This time, rather than devising a public buyout scheme or an elaborately detailed set of forests practice rules, we will focus on reforming the intent language which sets the parameters for private forest management. Unless we can persuade the public and the Board of Forestry to view forests as complex ecosystems containing irreplaceable habitat for numerous species of flora and fauna, we will always be fighting over trees rather than preserving biodiversity. Basically, we want to develop broad principles and a few regulations which would promote true multiple use of forests - home for a broad range of living organisms, sanctuary for human recreation, and source of sustained economic production - rather than give the timber industry carte blanche to destroy nature's work.
Also under consideration are measures to reform the Board of Forestry, to alter or replace the timber harvest plan as the method of review for logging operations, and to reduce consumer waste of forest products. There have been suggestions that our initiative should extend beyond forests, promoting ecosystem and wildlife habitat protection on range and woodlands, in riparian and desert areas as well.
To insure that the new initiative covers ecosystem and biodiversity concerns statewide, Forests Forever requests written recommendations from the public concerning the focus and language proposal. Starting in June, meetings will be held in various parts of California to debate and discuss the proposed new initiative before submitting the finished version to the Secretary of State this Fall.
For further information, please call Forests Forever at 707-895-2043. END
Copyright Mendocino Environmental Center 2004
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