An inspection by the North Coast Regional Water Quality Review Board of some of the recent Gualala clearcuts and burns (See Damage on the Gualala) has found evidence of significant environmental harm from these practices. Some quotes from that inspection report (May, 1999):
"There was some loss of buffering ability from the loss of ground cover in the WPLZ."
"There must have been significant suspended sediment carried by the runoff... there was no vegetative matter of any kind to prevent the soil from raindrop impact or rilling.... the burned areas were exposed to an entire winter's rains."
"The scale of burning on these units clearly went beyond inadvertent."
"The steep Class III watercourses found on these units are often the source of debris sliding... intensity of the fire may have set back regeneration of the redwood stumps."
"This level of high-impact approach to forestry runs the risk of significant impacts to water quality.... Overstory canopy should be retained in Class III WLPZs."
"The Gualala is listed as impaired for excessive sediment.... a more conservative approach to sediment control is needed."
Full text of the report (click to view):
For more pictures of logging in the Gualala region, see:
Still More Gualala Clearcut Photographs
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