Wednesday morning, as a warm day in dawned in the Rattlesnake Creek forest that feeds the headwaters of the Mattole River, two peaceful and dedicated tree-sitters (who are teachers at an environmental school) were visited by Eric Schatz, Maxxam/Pacific Lumber's tree-sitter "extractor." The tree
sits started in the area last summer to save the steep old growth Douglas Fir grove and bring attention to the rapid devastation in the Mattole watershed caused by Maxxam/Pacific Lumber's clearcutting, helicopter logging, road building, herbicide poisoning, and cutting of old growth trees.
Pacific Lumber (PL), local front for Texas-based Maxxam Corporation, now outsources ALL of their logging and contracts with Eric Schatz, of Schatz Tree Service, to forcibly remove tree-sitters, regardless of the risk it poses to the non-violent protesters. For almost seven years, Schatz has been
yanking people out of the high treetops of ancient redwoods and old growth Douglas Firs using violent and reckless means. In fact, Schatz, a man with a record of domestic violence, is now being sued by five tree-sitters (with more lawsuits to come) for assault, battery, negligence, violations of civil rights, and other crimes against protesters.
Yesterday, Schatz arrived with PL's land manager and PL head of
security at about 8:30 am, cut down the activists' supplies in two trees, and started a fire on the forest floor burning the gear--clothes, plastic tarps, and a wooden platform--leaving the fire burning when they departed. Forest defenders expect Schatz will be back soon to attempt to forcibly remove the people from the canopy of the Mattole. When Maxxam/PL employees appeared yesterday, one of the sitters climbed out and hung on a traverse, a rope tied between two trees, to protect the trees with his body, and to prevent himself and the rope from being removed.
FOREST DEFENDERS ARE CALLING ON THE COMMUNITY TO COME OUT AND SUPPORT THEM AND BEAR WITNESS THROUGH SUCH AN ATTACK.
The Mattole tree-sits are in a logging plan (THP 1-03-235-"Foxtrot") in the upper Rattlesnake Creek drainage that has seen more logging in the past five years than any drainage in the Mattole. In fact, state Forest Practices Program staff urged the Dept. of Forestry (CDF) staff to question the rate of harvest in this watershed, as it suffers from ongoing cumulative impacts that include huge geologic instabilities. In addition, State Parks Dept. filed a non-concurrence due to their issues with the plan, stemming from the proximity of park land. Despite these objections, the plan was approved by CDF and has been mostly cut, except for the grove where forest defenders remain.
More non-violent direct actions are planned to protect this unique and diverse coastal Douglas Fir forest, crucial habitat for endangered species, including the northern spotted owl, red tree voles, Pacific fishers, and coho salmon.
Please be ready.
Directions to the Mattole Treesits:
Highway 101 to Honeydew/South Fork exit (S of Eureka, N of
Garberville). Gowest towards Honeydew, Founders' Grove etc. on Mattole Road. After about 12-13 miles, you will see a big water tank on the right. You are then exactly 2 miles from Fox Camp Gate (big brown gate on the right of a clearcut turnout area) Park on the road up or down from the gate on the Mattole Road. Walk through the gate; stay on the main uphill road, to
the 1-mile marker. YOU ARE WALKING ON A HUMBOLDT REDWOODS STATE PARK ROAD. To your left are the treesits.
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For an immediate response, in this high alert time for all tree sits, page Verbena at (707) 618-9185 or call the BACH office (510) 548-3113
THANK YOU FOR DEFENDING THE EARTH
Note: This is a time to fulfill your commitment if you made the 'Pledge of Resistance for the Forest'. Please respond if you'd like a copy of the Pledge sent/emailed to you.
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