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Mattole Forest Defenders Yank Thousands of Logging Markers
Thousands of flags and other markers were removed from Pacific Lumber logging plans in the Mattole Watershed. Flags were left at PL headquarters in Scotia, Ca.
Direct Action in Defense of
Forests
For immediate release
March 10, 2003
Thousands Of Timber Plan Marker
Flags Removed By Forest Defenders
"Gift" of Bundle of Timber Harvest
Plan Flags Left on Doorstep of Pacific
Lumber Headquarters in Scotia
MATTOLE WATERSHED, HUMBOLDT COUNTY,
CALIF.: Last week activists removed thousands of
flags and other markers that delineated proposed
Timber Harvest Plans (THPs) filed by the Pacific
Lumber Co (PL) in the Mattole watershed. On
Sunday, March 9, a large bundle of these flags was
left on PL's doorstep at their headquarters in Scotia,
California.
"Without these markers, a THP doesn't physically
exist," said Kestrel, a Mattole Forest Defender.
In addition to removing markers, activists have
made many sections of logging access roads
temporarily impassable by strewing them with
logging debris. They say that these actions were
taken to interfere with the approval process of
THPs' that threaten the environment.
Howell Montia, a Mattole Forest Defender said,
"Roads have been proposed that would be built
across streams in seismically active gorges that
would cause long lasting damage to this part of the
watershed."
In THP 03-007, "Skagit," several miles of boundaries
and proposed roads were erased before and during a
"pre-harvest inspection" done in that plan by CDF,
the California Dept. of Forestry. A "pre-harvest
inspection" is required to advance a THP in the
approval process.
"It is unclear to us at this time how the marker
removal affected the inspection," said a local
activist, "but how can you inspect something you
can't see?"
The Mattole Forest Defenders have engaged in a
variety of actions so far this year including tree-sits,
blocking roads with logging debris, surveying
proposed THPs, and restoration work in areas
damaged by logging. PL has plans to log over 400
acres in the Mattole so far this year. The company
considers its' Mattole holdings to be a "sacrifice
zone" under its' "Habitat Conservation Plan" (HCP).
Many of the current proposed logging plans target
large stands of old-growth Douglas Fir and
hardwood forest with trees that are sometimes 450
years old or older.
Forests
For immediate release
March 10, 2003
Thousands Of Timber Plan Marker
Flags Removed By Forest Defenders
"Gift" of Bundle of Timber Harvest
Plan Flags Left on Doorstep of Pacific
Lumber Headquarters in Scotia
MATTOLE WATERSHED, HUMBOLDT COUNTY,
CALIF.: Last week activists removed thousands of
flags and other markers that delineated proposed
Timber Harvest Plans (THPs) filed by the Pacific
Lumber Co (PL) in the Mattole watershed. On
Sunday, March 9, a large bundle of these flags was
left on PL's doorstep at their headquarters in Scotia,
California.
"Without these markers, a THP doesn't physically
exist," said Kestrel, a Mattole Forest Defender.
In addition to removing markers, activists have
made many sections of logging access roads
temporarily impassable by strewing them with
logging debris. They say that these actions were
taken to interfere with the approval process of
THPs' that threaten the environment.
Howell Montia, a Mattole Forest Defender said,
"Roads have been proposed that would be built
across streams in seismically active gorges that
would cause long lasting damage to this part of the
watershed."
In THP 03-007, "Skagit," several miles of boundaries
and proposed roads were erased before and during a
"pre-harvest inspection" done in that plan by CDF,
the California Dept. of Forestry. A "pre-harvest
inspection" is required to advance a THP in the
approval process.
"It is unclear to us at this time how the marker
removal affected the inspection," said a local
activist, "but how can you inspect something you
can't see?"
The Mattole Forest Defenders have engaged in a
variety of actions so far this year including tree-sits,
blocking roads with logging debris, surveying
proposed THPs, and restoration work in areas
damaged by logging. PL has plans to log over 400
acres in the Mattole so far this year. The company
considers its' Mattole holdings to be a "sacrifice
zone" under its' "Habitat Conservation Plan" (HCP).
