Humboldt Redwood Company's Watershed Analysis: Public Meeting Oct. 17

The largest private landowner in the Mattole River watershed, Humboldt Redwood Company (HRC), will present findings of an analysis done on its Mattole property on Monday, October 17, at the Mattole Grange from 5 to 7 p.m.

Humboldt Redwood Company owns 18,000 acres in 3 major subbasins of the Mattole: the Lower North Fork and its East Branch; the Upper North Fork and its tributary, Rattlesnake Creek; and the McGinnis and Pritchard creek basins. This analysis will form the basis for specific protection measures to safeguard water quality and aquatic habitat in those tributaries of the Mattole. After approval by state and federal wildlife agencies, these measures will become part of the Habitat Conservation Plan in force on the company's holdings until the year 2048. They will be reviewed every several years to make sure they are still meeting the HCP's objectives.

The “Mattole Watershed Analysis” began in 2005 under former owner, Pacific Lumber Company. As part of the analysis, the companies' scientists collected data on six different subject areas: stream channel, fisheries, landslides, surface erosion, riparian stand composition, and amphibians. This data was used as the basis of the analysis and prescriptions.

Included in the presentation will be HRC’s management objectives for the next several decades: what will be protected, where they will harvest, potential restoration projects, and road upgrades. Members of the public will be able to bring up concerns and make comments either in person or in writing.

All are welcome at this free event. The Mattole Grange is located at 36512 Mattole Road, just west of A.W. Way County Park, between Honeydew and Petrolia.