194 



October 12. 1993 



Dear Members of the Subcommfttee on Specialty Crops and Natural Resources: 



I am writing in hopes that you will listen to our side of the story regarding HR 2866 

 the Headwaters Protection Act 



Congressmen Hamburg and Stark wish the government to purchase from The 

 Pacfflc Lumber Company approximately 44,000 acres of forestJand In Humboldt 

 County, California. In addition, another 14,000 or so acres would be set aside as 

 a study area apparently to decide If It too should be purchased. This land is in the 

 heart of the Company's approximately 196,000 acres of property, ail zoned for forest 

 products production. 



The Pacific Lumber Company has t>een harvesting trees, and growing trees on this 

 property for 125 years. Approximately 1,300 people work for the company, many 

 of second or third generation employees. You will probably receive much mora 

 information atxxrt our company, so let me just say that it is a wonderful company 

 to work for. 



I am a wildlife biologist, and I work together with our foresters and fisheries biologist 

 on creating Timt>er Han/est Plans which utilize the most sensitive and 

 comprehensive techniques to consen/e and create wildife and fish habitat white 

 providing quality wood products. 



As a wildlife biologist when I read the proposed bill (HR 2866). and hear Mr. 

 Hamburg speak, these are the most important points raised in my mind: 



- The Bill states that the old growth groves are crudai to maintain habitat needed 

 for "old growth dependent species.' The Bill menttons marbled murreiets. spotted 

 owls, and certain salmon stocks. Marbled munrelets do nest In old growth trees, 

 also some second growth trees, and on the ground in some parts of their range. 

 Very IrttJe is known about them, and The Pacific Lumber Companyis et the fore front 

 of researching this spea'es and how to conserve their habitat. ^The spotted owl is 

 not old growth dependent The forest products Industry has done years of research 

 whidi shows that the spotted owl thrives In second growth and third growth forests. 

 Additk>naly, The Pacific lojmber company has a long-term management plan for 

 spotted owls approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Forest Service 

 (who this land would be transferred to) does .not Salmon do not depend on the 

 age of the forest, they depend on \he quality of the rivers and creeks that they five 

 In. The Company is wori<lng with the CaTifomia [department of Rsh and Game, and 

 kx:al fisheries groups, to am fish hatcheries, maintain water quality, and fund and 



