Pacific Lumber jumped the gun on logging operations in a controversial logging plan that contains a large stand of ancient redwoods which serve as habitat for an endangered seabird, the Marbled Murrelet. PL received a “Notice of Violation” Thursday from the Regional Water Board citing timber operations inside the so-called “Bonanza” timber plan that took place without a required waiver for waste discharge (sediment) into Nanning Creek.

According to the Environmental Protection Information Center, the Bonanza harvest plan contains the largest unprotected, contiguous, occupied marbled murrelet stand left on Maxxam/PL's land. Last year, a comprehensive Status Review for the murrelet, prepared by a blue-ribbon panel of top murrelet researchers, warned that if current trends continue, the endangered species faces a very high probability of extinction in California within a very short time.

The violation is the most recent incident in a string of clashes between PL and the Water Board, whom PL blames for it’s financial troubles. The Board denies such responsibility. PL’s latest failure to comply with water quality permits is likely to prolong the tension.

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