Mattole Forest Defenders have resurrected ongoing protests of Maxxam's liquidation of the Mattole Watershed on the Northcoast of California. The protests had taken a lull since October of 2001 when the logging in the Mattole had ceased. The Rainbow Ridge area has been dubbed the "Headwaters Sacrifice zone" by many in the community who helped to protect the infamous "Headwaters" area in the Elk River watershed.
One protester was arrested on August 13, 2002, while locking down to a front end loader off of Rainbow Ridge. The loggers grabbed slash and battered the protester along with tying her up, while she was locked down. Apparently, the hands off approach of, "wait for law enforcement policy" established in the wrongful death settlement of David "Gypsy" Chain has been revoked. There was also Forest Peace Alliance established in the Chain settlement to descalate the violence in the woods, but the talks have not developed into any credible policy or sensibility.
Other actions in recent weeks have included a road blockade off of Rainbow Ridge where a pod sitter was arrested on July 15th, 2002. The lockdown to a log truck on Highway 36 outside of Maxxam/PL's mill in Carlotta on July 25th, resulted in four people being cited on site and given court dates for the charges they face. Prior to August 5th, 2002, forest defenders had requested to open a dialogue with Pacific Lumber regarding their concerns in the Mattole, but the calls went unanswered. They parked a car in front of Pacific Lumber's corporate headquarters door in Scotia where another three arrests took place.
Meanwhile, the Freshwater tree-sitters remain strong and have vowed to stay up in the gigantic trees they are sitting in. The Gypsy mountain tree-sit has been ongoing since January of 2002, and indicates peoples resistance to Pacific Lumber's ongoing destruction of the environment and disregard for loss of life.
Recent actions in defense of the forest have included litigation and an early morning road blockade on July 8 on the Long Ridge/Taylor Peak area, where two logging plans are located. One person was arrested. The Taylor peak logging plan, under court challenge but with no injunction, contains old growth trees, like a number of other approved plans in the Mattole.
Meanwhile in Freshwater, Remedy, a tree-sitter in one of the old growth redwoods has been up for over one hundred days, and is holding strong. Wren, who sits in Everstine, has been up for over thirty days. PL owns over 3/4 of this watershed that has already been subject to flooding and loss of fish habitat.
On Gypsy mountain, the "Aradia" tree-sit has been going on since January, just up the ridge from where David "Gypsy" Chain was killed on September 17, 1998. Within weeks of the out-of-court settlement of the lawsuit filed by Gypsy's family last year, a new timber harvest plan was marked on Gypsy Mountain. "Aradia" is one of the last legally cuttable old growth redwoods left on Gypsy Mountain, and could be preserved as a living memorial to Gypsy.
Full Update from July 21, 2002 Video and Pictures 7/25/02 Lockdown and Images More Images 08/05/02 Lockdown ActionRemedy continues her treesit in the devastated Freshwater watershed southeast of Arcata, Ca. This determined woman has lived in the tree she named Jerry (see photos) since climbing into its upper branches on March 21. Remedy�s shelter is a small platform with a tarp for a roof. She is supplied food and other essentials by local residents who applaud her efforts to stop clear-cut logging in their watershed. An adjacent tree is occupied by other activists. Treesits on Gypsy Mountain, southeast of Eureka, continue in an effort to save the last old growth Redwood trees in that area. In other Humboldt news, a local activist was recently sentenced to 60 days in jail after his arrest while protesting PL/Maxxam logging in the Mattole during the fall of 2001. June 10 update
In Humboldt County, activists and residents packed the Supervisors meeting on Tuesday May 7 to refute accusations of PL's president Robert Manne that forest activists "boldly proclaim themselves as eco-terrorists". Manne, at the previous Supervisor's meeting, called on the Supervisors to ask for Homeland Security funds to quell future protests. After the comment period was over, a rally was held under the trees in Freshwater where Remedy and Raven live high in the upper branches, determined to save two of the last old growth trees remaining in this devastated watershed. In breaking news, on May 8 it was reported on local KMUD radio that Robert Manne has yielded to local pressure and sent a letter to county Supervisors retracting his accusations that local activists refer to themselves as eco-terrorists, but leaving open his request for Homeland Security funds. In an open letter to PL/Maxxam, activist Shunka outlined his views on how PL can quell protests by engaging in responsible, ecologically sound forestry.
At a press conference on April 13th, the Cascadia Forest Alliance delivered the heart breaking news that 22 year old forest defender Beth O'Brien died after falling from a rope ladder between two tree-sitting platforms at Eagle Creek, near Portland, Oregon. Beth had recently arrived in Oregon and was well known and much loved in northern California. She worked on many social justice issues and was a Food Not Bombs activist in Santa Rosa. Tragically, Beth was not wearing the safety harness that was available to her, and which she had been trained to use. The Eagle Creek tree-sit has continued non-stop for nearly three years. The timber sale in the area was finally cancelled only three days before Beth snowshoed in with two other activists to bring in supplies and to help take the tree-sit down.
