State Rescinds Pacific Lumber's License
12/24/97
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Headline: State Rescinds Pacific Lumber's License
Source: United Press International
Date: 12/24/97
Copyright 1997 by United Press International
HUMBOLDT COUNTY, Calif., Dec. 24 (UPI) -- Pacific Lumber Co. is
negotiating a renewal of its license after the California Department of
Forestry refused to renew its permit for 1998.
The embattled timber company is suspected of more than 100 violations
of state forestry practices over the last year, mostly having to do with
the company's alleged failure to control erosion.
The Department of Forestry said the violations include using logging
roads that were too wet and failing to construct adequate drainage
systems.
Environmentalists have argued the erosion problems could further
damage North Coast streams that are spawning habitat to populations of
coho and steelhead salmon.
Jerry Ahlstrom, who heads the department's enforcement division, told
the San Francisco Chronicle that the company already had been
reprimanded this year.
Ahlstrom said that in the spring, the company pleaded no contest to
three counts of failing to comply with a timber harvest plan. It was
fined $6,000 and placed on a year of probation.
A spokeswoman for the company based in Scotia, Humboldt County, said
Pacific Lumber is discussing a proposal with the state to reinstate the
license as long as the company agrees to change its logging practices.
State officials said an agreement is likely by the start of the new
year, but if the company violates that agreement, it would lose its
license for good.
Pacific Lumber still has a tentative deal with the state and federal
government to sell some of its ancient redwood groves including the
Headwaters stand.