The Last Redwood Wilderness: An Earth First Scam 
 
     The current focus on redwoods deals with a private parcel
owned by Pacific Lumber in Humboldt County.  This become the ace
in the hand for the total 98,000 acre wilderness campaign 
Earth First named "Headwaters". 
     The group has capitalized on the takeover by Maxxam
corporation of Pacific Lumber to dramatize their efforts.  Earth
First activist Greg King has published under the name of Humboldt
News Service to distribute materials campaigning for the
designation of the PRIVATELY OWNED property as wilderness. 
Postcards have been produced showing an old-growth forest and
encouraging readers to "save" this forest. 
     Local foresters question whether the picture is in fact
Pacific Lumber property and not redwood parkland.  The increase in
harvest level by Maxxam is a prime focus, with the card saying 
the company plans to clearcut the old-growth.  In fact, the company
voluntarily agreed to use selective harvest in their virgin stands. 
Also not mentioned, is the fact that the parcels were 
scheduled for harvest by Pacific Lumber management PRIOR TO THE
TAKEOVER. 
     An analysis of redwood acreage figures reveals that THE PARCEL
AT ISSUE AMOUNTS TO 4% IN QUANTITY OF PRESERVED VIRGIN REDWOODS AND
1.3% OF TOTAL PRESERVED REDWOODS.   
     Attempts have been made to prove certain species are dependent
on the old-growth forest.  However extensive studies are revealing
that second-growth redwood forests contain as much or more wildlife
and habitat, contrary to Earth First claims that old-growth forest
ecosystems are irreplaceable.   
     According to the Redwood Region Conservation Council, coast
redwoods is one of the fastest growing trees in the world, and new
growth rate is actually three times that of harvesting. 
     Also receiving little exposure is the fact that the parcel is
isolated and not publicly accessible.  This brings to light the
total agenda of the Earth First agenda.   
     Many Humboldt County residents are adamantly against the
proposal, including ranchers, other private land owners,
businesses, and officials.  The previous acquisition resulted in
a community disaster.  The 1978 Redwood National Park expansion
which promised replacement economy from an increase in tourism has
never developed.  The cost of the expansion has neared $2 BILLION. 
     According to the National Park Service, a visitor 
survey taken in 1978 is still valid today.  This indicates their
has been no significant change in traffic the town of Orick, which
is located near the park headquarters, has suffered a major decline
in economic activity since many of the people previously employed
by the timber industry have had to move from the area.  In 1978 the
park was expanded by acquiring over 30,000 acres of timber land.



**********************************************************************
    Brought to you by Multa-Net, the Multiple-Use Land Board
     We can be reached at 707-935-6170 300,1200,2400 8-N-1
**********************************************************************