Northern California Coalition to Save Jackson Demonstration State Forest Circulates Petition; Renewed Call for Moratorium on Logging

a 20’ by 5’ banner was hung over CA Highway 20 on Memorial Day morning

Protestor and banners.

Press release from Redwood Nation Earth First!and Mama Tree Network (Please remember that this is not neutral reporting but a press release from an interested party):

A broad-based Northern California Coalition, including Tribal, local and regional environmental organizations and individuals, is calling for a 2-year moratorium on logging in Jackson Demonstration State Forest (JDSF). A petition is currently being circulated and supported by, among others, the Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians; The Environmental Protection Information Center; The Mendocino Trail Stewards and The Mendocino Environmental Center. The petition states: “…we are asking for a moratorium on logging in the forest until a new Environmental Impact Report for the JDSF Management Plan is completed. The old report, drafted in 2007, is woefully out of date. The new report must include:”

● Stronger protections for Native American Cultural Heritage

● A thorough consideration of climate change impacts to and mitigation potential of the forest

● The inclusion of this land into California’s 30×30 goal

● Analysis of the current biodiversity crisis and how JDSF can be part of the solution

● An acknowledgment of the changed economic reality of Mendocino County

● A guarantee of equitable access for all

● An emphasis outdoor education for youth and adults

● Additional low-impact recreation opportunity and camping where it does not pose any threat to Native American Cultural Heritage

● An end to dispersed firearm use in the forest

Protests in the Jackson forest have proliferated since April this year when the first of two tree sits went up in a two hundred-year-old tree now famously known as the “Mama Tree”. An early morning human chain blockade was formed at the entrance to the proposed logging area when operations were first expected to begin. Tribal leaders and community members have held rallies in Fort Bragg, and a 20’ by 5’ banner was hung over CA Highway 20 on Memorial Day morning, more action is expected…

Bowing to public pressure, Calfire recently unmarked the “Mama Tree” and her companion the “Papa Tree”, sparing them from being cut down. However, activists are maintaining the tree sits in solidarity with the Coalitions’ wider demands, including cultural & tribal sovereignty, unified ecosystem restoration; climate change mitigation and environmentally sustainable economics.

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John Henry
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John Henry
2 years ago

Why can so few dictate what is good and not good. I guess because they are the squeaky wheel, a.k.a. pain in the ass. It is called a demonstration forest because that is where they can demonstrate what can and can’t be done. The forest is a practice place so they can learn. If they start over and write a new report by the time the report is approved and they are ready to log there will have been enough changes for the groups to demand a new report and the cycle starts over. The agencies that fight any progress are learning more all the time better ways to cause delays.

Highway 20
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Highway 20
2 years ago
Reply to  John Henry

Only the thing demostrated in that forest in those clearcuts is how to make a few well connected men in power a whole lot of money by selling publicly owned old growth logs for pennies on the dollar. This forest has been destroyed so many times there are hardly any big trees left yet they keep on “scraping the forest floor” for whats left. We can all thank the Ex-Mayor of Willits who got kicked out of office for corruption as to why our “Willits Woods” keeps getting destroyed. Thanks Bruce Burton.

stuber
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stuber
2 years ago

If they are not old growth, cut baby cut. And as far as earth first is concerned, we know corporate companies support them, and their bull shit spotted owls. We need timber production to increase a lot, and provide so many good jobs. Go out and see what happens when creeps like earth first and other eviro creeps did to the forests that burned last year. Logging is good, tree sitters are bad.

J
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J
2 years ago

“Stumps are good. They give hikers a place to sit.”–Anon.

Martin
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Martin
2 years ago

Now the Indians think they own the land also? Between all these groups of so called Earth Firster’s, nothing is going to be done until this matter is brought to a close by a federal court, giving the loggers the right to go ahead and start cutting the trees. One of these days problems like this are going to end with blood shed, and no one wins.

D'Tucker Jebs
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D'Tucker Jebs
2 years ago
Reply to  Martin

Darn Indians!
Where on Earth did they get the idea that they can just come marching in here and act as if they have some sort of claim to the land?
I mean, that’s just… oh, wait… never mind.

Highway 20
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Highway 20
2 years ago

Protest at Bruce Burtons”Willits Redwood Company”… this logging only continues because of wealthy and rich jerks like this who have more than enough money to retire and stop raping the earth but are just too god damned greedy to know they already have enough! Greedy sob. All thise logs will make our State a little bit of money but they will make the Wealthy Ex Corrupt Mayor of Willits another couple million. Scum. How much money to you really need to leave your only son? What a complete scumbag to rape the forest just for money you will never ever spend!

DAVID MARTIN
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DAVID MARTIN
2 years ago

It’s called a “Demonstration Forest” because the goal was to provide a place where professional foresters and forestry professors could test different management approaches and DEMONSTRATE their current, best timberland management practices (as well as to improve wildlife habitat and allow public recreation.) The land had been decimated by earlier private timber management and the CA Dept. of Forestry has done a fabulous job of restoring it to healthy wildlife habitat and productive timberland. This disingenuous group is not trying to save Jackson State DEMONSTRATION Forest, they are out to destroy it by taking management away from professionals and putting it into the hands of amateurs. I would prefer to see Jackson State saved for it’s original goals and purpose, to demonstrate the benefits of good timberland management practices.

James
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James
2 years ago

“end dispersed firearms use” so in other words no hunting. These dumbasses are taking away everything constructive teenagers have to do, then wondering why all kids do is play video games and do drugs

Mary Rose Kaczorowski
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Mary Rose Kaczorowski
2 years ago

Demonstration and Recreation are the three main operating elements of JDSF – a forest owned by the taxpayers of California. Does anyone you see the conflicting elements here? This is not about the old divisive trope  pitting  environmentalists against  loggers— or special interests using social media to shut down logging– rhetoric that is recklessly tossed around.
The cry from the public  is to ensure the  resiliency of these publicly owned  forests in the face of climate change and asking for placing a moratorium to resolve inherent contradictions in the mission of JDSF and issues found in standing  THP rules.

JDSF operates under Cal Fire & California Board of Forestry who in turn regulates logging. The Board of Forestry, stacked with timber industry interests govern the Timber Harvest Rules and their regulations are outdated in their response to the unprecedented and historic impacts of climate change and how forests have enormous potential in mitigating climate change. And this is not in alignment with the Governor’s plans.
The scientific community agrees that present approaches to logging forests contributes to climate change because it depletes the forests’ ability to absorb vast amounts of the warming gas CO2.

We would like to think that sustainable logging, is not about clearcutting. Unfortunately, certain types of near clearcutting are employed —” allowable cut, “ “even-aged management,” “sustained yield,” “variable retention,” are under so called sustainable forestry practices.
Logging terminology is often not understood by the public or policymakers. many variations of terminology mean that technically correct usage may not be descriptive or updated to todays’ science  or enough to know what is meant in each case.
By the way… why should private logging enterprise feed of the public trough by cutting trees in the public forest based on market profits?
These forests should be managed for recreation and tourism and restoration not logging practices.

Mary Rose Kaczorowski
Guest
Mary Rose Kaczorowski
2 years ago

CORRECTION:Research, Demonstration, and Recreation  are the three main operating elements of JDSF.