Many of the current proposed logging plans target
large stands of old-growth Douglas Fir and
hardwood forest with trees that are sometimes 450
years old or older.
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I suppose that articles like this that try to glorify sneaky subversive behavior are par for today's activists. I hope they realize how lucky they are that the loggers haven't yet become angry enough to resort to some behind the scene tricks of their own. It's lots of fun to scamper through the woods like a sprite and wreak havoc until others scamper behind you.
umm, hello prior poster. do you remember the bombing of judi and darryl. umm what about the truck drivers ramming cars from behind. what about car's being vandelized? what about sucker punches? what about the murder by A.E. and Rhett of David Chain. Those are only a few of the eco-terrorism acts perpetuated by the timber industry. A few ribbons get misplaced and your crying foul. Your a bunch of pussies. I'm so sick of the whining by the timber industry it makes me sick. Bunch of fricking whimps. Go pull your head out of your asses you whimps. Get on with your life and accept that cutting at twice or three times the cut rate will eventually lead to a cut-back until the company retrofits to be a second growth company. Yes layoff will happen and months on down the road when the retro-fitting has happened, you'll get your whimpy ass re-hired back. Doubt you'll come on here to tell about it. You'll just keep on whining you puss.
And yes, the other side, whines just as much. Your all a bunch of PR whackos.
And yes, the other side, whines just as much. Your all a bunch of PR whackos.
Where are you getting your information? Cars being vandalized? Truck drivers ramming cars from behind? And excuse me, but David Chain wasn't murdered. He knew the area he was in was being logged and he knew that is was dangerous to be there. He essentially took his life in his own hands. Don't tell me that forest activists don't know the dangers; not even they are that stupid.
Pulling up those markers was just another form of eco-terrorism that these activists are engaging in. You can't pretend that these "forest defenders" are totally innocent, because they aren't. Tree-sitters are tresspassing on private land; logging equipment has been vandalized. You think this is ok behavior? You need to wake up and realize that someday soon, these activists are going to have to take responsibility for their actions and face the law.
Pulling up those markers was just another form of eco-terrorism that these activists are engaging in. You can't pretend that these "forest defenders" are totally innocent, because they aren't. Tree-sitters are tresspassing on private land; logging equipment has been vandalized. You think this is ok behavior? You need to wake up and realize that someday soon, these activists are going to have to take responsibility for their actions and face the law.
Its completley absurd to say that taking a plastic ribbon off of a tree could "terrorize" someone. Why are these people reacting so violently to the peaceful act of removing survey flags from the forest. That is completely non-violent and does harm to no one. It is much safer for activists to engage in actions that do not involve direct confrontation with potentialy homocidal loggers. The attitudes expressed above represent the tip of the iceburg when it comes to animosity felt towards environmental activists by many (not all) loggers here.
If loggers are so pissed about losing their jobs, they should be pissed at Charles Hurwitz for screwing them, and everyone else in this county, ever since he got control of the company. I'm a seventh generation californian, how many families here in Humboldt have been logging for multiple generations, only to see Hurwitz destroy it in one generation. The problems not activists folks, we've been losing battles for years. The only people who are gaining long-term from all this are Hurwitz and PL management. The industrial area in Scotia (PLs company town) is being liquidated by Charley, Rich " Dick" Bettis, and the new guy, manne. What will they do to the rest of it?
If loggers are so pissed about losing their jobs, they should be pissed at Charles Hurwitz for screwing them, and everyone else in this county, ever since he got control of the company. I'm a seventh generation californian, how many families here in Humboldt have been logging for multiple generations, only to see Hurwitz destroy it in one generation. The problems not activists folks, we've been losing battles for years. The only people who are gaining long-term from all this are Hurwitz and PL management. The industrial area in Scotia (PLs company town) is being liquidated by Charley, Rich " Dick" Bettis, and the new guy, manne. What will they do to the rest of it?
My dear "Lucky", you are so silly. You make me laugh. Perhaps you can make some coin as a comic.
