Forest Practices Review
Forest Practices Review | Geographic Information System (GIS) | Good Roads, Clear Creeks | Mattole Ecological Education Program | Reforestation

Write a letter today for acquisition of the Lower North Fork Old-Growth Forest!

OVERVIEW
The Forest Practices Review Program provides review and comment (when necessary) on all Timber Harvest Plans (THP’s), Non-Industrial Timber Management Plans (NTMP’s), and Habitat Conservation Plans (HCP’s) in the Mattole watershed. We work with state agencies responsible for protecting public trust resources such as clean water, healthy rivers, endangered species, and the rights of the private citizen. We also provide outreach to residents and landowners that could be affected by proposed practices. Additionally, we keep abreast of the changing California Forest Practice Rules, providing input to positively influence these regulations for the benefit of the Mattole watershed.

TIMBER HARVEST PLANS

In the Mattole, approximately 18% of the landbase is owned by four industrial timber companies. It is these corporate landowners that the program is primarily concerned with because they have financial ties beyond the watershed, and therefore do not have a stake in ensuring good forest practices in the Mattole. In addition, we are concerned with small timberland owners that file THP’s and/or NTMP’s for their land in the Mattole.

FOREST PRACTICE RULES

A program of comment on proposed changes to the state Forest Practice Rules is an important part of our THP monitoring work. CDF Forest Practice Rules govern how forestry is executed by all landholders, and therefore has a significant impact on the outcome of logging. If rule changes benefit the Mattole, we provide our input. If the proposed change unduly burdens small landowners, we urge the state to adopt special measures that would allow relief so that good forest practices are encouraged.

COORDINATION WITH PUBLIC TRUST AGENICIES AND THE TIMBER HARVEST REVIEW PROCESS

It is the purpose of the Forest Practices Review Program to influence proposed Timber Harvest Plans to take into account past and possible impacts to the integrity of the watershed and regularly interacts with regulatory agencies that are empowered to review THP’s and NTMP’s. These agencies include the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF), the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG), California Division of Mines and Geology (DMG) and the State Water Quality Control Board (SWQCB). SWQCB is responsible for enforcement of the Clean Water Act, and protecting the beneficial uses of water for everyone. DFG reviews plans for how they could potentially impact endangered or sensitive species, especially fisheries, while DMG is responsible for assuring that a proposed THP will not negatively affect soil and slope stability.

The above agencies are part of the review team for each THP. They participate, if possible, in on-the-ground Pre-Harvest Inspections (PHI) to determine what additional recommendations or mitigations need to be incorporated into the plan to avoid significant impacts to public resources. Each participating agency then writes a PHI report with accompanying recommendations, if necessary.

After the Forester who wrote the plan responds to all PHI reports, CDF plans a Second Review Team meeting. The Forester, the landowner, and often representatives from the other agencies attend or are available by conference call. The Second Review Team chairman is a CDF staff member who addresses any recommendations that were not incorporated into the THP. The public is invited to attend. The MRC regularly attends these meetings in support of strong protections for water quality, threatened and endangered species, and soil and slope stability.

OUTREACH
We strive to keep residents and landowners informed and educated about potential timber harvest activities in their tributary neighborhood, urging them to express their concerns through the public comment process. Because the state rules only require notification of adjacent owners, those whose domestic water would be affected, or landowners immediately downstream, the Forest Practices Program notifies the greater neighborhood of residents and landowners within the sub-watershed that would be affected by the THP.

We believe that the spirit and power wielded by a focused community of concerned people can and does have an effect on the outcome. If you would like more information on Timber Harvest Plans in the Mattole, would like to view THPs, HCPs, NTMPs, or other related documents, or would like to talk with representatives of the Council regarding timber harvesting on your property, call Ali Freedlund at our office 629-3514 or email the Forest Practices Program.

Write a letter today for acquisition of the Lower North Fork Old-Growth Forest!

View a Map depicting the distribution of old growth Douglas Fir forest in 1947 and 1988.

<< Back to Program Services