November 15, 2006
After six years of education, and five years with no timber harvests, the idea that our publicly owned 50,000-acre redwood forest--Jackson State Forest--should be managed for broad public benefit has become widely accepted. The Department of Forestry, the Board of Forestry, and even the industrial timber interests in Mendocino County are now saying publicly that Jackson Forest should be managed for research, restoration, recreation, and education--exactly what the Campaign has been recommending since 2000.
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The biggest remaining challenge is translating the agreements in principle into a management plan that puts these principles into effect within the forest. In the past, the Department of Forestry and the Board of Forestry have proclaimed high-sounding principles but then approved management plans that ignore the principles. We will be vigilant to ensure that this does not take place.
The pending Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is still in process. The Campaign is prepared to take the EIR to court if necessary, but we are hopeful that we can successfully translate the general agreements into an acceptable management plan process without the need to return to court. What a blessing this would be!
Thanks to everyone for your moral, political, and financial support. Jackson State Forest is your forest--and you've made your state government listen to you. Congratulations!
For latest news, visit www.jacksonforest.org
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Campaign to Restore Jackson State Redwood Forest
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TOC for Forest & River News, Fall 2006