Logging In Your Neighborhood?
Sponsored by the West Sonoma County Rural Alliance
and Concerned Citizens
Introduction
Why be concerned?
If you picked up this brochure, you are one
more resident concerned about what is happening to the land where you
live. You might want to do something about logging but
don't know where to start. Here we will describe the decision-making
process so that you will not be excluded by bureaucracy or what we call
its "Alphabet Soup."
Your concern is appropriate.
More than ever before, due to timber prices, your neughbors are being
tempted to cut down trees. Currently there are no county restrictions to
help regulate residental harvesting of our trees. This makes our community
vulnerable to over-harvesting and the problems that come with it:
- Increased fire hazard due to dryness, slash, and water loss
- Erosion of the soil and siltation of creeks and watersheds
The Department of Forestry is not set up to deny harvesting. Only with
involved citizen input can it be encouraged to require mitigating methods
of harvesting.
That's where you come in.
Don't be frightened away by "the Alphabet Soup" of bureaucratic language.
Here's what you can do. . .
Vocabulary or Reading "What's In the Soup"
THP= Timber Harvest Plan
The report submitted by the timberland owner requesting approval of a
plan to harvest trees.
CDF= California Department of Forestry
People to contact.
RPT= Registered Professional Forester
This person is paid to prepare the THP report.
PHI= Preharvest Inspecion
This onsite evaluation of work to be done looks for potential problems.
LTO= Licensed Timber Operator
The group or individual actually removing the trees.
Possible Others To Contact:
- RWQCB=Regional Water Quality Control Board
- DFG=Department of Fish and Game
- RCC= Regional Coastal Commission
- CDMG= California Department of Mines and Geology
Strategy or "Stirring the Soup"
First, how did you find out about the logging?
IF: THEN QUICKLY:
- A) You saw a posted notice
- A) Write down the THP number and go to C) below.
- B) You heard about it
- B) Call CDF and ask for the THP number.
- C) You received a "Notice of Intent" from CDF
- C) Go to the CDF Ridgeway office and buy a copy (about $ 5) of
the THP and read it.
After You Have Read the THC. . .
If you are shy:
- Write a letter regarding the THP to CDF expressing your concerns.
They have to answer your questions in writing.
- Phone the Rural Alliance and ask them to alert their
membership. Be sure to supply them with the THP number or if time is
short a copy of the THP.
If you are not shy:
- In the THP are names and addresses of other people impacted by the
logging. Call them and talk to them. Also call the RPF, LTO, and timberland
owner or neighbor.
- Attend the Review Meeting at CDF with others who share your concerns.
- Notify your local papers either by phone or letters to the editor.
- With others, raise legal funds for court injunctions to stop or delay
harvest.
Groups and Resources
California Department of Forestry
(576-2275)
Forest Practice Program
135 Ridgeway Ave.
P.O. Box 670
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
Western Sonoma County Rural Alliance
P.O. Box 303
Occidental, CA 95465
Northcoast Environment Center
(667-3172)
879 Ninth St.
Arcata, CA 95521
Forest Unlimited
Rick Coates
(632-5526)
P.O. Box 195
Cazadero, CA 95421
Sierra Club Forestry
Larry Hanson
(887-7433)
Friends of the Old Trees
(887-7433)
P.O. Box 1244
Occidental, CA 95465
California Forest Practice Rules available at CDF office.
About $ 10.
So Your Neighbor Filed a THP (a booklet) available from North
Coast Environment Center. About $ 6.
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