To All, Tell the Forest Service: Only You Can Prevent Extinction It may seem obvious that fish need water, but some government agencies need to be reminded. Right now, stretches of the Scott River (some of the best salmon habitat in the Klamath Basin) are being completely dewatered. Although the U.S. Forest Service holds an […]
Read MoreCategory: Logging Impacting watershed
Should the Logging Industry be exempt from the Clean Water Act?
This action is part of the Waterkeeper Alliance’s “Fishable” Day of Action, celebrating the Clean Water Act’s 40th anniversary. When you take action on this issue, you’ll be joined by thousands of other people across the country! We value clean, clear water and believe the time has long come for the logging industry to do […]
Read MoreLawsuit Filed to Stop Clearcutting of Redwoods for Sonoma County Vineyard
SANTA ROSA, California — Conservation groups filed a lawsuit today challenging a controversial proposal by a Spanish corporation to clearcut 154 acres of redwood forest to plant wine grapes in northwestern Sonoma County. The Sierra Club’s Redwood Chapter, the Center for Biological Diversity and Friends of the Gualala River sued the California Department of Forestry […]
Read MoreArtesa’s Hired Gun
Will Parrish on May 2, 2012 Artesa of Sonoma, a subsidiary of Spanish wine giant Codorniu, has a public image crisis on its hands, and on a scale few wine companies have ever encountered. Last year, the company received a spate of national media coverage concerning its plan to carry out the largest forest-to-vineyard conversion […]
Read MoreA Report from the Soil and Water Conservation Society
Dear Interested public: One of the objectives of the growing community with respect to changes to Vineyard and Erosion and Sediment Control Ordinance (VESCO) is to satisfy conditions of Reg’l Board’s Irrigated Lands waiver. Although the condition of our impaired water bodies and fisheries are the public’s business, the growers do not want the public […]
Read MoreClearcutting Action Letter
All, Our forests are under attack from clearcutting axes that hack, hack, hack! But with your help we can stop this frightful assault and bring the destruction to a grinding halt. Add your name to our petition, and let’s protect our forest’s from demolition. Have you heard the story of the Lorax — the fuzzy, orange […]
Read MoreThe Department of Terroir Security Website
I came across this interesting website–The Department of Terroir Security–that seems to focus on the rampant increase of vineyards/wineries everywhere and the environmental/social impacts. Who are those guys? http://terroirsecurity.com/?p=595 Larry
Read MoreSupport Tree Protection in Sonoma County, Tues., Jan. 31, 9 am
Forest Supporters, This Tuesday, January 31, at 9 am, please come to support a County “freeze” on any new vineyard and orchard development in Sonoma County until June 1st of this year. At that time, VESCO (Vineyard Erosion and Sediment Control Ordinance) will be updated to incorporate tree removal protection language. This will be held in the Supervisors’ […]
Read MoreTwo Very Different Gualala River Watershed Groups
Dear Friends of the Gualala River,People sometimes confuse Friends of the Gualala River (FoGR) and Gualala River Watershed Council (GRWC) – two very different organizations. Here’s a comparison. Friends of the Gualala River (FoGR) GualalaRiver.org Gualala River Watershed Council (GRWC) GRWC.info FoGR is a leader in environmental advocacy and action dedicated to protection and recovery […]
Read MoreA Comparison of Two Different Gualala Watershed Groups
To All, A comparison of Friends of the Gualala River and Gualala River Watershed Council Two very different organizations Friends of the Gualala River (FoGR) GualalaRiver.org Gualala River Watershed Council (GRWC) GRWC.info FoGR is a leader in environmental advocacy and action dedicated to protection and recovery of the Gualala River and its watershed, defending against threats like: • industrial water diversion and […]
Read MoreBattle Creek Clear Cutting Endangers Salmon Recovery Project
Battle Creek clear cutting endangers important salmon recovery project. For Immediate Release Monday, August 29, 2011 Contact: Jack Ellwanger, 831 667 2025 Forest protection and fish restoration advocates demanding a stop to the massive clear cutting of the Battle Creek watershed received a boost this week from a respected fisheries advocacy organization. A long hoped […]
Read MoreBattle Creek Update
Pelican Network Members and Friends, Our campaign to stop the forest clear cutting by Sierra Pacific Industries in the Battle Creek watershed gained momentum this week. At Pelican Network’s request, California Sportfishing Protection Alliance (CSPA), analyzed collection data gathered by Battle Creek Alliance and prepared a report which found … “evidence of adverse changes […]
Read MoreNews Blackout on Clearing Redwoods for Vineyards
I thought I would share a letter sent to the Press Democrat who blatantly had a story blackout on a crucial issue for Sonoma County–clearcutting hundreds of acres of redwoods to put in more grapes for wine making while the rest of the state and country had the story covered. Shameless. –Larry Dear Editor: Newspapers […]
Read MoreLetter to Supervisor Carrillo on Hobbs’ Clearcuts
Dear Mr Carrillo, As a 40 year resident, landowner and voter in Sonoma County I am deeply disturbed at the recent destruction of trees by Mr Paul Hobbs and his associates in the Highway 116 corridor. His actions show that he has little respect for the well-being of our landscape and water supply, the opinions […]
Read MoreNinth Circuit Reissues Opinion Requiring NPDES Permits for Stormwater Discharges from Logging Roads
By Meline MacCurdy May 20, 2011 The Ninth Circuit this week affirmed an earlier decision that will effectively require many timberland owners and logging companies to obtain permits for stormwater runoff from logging roads in the western U.S. The case, Northwest Environmental Defense Center (NEDC) v. Brown,[1] involved two Oregon logging roads where stormwater runoff […]
Read MoreUrgent Action on EPA Stormwater-Send by Monday, May 16
