Judge Rules in Favor of MRC Plan

Judge Schmidt announced yesterday that he was confirming the Mendocino Redwood Company plan for the reorganization of PALCO. The T-S article is here.

Video about Pacific Lumber Company

I ran across this video on the Justice through Jostle blog, and thought I would repost it here as it gives a good background on the problems with the Pacific Lumber Company.

Forest Defense Camp Set to Begin May 2

Humboldt Forest Defenders have announced that there will be a forest defense skillshare and camp in the redwoods. They are inviting old-timers and newcomers alike and plan to release more details soon. My understanding is that the camp will run from May 2 through May 9 and include hikes and discussions about Pacific Lumber's bankruptcy.

SF Chronicle Backs Marathon/MRC Plan

The San Francisco Chronicle today endorsed the Pacific Lumber reorganization plan put forward by Marathon Finance and Mendocino Redwood Company. The Chronicle joins the Times-Standard, EPIC, the Rio Dell City Council, Congressman Mike Thompson, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and others in supporting the MRC plan.

PALCO Files for Extension on Fern Gully THP

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I just learned today that Pacific Lumber has filed for another one year extension on THP 01-446 where forest defenders have been sitting in the Fern Gully Tree Village for several years. Sitters had hoped to come down next week on October 8, when last year's extension expired. An activist that goes by the name of "Song" said "We'll still be there, because it's a critical area, the front line of the woods, right above people's houses. It's on a 30-80% grade." Activists are working on finding gear, clothes, tarps and supplies to get them through another winter.

PALCO Submits Plan to Sell/Subdivide Timberlands

--- The Pacific Lumber Company has submitted a plan to the Federal Bankruptcy Court that calls for selling a large part of their holdings and subdividing 22,000 acres into 160 acre parcels. The new development will be called "Redwood Ranch". The plan was on the front pages of today's SF Chronicle and Eureka Reporter. A discussion of the project can be found on the Humboldt Herald blog. The Alliance for Sustainable Jobs and the Environment has posted the entire plan at their site.


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Now playing: Mysterious Ways - U2
via FoxyTunes

Ninth Aniversary of David Chain's Death

Nine years ago today, David Nathan Chain, whose forest name was Gypsy, was killed when a PALCO logger felled a tree on top of him. I had just come to Humboldt County and was involved with the forest actions in the Grizzly Creek area where Gypsy was killed. I had been arrested the day before in the same logging plan. Despite evidence that the logger A. E. Ammons had threatened the protesters shortly before he cut the tree, no charges were ever filed.

David Chain Memorial Vandalized

While I was at Grizzly Creek State Park for our action camp, I visited the David "Gypsy" Chain memorial and saw how it has been defaced and vandalized. Shame on the ignorant, mean-spirited person or persons responsible. It is not enough for them that David Chain was killed by a logger, so they do this to his memorial plaque. A hole has been drilled into Gypsy's forehead and it has been defaced with red paint. Pacific Lumber Company should replace or repair the memorial. Please contact them about this matter.
PALCO Main Office
P.O. Box 37
Scotia, CA 95565
e-mail: info@PALCO.com

(707) 764-2222

Spooner Tree-sit Raided Today

Tree-sitters in the Nanning Creek tree village sent a text message today saying that Pacific Lumber climbers were raiding the tree-sits. Also two forest defenders were arrested on the ground for trespassing. Activists are heading to the gate to protest against Palco's actions. Some activists have raised concerns that the company is violating the law by cutting branches during Marbled Murrelet nesting season, which ends on September 15. Much of the tree-sitter's gear has been taken or destroyed.

Large Turnout for PALCO Bankruptcy Talk

There was a large turnout of concerned community members tonight, to hear Peter Clapp talk about the Pacific Lumber Company's Capter 11 bankruptcy. Clapp, a bankruptcy attorney and teacher, spoke at the River Lodge Conference Center in Fortuna. Clapp said the two key issues were the valuation of the company, and the feasability of sustainable harvests. Many of the questions submitted by the audience, indicated that members of the timber industry community are worried about their pensions. The company's debts total about $750 million. The company,s main asset is it's 200,000 acres of timberlands.