Old-Growth Forests

* The deal struck by the California Legislature appears to be the last obstacle for the acquisition of the Headwaters Forest. We agree, it wasn’t pretty and it isn’t perfect (editorial, Sept. 4). Acquisition of 10,000 acres of old-growth redwoods and surrounding buffer zones will be a wonderful addition to the public estate--an important part of our heritage for this and future generations. We too share your caution for the impacts on Coho salmon that might result from logging on the second- and third-growth forest lands that will be allowed under the Headwaters deal. Environmentalists will be watching closely to ensure that federal scientists take action to increase Coho protection if needed.

Yet as important as acquisition of the Headwaters Forest is, Californians need to know that 1 million acres of old-growth pine and fir forest, forest that we already own, could be threatened by a developing U.S. Forest Service plan. With no justification, the Forest Service is positioning itself to ignore the recommendations of a massive, comprehensive scientific study of the Sierra Nevada. This study produced the first and only map of the remaining old-growth forest in the Sierra Nevada and went on to outline an old-growth reserve system, one where prescribed fire would be the preferred tool to reduce the risk of wildfire, not more logging.

Californians want our last remaining old-growth forest ecosystems protected. Yes, we paid Charles Hurwitz an exorbitant amount for Headwaters. But it would be even more outrageous if we stand by quietly and let a public agency allow logging in public old-growth groves in the Sierra.

LOUIS BLUMBERG

Assistant Regional Director

The Wilderness Society

San Francisco