The Humboldt County Planning Commission will hold a Town Hall Meeting Thursday, June 11, 2009, at 5:30 p.m. on the Land Use Element including the Forest Resources Section at the College of the Redwoods’ Forum Theater.

Here are five reasons why we need to speak out for

forest and salmon protection and resotration:

1) Restoration Zoning: Currently not included in the plan alternatives, Richard Gienger’s proposal for a new zoning category would promote restoration activities that restore and promote forest ecosystem values and long-term forest management. It would provide incentives (such as continued TPZ-style tax status) for landowners in watersheds dominated by non-industrial timberlands, and would reward such activities as reduction of erosion and sedimentation, reduction of fuel hazards, increase of the commercial and wildlife values of forestland, watershed/fisheries restoration, and other related activities.

2) Humboldt is the largest timber-producing county in the state, and the jobs that depend on timberlands have historically formed the cornerstone of our economy. Across the North Coast, the “highest and best use” of forests for timber production [sic] and ecosystem values has become increasingly threatened by the conversion of resource lands to primarily residential or agricultural uses. Such use drives land prices too high for economically viable long-term timber production.

3) A key question is how to enable small landowners to live on the land while preventing the fragmentation of large timberland holdings as has become the pattern across the country. Under current policies and under General Plan Update Alternatives B, C, and D, a plan such as MAXXAM’s to liquidate over 20,000 acres of TPZ land into 160-acre parcels would still be allowed. That type of plan would remain legal, without any environmental review or public input, except under Alternative A’s proposal for two-tiered TPZ zoning. Industrial vs. Non-Industrial TPZ: Currently, the minimum parcel size for lands zoned TPZ (Timber Production Zone) is 40 acres, though under state law the minimum is 160 acres. Alternative A proposes two tiers of land use classifications for timber.

4) One particularly significant goal of the current update is to protect resource lands. This is surely a goal on which we can all agree. But problems arise when we get to the policies that will lead to implementation of that goal. Sprinkled throughout the current proposals are statements that will concern you if you currently own rural property in Humboldt County or plan to do so some day.

5) Under the Open Forum format you will be able to ask questions of the commissioners and staff and you can expect some real-time discussion of your concerns. At the April 30th meeting commissioners seemed very interested in hearing firsthand from concerned community members. They wanted to hear more. Let’s be sure they do. Hope to see you there

For more information, or to get involved, visit www.healthyhumboldt.org or call 682-5292. To submit a comment to the county on Forest Resources, e-mail:

mspencer@co.humboldt.ca.us

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To read the county’s Forest Resources policy alternatives, go to:

http://co.humboldt.ca.us/gpu/docs/2009%20KeyIssues/Part2Chap4.6ForestResourcesComboAltComparePosted4-01-09.pdf

All text from : http://www.times-standard.com/othervoices/ci_12559400 and http://www.times-standard.com/othervoices/ci_12557819