Tree-sitting protests have begun on Pacific Lumber property at Grizzly Creek, where some of the largest remaining unprotected old-growth redwoods are on the chopping block. Help is needed right now or these trees will be cut! A new group of activists have emerged out of the Pacific Northwest calling themselves "The Natural Guard," setting up a tree-village 220 feet up in an enormous (24 ft diameter) redwood called Zen connected with a traverse to another tree named Merlin. More platforms are planned and more tree-sitters and ground support are needed immediately! The Natural Guard is in solidarity with Earth First! who also have 2 other new tree-sits nearby on Gypsy Mountain, named after David "Gypsy" Chain who was killed by an angry logger who felled a redwood tree on him here in 1998. full story and contact info
The Campaign for Old-Growth is working to place an initiative on the November, 2002 statewide ballot calling for the preservation of old-growth trees on non-federally owned forestland in the State of California.
HAVC's website
The Campaign for Old-Growth is working to place an initiative on the November, 2002 statewide ballot calling for the preservation of old-growth trees on non-federally owned forestland in the State of California.
HAVC's website
Pacific Lumber Yanks Logging Plan for Allen Creek
GOOD NEWS FOR A CHANGE! Pacific Lumber (PL) has pulled their logging plan (THP 1-01-352 HUM) for Allen Creek, one of Headwaters Forest's six ancient groves and one of the 13 Marbled Murrelet Conservation Areas put off limits to logging for a period of 50 years in the so-called Headwaters Deal of 1998. PL was attempting to use their own interpretations of the Deal's Habitat Conservation Plan to claim the logging could be allowed. The public and environmental organizations responded with a flood of calls and letters to agencies, particularly the California Dept of Forestry (CDF), responsible for review of all Timber Harvest Plans. full story On February 5, the Berkeley City Council passed a strongly worded resolution opposing the logging in Allen Creek Grove. It was sponsored by Councilmember Linda Maio and co-sponsored by Vice Mayor Maudelle Shirek. BACH activists worked on the resolution language with the sponsoring council members and spoke at the council meeting.
1/9: In a victory for Forest Activists in Humboldt County, the District Attorney has dropped all charges against 9 activists cited and released on October 24, 2001 while engaged in protests at the gate to the Hole in Headwaters logging plan. The activist maintain that they were doing nothing illegal having only engaged in friendly dialog with loggers on public property. The arrests were made by a security guard hired by Maxxam/PL who was backed by Carl Anderson, a former Sheriff, now head of security for PL/Maxxam. Sheriffs, who arrived at the gate, reportedly failed to investigate an incident where chain saw oil was thrown into an activist's car. Instead they took the word of the security guard without investigation and cited nine innocent activists, showing the bias against activist in the county by the Sheriff and DA. For now, a civil SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) suit filed by Maxxam/PL and PL subcontractors against the nine protesters remains in place.
If passed during the March 2002 statewide ballot, the "California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhoods and Coastal Protection Act of 2002" proposition could provide funds to purchase forest in the Mattole which are presently under siege by Pacific Lumber Company. Over 60 activists have been arrested during the past year while protesting logging in this largest unprotected continuous stand of old growth lowland Douglas Fir forest in the state. Proposition 40 would authorize $2.6 billion for parks acquisition and land, air and water conservation. Help pass proposition 40: NFW | TPL | PCL
In a separate effort, the Citizens' Campaign for Old Growth Preservation (CFOGP) has formed to place another initiative on the Nov 2002 statewide ballot calling for the preservation of old growth trees and stands on non-federally owned forestlands in the State of California. Old growth is defined as trees that were alive in the year that California became a state (1850).
In a separate effort, the Citizens' Campaign for Old Growth Preservation (CFOGP) has formed to place another initiative on the Nov 2002 statewide ballot calling for the preservation of old growth trees and stands on non-federally owned forestlands in the State of California. Old growth is defined as trees that were alive in the year that California became a state (1850).
PL/Maxxam is attempting to log "Lesser Cathedral." Urgent action is needed to save the "Lesser Cathedral" redwoods in Allen Creek. Pacific Lumber recently submitted a proposal to log 73 acres in Allen Creek, an area se aside as one of the six Marbled Murrelet Conservation Areas established by the infamous Headwaters Deal. Read about Gov. Davis� empty promise to preserve the ancient forest.
