Author Rick Coates
Feb 19, 2019 —
Friends of Gualala River and Forest Unlimited, once again recently prevailed in court. The courts have found the logging plans called Dogwood I and Dogwood II have failed to meet the legal standards required. Twice they have failed to meet the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) by failing to evaluate project alternatives with less environmental impact and having an insufficient Cumulative Impact study.
Dogwood III is just as flawed as its predecessors. It lacks even the most basic survey information on seasonal wetlands – the floodplain of the Gualala River in northern Sonoma County. It also lacks scientific information on rare and endangered plants and wildlife species such as steelhead trout.
The floodplain of the Gualala River is too important to the health of this already impaired river. Logging of redwood trees in the floodplain will do great harm.
We are asking that this logging Plan, Dogwood THP 1-15-042 SON, be subject to greater review. We request Dogwood be elevated for policy-level review by the CALFIRE headquarters and the Board of Forestry.
What can you do to help? Please email Santa Rosa CALFIRE before Feb. 21, 2019 with your comments. Tell them in your own words why you are against logging in the floodplain. Whether it be the fish, the wildflowers such as Coast Lilies, the wildlife such as Western Pond Turtles and California Red-legged Frog, tell them why this special place we call the Magical Forest shouldn’t be logged. Ask CAL FIRE to elevate Dogwood for a policy level review. Email CALFIRE at this address: santarosapubliccomment@fire.ca.gov. Thank you