As for Gypsy, anyone who gets whacked by a big tree that takes over a half hour to fall deserves that Darwin award. Thanks.
As for Gypsy, anyone who gets whacked by a big tree that takes over a half hour to fall deserves that Darwin award. Thanks.
What a crock! Are you even familiar with tree cutting? Cutting a tree down in the direction where you know people were recently is an obvious act of violence. I can't tell if PL pays people to lie on this site about what going on out here, or if it's just mis-informed employees or thier friends/relatives. Either way, your arguments are transparent.
It really is sad to hear what some people associated with the company believe. I've heard people from Scotia say that PL does'nt clearcut, log old growth, or cut on unstable slopes! PL publicly acnowledges that they do these things but the community around them is so boxed off that they dont know whats really going on in the outside world. These people sincerely don't understand where enviro's are coming from because they have been systematically lied to and they recieve it wholeheartedly.
It really is sad to hear what some people associated with the company believe. I've heard people from Scotia say that PL does'nt clearcut, log old growth, or cut on unstable slopes! PL publicly acnowledges that they do these things but the community around them is so boxed off that they dont know whats really going on in the outside world. These people sincerely don't understand where enviro's are coming from because they have been systematically lied to and they recieve it wholeheartedly.
I'ts hard to know where people are when they are hiding and playing little games. Besides, I'm talking common sense. When something big comes toward you, moving out of the way always seems like a good choice. If you don't know that, then bye bye.
It's sad that all the sheep in Scotia aren't as omniscient as you.
You obviously know nothing about tree falling, so don't even go there.
PL pays employees to work. Slamming you is just for fun. Luckily, it is fast and effortless.
As for clearcuts and cleaning up the remaining decadent inventory, it is you who have gullibly imbibed lies, my friend. I mean, duh, what timber company doesn't do those things? If someone told you that hogwash, they were screwing with you and you eagerly ate it up, huh? Will the outrages ever cease?
Since the HCP, steep slopes are defined as 65% or greater. This used to be the cutoff between tractor and yarder ground. Now steep slopes have provisions that often triple buffer distances, require the scrutiny of a certified geologist, and most often result in no harvest. Glad you could come to school.
You obviously know nothing about tree falling, so don't even go there.
PL pays employees to work. Slamming you is just for fun. Luckily, it is fast and effortless.
As for clearcuts and cleaning up the remaining decadent inventory, it is you who have gullibly imbibed lies, my friend. I mean, duh, what timber company doesn't do those things? If someone told you that hogwash, they were screwing with you and you eagerly ate it up, huh? Will the outrages ever cease?
Since the HCP, steep slopes are defined as 65% or greater. This used to be the cutoff between tractor and yarder ground. Now steep slopes have provisions that often triple buffer distances, require the scrutiny of a certified geologist, and most often result in no harvest. Glad you could come to school.
Wild? Your not wild. You must live your life in a city to sound as foolish as you do. We really need a better class of activists. I am so tired of talking to people in trees that don't know the difference between a mole and a vole. If you truly feel you can hold up your end of a dicussion, lets find a forum. I tried this with Shunka and all he did was rant. I tossed the glove down, anyone got the balls to pick it up? Heck you don't even need balls, just a well reasoned argument.
Pacific Lumber is not only responsible for wasting resources, PL are also murderers. Loggers need to be aware of their surroundings. Felling a tree on a person in the forest is a crime. The time it takes for the tree to fall is irrelevent, David could have tried to get out of the way and fallen. If it was accidental, admit to wrongdoing, but denying this and blaming the victim is disgusting.
Pacific Lumber is taking more trees than needed. Building seven bedroom mansions for the wealthy is the destination of our formerly living forests. This is nothing new, though the problem is getting worse. How fortunate that Bush, the most anti-environmental puppet yet is taking space in Wash DC.
The long term effects of clear cutting and removal of old growth trees is becoming more apparent every year. Invasive heat/sun tolerent underbrush moves into clearcuts, competing with the original trees. Declines in biodiversity are increasing, yet the chainsaws keep buzzing, burning petroleum and taking life..
