Maxxam/PL Bankruptcy Options Hearing Leaves Trees Future Uncertain

Thursday 2/28 - Corpus Christi, TX - Maxxam owned Pacific Lumber holding their Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Hearing to decide the future of Humboldt County's redwood forest ecosystem. What options remain for the overlogged and heavily clearcut redwoods unfortunate enough to have set their roots on Maxxam/PL property is the question to be decided by various people who reside far away from the frequent rains of CA's North Coast..

for details on Maxxam/PL Bankruptcy options;
http://www.asje.org/PL_Bankruptcy.html

A great deal of the redwoods ecosystem logged by Maxxam/PL is at risk of being sold to developers to pay off the debt owed to creditors. By removing these lands from the potential for logging would result in worsening of economic conditions. The steep slopes of the region also make development a destructive choice with little recourse for restoration. If forest lands are returned to the community, restoration and possible future logging operated by local people would be possible. Clearly development of forests into suburban sprawl mansions is the least desirable option..

Other options include setting aside several tracts for public use as parklands for hiking and outdoor recreation. Except for a few footpaths, the region would remain undisturbed and able to recover from several decades of high rate logging and clearcutting. This would be most desirable option for the public benefit, erosion control and flood safety. Some corporations may be upset, though this is acceptacle as we've been upset and harmed plenty by the presence of Maxxam corporation in Humboldt County..

Since the decision makers reside outside Humboldt county, it is equally fair and valid to allow the people of Humboldt and surrounding region to have their input and be listened to. Some other options not up for offer, though equally valid include reclaiming the Maxxam/PL land for the local communities..

A great deal of the land in question claimed as "owned" by Maxxam/PL originally was cared for and lived upon by local indigenous tribal nations, inlcuding the Wiyot, Wintu, Hupa and others. This land claimed by Maxxam/PL was taken from the indigenous people by force and deceit over the last few centuries and some form of reparations including return of stolen land to the nearest surviving tribal nations (Wiyot, Round Valley, Hupa, etc..) is in order to restore our collective dignity. This current PL bankruptcy trial would be a great time to begin returning land held in excess by abusive corporations like Maxxam/PL who have shown themselves incapable of being good stewards to the environment, instead to be returned to the indigenous people who can resume caring for their native land. The Hupa have selectively logged their lands for forestry without using herbicides (since they don't clearcut, herbicides are uneccesary!) during the same time frame that Maxxam/PL has managed to cause erosion, sedimentation and flooding alongside frequent herbicide applications with their clearcutting methods..

In addition the people employed in forestry who settled in the region over tha last few decades have found themselves at the mercy of Maxxam since their '85 takeover of locally controlled Pacific Lumber, the locally owned corporation at risk of bankruptcy since the increase of logging following the Maxxam takeover of PL. The methods of overlogging, clearcutting and old growth harvesting used by Maxxam/PL have givin the job of logging a bad name. Local people who are skilled in forestry have the right to harvest and sell their local timber without corporate intrusion from afar (Maxxam based in Houston, TX.) This was the message Judi Bari tried to get out before the car bomb and resulting death from cancer and injury related illnesses. The potential for local community forestry has only been attempted in two locations in CA, Sunny Brae (near Arcata) and Weaverville (299 E). The ONLY other options for logging that exists is either Maxxam/PL or SPI, and the smaller "Green Diamond" further north. However, there are no other community forestry projects other than the Weaverville and Sunny Brae sites. Why not grant the communities of Fortuna, Scotia and Rio Dell their share of community forest land from the excess land holdings of Maxxam/PL??

visit Weaverville community forest @;
http://www.tcrcd.net/w-ville_forest/wcf_index.htm