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| Pacific Lumber Poised to Log Ancient Redwoods Adjacent to Avenue of the Giants 11-2-04 For Immediate Release - Contact: Nov. 2, 2004 For immediate release Nov. 2, 2004 Contact: Remedy 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. ###  << Back to Press Release Archive | Latest Press Release | Newsroom | | 
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