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Activists assail Mendocino Redwoods' 50-year timber plan

June 29, 2002

By MIKE GENIELLA
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

Mendocino Redwoods' proposed 50-year management plan for 235,000 acres of Mendocino County timberland would double the volume of standing timber, but coastal environmental activists say it isn't enough.

"It's hardly adequate to maintain a redwood ecosystem," said Linda Perkins of the Albion River Watershed Association.

Mendocino Redwoods Co., formed in 1998 by members of San Francisco's Fisher family, acquired the former Louisiana-Pacific Corp. land for $200 million. Family patriarch Don Fisher was founder of The Gap clothing chain.

Two years ago, Mendocino Redwoods became the first major timber company in the state to win certification from the Forest Stewardship Council, a national group that has developed the toughest commercial forestry standards with the support of leading environmental organizations.

Now, Mendocino Redwoods is seeking state and federal approval for a habitat conservation plan that would govern logging practices across the timberland over the next five decades. A series of public hearings was held this week in Santa Rosa, Ukiah and Fort Bragg.

Mike Jani, Mendocino Redwoods' chief forester, said the goal of the long-range management plan is to restore the land to higher timber productivity. As it is, Jani said, the company has reduced the pace of logging by 40 percent compared to the previous ownership.

Jani said at the end of five decades, company practices, if endorsed by state and federal agencies, will more than double the total inventory of trees.

Perkins, however, said while that's a start, the company isn't doing enough.

Perkins cited state estimates in the 1970s that Mendocino commercial timberlands averaged about 60,000 board-feet of timber per acre. Three decades of accelerated cutting has reduced the countywide average to about 10,000 board feet, Perkins said.

Perkins said Mendocino Redwoods' plan doesn't go far enough toward restoring timber productivity and habitat for fish and wildlife. "Fifty years later, we'll still end up with marginally stocked forests," Perkins said.

Perkins accused Mendocino Redwoods representatives of being "patronizing" to the public during this week's round of hearings, which have been the scene of protests by environmentalists over the company's plans.

Jani said his company is anxious to address public concerns, and will sponsor follow-up workshops on issues raised during the hearings.

Jani said he's puzzled, however, by the persistent questioning of the company's long-term intentions.

"Any conversation I've ever had with the owners has focused on their long-term commitment to this land. Our actions speak louder than words," Jani said.

You can reach Staff Writer Mike Geniella at 462-6470 or mgeniella@pressdemocrat.com.