Protester Hangs From Bridge To Block Logging Road; Endangered Species Habitat Going Down Next To State Park; Rally Called for Wednesday Dec. 18
For Immediate Release -
Contact: Karen Pickett, Bay Area Coalition for Headwaters; Shunka, cell phone in tree on Gypsy Mountain: (707) 834-2348; Sandra Grueby (707) 441-0702
The road providing access to Maxxam/Pacific Lumber Timber Harvest Plan 00-439 in Grizzly Creek area near Grizzly Creek State Park in Humboldt county has been blockaded by a protester dangling from a bridge by a rope. A forest defender climbed under the bridge early this morning and suspended himself 100' above Grizzly Creek. Supporters are rallying on the scene. The access road goes off of highway 36 near Abe Wouk Memorial Grove, travels through the State Park.
The Dept. of Fish and Game last week released more acreage of what is known as "E stands", or occupied habitat of the federally and state-listed marbled murrelet. Logging began in THP 00-439 and on Gypsy Mountain, where David Gypsy Chain was killed by an angry logger in 1998. Another important E stand in the Nanning Creek area (THP 01-007, near Scotia) was released by DFG last week, and start up of operations is expected any time.
"With the legal system having repeatedly failed in the protection of endangered species habitat, forest defenders feel they must take drastic actions in order to save these forests even putting their lives and freedom at risk", said forest defender "Squirrel".
Activists will hold a rally tomorrow, Dec. 18, in the area. People will gather at noon at Swimmers Delight campground, about 14 miles out highway 36 from highway 101, just south of Eureka.
