On March 28, the two month anniversary of her protest tree sit, “the Warbler” announced that she is starting a hunger fast. The 24-year-old local farmer has been sitting in a pine tree next to Highway 101, in the path of Caltrans’ proposed Willits Bypass since Jan. 28. Her statement is below. A dozen people have been arrested in other actions stopping heavy equipment, as Caltrans has started cutting mature oak trees and clearing vegetation. Nests have been found in the trees, ostensibly putting Caltrans in violation of the Migratory Bird Act. At least one nest has been verified by the state Fish and Wildlife agency.
Three other people have begun sitting in trees in other locations, all in the path of Caltrans proposed work. Caltrans plans to run the bypass through significant wetlands, necessitating the largest wetlands fill permit issued in 50 years. Photos and other information can be found on the site of the local group SOLLV (Save Our Little Lake Valley) organizing with Earth First! and the Willits Environmental Center: http://www.savelittlelakevalley.org/
Warbler’s statement:
As of March 28, 2013, the two month mark of the “Warbler Treesit,” I, Amanda Senseman (Warbler) am going on a hunger strike to protest the proposed Willits Bypass. Currently I am witnessing the destruction of my home. Caltrans is clearing multiple areas for destruction — cutting trees, clearing brush –despite the fact that the Federal Migratory Bird Act is in effect as of February 1, 2013. California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers have been deployed from around the state to occupy our valley. The occupation is complete with helicopter fly-bys and 24-hour surveillance.
This project is obsolete and it will cause irreparable damage to our watershed, forest, and community. The life that this valley harbors will not survive this assault on its’ biological integrity. I am 24 years old and I want a future and a future for my children. I will remain on hunger strike until the following demands are met.
1) All construction on Caltrans’ current Willits Bypass cease immediately pending legal resolution.
2) The public and press are able to enter the destroyed and disturbed areas to document said destruction and violations of law, Nature and common sense.
3) Least harmful alternatives and appropriately scaled transportation solutions for Willits and the Little Lake Valley are adopted.
Please support the groups in Mendocino County doing this work. We are helping with media and outreach from here in the Bay Area, so you can plug in with and support us down here. If you can go up to Willits and help out, contact BACH by email (bach[at]headwaterspreserve.org) and we can direct you to someone to advise you with directions.