Since 1997, the Mattole River watershed has been the site of many protests aimed at preserving the biological diversity of this unique old-growth Douglas fir forest. Maxxam/Pacific Lumber Company intends to liquidate the 3,000 acres of irreplaceable old-growth forest they own in the Mattole River watershed, which is located forty miles south of Eureka in Humboldt County.
Maxxam/Pacific Lumber's irresponsible cutting has already resulted in landslides, sediment accumulation, and degradation of salmonid habitat, impacting residents of the Mattole watershed downstream to the ocean. Because of this, North Coast Earth First! has been actively trying to educate the public about Maxxam's clearcutting of this geologically unstable terrain and prime habitat for many threatened and endangered species.
Logging of the Mattole began in earnest in early July of this year. But for the past months there has been continuous logging of the old growth in the Mattole watershed, despite the recent court-ordered stay by Judge Golden in the Environmental Protection Information Center and the Sierra Club's lawsuit against Maxxam/Pacific Lumber. The stay was ordered until the case can go to trial. In spite of this, Maxxam has not ceased its logging.
To draw attention to the plight of the Mattole, on September 15th, North Coast Earth First!, with the members of the Mattole Forest Defense, held the Rally Against Maxxam, Rally to Save the Mattole River Forest. Approximately 300 supporters came out to Monument Gate, a main entrance to the Mattole, to protest Maxxam/Pacific Lumber's liquidation of the forest. Organizers were pleased with the turnout and said it reflected the overwhelming public concern for the health of our local ecosystem.
Darryl Cherney, State Assembly Green Party candidate Doug Thron, Mattole residents, and several direct action activists spoke about the importance of protecting forests and rivers.
Since the rally, actions have been almost non-stop. On September 20th, four locked-down activists and one observer were arrested at an entrance to the Mattole after blocking five logging trucks attempting to haul out illegally cut old-growth trees. Direct action has been ongoing since early July, after a several month hiatus in logging after years of protest and the eight month long Mattole "Free State." However, this has been the largest arrest in the Mattole this year, although it follows several road blockades, lock-downs, and an action at Pacific Lumber Company headquarters in Scotia.
For more information about the multiple timber harvest plans being cut, how to get involved or contribute, contact North Coast Earth First! at (707) 825-6598 or (707) 443-3663.
Or e-mail northcoastearthfirst@ yahoo.com.
Copyright Mendocino Environmental Center 2002
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