An important milestone occurred in November 2006. A Mendocino County working group released a consensus proposal for getting Jackson State Forest back into operation. The group consists of four senior people from the timber industry, one from the Sierra Club, and one from the Campaign to Restore Jackson State Redwood Forest.
| |||
The proposal presents a set of management principles for the forest and recommends a two-phase process for returning the forest to operation in 2007. The key aspects of the proposal are: All timber operations will contribute to the health of the forest; managing the forest for research and restoration to older forest and for habitat and recreation will be management priorities; a priority for research and demonstration will be on economically maintaining and improving the health, beauty, and recreational value of small timber holdings; clearcutting and other even-age management will be restricted to small research plots; and a long-term landscape and management plan will be developed with the participation of a public advisory group to the forest.
The biggest remaining challenge continues to be translating the agreements in principle into a management plan. Progress is being made on this front, but no definitive agreements have been reached. I am hopeful that we will reach agreement with CDF and the Board of Forestry before a revised management plan and Environmental Impact Report are released. This could well happen in the month of March.
We appear to be nearing success in our seven-year quest to save Jackson Forest from the chainsaws. Thanks to all who have supported this effort through the years.
For the latest news, visit
www.jacksonforest.org.