Checklist THP
by Jesse Noel
On January 10, the Board of Forestry passed a "checklist THP" package originally drafted by Sierra Pacific Industries. A generic checklist THP is only 2 pages and 24 checkboxes, and allows the timber industry to avoid cumulative impacts analysis. Since the forester would be required to disclose much less information than is required by law to evaluate a THP, the burden of obtaining sufficient information falls on an already overworked CDF, and on concerned citizens. This increases an already disproportionate burden, particularly since plan submitters continue to not pay for CDF's plan review, inspection and enforcement. Since 1992, the cost of THP review, inspection and enforcement has been subsidized by the cutting of redwoods on public lands, particularly in Jackson State Forest.
Opposition to this package was widespread. EPIC submitted a detailed critique. CDF feared increased workload due to the lack of substantial information and confusion as to who would perform cumulative effects analysis. Fish & Game protested the lack of information needed to analyze habitat loss. Water Quality opposed it because it allows approval of plans violating state and federal water quality standards. The State Board of Equalization opposed it because taxes due from timber harvest cannot be determined.
EPIC is devising a strategy to address this travesty.
[Reprinted with permission from the newsletter of the Environmental Protection and Information Center (EPIC).]