The area is prime habitat for listed species such as the Marbled Murrelet, Northern Spotted Owl, Coho Salmon, and Steelhead. It is generally accepted that without positive survey results, operations are permitted which destroy habitat and may hasten extinction. Surveys to see whether these species actually live on the plan area should also assess the potential for recovery of species.
CDF forester Steve Smith participated in the pre-harvest inspection of the 315 acre cut. He said, "You don't see this kind of land anymore. It's nice to know it is still there," acknowledging the rarity of this kind of undisturbed old growth forest. Walking through this land is like being in a cathedral of towering massive trees, an awe inspiring experience. The YMCA, as a nonprofit educational institution enjoying reputation and benefits of respectability and morality, should be aware that destroying this habitat for money goes against its ethical principles.
Agency officials admitted about the land marked for cutting, "It's darn steep." Their comment reinforced this visitor's impression that the proposed logging road, zigzagging up a slope across an old slide/debris plain just above the camp cabins at the edge of the river, must not be approved. This road would be used to truck fuel up to the helicopter landing proposed for a large natural saddle atop the ridge, currently home to an open rolling natural meadow fringed with trees. Failure of this road (which will be used in winter) will deposit sediment into the river. Leakage of fuel tanks could have more far reaching effects. The Gualala River is already listed by the EPA as "impaired" due to sediment under Section 303d of the Clean Water Act. Potential for adverse impacts on the river from the YMCA logging plan are great.
Many trees on this plan average 5-8 feet in diameter. This is a forest in a stage of the forest life cycle that exists on less than 5% of its historic acreage, and has been virtually eliminated from Sonoma County. 95%-98% of all old growth forest in the Pacific Northwest has been destroyed. This habitat is endangered and must be protected!!
Copyright Mendocino Environmental Center 1998
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