Timber Harvest Plan 1-00-364-MEN, best known as the Montgomery Woods THP, has again been delayed by neighbors and supporters from across northern California. This highly contested THP, which threatens a redwood that is the tallest tree in the world, was approved by the California Department of Forestry over the objections of neighbors and the California State Parks Department, which felt that logging would endanger wildlife as well as Montgomery Woods State Reserve, and despite grave concerns from the Department of Fish and Game over how botanical studies were performed.
The plan involves 75 acres adjacent to Montgomery Woods State Reserve (about 15 miles west of Ukiah), which is home of the tallest tree and many of the tallest trees in the world. Considered one of the healthiest redwood groves remaining, the reserve and its trees are supposed to be protected as a state park area. However, plans like this one have been encroaching on the reserve and endangering the trees and wildlife. This plan is particularly troubling because trees along the top of the ridge that have been selected for harvesting serve as a windbreak for the tallest trees.
Activists have been blockading the road since the first week of June in an attempt to keep loggers out of the woods. People have come from as far south as Santa Cruz County, and from Humboldt County to the north, to join with local folks blockading the road. Along with the activities on the ground, a pledge drive was started to purchase the property to save the trees. $10,000 was raised within two days of sending out an e-mail to Mendocino residents who in turn forwarded the e-mail to folks all over northern California. Pledges are still coming in.
Additionally, and maybe most importantly, a local resident heard about the effort to save the trees and has made an offer to purchase the property. We hope to be able to tell you that a deal was consumated and the trees saved by the time our next Newsletter is printed. For more information or to join in the pledge drive call Ed Nieves at 937-0637, e-mail: edwin@pacific.net, or contact the MEC.
Copyright Mendocino Environmental Center 2001
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