The Hole in the Headwaters

Circle of Life Foundation

I recently experienced the bittersweet joy of returning to Luna, the ancient redwood tree in which I lived for two years. This time, I embraced her wide trunk rather than her outstretched limbs. Together with my colleagues from Circle of Life Foundation and Sanctuary Forest, I celebrated the victory of protecting this ancient being and the surrounding three acres. Yet there are still many groves that are being cut within the greater Headwaters area and the rest of Maxxam/ Pacific Lumber's forestland.

The 7,500-acre Headwaters Reserve has two components. The ancient forest groves and buffer areas are in one large block; extending from it is a thin ribbon of protected land on either side of the South Fork Elk River, one of the best remaining salmon streams in California.

The river protection corridor, only 150-feet-wide on either side of the water, winds its way downstream until it again crosses the main body of the reserve. Roughly 1,000 acres between the river and the groves were not included in the reserve, and are known as the "Hole in Headwaters."

Last summer, Pacific Lumber's timber harvest plans (THPs) were approved in several watersheds in Humboldt County and even in the heart of the Headwaters Reserve. The 705-acre THP 520 in inside the Hole in the Headwaters. Logging within this stretch of forest will muddy the river, harm salmon, and diminish the environmental values of the reserve.

The Environmental Protection Information Center (EPIC) and the Sierra Club are litigating to protect this area, and have obtained a preliminary injunction against THP 520. Although the plaintiffs demonstrated a strong legal case, the judge required them to post a $250,000 bond to secure the injunction. The bond will compensate the logging company for lost profits in the event the injunction was later lifted.

The ruling sets a costly and dangerous precedent for future citizen actions to save other wildlife areas.

We believe the Headwaters Forest Reserve should be expanded to include the Hole in Headwaters to truly protect the ecological viability and critical habitat for old-growth dependent species. The upper portion of Elk River must also be protected as a salmon refuge.

We will continue to advocate on behalf of all life for the basic rights of clean air, pure water, and healthy forests. Protecting Luna is a stepping stone on the path to preserving and restoring forests, we need to band together to protect our precious forests and employ a variety of strategies -- including direct action, land acquisition, lobbying, grassroots organizing, and litigation.

It is vital to both defend threatened lands and embody the solutions that we wish to see in the world. When we speak out or put our bodies in the way of destruction, we must articulate a vision of sustainable forestry, value-added products, and tree-free paper.

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By Julia Butterfly Hill

Julia Butterfly Hill founded the Circle of Life Foundation [www.circleoflifefoundation. org, PO Box 1940, Redway, CA 95560, (707) 923-9522] to protect and restore the Earth through education, outreach, inspiring youth, and creating alliances. For more information on the battle to save the Headwaters, visit the EPIC website [www.wildcalifornia.or].