Dear Partners for Clean Water, As partners in a statewide effort to secure protections for polluted waterways, we ask for your help in letting U.S. EPA know that Californians support strong federal leadership on reducing storm water pollution and restoring the health of polluted lakes, rivers, streams, estuaries and coastal waters. In November 2010, EPA […]
Read MoreTo all, Discussion – below – is a summary of the Regional Board action to Suspend NTMPs from the Categorical Waiver for Timber Operations. This is a short summery for folks who are not understanding the situation regarding NTMPs . There is another e-mail to follow with a summery and history of TMDLs and Implementing […]
Read MoreAction for North Coast Streams Involving Forestry
Interested Parties concerned with impaired status of north coast rivers and streams please note: The Regional Board is proposing suspension of regulations now in place to control pollutant contributions from timber harvest activity on impaired waterbodies in the north coast region. Timber harvest and related activities are responsible for a great percentage of impairment on […]
Read MoreSanta Rosa Plain Groundwater Basin Planning Workshop Nov. 17
Santa Rosa Plain Groundwater Basin Planning Workshop November 17 About the Workshop The Sierra Club, Sonoma County Water Coalition and League of Women Voters are sponsoring a workshop to inform interested parties about groundwater planning currently under consideration. Workshop Date and Location The workshop will be held on November 17, 2010, from 6:30-9:00 p.m. located […]
Read MoreKLAMATH RIVER WATER QUALITY STANDARDS APPROVED
The RB is already working on it – and a Dairy WDR and Waiver too. Hi all,I have heard it said for many years by a number of folks, including staff with the NCRWQCB, that after the Klamath TMDL is done, the Russian TMDL is next. Anyone have the latest heads up on this reality […]
Read MoreKLAMATH RIVER WATER QUALITY STANDARDS APPROVED
NEW AND STRONGER KLAMATH RIVER WATER QUALITY STANDARDS APPROVED BY CALIFORNIA On 7 September, after much debate, the California Water Resources Board formally approved new water quality standards (called ³TMDLs,² or ³total maximum daily loads² in Clean Water Act parlance) for the mainstem of the Klamath River. This decision gives final California agency approval to […]
Read MoreRussian River Riverfest this Saturday, Sept. 25th
The Riverfest is right around the corner and we hope to see many of you there. We’ll gather on the banks of the River at Burke’s Canoe Trips on Saturday, September 25th from 4:30-7:30 p.m. for our annual fun fest. Come enjoy a great gourmet dinner, organic wine & beer tasting & local musicians as […]
Read MoreMeeting: Water Quality Control Plan for the North Coast Region
SWRCB_09072010_BoardMeetingAgenda Attached is the agenda for the State Water Resources Control Board September 7, 2010 Board Meeting. At this meeting the State Water Resources Control Board will consider a proposed Resolution approving amendments to the Water Quality Control Plan for the North Coast Region (Basin Plan) to establish: (1) site specific water quality objectives for […]
Read MoreA Synthesis of the Science on Forests and Carbon for U.S. Forests
A Synthesis of the Science on Forests and Carbon for U.S. Forests SW Fire Science Consortium Webinar July 28, 2010 12pm Mountain time The SW Fire Science Consortium is please to present a webinar on forest carbon. Dr. Mike Ryan, USDA Forest Service Research Forest Ecologist, will present a scientific synthesis he and his colleagues […]
Read MoreCarbon Reignites CA Forest Wars
You can feel it in the air. High Country News recently took note of it. On 14 million acres of California private timberlands and woodlands, trouble is brewing. Below is an August 25, 2009 press release from the Center for Biological Diversity regarding successful lawsuits filed against the California Department of Forestry for its failure […]
Read MoreSonoma County Oak Woodlands
Below is a recent letter sent by the Oak Foundation to the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. To date no reply has been received from the Board. August 12, 2009 Board of Supervisors Sonoma County Administration Building 575 Administration Drive, Room 102A Santa Rosa, CA 95403-2887 Re: Sonoma County Oak Woodlands Honorable Supervisors: The California […]
Read MoreComments on the Klamath TMDL
August 21, 2009Matt St. John North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board 5550 Skyline Blvd, Suite ASanta Rosa, CA 95403Email to: MStJohn@waterboards.ca.gov Subject: Comments on the Klamath Mainstem TMDL Water Quality Restoration PlanGeneral Comments We are pleased with and fully supportive of Staff’s efforts in these Draft Water Quality Restoration Plan (“Implementation Plan”) provisions as well as in […]
Read MoreComment Letter to CDF on Fairfax Conversion
Allen Robertson, Deputy Chief Environmental Protection California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection P.O. Box 944246 Sacramento, CA 944244-2460 Dear Allen Robertson, Community Clean Water Institute requests that the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection consider these comments upon review of the draft Environmental Impact Report for the Fairfax Conversion Project. We urge CDF to regard the […]
Read MoreProposal to Centralize WB’s Oversight on Forestry Issues
FYI (thanks to Coast Action Group for the expertise on these comments), August 3, 2009 State Water Resources Control Board 1001 I Street Sacramento, CA 95814 Re: Consideration of a proposed resolution directing staff to develop a statewide approach addressing forest activities on national forest system lands, including timer harvesting, grazing, off-road vehicle recreation, and […]
Read MoreBush Era Plan to Clearcut Oregon Forests Cancelled!
WOPR Canceled – Obama Administration Cancels Bush Era Plan to Clearcut Oregon Forests Salmon, clean water, and old-growth forests big winners Portland, OR — People throughout the west celebrated an Obama administration decision to cancel a Bush era plan that would have nearly quadrupled current logging on public lands in western Oregon. The Bush plan, […]
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