Schwarzenegger sides with redwood activists (Pacific Lumber)

San Mateo County Times ^ | 01/28/2007 | Mike Zapler

[calcowgirl]

Fate of a 200,000-acre swath owned by Pacific Lumber is in doubt

SACRAMENTO — The Schwarzenegger administration on Friday sided firmly with environmentalists in a potential legal battle with Pacific Lumber Company over a huge swath of ancient redwoods in Humboldt County that could be jeopardized by the company's financial troubles.

The fate of a 200,000-acre swath of redwoods owned by Pacific Lumber was thrown into doubt last week when the company filed for bankruptcy in Texas. In 1999, the state and federal governments spent $480 million combined to buy 7,400 acres of the company's redwoods, now part of Headwaters Forest Reserve, and establish a "habitat conservation" plan to protect endangered species on 200,000 acres of the company's land.

Environmentalists and Democrats worry that the company will try to escape from that 50-year deal during bankruptcy proceedings — a maneuver that would boost the timber company's value. On Friday, the Schwarzenegger administration weighed in, declaring that the state will use every possible means to protect the redwoods.

The governor's stance ensures that Pacific Lumber will face a tough legal battle if it tries to extricate itself from the redwoods agreement.

"We intend to be dogged and unyielding in our efforts to protect California's interests and hold (Pacific Lumber) to all of its obligations," Mike Chrisman, secretary of the state Resources Agency, wrote in a letter to the Democratic leader of the state Senate, Don Perata of Oakland.

Pacific Lumber spokeswoman Andrea Arnot said the company to date has not asked the bankruptcy court for any changes to the Headwaters agreement, which she called the "most stringent environmental standards" ever placed on timber harvesting.

When asked whether the company might seek such alterations to the deal at some point during bankruptcy proceedings, Arnot said, "You're asking me to speculate how a legal proceeding will go. I can't speculate."

Environmentalists appreciated Schwarzenegger's help in what could be a protracted legal battle. "Taxpayers made a significant investment in these environmental protections," the Sierra Club's Paul Mason said, "so it's very welcome to see the state will be taking all possible steps to ensure those commitments are honored."

Schwarzenegger's opposition isn't the only obstacle the logging company would face if it tries to nullify the redwoods agreement. The deal's requirements were attached to the deeds of Pacific Lumber's land to ensure that new owners would be bound to the same rules if Pacific Lumber ceased to exist, said former state Senator Byron Sher, D-Palo Alto.

In filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Pacific Lumber blamed what it called overly strict state water regulations — rules separate from those contained in the redwoods agreement — for unfairly squeezing logging profits. That led some observers to wonder whether the company will try to get out of the deal it had signed.

The 200,000 acres of Humboldt County forests at issue is roughly seven times the size of San Francisco.

[TommyDale]

Hug a tree, kill a baby. The new GOP "moderates".

[calcowgirl]

In filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Pacific Lumber blamed what it called overly strict state water regulations — rules separate from those contained in the redwoods agreement — for unfairly squeezing logging profits.

Yet the environmentalist's propaganda machine is at work trying to destroy whatever logging business remains in the state.

[ExtremeUnction]

Hug a tree, kill a baby. The new GOP "moderates".

I am a conservative but also a conservationist. We have cut down 95% of the old growth redwoods. The remaining giants are a national treasure. I say save them at all costs.

[claptrap]

If the forests arent thinned dont they just burn down
any way when the underbrush gets heavy?

[mugs99]

On Friday, the Schwarzenegger administration weighed in, declaring that the state will use every possible means to protect the redwoods.

The solution is simple. Arnie should buy the 200,000 acres from Pacific Lumber.
.

[CounterCounterCulture]

Lumber is bad... we should use less natural, regrowable resources and use more material that is non-biodegradable. (rolls eyes)

[muleskinner]

The enviros ought to wait and see if Pacific lumber actually tries to log in the reserve first, but I guess their lawyers want something to do. Wankers.

[TommyDale]

I believe we should be in control of our environment, but a tree isn't more valuable than unborn children. Governor Schwarzenegger, Rudy Giuliani and others need to honor the rights of all life, not just the trees and whales.

Can you cite your source for that statistic of 95% of the old growth redwoods are now gone? The last time I was in Redwood Country, there was much more there than I would have expected, if I had believed the news media and Al Gore.

[countreegurl]

I am a conservative but also a conservationist. We have cut down 95% of the old growth redwoods. The remaining giants are a national treasure. I say save them at all costs.

---

ditto,

NorCal Countreegurl

[patton]

Good for you - since the company is broke, I am sure they will sell you their land and trees.

Write them a check out of your personal account, and you have saved the world.

[Beagle8U]

"I am a conservative but also a conservationist. We have cut down 95% of the old growth redwoods. The remaining giants are a national treasure. I say save them at all costs."

If you are a conservative and want to "save them at all costs" you should BUY them.

If your "at all costs" means someone else's money you are a liberal, not a conservative.

[cricket]

Maria wins! Arnold soon to announce his Demrat Party affililiation. OTOH. ..perhaps not; because what does it matter? Maria wins either way.

[goldstategop]

I have no sympathy for the company. They signed this deal and they should figured out before they signed it that it might end up costing them more than holding onto the lands would bring in profit for them. Its no surprise they're being squeezed by the Left and the State Of California at the same time. Due to their own short-sightedness, they're getting what they deserve.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[jdub]

It would appear that they were bought, and the possibility exists that the lumber company might renege on the deal.

Some things must be left to the State. If I say "we must protect our borders at all costs", does this mean that I must build my own fence?

[BunnySlippers]

If these redwoods are as numerous and as endangered as this article says then perhaps they need to be saved.

Have any of you outside California seen how incredible the giant redwoods are?

I just think we need to know more before passing judgment. Anyone know he story?

[B Knotts]

We have cut down 95% of the old growth redwoods.

B.S.

All these hyperbolic claims about how few old-growth redwoods are left are based on the numbers of old-growth redwoods left on private property.

Huge amounts of old-growth redwoods are preserved in Redwood National Park. Of course there are few old-growth redwoods left in private hands, because the government has taken most of them.

People used to be able to earn a decent living in Humboldt County, but now all that's left are low-paying tourism jobs and high-paying government jobs.

[B Knotts]

Yes and no.

They basically signed the deal with a loaded gun to their heads.

[Beagle8U]

Pacific lumber still owns the property.

Unless you own the land and the timber growing on it you should have no say in the matter.

Your border fence comment is a straw man. You knock him down.

[Wally_Kalbacken]

This is an indication of what Arnold is willing to do to become the next Senator from CA. Kinda makes you think that California is not worth it, in any sense, if this is what he feels he must do.