August 15, 2002
The California Department of Forestry released their updated Management Plan and draft Environmental Impact Report for Jackson State Forest in early June. The plan, although thick and wordy, is woefully inadequate. It calls for clearcutting more than a third of the forest, logging the oldest areas of recovered second-growth, use of herbicides, and deferring development of an expanded recreation plan.
The Campaign quickly swung into action, informing experts and the public about the plan, supplying copies of the costly documents, and requesting comments from concerned citizens. As a result of this extensive email and postal campaign, over 1600 comments were sent to CDF by the time the public comment period closed on July 19th. Comments were also forwarded to 85 State legislators, informing them that their constituents don't want to see Jackson State logged to pay for state forestry programs. Expert comments can be viewed online at:
CDF must now respond to every comment received, and publish the responses in the final version of the EIR. The EIR can be legally challenged within 30 days after certification. The Campaign will review the final document carefully to insure that it is in compliance with CEQA requirements, and will continue to represent the public's interest in the forest.
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Campaign to Restore Jackson State Redwood Forest
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TOC for Forest & River News, Summer 2002