As commercially-logged timberland is depleted, the looming danger, particularly in places with growing populations like California, is for the land to be rezoned for other uses. Vineyards and development for housing almost always net investors more money, especially in the short term. But they so dramatically change the ecology of the land that forests do not readily come back, even if those uses are ultimately abandoned. Investors are in short supply who will figure their return calculations in anything but the short term, while the time to allow over-logged land to recover and return to sustainable long rotation selection logging is defined in decades, not fiscal quarters. To come to grips with the threat, those in Humboldt and Del Norte counties have only to look to the south a few miles to witness its manifestation.
Mendocino and Sonoma Examples
Forest conversions have been responsible for permanent loss of 550 acres of Sonoma County forest in about 15 years. 2,000 acres, or 10% of Preservation Ranch east of Sea Ranch in Sonoma have been bought for development. That number may not sound huge, but the loss is permanent, and it is just the beginning. The rate of forest conversions has increased recently, with 230 acres of conversions currently pending approval by the California Dept. of Forestry (CDF).
Traditionally, CDF has been evaluating these projects one at time. But the cumulative impact of these conversions and resultant acre-by-acre loss of forestland is devastating. The forestland and the habitat for wildlife become fragmented, bringing further problems to the endangered species in the area.
Friends of Gualala River says that tens of thousands of acres of coastal hills is being proposed or planned for vineyeards, much of that traceable to designation of the area as a "terrain perfect for pinot noir" by wine maker Kendall-Jackson.
Even when land is sold to other timber companies so that Timberland Production Zone (TPZ) zoning remains in place, land under ownership by the likes of LP, GP, or PL (Louisiana Pacific, Georgia Pacific or Pacific Lumber) is often so depleted that it is no longer viable timberland to produce for the bottom line. Any logging except the bare minimum pending recovery causes further--and usually severe--degradation of all the qualities we value forests for: clean water, habitat for wildlife, aesthetic values, erosion control, and other "quality of life" issues. This has been true in Mendocino county, where Mendocino Redwood Company, owned by the Fisher family of Gap fame, purchased the old LP holdings, and despite their promises of sustainable logging, have employed herbicides, clearcuts, and logged the last remnants of old growth. The fact is there are probably few investors who could afford to wait for sufficient recovery to log profitably. A better solution is a combination of industrial logging where the ecosystem can bear it, conservation easements for critical habitat, and a waiting time for long rotation logging in other areas.
The Humboldt County General Plan, which could affect outcomes in the Maxxam situation by setting the stage for zoning restrictions or changes is currently under review. Slow growth rates originally proposed by the county Planning Dept. are being challenged by developers, who would prefer to see proposals for conversion of forestland and agricultural land to development. The Healthy Humboldt Coalition came together to guide the process which will last at least another year.
Another route to have "working forests"--i.e., keep jobs in the community, is a community forest model. In Arcata, California residents purchased 622 acres of forestland over a 50 year period. It was designated as a community forest in 1955 to provide wildlife habitat, recreation, sustainable timber harvesting, municipal water (at one time), and education opportunities. One of the goals of the forest is to generate revenues for the acquisition and development of recreational facilities in the city. A Community Forest employing from the local community and logged by sustainable silvicultural methods like select cuts can support local rural economies.
