Draft Conservation Priority Map out for Review By Bobcat (Robert Brothers, Ph.D.), project manager
If you've been wondering how your watershed fits into the regional landscape, new maps from Legacy-tlc can help answer questions about old growth, road density, concentrations of rare or endangered species, and habitat effectiveness for carnivores like the Pacific Fisher. These maps will be useful in setting priorities for conservation easements, land trusts, timber harvest plan appeals, watershed restoration, and sustainable forestry.
This information played a part at meetings with local conservationists preparing for the "Missing Linkages" conference in San Diego on November 2, where we discussed connections among ecologically important areas statewide.
The new updating process for Humboldt County's General Plan provides an opportunity to change our society's impact. Should watershed restoration, organic farming, sustainable forestry, and alternative energy be designated as official "base industry clusters" worthy of support from the county and from federal funds for economic development? Should conservation easements and land trusts be encouraged as important ways to improve environmental quality?
Please tell Humboldt County what you think before the end of the scoping period in December. One good way to do this is by completing the survey at http://copia2.copia.net/hcgpl/survey/survey.html. And please tell Legacy-tlc how maps could be used to help provide information about crucial county planning issues.
Legacy-tlc will soon convene a special meeting of the California North Coast Coalition to address county planning issues. Representatives will be invited to bring their favorite ideas and issues for a brainstorming and strategy session in late November or December.
A challenging task will be designing thresholds for a full Environmental Impact Report when wetlands, forests, riparian zones, and other critical habitats are proposed for "development" with chainsaws and bulldozers.
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TOC for Forest & River News, Fall 2000