RRRAUL Mission

Russian River Residents Against Unsafe Logging (hereafter, RRRAUL) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the pursuit of responsible and sustainable logging practices in Sonoma and Mendocino counties.

RRRAUL acknowledges the following tenets and purposes:

1) That timber is an important resource, and that the practice of sustainable and responsible forestry to protect, maintain, and restore the forest ecosystem is an essential and desirable component of our economy and environment, which is to be encouraged, while irresponsible and environmentally unsafe forestry is to be discouraged;

2) That failure to plan and execute a timber harvest in a sustainable and responsible manner directly results in significant adverse impacts on the local environment, economy, and community, such as:

the taking of endangered species, habitat loss for flora and fauna, and depletion of other natural resources,

the degraded ability of the land to provide high quality timber, resulting in loss of employment opportunity for future generations,

the loss of scenic views, resulting in decreased property values, and increased erosion, resulting in flooding, land sliding, and property damages;

3) That the regulations and procedures put forth by Federal, State, and County agencies to manage the timber harvest process are inadequate to address the ongoing adverse impacts that have resulted from irresponsible timber harvest practices;

4) That RRRAUL is committed to working constructively with existing law and rules, and at the same time is also committed to promoting regulatory and statutory changes which will further the intent of the Forestry Practices Act to assure that:

"Where feasible, the productivity of timberlands is restored, enhanced, and maintained,"

"The goal of maximum sustained production of high-quality timber products is achieved while giving consideration to values relating to recreation, watershed, wildlife, range and forage, fisheries, and aesthetic enjoyment";

In pursuit of forestry reform, RRRAUL advocates a multi-faceted approach. RRRAUL believes that persistent discourse at the County, State, and Federal levels combined with education of the organization’s members and the public at large on forestry issues is the most effective way to induce forestry reform. Specifically, RRRAUL encourages understanding of the regulations contained in the California Forest Practice Act, understanding of the procedures of the California Department of Forestry, and review of the pertinent regulations of other relevant agencies. RRRAUL also believes that news media are effective tools for forestry reform which should be utilized to their fullest potential. Daily physical operations are conducted by officers appointed to their tasks by the RRRAUL Board of Directors. Activities conducted in pursuit of the organization's purposes include but are not limited to: participation in the review process for Timber Harvest Plans, Sustained Yield Plans, Non-Industrial Timber Management Plans, and other official forestry documents; issuing press releases or otherwise working with the media; conducting educational workshops; issuing publications; testifying before governmental committees; and litigation if necessary.