Timber Plan Threatens South Fork Trinity River

A place that many of us know and love as "Hell's Half Acre" is currently threatened by a proposed road to an inholding of Sierra Pacific Industries, which plans to log 160 acres right in the middle of this roadless area. The road would be approximately 4,800' long, and would log approximately 40,000 board feet of Douglas Fir and ponderosa pine in old growth/suitable Northern Spotted Owl habitat. The road would cross 4 intermittent streams that are tributaries to Underwood Creek, which flows into the Wild and Scenic S.Fork Trinity.

The hope is that we can stall the USFS issuing a permit to build the road until the land can be bought by a land trust or other suitable landowner.

Six Rivers National Forest is taking scoping comments on SPI's proposed Special Use Permit. Comments are due Thursday, Nov. 18. I will be submitting comments on behalf of the chapter, but it would be helpful to inform the USFS how valuable this area is to local botanists and nature lovers.

You can submit comments by November 18, 2004 to:
George Frey, Six Rivers National Forest
1330 Bayshore Way, Eureka, CA 95501
gfrey [at] fs.fed.us

Things to highlight include loss of scientific value, impacts to rare species, spread of invasive non-natives, unique characteristics of the area, and setting a precedent of degrading potential wilderness areas. Also important are less tangible concerns--let them know how you really feel about this amazing place!

If you have any questions, ask and I'll try to answer. This is the first stage in which the USFS is asking for input on what needs to be addressed in the Environmental Assessment or EIR. So you will be hearing more about this later, but for now just try to get in whatever you can, even if it's short.

Thanks,
Jennifer Kalt
Conservation Chair
North Coast Chapter
California Native Plant Society
P.O. Box 1067
Arcata, CA 95518

The mission of the California Native Plant Society is to conserve California's native plants and their natural habitats, and to increase understanding and appreciation of them, through education, science, advocacy, horticulture and land stewardship.