In Humboldt County La Tigresa, the topless poet, and 8 bare breasted forest defenders halted logging in the "Hole in the Headwaters" for several hours by blockading the road leading to the PL/Maxxam logging plan. A 1/4 mile long traffic jam of semi-trucks, pick-ups and passenger vans transporting timber crews was backed up for 2 hours. See a QuickTime video of the action. Read the latest update about the actions.
On October 12, Pacific Lumber/Maxxam settled out of court a wrongful death lawsuit that had been levied by Gypsy�s family. Gypsy was killed on September 17, 1998 when an irate logger fell a tree on him. The settlement by PL/Maxxam includes a monetary distribution to the Chain family, the creation of a memorial in Gypsy�s honor and the creation of a �community roundtable� to address violence toward protestors during forest protests. Read Times Standard article.
PL/Maxxam has settled other lawsuits levied by wronged individuals just before trial. The Stafford mud slide lawsuit was settled out of court in March of this year when PL/Maxxam agreed to award 26 residents of Stafford, whose houses had been destroyed, the sum of $3.3 million dollars.
PL/Maxxam has settled other lawsuits levied by wronged individuals just before trial. The Stafford mud slide lawsuit was settled out of court in March of this year when PL/Maxxam agreed to award 26 residents of Stafford, whose houses had been destroyed, the sum of $3.3 million dollars.
PL/Maxxam began logging the Hole in Headwaters on Oct 23. If the logging continues, the South Fork of the Elk River which borders the THP will be severely impacted as one of the last spawning streams in Northern California for Coho salmon. The logging will also fragment the continuous mature forest of the Headwaters Preserve and the surrounding forest. Nine activists were arrested on Oct 24 while engaged in non-violent protests of the destructive logging. PL has filed a new SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public participation) suit against those protesting logging of the Hole in Headwaters.
Maxxam/Pacific Lumber clearcutting protests and blockades continue. See a video of the Mattole forest and actions at the declared Free State over the past several months. Maxxam/PL has launched a media blitz locally blaming Earth First! for recent layoffs. Read the real reason for the layoffs. Hear Maxxam/PL's resource manager Craig Anthony describe plans for liquidating old-growth forests.
Earth First! activists in Santa Cruz were fired at during treesit, and police did nothing. Activists responded by locking down. Latest Mattole blockade raided. The blockade went up July 19 and kept loggers out of the Long Ridge/Brushy Ridge area for over a week before being raided on July 27 resulting in the arrest of two activists. Old growth Douglas Firs have been leveled as fast as possible by PL, only being slowed by lawsuits and persistent non-violent direct action by forest defenders. Hear Maxxam/Pacific Lumber�s Resource Manager describe plans for liquidating old-growth forests. A Mattole home owner was served SLAPP suit papers during a rally at Fish & Game. Another photo. The SLAPP suit is an intimidation tactic by PL/Maxxam to try and squash public dissent. Meanwhile in Mendocino County on July 19th more than thirty people set up a blockade on Albion Ridge Rd. before the gates to Mendocino Redwood Company's (MRCs) new Timber Harvest Plans (THPs) on the Albion River. MRC is owned by GAP�s Fisher family. Blockaders dispersed after several hours rather than facing arrest but activists continued to occupy the cut area. Report Audio Photos 1 | 2 | 3
Employees of Lewis Logging, a Fortuna company and a Maxxam/PL subcontractor, attack treesitters in the Mattole on May 26, escalating the violence as PL attempts to begin logging again. A treesit was raided by Pacific Lumber security and Humboldt County sheriffs on May 24; three were arrested. A Mattole activist received a two month jail sentence on May 23. Another received a 30-day sentence and two year probation. That night, people spoke at a Humboldt County Board of Supervisors meeting, again requesting that a human rights observer be sent to the Mattole Free State.
The Maxxam Shareholder Meeting in Houston was protested in solidarity with Mattole actions on May 25.
In April, 2002 , the FBI and Oakland PD will be on trial in a federal civil rights suit for improper handling of the investigation of the bombing of Judi Bari and Darryl Cherney. A rally in remembrance of the bombing was held at the Oakland Federal Courthouse on May 24, 2001. Audio: 1 | 2
On May 6, clear-cutting of old-growth Douglas Firs resumed in Mattole. Forest activists call out for help and an international convergence with an action training camp planned for May 18-24. MAXXAM Corporation has closed 2 saw mills within the last two weeks as what is suspected as being an attempt to supress and divide workers turning them against forest activists. Activists report threats of violence by logging crews. New SF-IMC telephone updates now available. Check out the new Tree Sit Trailer by Headwaters Action Video Collective.
