After years of advocacy work, legislation, and grassroots organizing California's first forestry-reform pilot project is about to get underway. There's much reason to hope for a positive outcome.
For one thing, Forests Forever's forest policy advocate Richard Gienger has been selected as one of the initial 11 persons seated on the Pilot Project Working Group that will oversee the project. It is set to get underway Dec. 15 in Fort Bragg and should wrap up in about two years.
Geographic focus of the pilot project will be the Campbell Creek watershed within the larger Ten Mile River basin in Mendocino County.
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This and forestry pilot projects to follow (possibly as many as three more) would never have come about without the thousands of letters, emails, phone calls, and hearing comments and the financial support of Forests Forever's supporters over many years!
Gienger, a respected watershed-restoration expert, will be joined by environmental, fisheries and tribal representatives, as well as members of the timber industry.
"All in all we feel encouraged by the makeup of the initial 11-member panel," said Paul Hughes, Executive Director of Forests Forever. "We'll need to stay on our toes to make sure the process goes forward with the kind of integrity, public participation, and transparency that is needed."
Paul Hughes
Executive Director
Forests Forever
