Despite claiming that California has the strictest Forestry laws in the country, our irreplaceable, old-growth trees are still being cut. Trees that have existed for hundreds and thousands of years are continually being logged. The citizens of California, must take this issue into our own hands. We have the power to adopt laws and constitutional amendments, and we are using that power to make a law that will preserve California's heritage trees for future generations.
Unfortunately, the Heritage Tree Preservation Act failed to pass the California Assembly this year. In the end, we fell short by a handful of votes. We know that you share our deep disappointment.
The struggle to protect California's ancient trees will continue. From the very beginning, this campaign has defied expectations. Cynics said the bill would never go anywhere.
They said it would never pass a single committee. It passed five grueling committee battles, both in the California Senate and Assembly. They said it would never pass the Senate. It did.
They said it would never get widespread support. SB 754, Heritage Tree Preservation Act, had the support of political leaders like Senator Barbara Boxer, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, and California Senator John Burton, as well as thousands of Californians from all walks of life who rallied behind the imperative to protect our remaining heritage trees.
Building on this solid base and with your continuing help, we will move forward. We are determined to see meaningful legislation passed, and we will continue to work toward this goal until we have protection for our remaining unprotected old-growth trees. The upcoming legislative session begins in January, and we will be back at work to get this bill passed.
We'll keep you posted as our efforts move forward. Be sure to check our website for current information at www.ancienttrees.org. On behalf of the trees, thank you.
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TOC for Forest & River News, Fall 2004