

201 



The Pacific Rivers Council 



formerly The Oregon Rivers Council 



605 Prince • Alexandria, Virginia 22314 

 (703) 836-3420 • Fax (703) 739-9481 



October 20, 1993 



The Honorable Dan Hamburg 

 114 Cannon House Office Building 

 U.S. House of Representatives 

 Washington, D.C. 20515 



Dear Congressman Hamburg: 



The Pacific Rivers Council would like to offer our suiqx>rt for the protection of the 

 Headwaters Forest in Northern California. This magnificent stand of ancient redwood forest is 

 a vital, functioning old growth ecosystem, offering habitat and sustenance for a number of 

 increasingly rare and endangered species. The streams of the Headwaters forest still has some 

 of the (Mily remaining high quality spawning and rearing habitat for oAo salmon in California, 

 a species which is at risk throughout its range. 



The importance of the Headwaters forest will become increasingly qqiarent in the next 

 year as data is gathered in response to Pacific Rivers Council's action today. Today we have 

 filed a petition to list the coho as an endangered species throughout its range under the authority 

 of the Endangered Species Act 



The maiket value of this privately held forest is quite high, placing this fiiagile ecosystem 

 in grave jecq>ardy from the very real potential of harvest We cannot stand by and let the trees 

 falL The Pacific Rivers Council supports your effort to raise the protection of the Headwaters 

 forest in Ccnigress. As with others, we also have reservaticms about the anticipated cost of 

 outright purchase of the land. For the same anxnuit of mon^ we could secure and restore every 

 key watershed harboring die best remaining salmon prawning and rearing habitat that is left on 

 federal lands. But, we understand your commitment to work with the agencies, the owners of 

 the land, and others to seek innovative methods, through donation or tr^ie, to acquire tiie 

 Headwaters forest We think this a^noach is £air and appropri ate and fiiUy support you in diat 

 effort 



We wish you well in your endeavor to save the Headwaters forest fior the fish and for 

 fiiture generations of Americans. Hease fieel free to enter this statemoit in the hearing records 

 fior those hearings held recently on this issue. 



Sincerely, 



BobEHji^lt 

 Executive Director 



New Visions to Restore America's Rivers and Watersheds 



ofliocs also in Eugene and Portland, Oregon 