Mattole Free State
Feburary 2001: Since November 2000, a citizens' blockade known as the the "Mattole Free State" has prevented Maxxam/Palco from logging old-growth douglas fir on Rainbow Ridge. The Mattole Forest Defenders include many local residents as well as activists and students; some are permanently stationed at critical locations in the forest and on logging roads, while others travel in and out of the forest ferrying supplies and providing logistical support. Maxxam's choice to not challenge the blockade and the near constant presence of 30 nonviolent Forest Defenders in the wood has effectively shut down their operations for 12 weeks, a Humboldt County blockading record. It was on November 28th that Maxxam/Palco last sent in Columbia helicopter loggers accompanied by Humboldt County Sheriffs to log old-growth douglas fir in the Mattole. Since then Mattole Forest Defenders have moved almost 2 miles up Long Ridge to create the Mattole Free State, a blockade complete with several lock downs, a junked car, a wall of debris and a hanging pod across the road. Forest Defenders have endured some of the harshest Humboldt County winter weather seen in years.
Maxxam/Palco: An Introduction
Pacific Lumber Company (PL) owns over 211,000 acres of Northern California land zoned for commercial timber production. Company headquarters are in Scotia, California, and other sawmills are located in Fortuna and Carlotta; its 1,300 employees make PL the largest private employer in Humboldt County. In 1986 PL was the victim of a hostile takeover by Maxxam, Inc., a Houston, Texas holding company also engaged in aluminum production, real estate development, and horse racing. Since the takeover, Maxxam has attempted to quickly recoup its investment by overharvesting Palco's redwood and douglas fir holdings. Clearcuts have impacted the water quality of streams and rivers, dramatically increased the loss of topsoil, and depleted such species as the northern spotted owl, marbled murrelet, bald eagle, peregrine falcon, western snowy plover, bank swallow, chinook salmon, coho salmon, coastal cutthroat trout, steelhead trout, California red tree vole, Pacific fisher, California black bear, northwestern pond turtle, southern torrent salamander, red-legged frog, tailed frog, and foothill yellow-legged frog. Now that Maxxam has locked out union steelworkers at the Maxxam/Kaiser Steel Mills and raided Maxxam/PL pension funds, becoming "one of the most worker unfriendly companies in the world" (according to the Timber Workers Industrial Union), a new alliance of environmentalists, labor unions, and concerned local residents has taken action.
Maxxam Logging In The Mattole
In 1999, PL/Maxxam sold several thousand acres of old growth redwood to the government. This �Headwaters deal� was publicized to the public by the Clinton administration and others as an unqualified environmental success. In fact, the deal gave the company almost half a billion dollars plus the latitude to log heavily on it�s other holdings under a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). These HCP�s have come to be the preferred tool for abetting resource extraction that �endangered species considerations� might have otherwise prevented. Residents in the Mattole and in other watersheds in the area began to think of their valleys as �Orphans of Headwaters� since their old growth and associated endangered species seemed to have been thrown up for grabs. When PL began to submit a series of eight timber harvest plans for Rainbow Ridge over the past two years, all calling for clear-cutting in old growth, people in the Mattole began to fight back. How they have fought is a combination of legal challenges, public relations campaigns and, when all other means to stop the logging failed, direct action in the woods and at the gates.
Regional Water Quality Control Board fails to halt clearcutting
Eureka, Feb 23, 2001: Echoing the RWQCB's own scientists, Earth Firsters protested the Waterboard's failure to halt clearcuts on timberlands surrounding five critical watersheds. In a study released last year, the regional staff recommended that logging in these watersheds Cease and Desist. Details
Get Involved
You can try to make your voice heard in Sacramento by calling or writing Governor Gray Davis. See this Mattole update for Maxxam and Palco CEO contact info, as well as a long list of essential supplies needed by the Forest Defenders.
Forest Links
Local Organizations and Media
- Mattole Defense direct action
- Earth Films photos and streaming videos
- Headwaters Action Video Collective documentary films
- Environmental Protection Information Center incl. Headwaters Forest Slide Show
- Earth First! Headwaters Forest
- Bay Area Coalition for Headwaters Headwaters Forest
- Save Jackson State Forest Mendocino County
- Maxxam Board of Directors named one of the worst by Fortune
- Palco after the Maxxam takeover (IWW)
- Charles Hurwitz Maxxam CEO
- Photo exhibit (Corporate Watch)
- Pacific Lumber Company
- Portland IMC Forest Activism News
- Tree-sit.org News, info, and open publishing
- Cascadia Forest Alliance News and info
- Umpqua Watersheds Info about the southern Oregon river basin
- The Forest Voice Quarterly Journal re: resource extraction on public lands.
Last updated: Tue, 13 Aug 2002 20:54:05 -0700
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