This RMP affects lands from the vicinity of Redwood National Park (Humboldt Co.) all the way to the lower Russian River (Sonoma Co.) in an average width from the coastline of about 35 miles. The uppermost parts of salmon rivers, where they reach into the National Forests, added to this RMP area equals the California North Coastal Basin (Regional Water Quality Control Board). The ecosystem is foremost, a lowland Redwood and Mixed Evergreen forest that changes to drier habitats with increases in elevation, distance from the coast and disturbance.
The RMP must consider region wide environmental systems and habitats that support threatened species, but BLM lands are only 4% of the land base. All the Arcata BLM lands could contribute less than six tenths of one percent, at most, to the region wide timber economy. "Scoping" comments are wide open, but the basic thrust is that Arcata BLM is out of the timber business forever on unentered stands. Unless the operation is carefully planned with the goal to enhance interior forest habitat, as opposed to clearing and edge, none of its' timbered stands should have trees extracted for some time to come.
BLM was the Land Office prior to 1946. Then, the agency was directed from giving lands away toward holding them for the public benefit. Arcata BLM was left holding the most remote and wild unclaimed lands. One parcel you'll be hearing more about from Save Redwood Valley's Redwoods is next to the Cox lands sought for conservation purchase. In today's setting of great loss of wildness, it is important that most all of the Arcata BLM lands be held in place for strict ecological management of declining habitat and buffered to retain that wildness.
Your personal knowledge about BLM lands is valuable even to BLM personnel who have difficulty accessing the smaller parcels. You may determine where BLM lands are of interest to you by looking at the MAP RAP display at the MEC in Ukiah, WEC in Willits, LEAC in Laytonville, EPIC in Garberville, or NEC in Arcata. Ancient Forest Defense Fund (AFDF) encourages BLM to work with local groups, which are willing to incorporate, and develop management agreements across ownerships. A fine example of this exists in a South Yuba River group and BLM agreement. Tom Long Creek residents proposed this to Arcata BLM early in the 1980's without success.
Before taking the public into the current RMP EIS "Scoping", Arcata BLM attempted to finalize its l980's RMP with a Record of Decision. Some activists know that one as the "RMP from Hell". The finalizing document "honored" the Elkhorn Ridge timber sale in the Cahto Wilderness. Activists Huddleston and Swanson rolled over in their graves and proceedings began for a new law suit (announced in Fall '92 MEC Newsletter). The Mina timber sale, near Covelo, was upheld along with Elkhorn and Hoaglin sales, but Mina now is indicated by the Department of Interior Spotted Owl Recovery Plan as a Designated Conservation Area. Huddleston's protest of the Mina sale laid groundwork for filing a federal suit in Sacramento.
BLM's decison to approve an operation and logging plan pursuant to the Elkhorn Ridge Timber Sale Contract was "vacated" and "remanded to BLM for further consideration" by order of the Dept. of Interior on May 9, 1989. No further consideration has been shown and Arcata BLM was apparently unaware of the order until a copy was provided recently by AFDF. Contributions are still welcome to AFDF c/o PO Box 151, Leggett, CA 95585. Let's help BLM not mess up the new RMP by participating in its planning and implementation.
A cut off date for "Scoping" comments has not been set. Those who are familiar with the problems and who want to make extensive comments should contact BLM about a deadline. Those who are new to BLM planning may simply indicate to BLM that you are interested and request that they include you in the RMP planning process: 1125 16th Street, Room 219, Arcata, CA 95521-5580, (707)822-7648.
The RMP will be coupled with the State of California Habitat Conservation Plan EIS for non-federal lands. The Draft of this EIS has been expected for release since January 1992. Those who've not been involved in its development are urged to request now a copy sent to you when it becomes available from FRRAP/CDFFP, PO Box 944246, Sacramento, CA 94244-2460, (916)739-2173. How successful the coupling of these EIS's will be may depend on your involvement.
Copyright Mendocino Environmental Center 2004
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