Good News for Gualala Redwoods
On Sept. 14, Sonoma County Superior Court issued a Preliminary Injunction to halt logging of the controversial Gualala River “Dogwood” logging plan area until a trial decision. Friends of Gualala River and Forest Unlimited had brought the lawsuit following comments and petitions opposing the proposed floodplain redwood logging along more than five miles of the coastal river, with more than 300 acres of mature redwood stands containing trees 90 to 100 years old.
In issuing the injunction, the court found that harm to ecologically sensitive species and the wetlands themselves was shown by the plaintiffs, and that there exists a likelihood of success for the lawsuit.
CAL FIRE approved the “Dogwood” logging plan in July 2016, and reaction to this plan was immediate. Stay tuned for more on this sensitive ecosystem under threat. More info: Friends of Gualala River.
Mendocino March for Forest Healing
Faced with the unresponsive giant Mendocino Redwood Company, a marathon 54-mile walk will wind from the “Halfway to Hell” timber harvest plan near Comptche through Anderson Valley, ending up in Ukiah at MRC’s log deck.
Say the walkers: “Day after day, Mendocino Redwood Company continues to poison our watersheds, injecting the chemical Imazapyr into tan oak and madrone trees to intentionally kill them. MRC’s use of “hack and squirt” on over 90,000 acres has killed over 14 million trees in almost 20 years. They also spray thousands of gallons of glyphosate herbicides on underbrush each year that ends up in our water and food. We walk to honor the forest and water that supports us all. We call for an end to the destruction of the Earth.”
The walk will leave on Oct. 1 from the Ukiah-Comptche Rd., and walk for 4 days to honor and protect the land. They will carry a log to illustrate the cause. To support or join the walk at the beginning or culmination, you can call 707-357-5365 or email laraanderson@gmail.com.
Help Protect Pristine Smith River
Take a moment to help safeguard the Wild and Scenic Smith River, home to salmon and steelhead and surrounded by ancient redwoods. Public comments are being accepted by the Oregon Water Resources Department to protect the Smith River watershed in Curry County, Oregon for instream purposes. The classification would provide protection for fish, wildlife and recreation. You can click THIS LINK to go to a form letter of support on our colleague EPIC’s site.
There are a number of threats to the undammed Smith River, from the mining industry to Caltrans highway expansion projects to pesticides from the Easter lily industry. This wild river needs and deserves our support!