A BIGGER PICTURE

What do words such as "even-aged silviculture", "napalm", "Oust","Arsenal", and "sediment impacts" have to do with the Gualala River? Plenty. These terms describe elements of a profit-driven plan to extract timber resources from the Gualala River watershed, compromising other species, including us humans.

The largest timberland owner in the watershed is accelerating harvesting on its approximately 30,000 acres of property. Gualala Redwoods, Inc. (GRI) is rapidly filing new plans and cutting on already approved Timber Harvest Plans (THP's) while using methods which threaten the delicate biodiversity of the forest ecosystem and the survival of federally listed threatened and endangered species. The very few Coho salmon and Steelhead remaining in the streams below these operations are only the most obvious potential victims of extinction due to the cumulative impacts of their new, favored technique.

This technique usually involves clear cutting large areas at a time in closely spaced units that are greater in size than recommended by the Forest Practice Rules. First, all the "merchantable" trees are cut and dragged off the steep (sometimes 70 degrees and more) slopes with tractors and/or cables. All the surface wildlife is forced into areas already occupied or into unsuitable habitats. The other trees and vegetation are then cut and left lying until they are dry. A helicopter is brought in to ignite the "site prep" burn and drops lighted napalm from the air. Many acres can be ignited in one day and at a speed which causes a chimney effect in the center of the burn. This results in complete combustion of all but the largest stumps and debris. The high temperatures not only crack large rocks but  sterilize the soil many inches down and create a water impermeable layer below the topsoil.

When the rains arrive in the winter, the impermeable layer prevents the water from being absorbed and upper, super-saturated topsoil becomes liquefied and washes down the steep, bare slope. Top soil is generated at an average rate of one inch per one hundred years so this loss and its effects will last lifetimes. Hundreds of acres have been recently clearcut and treated in this manner.

Before the 12 inch high, cloned seedlings of two conifer species are planted to meet mandated requirements, the entire clear-cut area is broadcast sprayed with a powerful herbicide from Dupont called "Oust". Among the many warnings on this chemical's label is one which describes its toxic effect on juvenile fish. Oust was originally intended for the long term control of roadside weeds. It suppresses all non-woody plant life for more than a year after its application. After the Oust takes effect, the steep, bare slopes are then devoid of sufficient grasses and plants to hold the soil.

The herbicide residues and/or breakdown products may find their way into rivers as rains often exceed 100 inches per year along the North Coast. Records on file at the Sonoma and Mendocino counties County Agricultural Commissioners' offices reveal that no on-site inspections have ever been conducted involving any herbicide use by Gualala Redwoods Inc. under its permit in either county.

Subsequent to the broadcast spraying of Oust, other herbicides such as Arsenal, Weedone, Garlon 4, 2-4-D and Roundup are applied to suppress undesired trees and plants which might prevent optimal growth of the conifer seedlings. Since such plants naturally grow faster in totally shadeless clear cuts, they are suppressed for many years with doses of herbicides to allow the slower growing conifers to get a head start.

All of the above described practices might make some sense to a "Tree Farmer" interested in maximizing the quick production of small, 18" diameter logs, but does it makes sense in the larger picture? The combination of accelerating timber harvesting and clear cutting along with the intense applications of a toxic stew of chemicals is unacceptable for many reasons.

The effect of this kind of timber operations on the delicate balance of the many other thousands of species of plants and animals above and below the ground will eventually cause species extinction and collapse of the forest ecosystem itself. The cumulative impacts of harvesting timber using methods and chemicals which have not been tested on these systems will not be easily reversed.

One of the biggest contributions made by our forest is the production of water. Our health and survival depends on the forest being able to absorb, filter and slowly release the rain which fall on its slopes. All studies point to the fact that aggressive harvest cycles and clear cutting greatly reduce the total canopy of the forest and its soils. With more and more of the Gualala watershed being eroded, much more of the rain will flow out of the hills and into the ocean during the winter months leaving little in the way of water supplies for humans and forest dwellers alike.

Due to public complaint, the Sonoma County Air Pollution Control District was called in this last year when the South Fork area was blanketed with smoke.  Hundreds of acres were ignited simultaneously on clear cuts using napalm.  When changes in wind direction occurred, fires jumped firelines, damaging river protection zones.

The reliance on these harsh cutting practices, burning, and chemical methods comes from their lower cost to the timber operator, and not from the absence of alternatives. Strengthening of the Forest Practice Rules that govern such behavior are an absolute neccessity in the near future. What is needed now is an immediate cessation of this amount and type of timber harvesting by GRI and other large operators in the watershed. Along with this should be the presentation of sustainable yield plans (SYPs) which would demonstrate the intentions of these licensed timber operators.  Ideally, the SYPs would portray a commitment to maintaining ecosystem  biodiversity and not to a "cut and run", or worse, a "cut and develop" plan of attack. To save this precious forest environment and preserve a steady supply of clean water, we need a brave timber industry whose actions take into account the "Big Picture", sacrificing some profits for the larger good.

Chris Poehlmann
Gualala River Improvement Network

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