Excessive logging is not sustainable, when the trees are gone, what sort of jobs will be left? Everyone has the right to work if they need to, but the jobs need not be environmentally unfriendly. The economic system of perpetual growth will not continue. We need a sustainable lifestyle, taking only what we need, no more excess.
Pacific Lumber is taking more trees than needed. Building seven bedroom mansions for the wealthy is the destination of our formerly living forests. This is nothing new, though the problem is getting worse. How fortunate that Bush, the most anti-environmental puppet yet is taking space in Wash DC.
The long term effects of clear cutting and removal of old growth trees is becoming more apparent every year. Invasive heat/sun tolerent underbrush moves into clearcuts, competing with the original trees. Declines in biodiversity are increasing, yet the chainsaws keep buzzing, burning petroleum and taking life..
Excessive logging is not sustainable, when the trees are gone, what sort of jobs will be left? Everyone has the right to work if they need to, but the jobs need not be environmentally unfriendly. The economic system of perpetual growth will not continue. We need a sustainable lifestyle, taking only what we need, no more excess.
Now who has PR envy!
Ok, first get a grip on your singular and plural verb tenses, and then realize you are an environmentalist! You have never fallen a tree, let alone a big one, so you have no clue about the time and mechanics involved with facecut/backcut preperation and completion. I know it's difficult to restrain yourself from spewing about things which you are unfamiliar, but please try. I know this may sound amazing, but I have (in front of witnesses) been in the woods amidst timber felling operations, and I have never been hit by a tree. That's because I didn't sit, stand, trip, fall down, or sleep in front of one. Generally, the chainsaws woke me up. The true crime is people trying to charge the faller. I mean really, how could I possibly hit you with a tree unless maybe you were a house with an immovable foundation? This has been known to occur periodically. Don't trespass. Don't stand in front of large, heavy, moving things. Duh. And you wonder why we think you guys are stoned or just dumb.
Ok, first get a grip on your singular and plural verb tenses, and then realize you are an environmentalist! You have never fallen a tree, let alone a big one, so you have no clue about the time and mechanics involved with facecut/backcut preperation and completion. I know it's difficult to restrain yourself from spewing about things which you are unfamiliar, but please try. I know this may sound amazing, but I have (in front of witnesses) been in the woods amidst timber felling operations, and I have never been hit by a tree. That's because I didn't sit, stand, trip, fall down, or sleep in front of one. Generally, the chainsaws woke me up. The true crime is people trying to charge the faller. I mean really, how could I possibly hit you with a tree unless maybe you were a house with an immovable foundation? This has been known to occur periodically. Don't trespass. Don't stand in front of large, heavy, moving things. Duh. And you wonder why we think you guys are stoned or just dumb.
Just because it's against the law doesn't make it wrong. Robin Hood robbed from the rich and gave to the poor. Is that so wrong?
Upon study I find that activists are out there commiting acts of chaos to do good. While anti-activists are out there to uphold law in order to commit acts of evil.
Tell me this, loggers, if there was a law saying that you couldn't log anymore, would you just sit back and say, "Well, since the law says not to, I guess I won't." I don't think so. You'll still go out there and cut down trees; commiting acts of chaos this time to do evil, while activists use the law to do good.
So where am I going with this? I find that you have no say in this. You're only worried because you have no other job skills and swinging an axe is all you're good at. You could care less for the enviroment. You even said it yourselves, you come here because it's fun, not because you're paid to. You don't need to be paid for it, if you don't then you think you'll lose your jobs.
Well, this just in: No matter what you say there will be no difference in what happens. It goes the same for activists, no matter what they say there will be no difference.
The fact remains that activists will still be selflessly fighting for good and you loggers will still be selfishly fighting for evil.
Mrith and Mayhem,
Mirt Montiallo
Upon study I find that activists are out there commiting acts of chaos to do good. While anti-activists are out there to uphold law in order to commit acts of evil.
Tell me this, loggers, if there was a law saying that you couldn't log anymore, would you just sit back and say, "Well, since the law says not to, I guess I won't." I don't think so. You'll still go out there and cut down trees; commiting acts of chaos this time to do evil, while activists use the law to do good.
