On May 1, ARWPA's attorney, Susan Brandt-Hawley, filed a law suit against California Department of Forestry (CDF), California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG), and Louisiana Pacific (LP) concerning three timber harvest plans (THPs) totaling 430 acres on the north side of the Albion River, citing cumulative impact and negligence on the part of CDF regarding wildlife, fisheries, and wetland analysis.
This case accuses the THPs of being incomplete and misleading. This represents one of the first challenges on watershed and wetlands timber plans. Expert declarations have been obtained from several professors of the Pacific Union College at Mendocino Biological field station located near the mouth of the Albion River. These declarations indicate substantial cumulative impacts and a resulting high level of siltation in the river, as well as wildlife and vegetation oversights by agencies.
Mendocino County Superior Court Judge Conrad Cox has issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) temporarily halting all logging and road construction on these THP sites.
Within 30-90 days, Judge cox will either grant or deny a preliminary injunction. If granted, logging will stay on hold until the case is tried. If denied, the matter can be requested to go to trial without a TRO, or this case can be appealed. We expect this case to go to trial this August.
This area scheduled for "harvesting" is one of the most beautiful and spiritually provoking places within the entire watershed.
ARWPA needs donations to meet legal fees. If you can help please send your tax deductable donations to ARWPA, P.O. Box 1818, Mendocino, CA 95460.
Copyright Mendocino Environmental Center 2003
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