April 4, 2005
The Campaign to Restore Jackson State Forest won a lawsuit in 2003 that continued to prevent the planned massive logging of Jackson Forest. In 2004, Senator Wesley Chesbro introduced a bill to reform management of Jackson Forest. This bill passed both the California Senate and the Assembly, only to be vetoed by the governor in September.
The governor vetoed the reform bill even though he received 3,000 letters asking for his signature.
What's next? There appears to be no point in trying to pass another reform bill this year. The veto of the reform bill was a direct result of the unrelenting opposition of the California Department of Forestry (CDF) and its allies in the timber industry. They had the inside ear of the governor, and there are no signs yet that this will change in the coming year.
Given this situation, we intend to use all legal avenues to prevent the resumption of logging, while working within the state to reduce the influence of the timber industry in the governor's office.
CDF is now rushing to get court-ordered revisions to its environmental documents completed and approved. If it succeeds, logging will start under a management plan that envisions applying variations of clearcutting to half of the forest. This would be an ecological and recreational disaster.
The next point when action is needed will be when the environmental documents are released for public review. This is expected to occur in March or April, although these estimated dates have slipped in the past. Our expert consultants will review and comment on the documents.
If the environmental documents do not meet the requirements of the law, which we expect will be the case, we will challenge them in court.
At some point, we hope to return to the legislature to obtain permanent protection for our 50,000-acre publicly owned redwood forest. Thanks to everyone for continuing to support our campaign.
For more information:
www.jacksonforest.com
More Information About
Campaign to Restore Jackson State Redwood Forest
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- by Vince Taylor, Executive Director
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TOC for Forest & River News, Winter 2005