So where am I going with this? I find that you have no say in this. You're only worried because you have no other job skills and swinging an axe is all you're good at. You could care less for the enviroment. You even said it yourselves, you come here because it's fun, not because you're paid to. You don't need to be paid for it, if you don't then you think you'll lose your jobs.
Well, this just in: No matter what you say there will be no difference in what happens. It goes the same for activists, no matter what they say there will be no difference.
The fact remains that activists will still be selflessly fighting for good and you loggers will still be selfishly fighting for evil.
Mrith and Mayhem,
Mirt Montiallo
There is no fact to moral judgement.
Qualification of good or evil involves no facts of any kind, just a self righteous person with a need to justify actions.
Save your morals for Sunday
Log on
Qualification of good or evil involves no facts of any kind, just a self righteous person with a need to justify actions.
Save your morals for Sunday
Log on
For one one thing, not all forest defenders are up in trees,.we also do actions on the ground as I'm sure some of you are aware.
Why do you think that environmentalists never cut down trees ? There are many environmentaly aware sustainable logging operations. Also, activists occasionally cut poles (usually dead, sometimes live) from young crowded groves. These are used to build tree-sits , blockades, shelters and other things. To fall a tree, you decide first of all which way is best to direct it, preferably into an opening where it won't get caught up in other trees. You cut a wedge out of the side of the tree facing the direction you want the tree to fall. (Many people prefer to make the wedge cut at waist height, but Hurwitz makes his loggers cut lower whenever possible to increase the board feet harvested. It is more dangerous to cut in a kneeling position than a standing position. ) You then cut the opposite side of the tree until it starts to fall. Sometimes wedges are pounded into the back cut.
By the way, thats a really funny add you put in the paper. " Hijacked Logging Truck", "Staged Fake Car Bomb Attack", thats hilarious. People are gonna get a laugh out of that for a long time! Exactly how do you "Stage a Fake Car Bomb Attack"?
That add is pitiful. It shows how weak the company feels when it has to resort to paying the Sub-Standard to print out a full page lie about activists. Robert Manne is the biggist asshole to move to Humboldt County since John Campbell.
Have you folks gotten to see the current demolision over at the south end of Scotia? Looks like liquidation to me! Do you think they'll stop with the industrial buildings or will they move on to the homes after that?
Why do you think that environmentalists never cut down trees ? There are many environmentaly aware sustainable logging operations. Also, activists occasionally cut poles (usually dead, sometimes live) from young crowded groves. These are used to build tree-sits , blockades, shelters and other things. To fall a tree, you decide first of all which way is best to direct it, preferably into an opening where it won't get caught up in other trees. You cut a wedge out of the side of the tree facing the direction you want the tree to fall. (Many people prefer to make the wedge cut at waist height, but Hurwitz makes his loggers cut lower whenever possible to increase the board feet harvested. It is more dangerous to cut in a kneeling position than a standing position. ) You then cut the opposite side of the tree until it starts to fall. Sometimes wedges are pounded into the back cut.
By the way, thats a really funny add you put in the paper. " Hijacked Logging Truck", "Staged Fake Car Bomb Attack", thats hilarious. People are gonna get a laugh out of that for a long time! Exactly how do you "Stage a Fake Car Bomb Attack"?
That add is pitiful. It shows how weak the company feels when it has to resort to paying the Sub-Standard to print out a full page lie about activists. Robert Manne is the biggist asshole to move to Humboldt County since John Campbell.
Have you folks gotten to see the current demolision over at the south end of Scotia? Looks like liquidation to me! Do you think they'll stop with the industrial buildings or will they move on to the homes after that?
> 'Just because it's against the law doesn't make it wrong."
Hmmmm. Really? So, running down kids in the crosswalk is ok now? You are truly bent, dude, and you should actually appreciate the laws because they are keeping you alive.
Hmmmm. Really? So, running down kids in the crosswalk is ok now? You are truly bent, dude, and you should actually appreciate the laws because they are keeping you alive.
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