103 



Congressman John Doolittla 

 October 26, 1 993 

 Page 3 



Q - There was considerable discussion at our hearing regarding your logging at Owl 

 Creek last November. Please describe the reasons why you believe this was a legally 

 authorized timber harvest. 



A - To put it very simply, our harvest activity in our privately owned Owl Creek area 

 was done in full ccmpliance with all applicable state and federal statutes and 

 regulations - and under the authority of a Timber Harvest Plan (THP) that was 

 unanimously approved by the State of California. Having obtained all of the required 

 approvals, we began our selective harvest only to learn that yet another state agency, 

 which did not have jurisdiction over the THP, had raised an objection, No additional 

 approval was required and so we commenced harvesting consistent with the law in 

 the approved THP. 



To put the matter in perspective, one needs to know that the THP for Owl Creek is 

 perhaps the most carefully reviewed THP in the history of California. It was first 

 submitted in 1 990 and has been approved and reapproved by the California Board of 

 Forestry. In conjunction with the plan, wildlife biologists and foresters conducted over 

 300 hours of surveys and found no evidence of marbled murrelets nesting in or 

 occupying the area. Further, one needs to keep in mind that the THP calls for 

 selective harvest on only 136 acres while wholly reserving 101 acres for mitigation 

 habitat. 



Q - What evidence is there to refute testimony stating that these lands (the 44,000 

 acres in H.R. 2866) are needed to ensure the survival of the murrelet in California? 

 And what evidence or educated skepticism is there that murrelets can nest in second 

 growth stands? 



A - Testimony on various species was presented by supporters of Congressman 

 Hamburg's bill. These are NOT correct and are scientifically flawed. 



I have taken the liberty of enclosing statements which strongly refute those given by 

 Congressman Hamburg's witnesses. 



TBS rACiriC LOMBSB COSfPANT 



