November 12, 2003
Letter to the Editor
Anderson Valley Advertiser
Boonville, CA 95415
Subject: Uneasy Easements
See MRC's response below
Editor,
Big River State Park needs your help. There is an unusual and perhaps illegal situation that needs action.
When State Parks wants to develop roads in the State Park, they are subject to Environmental Review. When a logging company wants to develop roads on their private property, they are subject to Environmental Review... But right now, Mendocino Redwood Company (MRC) is developing roads within Big River State Park with no Environmental Review whatsoever!
This is causing environmental damage contrary to the terms and conditions which established Big River State Park.
Damages already sustained include:
- Diesel spill
- Grading of Road
- Filling of wetland habitat and Destruction of wetland plant species
- Tree removal
- Collapse of a failed culvert coincident with logging truck accident
This damage has taken place on less than one mile of State Park road. MRC claims access to over 200 miles of roads in Big River State Park!
The December 20, 2003 deadline for public action is upon us.
WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS?
1. Do nothing?
2. Strongly urge Mendocino Land Trust (MLT) to pressure State Parks to defend the Park!
3. Strongly urge State Parks Attorneys to enforce requirement of Environmental Review of MRC use of roads within Big River State Park.
4. Bring forth a Public benefit lawsuit (prior to 12/20/03).
We urge you to attend a special Big River Citizen Advisory Meeting on Wednesday November 19th, at 7pm, at the Mendocino Recreation Center, located at the comer of School and Pine.
If you want to talk personally with a member of the CAC, please feel free to call:
Russell Feiber (707-937-2248), Linda Perry (707-937-4775), Lorraine Buranzon (707-937-3799) or Carol Robson, Chair, (707-937-2826).
Subject: MRC Replies
Editor,
The 7,300 acre Big River State Park property was purchased from Hawthorne Timber Company by the Mendocino Land Trust (MLT) and simultaneously transferred to California State Parks (Park) on July 30, 2002. During the year prior to the State Park acquiring the property a Mendocino Redwood Company (MRC) made numerous attempts to inform both MLT and the Park about the existence and benefit of the existing "Reciprocal Right of Way and Road Use Agreement" (Right of Way).
The benefit of the Right of Way is that it allows for shared cooperative use of existing roads between two landowners which reduces the need for building new roads. This is a sound environmental approach to reducing the total number of roads required for land management activities.
MRC identified one such segment of road which would provide access to a timber harvest operation. The Park was contacted prior to road use to coordinate additional environmental corrective measures in conjunction with our routine use of the road. After an intensive in-house review of the road segment by MRC staff it was proposed to upgrade failing culverts by installing rocked ford crossings and make drainage improvements to the road surface in order to eliminate ongoing existing erosion problems. I prepared a site specific erosion control plan which was endorsed by the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) - Additionally, a survey for Rare and Endangered plants was conducted.
During use of this road, an empty log hauling truck inadvertently went off the edge of the road while taking a comer too tightly. While pulling the truck to safety, a diesel tank leaked some fuel from a vent cap. An immediate response to contain the leaked diesel and remove the contaminated soil was implemented. All appropriate steps were taken including notification to the Park and the County Office of Environmental Health.
MRC continues to correspond with Park leadership and Council to facilitate a cooperative approach to this Right of Way Agreement.
Respectively yours,
Mike Jani, Chief Forester
Mendocino Redwood Company
Calpella
Also see: Big River State Park Road Use: A Chronology
|
