Negotiations to Acquire Redwood Forest

“Negotiations for Headwaters Forest Falter” (Feb. 14) is misleading on several counts.

It is not a matter of the state and federal officials “satisfying the demands” of Charles Hurwitz; it is a matter of all parties adhering to the terms of the Headwaters agreement. Labeling Hurwitz as a “corporate raider” is not supported by the facts. Since acquiring Pacific Lumber 11 years ago (and Kaiser Aluminum more than eight years ago), both entities have been strengthened. Pacific Lumber today employs approximately 1,600 people, compared to approximately 900 prior to the acquisition, has added significantly to its asset base, and annually generates about $87 million of positive economic activity in a region that has been economically hard hit for a number of years.

In discussing Pacific Lumber’s rejection of the California properties offered for swap, it would have been informative to point out that many of the listed properties either had encumbrances attached to them, were removed by the state from the list, or had attracted public concern for being placed on the list in the first place.

Maxxam, Pacific Lumber and Hurwitz personally remain committed to the Headwaters agreement as the fairest, most practical way to permanently preserve 7,500 acres, including the Headwaters and Elk Head Springs virgin old-growth redwood forests and protective buffer zones.

ROBERT W. IRELAN

Vice President, Public Relations

Maxxam Inc.

Houston, Texas

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With his demand to be paid not to trash a forest, Hurwitz is holding hostage the long-term survival of sustainable forestry and salmon fishing industries that depend on a healthy Headwaters ecosystem. Hurwitz’s me-first attitude thumbs its nose at the government’s historic and legitimate responsibility to prevent land abuses that endanger the larger community.

The habitat conservation plan, which would--on paper--mitigate destruction of endangered species and their habitat in Headwaters, will likely result in a net loss of habitat. Recovery, not bare survival, of wild coho salmon and other imperiled species must be the guiding principle of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service. If Hurwitz is permitted to turn the Headwaters ecosystem into a tree farm, northern California can kiss goodbye any hope of reviving a renewable, sustainable $150-million-a-year wild coho salmon industry. By protecting pure water for salmon, we help ourselves. Stripping old-growth redwood, as Hurwitz plans to do, will ruin streams and leave a legacy of depletion.

BILL CORCORAN

Conservation Assistant

Angeles Chapter, Sierra Club