[env-trinity] Action Alert: Endangered Habitat on the Chopping Block

[Daniel Bacher]

EPIC ACTION ALERT
Please Forward Widely!
_______________________________________________________

ENDANGERED HABITAT ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK
PLEASE COMMENT!
_______________________________________________________

PLEASE CONTACT CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY (CDF). DEADLINE IS
JULY 8th.

Charles Hurwitz's Maxxam/Pacific Lumber Company is at it again--this
time trying to liquidate as much old-growth forest as it can in
anticipation of filing for bankruptcy, which it has been threatening
for months. Recently prevented by the State Water Quality Control Board
from logging his desired volume of trees in the Elk River and Freshwater
Creek watersheds, Hurwitz continues to turn to the damaged Eel River
watershed, looking for quick cash at the expense of the redwood
forest.

The so-called "BONANZA" Timber Harvest Plan, (THP) #1-05-097HUM,
would log significant and critical old-growth forest and
landslide-prone areas, as well as destroy habitat for many sensitive,
threatened and endangered species including the northern spotted owl,
marbled murrelet, and coho and chinook salmon.  Logging would impact
Nanning Creek, a tributary of the Eel River, which is already listed as
"impaired" under Clean Water Act Section 303(d). Maxxam/PL proposes to
log in this very sensitive area, even as the company has been battling
with the state Water Quality Control Boards over their damaging,
sediment-producing harvesting practices (such as clearcutting)that
Hurwitz refuses to give up.

Marbled murrelet scientists have identified parts of this area as a
priority habitat for the critically threatened seabird. Yet this THP
will enable the harvest of old-growth redwoods currently occupied by
nesting murrelets! Of the 249 acres covered by this THP, 192 acres are
occupied stands for the murrelet.

Logging the "Bonanza" THP would impact just about every sensitive
ecological resource in the area.  This is part of Hurwitz's "end
game" for Pacific Lumber. He must not be allowed to rip out precious
and irreplaceable old-growth forest while further degrading water
quality on his way out of Humboldt County.

MAXXAM/PL'S ILLEGAL LOGGING SPREE MUST STOP!

Tell CDF to DENY APPROVAL for the "Bonanza" THP#1-05-097HUM.

The comment period on this THP closes July 8.

Take action now by responding to this alert using EPIC's web site:
http://www.wildcalifornia.org/actions/number-27

If you prefer snail-mail,
WRITE TO:
Dept. of Forestry and Fire Protection
135 Ridgeway Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
ATT: Forest Practice

Include in your letter: "Re: THP#1-05-097HUM"

Be respectful but firm, and as succinct as you can.

Take action now by responding to this alert using EPIC's web site:
http://www.wildcalifornia.org/actions/number-27

Jan Bramlett
Office Manager
Environmental Protection Information Center (EPIC)
P.O. Box 397, Garberville, CA 95542
(707) 923-2931, Fax 923-4210
http://www.wildcalifornia.org

_______________________________________________________

To unsubscribe from EPIC's action alert email list click on the
following link:
http://www.wildcalifornia.org/postlister/confirm.php?liste=EpicAlert&abonner=0&epostadresse=danielbacher%40hotmail.com&id=pl3ffd9a2846376