By far California's largest state forest, Jackson State Forest comprises over 50,000 acres of redwood forest in Mendocino County, It reaches from near the Pacific Coast 20 miles eastward to the ridge of the inland valleys. The city of Fort Bragg and the town of Mendocino lie two miles from its western edge. It is criss-crossed by almost 100 miles of endangered salmon streams, including Casper Creek, Hare Creek and tributaries of the Noyo River and Big River. It is home to thousands of species.
Mendocino County is a renowned tourist destination, especially for coastal activities such as abalone diving, kayaking and hiking. Mendocino Headlands State Park hosts more than a million visitors each year. Visitors who enjoy natural beauty and adventurous recreation cherish the area. Jackson State Forest could add a magnificent redwood forest to the attractions of the ocean and coast, creating an unequalled combination of coast and forest recreation.
But the state views Jackson State Forest (formally titled Jackson Demonstration State Forest or JDSF) primarily as a source of lumber and revenue. Each year, the California Department of Forestry (CDF), which manages this public forest, cuts out of it tens of thousands of trees. Even though the economy of Mendocino has been rapidly shifting from traditional timber production to tourism, CDF has largely ignored the fabulous recreation potential of this forest, as well as the pressing need for wildlife sanctuary for species dependent on mature redwood forests.
CDF has targeted for immediate logging the parts of the forest most useful for recreation and wildlife habitat-those that have not been logged for 80 to 100 years and those close to residential neighborhoods. In short, Jackson State Forest is being managed as a large commercial timber operation.
The fundamental goal of the Campaign to Restore Jackson State Redwood Forest is to change the governing mandate of the Jackson State Forest from "the maximum sustained production of high quality timber products" to restoration for recreation, habitat, research, and education. Although values such as recreation, habitat, and water quality are supposed to be "considered" by CDF in its administration of the forest, they are largely ignored. "Getting out the cut" is the oft-heard, dominant objective of CDF management.
Because the healthiest and most beautiful parts of the forest contain the most timber, these are the parts of the forest being targeted by CDF for logging. Because these are also of greatest value for recreation and habitat, our most important immediate objective has been to halt further logging until policies for the forest are reconsidered. To accomplish this, the Campaign filed a lawsuit in June 2000 to halt all logging in the forest until the forest's Management Plan, last updated in 1983, is revised.
Initially, CDF refrained from initiating new logging plans while the Campaign's suit was pending. In March 2001, however, it began soliciting bids for two new, large timber sales. The Campaign obtained a temporary restraining order on April 26 and a Preliminary Injunction on May 18. The injunction held through the 2001 logging season. As of this date, a new management plan is scheduled for release in April. If this plan and the corresponding Environmental Impact Report are approved soon thereafter, CDF will immediately begin logging the oldest and most ecologically valuable parts of the forest.
The only way that we can prevent continued logging of this public treasure is to pass state legislation that makes restoration to old growth the primary management goal for Jackson State Forest. The Campaign is working hard to create a statewide political coalition to push for such legislation. Mendocino County is a key. Our state legislators have told us that they need broad support within Mendocino County before they will sponsor the needed legislation. Please add your voice to those calling for restoration of our great public redwood forest.
CDF is moving as fast as possible to resume logging our public forest. Before they succeed, we need to build as much pressure as possible for legislation to make restoration to old growth the primary goal for this public forest. Please help. Write or call your County Supervisor, Assemblywoman Virginia Strom-Martin, and State Senator Wes Chesbro urging them to support restoration of Jackson State Forest.
Join our Campaign. When the people speak loudly, the government will listen. Help save Mendocino's largest publicly owned redwood forest. Join now. Go to www.jacksonforest.com or call (707) 964-5800.
Contact your representatives to voice your support for restoring Jackson State Forest:
Mendocino County Board of Supervisors, County Administration Center, 501 Low Gap Rd. , Rm. 1009, Ukiah 95482; (707) 463-4221, Fax: (707) 463-4245, e-mail: bos@co.mendocino.ca.us
Assemblywoman Virginia Strom-Martin, State Capitol, Sacramento 95814; (916) 319-2001, Fax: (916) 319-2101, e-mail: virginia.strom-martin@asm.ca.gov
State Senator Wes Chesbro, State Capitol, Sacramento 95814; (916) 445-3375, Fax: (916) 323-6958, e-mail: senator.chesbro@sen.ca.gov
Copyright Mendocino Environmental Center 2002
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