Letter of Concern

To: California Dept. of Forestry 135 Ridgeway Ave. Santa Rosa, CA 95401

re: THP # 1-97-379-SON

Dear Sir(s), 21 November 1997

This past month I was made aware of a specific logging plan which will, if followed through on, have great impacts upon the residential and tourist community existing in the area of the proposed cut. The acreage to be logged, referenced above, is in a sensitive and difficult to access area.

Some of the obvious issues which are being raised by residents and others include:

* road conditions - narrow, two lane, no sidewalks, 140 degree turn, population increase in summer, children on the road before and after school, and potentially inadequate structural reinforcement of the roadside and banking along Hulbert Creek and along property lines.

* proposed crossing of Hulbert Creek at 7 (?) different sites - impact upon water quality and watershed as relates to flow and levels, sedimentation and habitat destruction as well as stability issues of banks and creek beds.

* impact upon existing species with destruction of habitat - mitigation proposed ?

* impact upon resident and local agency ability to access road during flood, fire, or some other emergency, or community activity.

* alternative route feasibility, is there any ?

* economic impacts - as relates to ability of residents to access routes and business activities associated with the area, such as tourism.

In general, I have difficulty with the idea of logging this area within the proposed framework because there are too many impacts which have not yet been addressed. This area is vital to the health of the watershed ecosystem which exists there.

I believe that it would be prudent of the CDF to slow the processing of this proposed cut, in order to adequately and appropriately deal with those impacts.

In a more global sense, I am concerned that there is not adequate, regional planning and research being done to calculate the full impact of every tree harvest proposed in Sonoma County; and I believe that it is time that your agency pay closer attention to those who live in this community. Many have livelihoods are directly related to the health of this region, environmentally.

It would be unfortunate to see one vital Sonoma County industry, Tourism, suffer for the benefit of a minority interest.

Which leads me into the concern which I am most sensitive about - representation. Because it is my job to legislate according to constituent needs, I am disturbed that California State Agencies, taxpayer supported, are not representative of majority opinion, as evidenced in past practices in handling THPs.

The condition of our environment is too important to jeopardize for narrow and damaging interests. I hope that you apply standards which adhere to the strictest interpretation of the law in reviewing and handling this particular permit, as well as all other logging proposals in Sonoma County.

Thank you for your time.

Respectfully,

Pia C. Jensen
Cotati City Council
Mail - PO Box 635 Cotati, CA 94931
Phone - 707 795-9445
Voice mail - 707 664-9754
e-mail - enviropoet@hotmail.com
WWW: http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/8436