Rainbow Ridge
THP 1-99-475, THP 1-00-31
The California Department of Forestry has approved two logging plans, with four more pending in the Rainbow Ridge area of the Mattole River watershed. At 3,000 acres, Rainbow Ridge is the second largest stand of old growth Douglas Fir in California. THP 1-99-475 encompasses roughly 53 acres of old growth Douglas fir on steep slopes above Allwardt Creek, 44 acres of which is slated for clearcut. Judge Cissna ruled on October 25th against issuing a Preliminary Injunction to halt logging on THP 475. A previous stay on 475 ended November 8. The case went to the State Supreme Court and lost. Acquisition of Maxxam holdings in the area is the next logical step.
THP 1-00-031 includes 24 acres of ancient forest along Long Ridge. A rare species of lichen was found in and adjacent to this THP. Pacific Lumber is required to evaluate the impact of habitat loss on rare old growth dependent species; however, CDF illegally waived this safeguard to allow logging to go forward. An emergency stay was granted by Judge Edwards on this approved THP until December 4. A hearing is scheduled for November 29.
The proposal to protect Rainbow Ridge and Long Ridge includes aquisition of surrounding buffer areas through conservation easements and fee-title purchase. The second-growth forests would be managed using certified ecologically responsible forestry to maintain habitat continuity between Rainbow Ridge, old-growth, Humboldt Redwoods State Park, and Gilham Butte.
Hole in the Headwaters
THPs 1-00-387, 1-00-388, 1-00-352
Three new THPs have been filed in the unprotected inholding of Headwaters Forest owned by Maxxam/Pacific Lumber. THPs 1-00-387, 1-00-388, 1-00-352 potentially add 620 acres of logging to the 705 acres of THP 520. The new THPs call for commercial thinning with log removal by tractor yarding. If logged, it could seal the fate of the one of the last of five viable native Coho salmon runs in CA, and downstream Elk River residents could lose their water supply.
Contested THP 520 is still awaiting a court date.
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TOC for Forest & River News, Fall 2000