed next to the harvest plan. This is Bear Creek, one of the most savaged watersheds in Humboldt County. Notice the plume of sediment and the huge delta of debris pouring out. This is what you call a worse case scenario. A smoking gun and a bleeding victim.
I came across this post doing an online search for images and I thought it important to give an update on this THP resistance effort. Due to public and agency (parks, cal trans, cdf) support. Save the Redwoods league stepped in to buy this property and transfer ownership of it, to the State Park System. The state parks expanded a nearby named grove at the mouth of Bear Creek, to include this property. Thanks to all who helped in this effort, an additional 29 acres of forest including hundreds of old growth trees has been saved forever!!
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