Hello again from the Mattole! The Mattole Restoration Council's (MRC) Forest Practices Program keeps a watch on the forests and forest issues in the Mattole River watershed. We are particularly concerned with the conservation of the remaining old growth in the Mattole, as it provides cool water for salmonids, and holds steep slopes together. To encourage good forestry practices we review and provide comment on Timber Harvest Plans (THPs) in the Mattole watershed. We attend review meetings at the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF) and are regularly in contact with the state agencies responsible for upholding the public trust. We would like to provide support for small timber owners in their efforts to harvest sustainably.
The program's focus is primarily on THPs proposed by the major timber companies. In the Mattole there are four companies: Pacific Lumber Company (PL), Barnum Timber Company, Sierra Pacific Industries (SPI), and Eel River Sawmills (ERS). Eel River Sawmills has sold all but one of its holdings in the Mattole. On this remaining holding, ERS has just proposed a new THP. This THP is in the McGinnis Creek drainage near Petrolia. Pacific Lumber Company (PL) has been actively proposing THPs across their Mattole holdings which all lie in the northern half of the watershed. The other companies have not been active in the last few years.
Currently there are 5 THPs in the Mattole, 4 on PL land in the Rainbow Ridge area and the ERS plan on McGinnis. All of the plans include old growth. There can be remaining trees left after harvest, but the integrity of the forest has been and will be further tainted like a beautiful tapestry shot through with moth holes. In the Rainbow Ridge area of the Mattole (owned by PL), what was once the largest coastal old-growth Douglas-fir forest in the state of California has been further fragmented. Two of the PL plans together propose new road construction. Construction of roads is one of the worst impacts across the landscape as they can lead to massive erosion and hillside disintegration.
One of these plans are still open for public comment. All of them impact the native wildlife in serious proportions. PL will use herbicides post-harvest. MRC will continue to seek protection for these forests in cooperation with interested parties.
-- Ali Freedlund, MRC
If you want to write a comment letter or just be kept better informed of the Forest Practices Review Program, please call either Brook or Ali at the office in Petrolia, (707) 629-3514. We will put you on our mailing list.
