Negotiations

Maxxam, the US Government and the Grassroots Public

by Kathy Glass, Trees Foundation

Protecting the redwoods of Headwaters while also addresing the concerns of the landowner is a complex process with no "quick fix," as a decade of indecision demonstrates. Compounding the issue is the fact that how we deal with Headwaters could set a nationwide precedent for ecosystem management across private property lines. The solution must involve state and federal governments, relevant agencies such as the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the California Dept. of Forestry, business, industry, and the grassroots public. Because of bottom-line concerns about the overall health of the redwood ecosystem and the viability of endangered species (including the coho salmon), we must have a biological, not a political, solution. The environmental community is exhorting the federal government to preserve the entire 60,000 acres identified as the greater Headwaters Forest, and not get drawn into a compromise with Maxxam involving only the core 3000 acres (which we know as Headwaters Grove). At the very least, all six ancient groves (totalling about 6000 acres) must be protected as critical habitat.

The summer of 1996 has seen active negotiations between Maxxam/PL representatives and the federal and state governments. All parties desire a resolution of the Headwaters issue, with the landNegotiations: Maxxam, the US Government, and the Grassroots Public

owner demanding fair compensation for public acquisition of the forest. The increasing threat of lawsuits filed against Maxxam and Charles Hurwitz has injected a note of urgency into Maxxam's desire to trade a public asset (such as California or Texas real estate, or other surplus federal property) for part of Headwaters Forest, thereby receiving the value of the trees it could not cut and simultaneously absolving any potential liability from the lawsuits. However, the grassroots public campaign to save Headwaters continues to advocate a Debt for Nature swap on the premise that taxpayers have already paid for Headwaters Forest!

The Clinton Administration has indicated in recent months its interest in more actively pursuing a public acquisition of Headwaters, in large part to gain the support of grumbling environmentalists (particularly in California) for November's upcoming Presidential election. But grassroots activists aren't going to be pleased with a deal that saves only the 3000-acre grove, rewards Charles Hurwitz for it, and perhaps even drops pending lawsuits against Maxxam. While our stand for more complete ecosystem protection may not be a feasible option Ð at least for a pre-November "quick" deal Ð the larger issues of public trust values: wildlife, clean waters, salmon, endangered species protection across private property boundaries, effective state and federal agency regulation of logging practices, and corporate accountability must be acknowledged. Unfortunately, representatives of the grassroots are not invited to the negotiation table, though our approval of the negotiated deal is crucial to the Administration. Whether government officials are sincere in their efforts to address this complex set of problems, or simply looking for a quick "green point," remains to be seen.

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