Campaign to Restore Jackson State Redwood Forest

Campaign to Restore Jackson State Redwood Forest
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.

CDF Top Managment tours Jackson State Forest with the Sierra Club and the Campaign. Photo: Vince Taylor

The new director of the Department of Forestry, Ruben Grijalva, has stated his desire to see Jackson Forest become a world-class research forest. The Board of Forestry has requested that the Department of Forestry develop a new plan to emphasize research and demonstration, preserve and enhance the important habitat values in Jackson, preserve all existing old growth and aim to create more, and increase recreation opportunities. The Campaign and the Sierra Club have been meeting with the heads of major timber businesses of Mendocino, and surprisingly and encouragingly, we are in close agreement on how and for what purposes Jackson Forest should be managed.

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



This article can be found online at www.treesfoundation.org/publications/article-254

Forest & River News is produced by Trees Foundation. For more information contact:
Campaign to Restore Jackson State Redwood Forest
P.O. Box 1789
244 North Main Street
Fort Bragg, CA 95437
Email: restore@jacksonforest.com
Phone: (707) 937-3001