How are the redwoods? All protected? Not yet.
Our Redwood Forests are not all in protected status and those that are
in designated parks need protection from human impact. Cumulative impacts by human activities have substantial effects. What are cumulative impacts? ”A
cumulative impact is defined as: The impact on the environment which results
from the incremental impact of the action when added to other past, present,
and reasonably foreseeable future actions regardless of what agency (Federal or
non-Federal) or person undertakes such other actions. Cumulative impacts can
result from individually minor but collectively significant actions taking
place over a period of time.” (40 CFR 1508.7) Northwest Envtl. Def. Ctr. v.
Nat'l Marine Fisheries Serv., 647 F. Supp. 2d 1221, 1244 (D. Or. 2009)
Logging is still ongoing and still taking a toll on our forest
ecosystems, wildlife, and watersheds. Much of our remaining Redwood Forest is
on privately held corporate lands.
Contemporary
forest practices, including grading and building of logging roads and the narrowing of forested
buffers, have altered prime habitat for many species. Our Redwood “rainforests”
forests have been reduced to 2-3 percent of the original old growth that once
existed. Many former clearcuts that I
have visited within the redwood Region of California have been altered forever and
have not recovered from the damage.
The northern spotted owl and marbled murrelet, the salmon, various
species of amphibians, and other resident species are depending upon on all of
us for protection of their remaining
habitat and the ecosystems that are the life support for these species.
15,582.6 miles of California
Rivers and Streams are threatened by Silviculture (Forestry) and 10,308.0 miles
are threatened by Forest Roads (Road Construction and Use) (source: data cycle:
California Water Quality Assessment Report 2010).
The increase of marijuana cultivation
has brought into the mix further harm to our forests. Planting and terracing have
resulted in deforestation and habitat fragmentation. Grading, terracing, damming
streams, and road construction without permits, has led to the erosion and
sediment deposits further degrading streams.
A Department of Fish and Wildlife study of two small
watersheds in Humboldt County using aerial imagery indicates that the number of
acres devoted to marijuana growing almost doubled from 2009 to 2012, with an
estimated 550 individual growing operations.
Mendocino County is also fighting back at the damage caused by Marijuana cultivation.
In KQED’s California Report web article, Mendocino County, Sheriff Tom Allman said, “people disagree about marijuana: its legalization, its medical use, and how it's grown. These illegal gardens on forest land, however, should unite disparate groups… No matter where you stand on medical marijuana, I think we can come together on this," he said. "This is one area of commonality we have to focus on." - See more at: http://www.californiareport.org/archive/R201204050850/a#sthash.xyehARQO.dpuf
In KQED’s California Report web article, Mendocino County, Sheriff Tom Allman said, “people disagree about marijuana: its legalization, its medical use, and how it's grown. These illegal gardens on forest land, however, should unite disparate groups… No matter where you stand on medical marijuana, I think we can come together on this," he said. "This is one area of commonality we have to focus on." - See more at: http://www.californiareport.org/archive/R201204050850/a#sthash.xyehARQO.dpuf
Forestry and marijuana cultivation continue to be a
great concern when many of our remaining Redwood
Region’s rivers and streams have been declared "impaired," under
Section 305b of the Federal Clean Water Act.
This is not at all an issue about pros or cons of legalizing marijuana or letting forest practices continue unchanged.
This is not at all an issue about pros or cons of legalizing marijuana or letting forest practices continue unchanged.
What would the Lorax do?
Unless someone cares, human exploitation of the Redwood Forests continues. This exploitation is unjustified. Do Think about this and then help create a solution.
Unless someone cares, human exploitation of the Redwood Forests continues. This exploitation is unjustified. Do Think about this and then help create a solution.
