Speak out tonight in Eureka: What do we want out of the General Plan Revision?

Please Attend Tonight!

Because of the widespread impairment of Humboldt County’s watersheds and loss of forest ecosystem values; because it has been demonstrated by the best available science that these impairments are due in large part to soil disturbance, increased rainfall runoff, and water diversions from altered forest cover, roads, and residential use; and because current regulatory mechanisms are not working: HWC supports Healthy Humboldt recommendations for land use, such as:

* Separate zoning for Industrial and Non‐Industrial timberlands containing less stringent requirements for small landowners.

Non‐Industrial Timberlands (ownership of less than 5000 acres) would allow for one house per 160 acres for all future subdivision, with several options for smaller existing parcels being actively managed for timber or forest ecosystem values continuing as TPZ. Others would be eligible for immediate rezoning for residential use

Industrial Timberlands (ownership of more than 5000 acres) would allow for one house per 600 acres. Fewer than 20 landowners own more than 5,000 acres.

* Easier rollout of TPZ for “substandard” parcels

For lands zoned TPZ, immediate rollout is proposed for smaller parcels that are no longer eing managed primarily for timber production. The County should bear the administrative osts of TPZ rollout

*  Continuing TPZ Tax Status on lands managed for EITHER timber production or forest ecosystem values

Management practices could include thinning, habitat restoration,road decommissioning, erosion and sediment source reduction, etc. and verified with THP, NTMP, or Forest Restoration Management Plan

* Establish a Community Forest Acquisition and Management Program

Community Forests can provide recreational opportunities, protection for fish and wildlife habitat, community income from sustainable timber harvest, and can function as a buffer zone between residential areas and industrial timber production zones.

HWC also urges the county to reclaim its options to adapt Timberland Regulations and Timber Harvest Plans to local needs and conditions, such as

* Regular review of THPs, especially for cumulative effects on impaired forest ecosystems and watersheds

* Formal investigation of need for county-specific California Forest Practice Rules

* Multidisciplinary Forestry Review/Advisory Committee with mission to reverse impairment of forest ecosystems and watersheds

http://www.healthyhumboldt.org

For all posts on the County’s General Plan Revision GO HERE

Posted via email from Humboldt Watershed Council’s Format & Backup