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habitat for the celebrated spotted owl and the endangered bald 

 eagle and peregrine falcon, these forests are one of three 

 primary nesting sites in California for the marbled murrelet. 



Listed as threatened in 1992, the murrelet population in 

 California is estimated at 2000, an estimated decline of 90-95% 

 of their historic populations, a decline directly related to the 

 loss of old growth forest habitat. 



I would like to offer also the written testimony of 

 research, wildlife biologist Kim Nelson of Oregon State 

 University and chair of the Marbled Murrelet Technical Committee 

 of the Pacific Seabird Group. Ms. Nelson concludes: "[Tlhe 

 acquisition and preservation of the Headwaters Forest [is] key to 

 the survival and recovery of the murrelet in California." 



The Headwaters Forest ecosystem is far more than the sum of 

 its parts; far more than important habitat for a number of 

 threatened and endangered species. 



A great deal has been made of MAXXAH, Inc.'s aggressive 

 harvesting of these forests since acquiring Pacific Lumber 

 Company with junk bond revenues in a takeover nearly eight years 

 ago. The high quality and price of lumber manufactured from old 

 growth redwood make it a logical target for the company. But the 

 old growth ecosystem is simply not a renewable resource. Can we 



